The Greek's Forbidden Princess

Grumpy with herself because that was exactly what she’d hoped, Amelie got to her feet and shepherded Seb towards the house.

‘Come on, Seb. It’s breakfast time. I’m sure Anna’s got something nice for us to eat.’

Lambis’s voice followed them. ‘Then you can pack. I’ve organised a place for you to stay where you’ll be comfortable and private. Somewhere less wintry.’

He couldn’t wait to be rid of them, could he?

Amelie halted, hackles rising despite her attempt to stay calm. But it seemed she’d shed that ability last night.

What was it about Lambis Evangelos that made her feel so different? Unlike the controlled, careful woman she’d been for twenty-nine years? Every fine hair on her arms and the back of her neck prickled.

The man was immovable. She should walk away, not let him see how his rejection hurt.

Instead, Amelie discovered she really had reached breaking point. There was no other explanation for the instinct that made her, quick as thought, bend and scoop up a handful of snow. She packed it into a hard ball, then spun round and lobbed it straight at the tall figure behind her.

For the first time she could recall, Amelie had no thought for good manners or appropriate royal behaviour—things that had been drummed into her from birth. Only for the need to wipe the satisfaction off her tormentor’s face.

Snow exploded on his chin, showering him in white.

For a second, not quite believing she’d done it, Amelie stared, her eyes widening. Then, as he spat out snow, she couldn’t prevent the laugh that bubbled up and escaped her frozen lips. A laugh of shock and delight. If she’d aimed properly she couldn’t have done better. He looked as astonished as her.

Amazing how good that felt!

To act recklessly. To attack instead of taking her disappointment like a proper princess, always gracious and polite.

Amelie felt a rogue ripple of power through her chest and right down her spine. After the tension and worry of the last weeks it was marvellous.

She was still smiling when Lambis bent, shovelling up a massive handful of snow, shaping and throwing it all in one fluid movement.

It thudded into her arm, raised protectively in front of her face. Without stopping to consider where this would lead, Amelie scrabbled up another handful of snow, compacting it. She pitched it just as another massive snowball hit her shoulder, disintegrating in a starburst of white that blurred her vision.

Amelie couldn’t catch her breath. It came in choppy little gasps of searing cold as she bent and reached for more snow. It took a second to realise it was laughter choking her airways, a hoarse chuckle that melded amusement with the rush of pent-up emotions, suddenly let loose. Her pulse was hectic, out of control, and satisfaction sung in her veins as she got Lambis square on the chest, white slamming into his black pullover.

Then his lob caught her full on the face.

The shock of it made her wobble in her borrowed boots, breathing in snow crystals.

When she swiped her face clear it was to see Lambis, arrested in mid movement, watching to see if she’d faint or curse or run away. As if!

Amelie dived for the snow, using two hands to make a massive snowball. ‘You may be quick, Evangelos, but you’re a much bigger target.’ This time her aim was off, catching him on the elbow as he moved, but the joy of a hit urged her on. Ignoring the pelt of snow on her shoulders and chest, she took her time with the next, catching him on the neck as he twisted away.

* * *

The woman was utterly glorious.

Gone was the pale, serious Princess who’d twisted his conscience and his belly in knots last night. Instead Amelie glowed. From her bright blonde hair, escaping in loose tendrils around her face, to her incandescent smile and the vivid green of her eyes. Even with snow dripping down one cheek and wetting her hair, she was more beautiful, more vibrant than anyone he’d ever seen.

Lambis wanted to reach out and capture the essence of her.

He wanted to turn his back and run from her.

And keep running.

Because no good could come from this.

Damn. She turned him inside out! Every time he pushed her away she sneaked under his guard. And she didn’t have a clue she did it. She brimmed with a joy that was artless and contagious. He could almost feel his lips twitch in response and—

Ice exploded on his face. Lambis brushed it off and shook his head, shaking snow crystals from his hair. That was when he noticed Sébastien, tucked up against the corner of the house, watching. His features were as blank and unsmiling as before. But Lambis saw his eyes looked different...engaged.

Memory stirred, of that same little boy skipping along beside him in St Galla, chattering about everything and nothing, asking so many questions his head spun, laughing at some absurd rhyming game he’d made up.