Chapter 1
What was that stupid American saying Tia muttered the other day that she had to look up? Oh yes, “Hindsight is twenty-twenty.” Unfortunately, she could now relate to this ridiculously true saying all too well.
Helena Dubrinsky realized a little too late that she should have never encouraged Vladimir Wellington all those weeks ago. She castigated herself for the dumbest act of her life thus far. Perhaps this negativity stemmed from utter frustration because she rarely saw him…
Sure, he was a fine example of manhood. He was smart, fast, and she feared, lethal. And not just the deliciously yummy, protective type of lethalness, but she was pretty certain the man could take on just about anyone and win.
At the time she had been convinced, smitten really, that Vlad Wellington was her future. No other man had ever made her heart react like he did. No other man had ever smiled and her entire world was suddenly bright and sunny, even through the pouring rain. She couldn’t think of one other man she had ever been even remotely attracted to, other than Vlad.
Was this normal? Because it should be illegal.
She pursed her lips. Vlad Wellington should be declared illegal. The man was far too tempting. Right now she didn’t need that. She didn’t need him. Not really.
“Helena, where is your brain today?” Tia Morrison, her boss and their princess-to-be asked as she dropped into the seat beside Helena and eyed her knowingly. She was tall, blond, and utterly beautiful.
“It’s not here.” She was grateful that Tia nearly missed the stool. If it wasn’t for her penchant for clumsiness, their future princess would be perfect. At least that’s what most of Rurikstan thought. Since agreeing to marry their prince, Tia wasn’t nearly as clumsy now. It was like she’d finally gained the confidence owing her.
Where had she gotten that confidence? Because Helena needed a healthy infusion right about now.
“I noticed. Is this about Vlad?” Tia tapped the benchtop with one elegant finger. “Who, by the way, I still haven’t met.”
Her eyes widened as they darted to Tia’s bright blue-green ones. Glowing gems that matched her gorgeous engagement ring perfectly. The overhead lights caught in the old jeweled facets and nearly blinded her. Throwing her hands up to ward off the tear-inducing stream, she blinked a few times to clear the ache.
“Careful, that is a registered weapon.”
Tia blinked. “What’s a registered weapon?”
“That jewel on your finger.”
In response, Tia smiled down at the heirloom. “It is nice, isn’t it?”
That was a given, if a serious understatement. Yet the utter beauty in Tia’s smile of contentment and love was far more lovely than the ring. A lonely ache stabbed her heart. She wanted a love like that. But how did you go about getting it? Especially when the only man you’d ever been interested in was Vladimir Wellington - the most frustrating man on the planet. Four months into a—whatever they had—with him and she knew frustration intimately. If they had dated in the past rather than dance around each other, she might have a better understanding of relationships but alas, she had no idea.
Then what Tia said penetrated. “Wait, you haven’t met him yet?” She darted a quick look at his mother, Maria. Who probably outshone even Tia in beauty.
“No, I haven’t met him. I’m sure, because he probably looks like Aleksi and Maks, right?” Meaning he was tall, dark haired, and dark eyed, traits that all applied to Vlad.
“Sort of.” She tapped her pen against the lab notebook she was supposed to be writing in.
“Sort of?” One beautiful blond brow rose.
“He resembles them, but Vlad is…” She frowned as the word escaped her.
“Vlad is…” Tia loopy-de-looped her hand in an encouraging manner.
“Lethal.” Aleksi de Leos, their crown prince, supplied behind them. Tia did fall off her stool in her haste to face her fiancé.
Aleksi caught her with ease and drew her close; so tight it looked like Tia couldn’t breathe. Tia didn’t appear to mind. Her arms slid around him and she lifted her face for the kiss she definitely received.
“I don’t want to see that,” she whined as the two love-birds cooed at each other. Really, people in love were sickening.
From the corner of her eye she caught sight of Maria Wellington scampering by. Leaning out on her lab stool she noticed the champagne haired woman wore heels that had to be three inches, if not four. “Maria, you’re going to break your neck in those shoes.”
Both Tia and Aleksi leaned out with her to survey the shoes. “Don’t those hurt?” Aleksi asked.
“Yes.” Both she and Tia agreed emphatically on that score.
“Of course not.” Maria overrode them with a casual wave. She scurried from bench to bench, collecting the microbiological materials and tools she needed like she wore comfortable American sneakers.
She glanced down at her new sneakers. She had convinced Maria to find her a pair during her recent visit to America. The first time she put them on she decided she was never wearing heels again. She was even starting to think like an American, since Maria returned sounding like her home country and Tia worked here.
She glanced at Tia’s feet. “I thought you were planning to start wearing jeans and sneakers in the lab.”
“She can’t today, we’re getting our engagement pictures.” Since becoming engaged to Tia, Aleksi’s English had transitioned from the more proper British sounding to a much more American twang. She liked it.
“Once the pictures are finished, I’m going to change.” Tia glared at the dress she wore, complete with high heels.
“I thought you said you couldn’t walk in high heels.” Because she appeared to be doing just fine.
“I taught her how.”
She turned to Maria who still flitted about the lab, procuring items. “Of course you did.”
“She and Gracia made me.” Tia’s eyes drilled into Maria. “Neither of them are nice,” she added, speaking of Aleksi’s mother, Princess Gracia.
Maria’s tinkling laugh warmed the area. “You are much more confident, love.”
“The thing is, you are quite adept in them now. That negates one of your fears of becoming our princess.” She tried to keep the grin out of her voice.
“What were those fears again?” Aleksi looked expectantly between them.
Her lips kicked up while Tia’s mouth flattened. “Pink, makeup, and high heels,” she rattled off since Tia wasn’t going to.
“I’ve mastered the high heels because of General Wellington over there. I’m never doing pink.” Tia sounded firm.
“Good for you.” She scratched her chin. “If you don’t like it, don’t wear it.”
Tia eyed Maria’s soft cashmere sweater in a beautiful dusty shade. “When I look that good, I’ll start wearing pink.”
“You’ll never look that good. No one will.” She and Tia stared at their lab mate.
“That’s why I said it. Now I never have to wear it. Ever.”
Laughter bubbled. She heard Tia giggle as Aleksi murmured something in her ear and the two became encased in their little bubble of love.
She sighed.
Aleksi kissed Tia before waving to everyone. He left the lab and Tia turned on her.