“What if I don’t want to live in the palace?”
He didn’t have an answer for that. “Just don’t make any sudden decisions. You’ve spent your whole life looking for your family. Now that you’ve found one that wants you, wouldn’t it be kind of silly to turn your back on them?”
She slowed her pace and nodded. “I understand what you’re saying. I just have this horrible sensation of being trapped.”
Zara hoped Rafe had a few words of wisdom to offer, but when he was silent, she wasn’t surprised. He had no experience with her situation. Plus, according to him he’d never wanted to be tied down to anything. He wouldn’t understand the ambivalence she felt.
They parted company just outside the door to her suite. She stepped inside and heard movement in Cleo’s bedroom.
“Are you finally actually in residence?” she called, suddenly happy to have someone she trusted and understood to speak with. “I can only imagine what you’ve been up to these past few days.”
Zara walked into her sister’s room, then stopped just inside the doorway.
Cleo had indeed returned, but obviously wasn’t staying long. Several suitcases lay open on the bed. Clothes had been dumped inside, some folded, some not. Her sister moved quickly around the room, picking up toiletries and tossing them toward the open luggage.
“What’s going on?” Zara asked, fighting against the tightness in her chest.
Cleo glanced up at her, her large blue eyes dark with emotion. “You’re the smart one in the family—I would have thought it was obvious.”
“I can see you’re packing, but where are you going?”
“Home.”
Zara had half expected to hear that her sister was moving in with one of the princes. All of them had paid attention to Cleo, although Prince Sadik had seemed most interested of all.
“Cleo, what are you doing? I thought you were having a good time.”
Cleo pulled several shirts out of a bottom drawer and straightened. “I’ve had a terrific vacation, but I’m ready to head back to the real world. I have a job waiting.”
Zara did, too, but she was on summer break, whereas Cleo had simply taken two weeks off from her job in Spokane.
“But don’t you want to stay longer?”
Cleo’s full mouth twisted slightly at the corner. “Not really. I don’t belong here.” She motioned to the luxurious room. “You’re the princess. I’m just some street kid tagging along.”
Zara moved toward her sister. “Don’t say that. We’re sisters.”
Cleo shook her head. “No. Your sister is Princess Sabra of Bahania. I appreciate you letting me share the adventure, but now it’s over.”
Zara’s eyes began to burn. “I don’t understand. Sabrina isn’t my sister. Not in my heart. I barely know her. Cleo, I need you here.”
“I can’t stay.” She walked to the bed and put the shirts in one of the open suitcases. “You’ll be fine. The king really likes having you around. You’ll be so busy learning how to be royal, you won’t notice I’m gone.”
Zara didn’t understand what had happened. She recognized Cleo’s determined and prickly exterior as a way to protect herself, but she didn’t know why.
“Did someone say something to upset you?” Zara asked.
“No. Everyone’s been great.”
“Okay. I’ll come with you.”
Cleo glared at her. “Don’t be crazy. All your life you’ve wanted a father and now you’ve found one. And, gee, he’s a king. Are you seriously going to tell me that you want to walk away from that? If you do, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. We both know that.”
“But I don’t want to be here without you.”
“You’ll do fine. You’ve got those guys interested in you. Hey, you’ll probably be engaged by the end of the month.”
“Not to the duke,” Zara muttered.
“Then to the other one.”
“It seems unlikely. You know my luck with men.” Cleo moved close and hugged her. “I would say that your luck is about to change.” She stepped back. “I mean it, Zara. I wish you the best. Really. But I can’t stay here. I am the last person who belongs here.”