Chapter 4 : Beach Day

*Genevieve*

My alarm went off just before sunrise. I climbed out of bed and debated what a captain of the guard should wear on someone else's date to the beach. I had taken the time last night to put away all of my clothes in the dresser drawers. I was here for the long haul, there was no need to be living out of suitcases. I opened the drawers and stared down at my options.

It was hot, but not unbearably so. I grabbed my cargo pants, ensuring I could store everything I'd need for the day in the pockets. I hated the idea of wearing long pants and boots to the beach, but it was the most appropriate attire for the day. My job wasn't to be comfortable, it was to keep Aurora safe.

Getting changed for the day, I regarded myself in the mirror. I pulled my hair back into a tight bun. Selfishly, I took a moment to apply just a little makeup, something to accent my features and keep me from looking so washed out. Maybe it was the pressure I felt from being around Aurora all the time, but I wanted to look a little more presentable than I normally felt. Maybe even pretty.

It was stupid, and as I walked down to the gym to get in a quick morning workout, I scolded myself for caring. Looking pretty wasn't part of the job. I needed to get my head in the game. If anything happened to Aurora because I was too busy applying mascara, I'd never forgive myself.

The gym was perfect. It had every sort of machine and free weight and whatever other equipment a person could dream of. Better yet, I had it all to myself. I let myself get lost in my workout, really putting in some effort for the day. The air conditioning in the gym was so cold that I barely sweat, so I didn't worry about trying to go back up to my room before breakfast.

Breakfast was a decadent mix of pastries, fruit, and bacon. Every manner of juice, milk, coffee, or tea was available, and I indulged in a cup of black coffee. I tried not to overdo my caffeine consumption, but I was tired from traveling yesterday, and I needed to be focused.

The motorcade that escorted us down to the beach felt excessive to me, but I didn't complain. I was always thankful for extra guards.

Ocean water glimmered like jewels along the coast, the soft white sand warm and shifting underfoot. I helped carry beach bags and a large umbrella from the cars down to where Aurora determined to be the perfect spot. Some of Boldova's soldiers had cleared the beach, making it nice and private.

I sent guards to patrol the surrounding buildings, keeping in contact via a radio that hung from my belt.

"Everything here is just like a scene from a fairy tale. This is the most beautiful place I've ever been," Aurora gushed to Rowan.

"It can't be that different from Reyna. I mean, we're practically the same island," Rowan chuckled.

"It feels different. It feels like a different world," Aurora continued. "Maybe it's just the good company."

Rowan laughed at that, a genuine, hearty laugh that twisted something in my gut. I frowned, forcing myself to remember that Rowan was nothing more than a spoiled brat. He had been flirting with me just last night, he didn't know the definition of faithfulness or loyalty. His parents clearly didn't care about their people, and I had no respect for rulers who couldn't consider their subjects in anything.

"So, what was life like growing up in Reyna then? If it's so different from Boldova," Rowan asked, changing the subject.

Aurora launched into a story about her childhood. It sounded nothing like mine. My childhood had been a little more … desperate, and less charmed. There had been no trips to the zoo or even the local playground, and I hadn't gone to dinner parties and birthday celebrations with my family.

Instead of listening to her recount the kind of childhood I hoped to be able to one day provide for a child, I directed my attention back to my men.

"Someone give me an update," I radioed.

"All clear on the north quadrant," one of my men radioed back.

"Just a man walking a dog down here," another one replied.

One by one, my men checked in, confirming that there was absolutely no danger to be found. I sighed. It was both a relief and a frustration. I couldn't trace the reason for the feeling of unease that still coiled within me. We were safe. There was no danger. I had nothing to worry about. I was being as vigilant as a person could, so I wasn't failing anyone in that respect. I shoved the feeling down deeper, praying that it would disappear entirely.

Rowan and Aurora had moved on to talking about something else. They were walking down toward the water, so I couldn't hear exactly what. I didn't need to though, that wasn't my business.

What also wasn't my business was the way that Rowan's muscles rippled along his back. Or the way his suntanned skin started to nearly glow under the sheen of sweat on his skin. His dark hair curled adorably at the base of his neck, and I wondered what it would feel like to twist my finger in it.

I had to shove those thoughts down deep as well. There was no place for them. Rowan was a shameless flirt, a spoiled prince, and a waste of my time. The only reason I paid any attention to him at all was because of my duty to protect Aurora. That was all. Or, at least, that was what I told myself.

Aurora looked incredible in her tiny black bikini. I had a hard time not feeling jealous of her feminine curves, the kind that women would kill for and men drooled over. She splashed and laughed and flirted with Rowan, and he threw back his head and laughed with her. They were an adorable couple, and I should be glad for them.

I kept reminding myself of that as I watched them enjoy their date.

Rowan dove into the surf, emerging again a few feet away. He was a fast swimmer, and Aurora did her best to circle to keep an eye on him. She didn't dare submerge herself past her waist in the water, and I didn't blame her. I'd never been one for swimming in the ocean anyway.

Rowan emerged and splashed at her, laughing as she circled to try and splash him back. He had already disappeared beneath the surface again, emerging again just to splash her once again. The game went on for a minute or two, and I watched dutifully from my post.

Appearing above the water's surface again, Rowan looked at me. He grinned deviously before winking at me. I rolled my eyes in response. He lifted an eyebrow, giving me a look that made my core molten, but I refused to acknowledge it.

Eventually, Aurora grew tired and convinced Rowan to return to the beach to lie under their umbrella. She slept in the shade, beautiful even in her slumber.

"I saw you staring at me," Rowan said quietly, bumping me with his elbow.

"I'm captain of Aurora's guard. That's sort of my job," I argued.

"Then, shouldn't you have been staring at Aurora?" he teased, a smirk crossing his face and making me both furious and enamored.

"I'm more concerned with threats to her safety," I retorted, refusing to acknowledge that technically he was right.

"And you think I'm a threat?" he asked. He rolled onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow.

I stood over him, looking down at where he laid on a towel. "I don't know what you are."

"I'm her betrothed. It wouldn't make sense for me to hurt her," Rowan countered.

"History would indicate that men and women across the world for all of time have used marriage as a way to lure victims to them. I can't imagine that your being engaged to her makes you any less of a threat."

"You just like to see the bad in people. You don't believe in happy endings," he said.

"I don't know anything about happy endings, Just Rowan," I snapped back.

He grinned, lowering his sunglasses over his face. "I guess we'll both just have to see then." He sighed, rolling onto his back and putting his hands behind his head.

"That sounds more threatening than I think you meant it to," I warned him.

"You only hear it as a threat because you see the whole world as a threat," Rowan answered.

"That is sort of my job. I'm supposed to view everything as a threat so I can keep her safe. Some of us are more dedicated to our positions than others," I taunted, allowing myself to slip up just a little. If he wasn't going to take his position seriously, he had no room to criticize how I performed mine.

"You make a lot of assumptions about me and you hardly know me," Rowan said, sounding very much like he was drifting to sleep himself.

"I should say the same to you."

"Fine. Then, I guess we'll both just have to take the time to get to know each other a little better. It seems from your attention that you would like that," he remarked, smirking again.

"In your dreams. Again, I'm just doing my job," I repeated.

"Of course. Whatever you tell yourself." He shrugged.

I didn't give him the benefit of a response. I didn't need to defend myself to him. I answered to Aurora. Technically, I answered to the king of Reyna, with my one assignment being to keep the duchess safe. So, I owed Rowan nothing.

After Rowan and Aurora napped for about an hour, they suntanned for a little while longer, and then decided they wanted to go for lunch. Lunch was uneventful, just more chattering and getting to know each other.

I pitied them in a way. I wouldn't wish an arranged marriage on anyone. They had so much to learn in such a short amount of time. I felt almost sorry for them, with the exception that they were royals living lives more lavish than almost anyone else I'd ever know. It was a small sacrifice to make for a life of luxury.

And they were both beautiful. I would allow myself that one concession, Rowan was stunning. I hated to admit it, but he was. It was easy to acknowledge how lovely Aurora was, she was so kind and naive. Rowan was harder to compliment, but it didn't do me any good to try and pretend like I wasn't attracted to him.

I was exhausted by the time we returned to the palace, and I refreshed myself by taking a cool shower. The shower didn't do much to clear my mind though. When I closed my eyes, I imagined Rowan splashing me with cool ocean water. I shook my head to clear the thoughts, but instead, I could only see his cut abs and the way his back rippled with ropes of muscle. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and the kind of fit that I could only hope the men I commanded would be.

I hurried out of the shower, realizing it wasn't doing what I hoped it would. Instead, I focused on organizing all of my things in my room, setting out my outfits for the following day, and looking over research materials for work. Anything to keep my mind occupied.

Taking a few laps around the palace seemed to help. I focused on mapping it out in my mind, remembering every last nook and cranny. That took enough of my mental energy that I could keep myself from thinking about Rowan for a time.

I decided I'd have to make a habit of it, to ensure he stayed chased away.