Ari woke the next morning, feeling like a truck had just run her over. It wasn't that her muscles ached, it was that she felt more tired than anything else. Even though it might be just when you give blood and not when donating stem cells, she still felt that drinking orange juice was the key to feeling better and replenishing her electrolytes."How do you feel?" Grayson asked, rolling over onto his side, sexy as ever with his bare, muscled chest."Tired." Ari placed her arm over her head, onto the pillow. "Other than that, I feel pretty good. I guess I'd better go take a shower and get ready to go to the hospital."Grayson stroked a strand of hair away from her face. "Why don't you stay at the hotel today with me? We can go back to sleep for a while, and take our time getting up."Ari shook her head. "No, I want to go down and check on Henley." She sat up, feeling famished.Grayson sat up, too, and rubbed her back. "Hungry?"Ari nodded. "Yes, I have a sudden craving for orange juice a
As they ate, Grayson hoped that one day Ari could forgive him. But he wasn't the only one who had lost someone. Her own father had left her mother, her sister, and her alone. Secretly, he wondered why. But then again, was there ever a good reason to leave your family behind? Grayson knew there wasn't."Ari, why don't you go back to bed and I'll be in soon." Grayson wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to him. "Let me take care of you today." He knew he had a lot to make up for, and he wanted to start now. "I know it's going to take a lot to gain your trust again, but let me try. Let me make it up to you. Please, give me a chance."Ari nodded, giving him a small smile. "We can lay down for a bit, but I really want to go to the hospital to check on Henley.""Well, why don't you call to see how she's doing while you're in the shower?" Grayson suggested. "If she's doing well, then let's stay here. But if she needs you, we'll go in."Ari thought for a moment and then nodded. "Okay
They headed through the doors of the hospital a bit later and, true to his word, Grayson had taken her to a fast food restaurant and got takeout, which they ate in the limo on the way. Now, they took the elevator up to Henley's floor and stepped out a moment later. Grayson made a mental note to speak with the hospital administrator while they were there. He needed to get back to Estrea, but he didn't want to leave without Ari... not this time."Ari, I'm so glad you're here," her mother said, pulling her in for a quick hug.Ari gave her mother a weak smile. "Sorry we didn't come earlier, but I was too tired and couldn't get out of bed."Her mother placed a hand on the side of her cheek, looking into her eyes. "How do you feel now?""Much better. Thanks." Ari sighed. "Grayson called and spoke with the nurse before we came, and she said that Henley's been vomiting."Celeste nodded. "Yes, but that's to be expected."A crease formed between Ari's eyes. "Do you think the transplant took?""I
When Grayson walked in the door to Henley's hospital room a few minutes later, Ari smiled when she saw him. Then she crossed the room, closing the space between them, and gave him a kiss. "How's Henley feeling?" Grayson asked, feeling bad for having stepped out for a moment, but it was necessary.Ari sighed. "She's not herself yet, but at least the nausea is better.""Good. I'm glad to hear it." Grayson thought that this was probably not the right time, but he knew they would be going back to Estrea soon, so he had no choice. "I need to speak with you about something.""Okay." A crease formed between her eyes as she nodded. "Mom, we'll be right out in the hallway for just a minute."Celeste nodded. "Take your time."Ari walked out and Grayson followed. She walked down the hallway and then turned and folded her arms across her chest. "What's up?""I wanted to speak to you first before we speak to your mother, of course.""Okay."Grayson took her hand, hoping to reassure her. "I was wan
Grayson followed Ari to the table where her mother was sitting. Try as he might, he couldn't get the idea of her possibly being pregnant out of his mind. But the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. He didn't want to be disappointed if she wasn't. But secretly, he hoped she was."Mom, we need to speak with you about something." Ari set her tray on the table and sat across from her mother, and Grayson took the seat beside her."Besides being....""Stop." Ari was clearly starting to get angry with her mother for the teasing. "This is serious."Celeste sighed, wearing a crooked smile. "Okay. What would you like to discuss?"Ari glanced over at Grayson and he nodded, giving her encouragement. Then she turned back to her mother. "Mom, we want you and Henley to move to Estrea with us.""If you like," Grayson added, not wanting her mother to feel pressured. But Celeste's smile faded. Then she looked over at Grayson. "Are you in agreement with this? And I want the truth."Gra
Vickie came a few minutes later and they all took turns teasing Ava about possibly being pregnant. She finally told them all to stop, truly annoyed. The truth was that she didn't want to get her hopes built up before she found out if she was pregnant or not for sure. Later that night, Henley fell asleep, ending all conversation in her hospital room. "So, are you hungry?" Ava asked Grayson in a low voice later that night. He nodded. "Yes. Ari, I was thinking that since Henley is better now, would you mind if we go back to Estrea? I hate to leave, but I have some business to attend to."Ari knew that the "business" he was speaking of was the murders, but she was glad he didn't say it. He probably didn't want to be reminded of it, either. Although she hated to leave her family, it was time. And after the fiasco on New Year's Eve, she didn't want Grayson to leave without her. Although she loved Vickie dearly, she was no longer single, and she couldn't do all the things she used to when
Ari looked out the window of the plane, enjoying the puffy white clouds below, placed in the sky as if God himself had set them there."Are you okay?" Grayson asked, refilling her champagne glass. Ari nodded and took a sip. "I'm fine."Grayson tilted his head to the side. "Are you sure? You've been quiet since we left."A broad smile spread across her face. "I'm glad that you and my mother are finally getting along." Then she tucked her free arm around his, enjoying the feel of this wonderful man beside her. "Thank you so much for everything."A confused look spread over his face. "For what? I didn't do anything."She kissed his cheek. "You did everything." Then she gently kissed his cheek again... and again....Grayson turned his head and seemed to devour her lips as passion overtook them both. Then he pulled back and whispered in her ear, "Want to join the Mile-High Club?"Ari scoffed. "Here?" She looked around, wondering who was watching. Even though it was the Royal Family's priva
Luckily, Grayson was able to get Ari to the limousine unscathed. "To the castle," Grayson shouted to the driver. But they were surrounded by paparazzi and were unable to move."Sorry, Your Highness," Clark replied, shaking his head. "I'll get us out of here as soon as I can.""I'll take care of this," Hal, another bodyguard, said, getting out of the limo. "Everyone, step away from the limo, unless you want to see the inside of a jail cell!" Suddenly, everyone stepped back. He walked around the limo, ensuring everyone observed a safe distance away from the limousine.Ari rubbed his arm in a calming motion, obviously worried about him. Grayson wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to his side. Then he raised the partition. "Ari, I'm sorry. Why they were allowed onto the tarmac near the plane is beyond me."She shook her head, still rubbing his arm. "Grayson, it's not your fault.Sirens screamed in the distance, growing closer, and the paparazzi began to scatter, just like roaches. A
Grayson was proud of his father's efforts to unite Estrea once again. It was clear that the old ways were no longer working. It was time for a fresh start. And King Maxwell of Estrea was determined to do just that.The election was held the next month, as King Maxwell promised, and the Royal Council was selected. But through it all, the feeling in Estrea had been one of new hope. In the news, King Maxwell was praised for his bold initiative to bring the realm into the Twenty-First Century.A few weeks later, the first meeting of the Royal Council was held on April 1. The board voted to continue holding the meetings twice a month, on the first and third Mondays, to keep the council abreast of the happenings of Estrea. The king then promised to make the proceedings and decisions made by the council known to the public in the interest of full disclosure. There was also a procedure set in place for grievances, ensuring that everyone's concerns would be heard. "So, what about the name Maso
The next day, Grayson was working in his office at the castle when Xavier walked in. Without a word, he crossed the room to the television and flipped it on. Then he stood back and folded his arms across his chest."And in the news today," Ella J. Scott said to the camera. "The body of Prince Marcus Pierce was found in an old abandoned warehouse, along with the bodies of other men. One of the men has been identified as Piers Wingfield, former head of security for the Crown. King Maxwell Pierce and members of the Royal Family have made no comment as to the cause of death. In other news—"Xavier sighed, folding his arms across his chest. "I don't think you have to worry about paying Piers now.""Let's speak with Father," Grayson said, already headed toward the door.Xavier followed. "What should we tell him?"Grayson sighed, turning around to face him with his hand on their father's door. "The truth."Xavier looked at him for a moment, and then nodded his agreement.Grayson knocked on th
A week later when Ari was feeling better, she finally had that meeting with the hospital administrator about Henley's House. This time, Henley, her mother, and Vickie attended. Grayson had wanted to go, too, but Ari had to persuade him to let her go without him. After all, she couldn't live in fear for the rest of her life."This is a wonderful idea. I appreciate you bringing it to us," said the hospital administrator, Dr. Sienna Gallagher. "We look forward to hearing more about it. And please be sure to tell His Majesty King Maxwell Pierce and His Highness Grayson Pierce how much we appreciate it. Cancer patients, and their families, will be very appreciative."After speaking with Dr. Gallagher, and at Henley's insistence, Ari had decided to expand Henley's House to include all cancer patients treated at Estrea Medical Hospital, not just leukemia patients.Ari held out her hand. "The pleasure is ours. Thank you for offering us the land on which to build. I'll speak with my husband and
Ari had fallen asleep on the way home, despite her best efforts to stay awake. But the lack of sleep and the continuous motion of Grayson stroking her hair, made sleep inevitable. But now that she was with Grayson again, the world could fall apart, and she wouldn't care. Her stomach hurt a bit, waking her."Are you alright?" Grayson asked, his voice filled with concern.Ari nodded. "My stomach's hurting just a bit, but I'm fine. I just need to rest.""And eat," Xavier added, looking at her in the rearview mirror. Ari laughed. "Well, that's a given." She thought for a moment, wanting to word it correctly. "Xavier, Grayson, thank you both for coming to my rescue.""It's my pleasure, my lady," Xavier teased."You know I would move heaven and earth to get to you," Grayson replied, his voice low and husky.Xavier nodded. "And he is not exaggerating."Ari laughed. "Well, I truly appreciate it." Then she thought of something. "I had to do something that I'm not proud of." She bit her lower
Ari ran through the forest as quickly as she could, headed toward who knew where. She remembered that there was a road that lead back to the village, and she had to find it. She couldn't follow the beach; she'd ever get home.Home.A small word that held so much power. As she ran, all she could think of was Grayson and going home, their home together, at the castle. Then she fell, stumbling over a root protruding from the ground, but caught herself with her hands. But she got up and started running again. After a bit, she looked behind her to see if anyone was following... and ran straight into something. When she looked up... it was Piers."No!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, her knees buckling under her. But to her surprise, he caught her in his strong arms."Quiet!" Piers said, holding a finger to his lips."Hold it right there." When she looked up and saw Grayson holding a gun, her heart leapt with relief and joy."Grayson!"Piers quickly pulled her in front of him. "I want
Grayson rode with Xavier into the night toward the shore. Although the chances of finding her in the dead of night was slim and none, he knew he had to try. And from the moment Xavier had heard, he was along for the ride. Without question. "Thank you for this," Grayson said, looking over at him.One corner of his lips curled into a smile. "You don't have to thank me. You would do the same for me, if the tables were turned.""Without question."Xavier shrugged. "But then again, I'd do it for Ari, anyway."Grayson chuckled. "Of course, you would," he teased. "I'm glad that you two get along so well.""What can I say? She's a nice girl...." Then he grinned. "and I'm a nice guy."Grayson laughed. "Yes, you are... but I didn't say that.""Of course not." Xavier looked over at him and smiled. "So, have you seen anything suspicious?"Grayson shook his head. "No. Nothing that could be used as a fortress or a hideout.""The shore is farther away than I thought." Xavier sighed."Which is why I
Ari looked around the warehouse, taking everything in. Maybe she would find a clue as to where she was. She kept hearing the crashing of waves, as if she were near the ocean, which meant that she was a few hours away from the castle. Either way, it would be a long walk back.One thing was certain: she couldn't just run back down the road to the castle, even if she did manage to escape. But then again, if she could just get out, then she could easily find her way back to the castle. Surely, someone would know the way and could give her a ride. Although she had no idea what time it was or how much time had lapsed, she knew she had much less than twenty-four hours now and, although there were no windows, she knew it had to be dark—or close to it—making it the perfect time to escape. But she was also getting hungry and she knew she had to eat soon. Also, when she came out of the restroom earlier, Piers had put another zip tie around her wrists again. So, she had to escape when the Zip tie
Grayson called Xavier, knowing he couldn't just sit there and wait. At that moment, he would give anything to have Ari back."Yeah," Xavier answered on the first ring. "Find anything?" Grayson asked, pacing the floor in his office. "Yeah, I think you'd better get down here." From the sound of it, Xavier was pacing, too.Grayson sighed, fearing the worst. "I'll be right there." He clicked off and was ready to walk out when the door slowly opened. "Where's Ari?" Celeste asked, slowly walking in, obviously having overheard something. "Do you know where she is?"Grayson sighed, biting his lower lip. "Please, sit down." He knew he had to go, but her mother deserved to know the truth before he left.Celeste said nothing but slowly walked into the room and folded her arms across her chest. "Where is she?"Grayson looked directly into her eyes, pain ripping through his whole body, as if someone had physically shoved their hand into his chest and ripped his heart out."Ari's been kidnapped."
Ari looked around the warehouse and all eyes were on her. Marcus gritted his teeth as he walked purposefully toward her and slapped her across the face. "How dare you say that about me?" He raised his hand again, but Piers caught it.Piers shook his head. "You gave your word that she will not be harmed for twenty-four hours."Marcus glared at him for a moment, and then ripped his hand out of his grasp. Then he turned his attention to Ari. "Kill me, will you?"Ari raised her head and glared at him, staring daggers into his eyes looking through her hair covering one eye. "Mark my words. You will never get away with this. You should have taken the deal that King Maxwell offered you. It's as good as you're going to get." She shrugged. "It's more than I would have given you.""Why you—" Marcus made a move toward her again, but Piers stood in his way and shook his head in warning."Not while I'm here," Piers replied. Quicker than Ari would have thought possible, Marcus whipped out a gun an