The Greek's Forbidden Princess. Annie West

himself or be barred from the throne for ever.’

      Lambis felt his brow furrow. ‘But he’s Michel and Irini’s only son.’

      ‘And the throne is his birthright. But that doesn’t matter. What matters under St Gallan law is establishing the next ruler as soon as possible. If it’s not Seb then I’m informed it will be a distant cousin, a man currently being investigated for fraud.’

      Her words fell like blows. Irini’s son disinherited? It didn’t seem possible.

      ‘Couldn’t the law be changed?’

      ‘Not quickly enough for Seb.’

      ‘What about you?’ When she simply stared he continued. ‘Why not make you Queen if the next legitimate heir is so distant?’ After all, she’d carried much of the royal burden, both for her father, then later for her younger brother as he’d adapted to the role of King.

      ‘Women don’t inherit the St Gallan throne. That’s a male privilege.’ Her tone was dispassionate, but Lambis wondered what it was like, eldest child of a monarch, forced to make a career out of diplomacy and public service, knowing you were barred from taking the throne for ever.

      ‘I need to help Seb find his voice again, because that will mean he’s recovering. And because without it he’ll be denied what should rightfully be his.’ She wrapped her arms around herself and something clenched in Lambis’s chest. It was so rare for Amelie to reveal vulnerability. ‘I couldn’t live with myself knowing I’d failed Michel and Irini’s trust in me.’

      Lambis reached for the brandy he’d nursed before she arrived. One swallow and it shot a heated trail through his chest and down to his belly.

      Amelie’s talk of trust evoked the harsh remembrance of his responsibility to Irini. Lambis had failed his friend once, with dire consequences. If he failed her son...

      ‘Why bring him here? I’m not a psychologist or speech therapist.’

      Her face changed at his words. The grimness turning down her mouth at the corners eased, as if she sensed him weakening.

      ‘He’s fascinated by you. You know how he followed you around every time you came to visit. He thinks the world of you.’

      Her shoulders lifted in the smallest of shrugs as if she couldn’t fathom her nephew’s taste. Nor could Lambis.

      ‘I couldn’t think of anyone else he cared about so much that they might help him through this.’

      Lambis shook his head so vehemently he felt the tickle of his hair on his neck and jaw.

      ‘I wouldn’t have the first idea how to help him.’

      But that wasn’t what made Lambis’s chest ice over. It was the idea of anyone, especially that small boy, depending on him to save them.

      What a fraud he was! Every day he managed arrangements to protect strangers, some of them in the most fraught environments, but he couldn’t protect those closest to him.

      It was a cosmic joke. And the tragedy of it was it was no joke. It was all too real.

      The consequences haunted him every day.

      He looked back to find her eyes fixed on him as if trying to see into his soul. He wished her luck with that. He was pretty sure he no longer possessed one.

      Carefully he put the empty glass on the mantelpiece. ‘I can’t do what you want.’

      ‘You won’t try?’ Her fine features paled, pared back by tension and disappointment.

      ‘I’m not the man to help Seb. I’m sorry.’

      He thought her mouth would crumple, and pain, swift and sharp as a javelin, lanced his chest.

      ‘Then God help him.’ She swung around and strode away, heels clicking on the polished floor.

      ‘I’ll find a retreat for you both. Somewhere the press can’t bother you.’ It was the best he could do. His pride and his conscience howled that it was far too little. But he refused to raise false hope. He was no miracle worker. Better for Seb to spend quiet time with his aunt. Surely that was all the miracle he needed. ‘It will be sorted by tomorrow.’

      Amelie didn’t even pause on her way out of the door.

       CHAPTER FOUR

      LAMBIS TURNED FROM his computer, catching sight of figures outside.

      Amelie and Sébastien, out so early that the snowy peak rising behind them glowed pink and orange.

      Intrigued, he shoved his chair from the desk and moved to the window. They were an unlikely pair. The Princess wore waterproof boots that were too big for her and a bulky waterproof jacket he guessed was Anna’s. Seb’s clothes fitted better but the jacket was too long. Where had Anna found the gear?

      Amelie led the boy across the pristine white of last night’s fall. Maybe they were out early because she knew the snow wouldn’t last. By this afternoon it would have disappeared. The forecast was for a return to warm weather. Not that they’d be here then.

      He needed to get back to his messages. But he stayed where he was, watching.

      Amelie talked, waving her arm enthusiastically. Seb said nothing and, though he walked beside her, his shoulders were slumped and his head drooped. He didn’t act like a kid enjoying the first snow of the season. No bounding across the white to leave footprints. He didn’t even bend to make a snowball, much less attempt a snowman.

      As if reading Lambis’s thoughts, Amelie dropped to her knees and began scooping the white stuff together in a mound. Her face, pink with cold, was breath-stealingly beautiful. She smiled, talking as she worked, but there was a quality about her smile that spoke of strain.

      She gestured, inviting the boy to join in, but he simply stood and watched.

      The Princess’s expression froze for a second before she ducked her head, ostensibly concentrating on her task. When she looked up again her smile was as bright as ever.

      Yet Lambis felt her pain. His chest clenched around the hurt. She was so stoic, so determined to persevere, even against what looked like hopeless odds.

      Her words last evening had kept him awake all night, trying to fathom a way to help them. To help Irini’s child. To ensure Seb wasn’t deprived of his inheritance.

      Lambis didn’t have what it took to get through to the boy. All he could do was lavish money on the problem and bring in the best specialists. But she’d already done that.

      Which left him helpless and useless.

      Lambis folded his arms across his chest, feeling the thunderous crash of his heart against his ribs. Frustration rose.

      But that had always been his problem, hadn’t it?

      He could look out for himself, he could keep total strangers safe but when it came to those close to him...

      A shuddering breath seared his lungs as he fought the gathering blackness.

      Outside in the bright light Amelie hid her fear behind that glorious smile.

      As Lambis watched, something twisted and broke inside. His breath expelled in a huge rush and he found himself striding for the door.

      * * *

      ‘When we’re done we’ll ask Anna if we can have a carrot for his nose. What do you think?’

      Of course, Seb said nothing and Amelie was left to pretend she was having the time of her life, kneeling in the snow while her heart broke a little more.

      She’d spent her life hiding feelings behind a charming smile but this was harder than anything she’d ever done. Each day, each hour, was more difficult than the last. She feared soon she wouldn’t