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There are three other people in the room that I need help from and who don’t need to be involved in the discussion about Astrid and Cian’s possible engagement.
I lean over and say softly to the minister who performed Torin and Abigail’s wedding, and who is staying the night at the palace as a special guest, “Could you join us in the next room for a moment, please?”
He looks around, shrugs, and stands up.
Then I motion to Abigail. “Help,” I mouth.
She also doesn’t hesitate. She nods and grabs Torin’s hand.
They all follow Jonah and me into the sitting room just off the formal dining room.
I turn to them. “Jonah and I are getting married. Right now. Before anyone in that room decides that we’re fair game to be hitched to someone else.”
They all laugh.
But Abigail turns to me. “Are you certain you don’t want to wait, just a day, to have a ceremony with everyone present? You can do it tomorrow while everyone is still here. You deserve that, Linnea. You’ve always been there supporting everyone else. You’ve helped Torin and me so much. We wouldn’t be here without you and Jonah. And you’ve both been in the royal shadow for so long. You deserve to have your day in the spotlight.”
But I’m shaking my head before she even finishes. “I don’t need that.” I look at the man who stole my heart. Even from the royal shadows. “I’ve actually had too much attention on me and who I should and would marry for way too long. I love the idea of just doing this my way with no fanfare.” I grin. “When they’renotlooking.”
Abi smiles and nods. “Okay then.”
Torin gives me an affectionate smile as well.
Then Jonah leans in and says in my ear, “You’re such a fucking queen.”
Yes, I am. Being a queen isn’t always a title. It’s an attitude.
Jonah looks at Torin. “Will you be my best man?”
The prince nods, looking a little choked up. “Always.”
It’s a simple, straight-to-the-point ceremony.
But after years of formality and glitz and everyone’s eyes on me but nothing being straight-forward about my future, that’s exactly what I need.
Five minutes later, I say “I do” to the first and last man I will ever love.
“You may kiss your bride,” the officiant tells Jonah.
His big hand settles on the back of my neck, and he moves in close. “Wife,” he says gruffly, his hot eyes touching every part of my face.
“Husband,” I answer breathlessly.
Then he tips my chin up with his thumb. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
And when Jonah kisses me, I feel more wanted and loved and valued than I ever have. It’s slow and sweet, hot and deep, and it’s a perfect reflection of our relationship and love.
It started slow. It was sweet. And then it got hot and deep.
And I never want any of it to end.
I sigh happily as he lifts his head, because I know it won’t. My future isfinallyset. I know what tomorrow will bring. And the next day. And the next.
Jonah.
Love.