Royally Benevolent (Resplendent Royals #4)

32. The Storm

32

THE STORM

ODETTE

T he rain picked up as we left Cologne. Cooling, it turned to a mix of rain and late-spring frozen glaze. A quiet fell over the car as it slowly continued in the motorcade carrying us. I’d wanted Wyatt to kiss me all day, but we’d been on best behaviour. I felt like a hopeless schoolgirl chasing her crush around. I wanted him to make out with me, but I had to calm myself. It wasn’t professional.

The driver lowered the partition.

“Ma’am, given the freezing rain, we are struggling with this road. The lead car is asking if we can go south. They believe it might be better.”

“How much longer will it take?”

“Another hour.”

Wyatt checked his watch, concerned. I had nothing but time. He had a child to return to.

“Let’s wait it out,” I said. “Can we just go a bit further?”

“It’s a sort of now-or-never situation about ten miles up if we want to stick to motorways.”

Wyatt stared out the window, nervous and disappointed.

“I’d like to try to stay on our current route rather than double the time. There’s no guarantee we will make it otherwise. Is it that bad?”

“It’s the rain and slick roads. We don’t know, but we have a better chance going south.”

I winced and took a minute to think. If we had a few more minutes, I could ask Wyatt his thoughts. I contemplated the change, but looking at his face, I knew the direct route was better.

“Let’s just?—”

But before I could say anything, the car fishtailed. I watched in horror as Grieg flew to the floor. That was it. For a moment, I panicked and came back to reality with my body restrained by my seatbelt, airbags deployed to my right. Wyatt was on the other side of the car, panicking and suspended by his seatbelt. Grieg hopped onto my lap, shaking, but otherwise, he was okay. Once more, I was grateful.

“Ma’am, stay still,” the driver said. “We’re in the ditch. Are you alright for now?”

I saw his face poking through the partition, frightened.

“I am. Wyatt, are you?”

“I am alive.”

“I will go get help!” The driver departed into the storm.

“I…” he was in a trance. “I cannot get out of here.”

“Your seatbelt is locked. Just unclip it,” I said.

“I will fall on you.”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I will be okay. You can’t stay up there forever.”

I put Grieg on the floor again, beckoning Wyatt, “It’s okay. That has to hurt.”

“I’m okay,” Wyatt assured.

“You’re not. Come down.”

Wyatt unclipped the belt and slid down the incline—resting nearly on top of me. Our faces were only inches apart.

“You are… okay?” Wyatt asked, still panicked.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Are you?”

“I’m perfectly fine. I just… I was shaken and worried about you.”

I reached up to brush his face with my hand. “I’m good, thanks.”

“That’s… good.”

I couldn’t help it. His body pressed to me was so lovely, and the smell of his cologne overcame me. Although this was not the right time or place, I kissed him. It was slow and easy .

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Wyatt whispered.

“Me, too,” I said. “And you, too.”

Wyatt’s door opened, and terrible cold, wind, and rain flooded in. In the dark of the evening, I spotted a security officer with a torch.

“Ma’am, we need to remove you from the vehicle. Are you alright? Do you need to see a doctor?”

“I think I will be sore, but I’m okay.” I looked awkwardly past Wyatt. “Please take my dog first. His leash is in the hatch.”

“I don’t think we’ll be able to open it,” the officer said.

Wyatt scrambled, handing the dog to me and slowly turning to stand on what was now the window. I watched as he released his seat, pulled it forward, and reached in the back to grab our coats and the leash without fail. He turned back after putting the seat back down.

“How did you do that?” I asked.

“Parenting hack,” he answered.

It was strangely hot. He was much cooler under pressure than I anticipated.

“You get your coat on and hand Grieg to the guards,” Wyatt said. “I’ll boost you up—no funny business—and then I will get out.”

“Okay,” I said.

Following his directions to the minute, I pulled on my coat, handed my stunned dog to the guard on the other side of the door and climbed out awkwardly—flashing everyone but mostly Wyatt. It was awkward, but we were okay. That was all I could ask for.

Standing on the side of the road, Grieg shivered.

Wyatt emerged from the car and checked on him. “Little man is cold. Here.”

He picked Grieg up and tucked him into his coat as best he could. “It’s all I can do. Don’t want him to freeze.”

It made my heart swell at the worst time.

“Ma’am, we need to transport you somewhere until the roads are clear and we can get you a new car. It isn’t safe for them to come yet.”

“Well, that won’t work. We have to go home,” I said, frustrated, tears welled.

“I am sorry, Your Royal Highness, but the ice caused this. There is no other way. We can get to the next town and find a place to wait.”

“But we need to get home.”

I felt such guilt. Wyatt needed to see Theo. I was responsible for this, wasn’t I? I should have made a choice sooner. Again, it was entirely my fault. This is what I did. This was how I hurt people. I began to sob, unable to make a decision—as if there was one to be made.