Page 79 of Redemption of a Prince

Zeke swept her into his arms. She squealed and held on more tightly.

“What are you doing?”

“Carrying you over the threshold.” He pushed the door open with his foot.

Nikki laughed. “I didn’t expect that.”

Inside the room, soft jazz played thanks to the app he’d used on his phone. He set her down and pulled her close. “May I have this dance?”

She leaned up and kissed him softly. “It would be my pleasure.”

They moved slowly in time to the music, Nikki’s head resting on his chest.

“What are those?” he asked as he spotted something under the Christmas tree.

They stopped moving as she turned to look.

Two large packages sat there, wrapped with Christmas paper.

“You don’t know what they are?” Nikki walked away from him.

“No.” He followed closely behind.

One had his name on it. The other had hers.

“You didn’t get me a gift?” Nikki picked it up. “I didn’t get you that one.”

“No, I didn’t. Maybe they’re gifts from the staff here?” He lifted the box with his name on it. It wasn’t overly heavy.

“Go ahead and open yours.” Nikki sat on the lounge and looked up at him. “While you do, explain why there’s no ornaments on this amazing tree.”

“We’ll put them on when everyone comes next weekend,” he explained.

Zeke sat next to her and put the box on the table in front of him. He tore open the paper to find a plain cardboard box inside. Fortunately, it was only held closed by invisible tape and not packing tape. It popped open easily.

He separated the tissue paper to find a painted canvas. It was a portrait of a throne room with a crown sitting on the throne.

“What is it?”

“‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine,’” Zeke quoted softly pulling the canvas out and showed it to her. “Did you do this when we were here last?”

“I did.” She reached out and put a hand on his knee. “I used stencils for most of it. When I saw the stencil for Isaiah 43:1. I knew it was perfect. I had no idea it would be redeemed the way it was. Clearly. I’m still not sure how I feel about being a queen, but I’m so incredibly glad you’re doing what you were born to do.”

Nikki leaned over and kissed him, more intensely than she had earlier.

Zeke didn’t let it get out of hand but gentled the kiss. “You still need to open your present.”

“I think kissing you is more fun,” she murmured against his lips.

“I’m inclined to agree, but we have plenty of time,” he told her, sitting back. “Open it.”

He already knew what was inside.

“I’d completely forgotten about these,” she said as she ripped the paper open. “I don’t know why.”

“I had, too,” Zeke admitted. “But when we made it back to New Ancora, everything kind of went crazy. It’s not too surprising that we forgot.”

“I guess not.” She pulled out the painting and gasped. “Zeke, this is gorgeous.” She ran her fingers over the lettering. “What’s the meaning of this?”