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prince would have the desire to do so if his uncompromising attitude with her the past few days was any indication. Feeling better, she settled her warring mind and waited for Hesta to return with Ariel.
    She would win the contest, her athletic prowess and combat skills leaving her no doubt she would be crowned princess and she would allow him his freedom to do as he pleased. The prize in her mind was not the title of princess or the companionship of the prince, but the wealth she would acquire to heal her sister of her breathing condition. Ariel was the only person in her life she loved and the thought of losing her filled her with dread.
    Her beloved mother's dying words to Alex after the midwife had taken Ariel out of her womb had been, "Guard and protect your sister, Alex. Look after her, always and with your life." The midwife had cleaned the newborn and had carried the baby to Alex as her mother lay dying. Once Alex looked down at Ariel's scrunched up tiny, pink face, she'd felt a powerful, astonishing tug of love and protection for the infant.
    She heard a sound and turned her head, her spirit lifting at the prospect of seeing Ariel. Her smile froze when she saw the prince vault over the wagon's side. She stared at his impressive physique and a sudden image filled her mind. An image of their naked limbs entwined in passionate heat. Her face burned with embarrassment. She stomped on the image before it took an alarming note.
    He towered over her, staring down at her with his brooding, mesmerizing gaze. With the newfound knowledge that he would one day be king, she took a closer look at him and wondered why she hadn't detected his regal stature, his imperial pose before. Their gazes clashed, warred. Hers guarded, his almost violent.
    "We are stopping here for the night. You and your daughter will sleep in the healer's tent." He flicked a dark glance at the fading bruise on her jaw. There was a strange flicker in his eyes, like a softening of sorts.
    She must have misread his expression because she couldn't imagine anything soft about him.
    "I see your health has much improved. Good."
    Alex nodded. "But I need to walk and stretch."
    "One of my men can take you around the camp when you are ready."
    "I'm ready now and I prefer to walk with Ariel, alone. She's not used to being around strangers and I don't want her to feel uncomfortable."
    His dark brow rose. "Your daughter seems to be taking very well to strangers. First, my chief guard and now my cook. Everyone is quite taken with her."
    "Ariel is a sweet child." Alex paused, her gaze wavering under his. "And…and she's not my daughter. She's my sister, Your Highness ." She saw him stiffen.
    His eyes bore down on her and a curious muscle twitched along his jaw. "I wondered when you would find out."
    She raised a brow. "Was it a secret?"
    "No." His mouth tensed. "Was it a secret Ariel is your sister and not your daughter?"
    "No." Alex tensed, hoping he would leave. "Thank you for informing me about our stop. You may go now."
    "By the gods, are you dismissing me?"
    She wanted to say yes, but his formidable stance and ruthless air gave her pause. His gaze flickered over the outline of her body covered in tarp and settled on her full, pink lips.
    "Why were you out in bandit area with your sister?" he asked abruptly once he brought his gaze back to hers.
    Alex braced herself. This was where she should tell him about The Royal Contest, but somehow she couldn't bring herself to do it. Surely, he would make an unflattering remark or cast a distasteful look upon her if she did. In addition, after what she'd been through the past fortnight, she didn't have the energy to cross that bridge yet.
    "That, Your Highness, is none of your concern."
    "I beg to differ," he practically growled. "If you are running from anyone, it is my concern. I have the safety of my men to consider. I ask you again, woman, why were you in bandit area?"
    Alex bristled under his harsh glare. The charged air