The Princess Bride of Riodan

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Prince Weston Montoya of Riodan tried to concentrate on counting his steps per minute as he pounded the pavement south of Echo Ridge Main Street. He’d almost told that woman who he was. He gritted his teeth.

Once Elise started talking, he’d spent most of the time trying not to smile at the way her eyes sparkled and her cheeks lifted as she rattled off more words than he usually spoke in a day. She had him sniffing flowers and talking of Aunt Jacinta. And he’d handed over the information like a rookie prince who didn’t know better than to protect the family’s private information. Then she’d asked him who he was. He’d let his guard down and almost ruined everything and instead of acting debonair and giving a fake name, like he usually did, he’d turned tail and run. Nothing suspicious about that. He clenched his fist and ducked his head, running harder. He probably wouldn’t see her again, but a part of him wanted to turn back around and continue their conversation. Instead, he ran farther away. Elise was an American, so she was off-limits.

Weston was the youngest prince from a large royal family that inhabited a small island east of the Bermuda Triangle. Riodan was rich in oil, diamonds, and gold yet had kept a low profile for hundreds of years. At least they had until Weston’s brother, Titan, decided to open up an account for every type of social media ever invented and document the latest nanosecond of his life in pictures. For the past three months, the royal compound had been crawling with paparazzi drooling over the hidden gem of the Atlantic Ocean—the Montoya family.

His cell phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts. He pulled his phone from the pocket of his running shorts and glanced at the screen. He grimaced at the photo of his mother smiling as if she couldn’t hurt a fly and she wouldn’t, but he was in for a tongue lashing. Might as well get it over with it.

“Good morning,” Weston said, slowing his pace.

“It might be a good morning if a mother knew where her son was hiding. Queen Raeni of Riodan has always prided herself on the honor of her family.”

Uh-oh, she was already talking in third person. That was never a good sign. “Mother, I know you’re worried, but please don’t. I’m fine. Once all of this mess with Titan blows over, I’ll return, but things have to change from now on. I can’t live like that anymore.”

There were two beats of silence. “You’re forsaking the crown? The royal family? All that your father has worked for?”

Weston groaned. “What crown? Titan is the crown prince and then Zac, and Marius, not to mention Ayida and Marisha. The only thing I’ll be ruling is the royal dog house and even Sheba won’t bow to me.”

Queen Raeni made a noise that sounded like she was trying not to laugh. For all of her regal and royal underpinnings, his mother had a good sense of humor. “You are a Montoya which means that you are part of the royal family. I suggest you revisit your lineage and the qualifications and requirements that go along with it. Azzaca was never a contender for the crown and with the choices that Titan is making, I doubt he will be much longer. Marius, however, could make a good king.”

“Wait, that stuff is ancient history,” Wes said. “No one really goes by those rules and you and Dad can make amendments to the clause about the true heir of the kingdom.” Even though he would never be ruler of Riodan, Wes still felt responsible for his country.

His mother tsked. “You are only twenty-eight, so it might not make sense to follow ancient protocol but I would again remind you to study the history that you must have skipped in your sixteenth year. Haggarik was the worst tutor we ever employed and I’m sorry to recognize just what it might have cost you.”

Weston stopped running and leaned against a lamp post. “Mother, I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.”

“You don’t,” she replied, “and this is a delicate conversation best saved for a time when you have studied and prepared.”

Weston clenched his teeth, pulling in a breath through his nose. His mother always seemed to be playing some kind of game. “Fine, I’ll call Father and ask him to explain it to me.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, at least not until you finish your studies. He has quite enough to deal with right now. Titan had a misunderstanding with a police officer last night and your father is trying to work it out.”

Weston huffed. “I’m sorry to hear that. I won’t bother either of you and I’m keeping a low profile, so don’t worry.” It had been weird walking the streets without his armed guards to accompany him. Part of him felt a relief he’d never experienced while a part that he’d never admit felt exposed and vulnerable.

“I’m your mother, it’s my job to worry,” she replied. “I love you, Weston. I want you to be happy and I also want you to realize what you have.”

“Thanks, Mother. I’ll talk to you soon, okay?”

“Kiss, kiss,” his mother whispered before ending the call.

Weston turned and started running back along the quiet streets where shop owners were getting ready to start the day. He mulled over the conversation with his mother. She loved to toy with people, hint, cajole, and raise curiosities and suspicions, but she never teased about the royal family requirements. What did she mean that Titan, the crown prince, might not be king of Riodan and the next son in line, Azacca, was never a contender for the crown? This was part of the reason he’d snuck out of the country. He needed a chance to get his bearings and figure out who he was without ancient royal protocol dictating his every move. He wasn’t sure how many weeks it would take for him to achieve the balance he sought. Hopefully, Echo Ridge would be a safe haven for the next month. He had a project to complete that required no interruptions from the paparazzi. Weston shook his head. It was too much to think about on an empty stomach.