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breathed out hard. Sunflower’s rumours were one thing, Hugo’s indefinite admissions another. But having Councillor Pinkerton admit to as much had Amber feeling sick to the stomach. In fact, she had to breathe for a few seconds in order to keep her stomach from turning over completely.
She glanced over her shoulder and saw Johnno grinning serenely back at her; found Sunflower watching her like a proud sister. Her gaze landed on another dozen members of their collective community—all of whom had come to Serenity in search of acceptance and kindness and peace.
Where would people like them, people like her, go if they had to move on?
She turned back to the front, her heart pumping so hard it seemed to be trying to escape her chest. The room was so still now, even the fretting baby had quieted, meaning her voice made it all the way to the rear of the room and out into the halls, hitting every ear as she said, “I ask that Council accept the inclusive community living on Serenity Hill has been in residence long enough to legally remain. I cry adverse possession.”
The murmurs began in earnest. Most asking what the heck adverse possession was.
“For those who do not know the legalese,” said Councillor Pinkerton into her microphone, “Ms Hartley is claiming squatter’s rights.”
At that, the town hall exploded as a hundred conversations began at once. Cheers came from some corners, jeers from others. The fretting baby began to cry in earnest.
The gavel smacked against the wooden table, quieting the crowd somewhat. And this time it rang through Amber like an old bell. Sweet and familiar and pure.
“Thank you, Ms Hartley. Your position has been noted. Does anyone else have anything to say on the matter?”
Amber glanced over her shoulder to find movement at the back of the hall.
A man had stepped into the aisle, a man with overlong hair swept away from his striking face and dark hazel eyes that locked onto Amber. She didn’t realise her lungs had stopped functioning until her chest began to ache.
Hugo. But not the Hugo she knew. Not the man in the worn jeans and button-downs who was happy rolling on the ground with Ned, watching her collect honey, or sitting on her stairs staring towards the horizon chewing on a blade of grass.
This was Hugo the Prince. His stark jaw was clean-shaven and he looked dashing in a slick three-piece suit with such bearing, composure and self-assurance he was barely human. Behind him stood a big, hulking bald man in black, watching over him like a hawk.
She hoped no one noticed how hard she clenched her fists.
“Your Highness, good evening, sir,” said Councillor Pinkerton, the friendly note of her voice making it clear it was not the first time she’d set eyes on the man.
Hugo’s deep voice rang out across the room. “If I may?”
Councillor Pinkerton waved a hurry-up hand. “Up you come, then. State your name for the record. And your purpose.”
While Amber had had to climb over a tangle of legs to get to the lectern, the crowd parted for Hugo like the Red Sea.
He slowed as he neared, his head cocking ever so slightly in a private hello.
Amber hated the way her cheeks warmed at the sight of him, her heart thumping against her ribs as if giving the death throes of remembered desire. Nevertheless, she held her ground, waiting until the last moment to give up her position. Then, with an exaggerated bow from the waist, she swooshed out an arm, giving him the floor as she backed away.
Laughter coursed through the crowd.
Hugo’s smile eased back, just a fraction. Enough for Amber to know she’d scored a hit.
All’s fair, she thought, in love and war. And this was war.
“Councillor Pinkerton,” he said, “Council members, good people of Serenity. I thank you for this opportunity to introduce myself to this community.”
His hand went to his heart on the last few words, and Amber rolled her eyes.
But the crowd? They were hooked. Straining forward so as not to miss a word spoken in that deep, hypnotic, lilting voice. And he was ramping up the accent. Big time. Playing the dashing foreigner card for all it was worth.
“It has taken me far too long to return to the home of my mother’s family, but in the days I have spent wandering the hills and vales your home has come to hold a special place in my heart. And I cannot wait to tell my friends and family about this gem of a place. To invite them here to meet all of you good people. To give the world a taste of Serenity.”
Amber rolled her eyes again. But when she looked out over the crowd she saw even members of the commune listening with interest. Including Sunflower, who looked entranced. And then came a smattering of delighted applause.
Enough. Amber marched back up to the rostrum and gave Hugo a shove with her hip, ignoring the wave of heat that rocked through her at his touch. She grabbed the microphone so roughly that the feedback quieted the room.
“Really?” she said, her voice echoing darkly around the room. “A taste of Serenity...? It’s like a cheesy brochure.”
Hugo laughed. And she knew she had surprised him. He licked his lips, swallowing it back, but the light of it lingered in his eyes.
“He,” said Amber, pointing an accusing finger towards the Prince, “is not one of us. His words might be pretty but his plans are not. And I can’t stand to—”
Something lodged in her throat then. Something that felt a lot like a swell of deep emotion, the kind that preceded tears.
Come on! She wasn’t a crier! She breathed out hard. And managed to keep her cool.
“It would be a grave injustice to see Serenity lost under the overwhelming influx of tourism that would come by way of a resort. I hope, I believe, that you are with me on this point: Serenity’s future must be allowed to evolve as it always has—organically.”
If Hugo’s words had been met with happy claps, Amber’s were met with a standing ovation, and a cheer that all but lifted the roof off the place.
The gavel banged several times before Councillor Pinkerton regained control. “Assuming that’s all the new business, we will keep further discussion to next week’s town meeting. Date and time as mentioned earlier. Meeting adjourned.”
With that, Councillor Pinkerton and the others made their way back behind their private closed door, leaving the people of Serenity to ease off their numb backsides, stretch their arms and talk excitedly amongst themselves.
Hugo stepped in and took Amber’s elbow. Gently. Respectfully. But that didn’t stop the sparks of heat from travelling up her arm and making a mess of her synapses as he tilted his head to murmur near her ear.
“You can’t possibly believe I want Serenity to suffer.”
“You have no idea what I believe. You don’t know me at all.”
His eyes didn’t move but she imagined them sliding up and down her body as a slow smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “You have a short memory, Ms Hartley. Or perhaps selective would be a better description.”
“You want words? I can think of so many words to describe you right now, Your Highness. We could go on like this all night long.”
Hugo’s eyes darkened. And yep, she’d heard it too. Dragon fire gathered behind Amber’s teeth as conflict and desire swirled through her like a maelstrom. But behind it all, the need to protect her town, her people, herself.
“Game on,” said Hugo as he was swallowed by the crowd.
Bring it on, Amber thought as she crossed her arms and backed away. Bring. It. On.