“I’m definitely dreaming this,” I whispered.
He kissed me deeply and asked, “Still a dream?”
I nodded.
He kissed my throat and nipped it lightly. “Still?”
“A very vivid dream,” I amended.
“Well, if it is just a dream, then it won’t matter if we don’t follow protocol,” he whispered seductively and slid his hand up my leg slowly.
I gasped and whispered, “I have never wanted my life to be a dream as much as I do right now.”
He chuckled and pulled me against him in a bone-crunching hug to kiss me deeper than before. I melted into him and who knows what would have happened if the King had not entered then and cleared his throat.
I hid behind Hadyn’s back as I tried to calm my racing heart.
“Hadyn,” he chastised, “You know the rules.”
“Yes, sir.”
“We’re sorry,” I whispered.
“Serra’s handmaiden is here to escort her to her room. I will give you another moment alone to say goodnight.”
He shut the door as he left and I thought I might faint from all the blood that was in my cheeks. “I’m mortified,” I whispered.
“Don’t be,” he said and kissed me deeply again, “He is happy for us.”
“I don’t want to be separated from you,” I admitted.
“Are you scared?” he asked.
“A bit.”
“Were you still having nightmares?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Okay, I’ll handle it.”
“How?”
“Go with your handmaiden. Just trust me, okay?”
I nodded and then kissed him once more before hurrying out of his room. The woman was not much older than me and she smiled when I appeared. “Ready, Princess?”
I nodded and followed her a few doors down to my new room. I was insanely glad that they had not assigned me to the same room as before. She helped me undress and then put on a silk sleeping gown and get into bed.
I was just falling asleep when warm hands slid around my waist and Hadyn whispered, “It’s only me, so don’t scream.”
“What are you doing?” I asked with my heart pounding.
“I’m going to make sure that I protect you.”
“Hadyn…”
“I won’t let you have nightmares anymore. You will go to sleep knowing that I am here and I will destroy anyone who tries to hurt you.”
“But…”
“I promise that I won’t try to seduce you,” he said and then added, “before the wedding.”
“Promise to behave?” I asked.
“I’m here only to help you sleep.”
“But what if…”
He kissed the back of my head and moved closer until our bodies aligned together and his heat surrounded me. “Go to sleep, my love. I’m here for you.”
I did not think that I would be able to sleep, but I fell asleep not long after and not a single nightmare disturbed me. I woke up to find him gone, but a single flower on the pillow next to me. I brushed my hair and then tucked the flower above my ear and wore it to breakfast. He saw the flower and his smile was enough to make everything I had endured worth it.
“Good morning,” the Queen greeted me. “How did you sleep?”
“Perfectly,” I said and sat down next to her.
“Have you forgiven the Prince for his terrible behavior yesterday?” she asked with a glare at him.
“Almost,” I teased Hadyn.
“I’m working on it,” he assured her.
“If it were me, you would have to find the biggest diamond in the world or buy me an island,” she said.
“They’re not that expensive if you buy them in the winter,” The King said as he entered and kissed his wife on the cheek. He ruffled Hadyn’s hair and said, “I’ll point out some good ones on the map later for you. I’m certain that you’ll need it in the future.”
I laughed and Hadyn shook his head. “I’m perfect.”
“Big head,” I reminded him.
“It’s perfectly proportioned,” he said back with a smirk.
“We aren’t married yet,” Hadyn reminded her.
“Speaking of that,” she said, “You and I must finalize your wedding plans.”
Oh, I had not really thought of that.
“What about Brevard?” I asked.
“You and Hadyn will be schooled here. You need different schooling than the Lords do for your eventual duties as King and Queen,” she explained.
Wow.
“I’m still going to beat you at everything,” he told me cheerily.
“Except archery,” I threatened.
“Challenge accepted,” he said and I hoped he would keep that smile on his face for the rest of our lives.
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