Weight of the Crown by Christina Hollis Read Free Book Online

desirable. All Alyssa could do was go on telling herself she had been right to push him away, and try to keep her mind off him. It was almost impossible, but packingall Ra’id’s things ready for the journey to Rosara gave her hardly any time to brood. She already adored the little boy. Getting him to tell her all about his home far away strengthened their bond and cheered him up, too. While he painted pictures of his ponies and spun stories about life in Rosara’s Rose Palace, Alyssa told herself life couldn’t possibly get any better.
    If only she could stop thinking about Lysander. And if only international travel didn’t involve flying …
    On the night before they were due to leave for Rosara, Alyssa sat up late. She pretended she was collecting things to keep Ra’id occupied during the flight, but the idea of sitting in a tin can hurtling through the air thousands of feet above the ground had a lot to do with her sleeplessness. Only in the early hours of the morning did she finally give in and go to bed. She had barely closed her eyes when the alarm buzzed in her ears.
    Ra’id was so excited about going back home he was a real handful, but Alyssa was determined he should behave. They ate a quiet breakfast together in the nursery wing, though she barely had an appetite. Then she marched him downstairs to the entrance hall. Lysander was already there, supervising the transfer and as smartly dressed as ever.
    The moment he spotted her, he strolled over to meet them at the bottom of the stairs. Ra’id was delighted, but Lysander was more interested in Alyssa.
    ‘What’s the matter?’
    ‘Nothing, Lysander.’
    ‘I hope you are being a good boy?’ he warned his nephew.
    The little boy blinked up at them both innocently.
    ‘He’s fine,’ Alyssa said quickly. ‘We’re getting used to each other, gradually.’
    ‘But there’s definitely
something
different about you.’ Lysander’s hand went out to her, but he brought it sharply back to his side before it went anywhere. ‘If you’re still worried about what happened on your first night here—’ he murmured.
    If they had been alone, Alyssa knew he would have reached out to her, which could so easily have turned into something more. The urgent need to feel his touch again filled her until she couldn’t speak. All she could do was shake her head.
    That wasn’t enough for Lysander. ‘So what
is
your problem?’
    ‘What problem?’
    He gave up. ‘OK. I’m taking the lead car for the drive to the airport while you and Ra’id follow in the one behind, so I’ll speak to you again once we’re on the plane.’ Lysander rapped out the words like a warning.
    Alyssa felt herself going green. Luckily, Lysander didn’t notice. He was distracted by a furious wail from Ra’id.
    ‘No! I want to go with you, Uncle Ly!’
    Alyssa frowned. ‘You can at least ask properly, Ra’id. Now, we’ve been working on this. What should you have said?’
    The little boy gazed at her for a few seconds, and then remembered.
    ‘Please, Alyssa, may I go in Uncle Ly’s car?’
    She smiled gravely. ‘Well done, Ra’id, although it all depends on your uncle. Your Royal Highness?’
    She looked up at Lysander, expecting only an answer to her question. She got a whole lot more. He was gazing down at her so intensely that, for a moment, every one of her fears vanished.
    ‘I think that would be a very good idea, Alyssa.’
    She stood up again and bowed slightly. ‘Then I’ll arrange to have Prince Ra’id’s things moved into your car.’
    ‘There’s no need for that. I’ll ride with you in your car, instead.’
    Alyssa felt her face relax in a smile of relief.
    ‘That’s better,’ he murmured to her as they all moved towards the front door. Alyssa thought she felt a slight touch on her arm, but when she looked down there was no trace of his hand. It didn’t matter. Knowing Lysander would be sitting in the same car with them was a welcome distraction. It would give