The day their promotions were announced, they both wore such smug looks of self-entitlement that Eva wanted to scream. Neither of them even had the decency to look at her, never mind thank her for helping them rise in rank. Even worse, they both used their new status to remind Eva that she was of a lower rank than they were.
Every day, she had to suck it up and pretend she didn’t notice. Every day, she had to push herself harder and harder in the never-ending hope that her superior officerswouldnotice her.Every day, she cursed being a woman in a man’s world. The worst days were when she questioned why she had ever joined the military in the first place.
But, slowly, a callous had grown over the wound, and she’d come to see that being forced to work twice as hard as the men for less than half the recognition only made the reward sweeter when it did finally come. She knew how hard she worked and what she was made of.
She heard Armstrong’s voice, saying that Pete Billings had steel coursing through his veins. Well, Eva had iceandfiery lava in her veins.No matter how strong Sergeant Billings thought he was, Eva knew she was stronger. She’d have quit years ago if she wasn’t.
She was a force to be reckoned with, and she knew it.
“Watch out, Sergeant Billings,” she whispered. “You don’t know who you’re up against, and I’m not going to lose.”
CHAPTER 2
PIETER
“Was it something I said?” Pieter asked Derek as they walked away from the huddle of young soldiers to whom he had just been introduced.
“What do you mean?” Derek asked.
“I get the feeling I’m about as welcome on this base as a contagious disease.”
“Don’t take it personally. We tend to be a little more reserved on this base than other places you’re used to.”
“So it will get better when people get to know me?” Pieter asked, looking around at the mountains surrounding the base, and the Alaskan wilderness beyond — the proof that he hadn’t been bluffing when he’d told his father he would leave.
“It might even get worse, if your track record is anything to go by.”
Pieter shot Derek a look of mock-anger. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“I’m joking. Just give it time. And anyway, you’ll meet plenty of people who are happy to have you here. New blood and all that.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes as Pieter replayed the conversation he’d had with Derek earlier that morning, when he’d arrived at the base and met his old college friend for the first time in years. After greeting each other warmly, the two had caught up briefly on their lives after college. Pieter had focused on his military career, leaving out details about his royal duties.
“Your parents are happy that you’re here?” Derek had asked.
“They don’tknowI’m here. I mean, not here in Alaska. They insisted I leave the military and move back to the palace, and I refused. We’d reached an impasse, and when I told them I would join the military here, they called my bluff.”
“Ouch.”
“They don’t seem to understand that the militaryismy life now. I’ve found my calling, and I don’t plan on leaving.”
“I hear you. I can’t imagine another life for me.” Derek took a deep breath and added, “I’ve been thinking that it’s probably best if we don’t share your real name and identity with anyone else here.”
Pieter nodded. He’d been expecting to be told not to divulge his royal identity. “Have you chosen an alias for me?”
“We have. During your time here, you’ll be known as Sergeant Pete Billings.”
Pieter nodded again, then extended his hand. “Sergeant Billings, sir, reporting for duty.”
Derek smiled. “It suits you. Good. Now, you’re not going to go all royal on us and ask for a footman to wash and dress you in the morning, are you?”
“I thought it was understood that I would need one,” Pieter deadpanned. “I’m incapable of washing and dressing myself.”
Derek laughed. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I roomed with you for two years, so I know you’re capable of it. I still haven’t forgotten about those schedules you used to make up for cleaning our place. I never understood why you thought the kitchen and bathroom needed to be cleaned so often.”
“Do you understand now that you’re a civilized human being?”
“Let’s just say I’m ashamed of my formerly slovenly ways.”
