Maya stood frozen against the kitchen sink. Crown Prince Ethan. The sole heir to the European monarchy of Valoria.
Ethan looked from the kneeling officers to Maya. Memories were flooding back into his eyes—the assassination attempt, the border coup, his coronation obligations.
"Maya," Ethan whispered, stepping toward her with an outstretched hand.
"Don't touch me," Maya choked back a sob, tears burning her cheeks. "You're a prince. I'm a waitress in Queens. You lied to me."
"I never lied about how I felt!" Ethan yelled as two royal aides moved between them.
"Your Highness, the private jet is fueled at JFK. The Prime Minister is staging a military tribunal. Every second counts."
Ethan was dragged backward through the broken doorway. His final shout echoed down the stairwell: "Wait for me, Maya! I will come back for you!"