Page 33 of Prince She Shouldn’t Crave (Royal House of Halrovia #2)

Two years later

A gentle warm sunshine beamed down as Gabriel and Lena sat in the royal carriage on its procession from Halrovia’s cathedral to the palace.

Gabe gave a final wave to the jubilant crowd that had lined the streets to celebrate their wedding, before the carriage passed through the palace’s iron gates to the mews beyond.

It had been two years since Gabe and Lena had returned to Halrovia in the heady days after Cilla and Caspar’s wedding reception in Isolobello.

On that glorious day they’d laughed and danced and showed everyone how much in love they were.

Ever since, no one had doubted he and Lena were destined for one another.

Lena turned to him and smiled. Her diamond tiara, which he’d had specially commissioned for this day, twinkling in the sunlight.

‘You look…’ Gabe swallowed at the knot that choked his throat.

Blinked away the burn in his eyes. His wife was an exquisite woman but today, seeing her walk down the aisle in her wedding dress—a marvel of a white handmade lace embossed with a pattern of Halrovia’s native alpine wildflowers, a cobweb-like veil of tulle trailing behind her—his composure had cracked.

She was the only person who could bring him to his knees. Perfect in every way—perfect for him.

She cupped his cheek, her eyes gleaming with tears of her own. ‘I’ve never seen you more handsome. And I’ve never been happier.’

A flame of warmth kindled deep in his chest. Lena had been accepted by the people of Halrovia with joy and openness.

They were simply happy to see their prince happy—nothing else mattered.

As he’d promised her, the press had been mostly kind to them and their relationship.

It seemed that his earlier disclosure about his dyslexia had worked.

His approval had surged. Attempts by the rogue advisor to foment more discord about the royal family had been quickly quelled.

He’d lost his power as Gabe had predicted.

The final blow had come after a fickle media had turned on him and begun to investigate what appeared to be some questionable financial transactions, leading him to quietly resign from his role with the royal family.

All the tabloids were now filled with stories of the public’s support and love for the woman who’d stolen Gabe’s heart. Only speaking of Lena with praise.

Gabriel took her hand in his, brought it to his mouth.

Kissed it. Her engagement and wedding rings glittering in the sunlight.

He’d taken time with her to design the perfect ring to honour their love.

An oval sapphire the colour of her eyes and the seas around her island home.

Flanked by heart-shaped, vibrant yellow diamonds.

A representation of the sunshine and light she’d brought to his life.

Together, the stones also represented the colours of the Halrovian flag, their life together.

In the beginning, he’d given Lena time. Allowing her to finish her studies.

Steadily introducing her to the role she’d one day take up as Queen.

She hadn’t needed it. Whilst he’d helped her navigate the complexities of royal life, which she’d relished because of her kind and generous soul, it wasn’t all one-sided.

She’d helped him too, opening him to new possibilities.

‘Have you forgiven me yet, for my decision last week?’

Lena pouted, but, from the cheeky twinkle in her eyes, he knew it was all for show. ‘I still think you were wrong. The little black schnauzer in the bee suit should have won the pet competition.’

‘I still believe the snake was the right choice. The owner had made it a hat . I’ve never seen anything like it. Anyhow, I wanted to prove my personal growth to you by that choice.’

‘My darling husband, you still wore a suit .’ Lena began to laugh. ‘But you did work with children and animals and that…was impressive.’

‘My darling husband.’ How he relished those three words when, for a time after Lena had left him, Gabe had thought he might never be granted the privilege. ‘You’ve always left an impression on me.’

Their carriage pulled to a stop and a member of staff in ceremonial finery opened the door. Gabriel hopped down.

‘Are you ready?’ he asked.

He and Lena were to be presented on the palace balcony as husband and wife. It was the moment he felt as if he’d been preparing for, for most of his life. Except it took on so much more meaning and import with Lena at his side.

She looked down at him from the carriage and beamed. His love, his princess, his future queen.

‘Of course I’m ready. I’m with you.’

He helped her down from the carriage, waiting by her side as her train was adjusted, then offered her his arm as they made their way into the palace. His family and hers had already arrived.

Caspar and Aston had been his best man and groomsman today. Cilla and Ana had been Lena’s matron of honour and bridesmaid. It had caused a stir to have a future queen and a princess in those roles, but his sisters were Lena’s friends, as their husbands were his, and that made his heart whole.

‘Hurry up, you two!’ Cilla called out. ‘You can’t be late for the world .’

As far as Gabe was concerned, the world could wait a little longer.

They entered the hall leading to the balcony, where they’d soon formally greet the public as Prince Gabriel and Princess Lena.

Husband and wife. As Cilla and Ana went ahead, chatting and catching up now that they lived in different countries, he saw his parents waiting to the side, talking to Lena’s mother and brother, both of whom had walked her down the aisle.

It had been a slow repair to his relationship with them.

Gabe had been protective of Lena, keeping her away from the King and Queen, even though they’d reached out and asked for another introduction.

Small steps had finally led to acceptance; when his parents had realised that only one person would make him happy.

As he’d explained, shouldn’t that be what any parent wanted for their child? Of course, they’d agreed.

‘We’re ready when you are,’ his private secretary, Henri, said. Since the announcement of his engagement to Lena, Henri and Pieter hadn’t stopped smiling. He’d made many people happy with his choice, and that satisfied him to the depths of his soul.

‘I’d like one moment.’

Henri nodded as Gabriel led Lena into a room off the corridor, on the opposite side to the balcony where they’d be presented to Halrovia’s people.

He shut the door behind them for privacy, but could still hear the rumble of anticipation from the crowd who’d packed the palace forecourt and the main road beyond.

All hoping to see their Prince and new Princess, to witness the obligatory kiss.

‘Come here.’

Gabe turned and opened his arms. Lena walked straight into them.

He relished the feel of her in his embrace.

For a few days before their wedding she’d stayed with her mother in one of the royal residences made available for them.

He’d missed Lena. Their home felt empty in her absence.

It reminded him of how unfulfilled his life had been before she’d burst into it.

‘I wanted some time alone with you,’ he murmured, ‘because today, you’re everybody’s.’

‘No, I’m not,’ Lena said. ‘I’m yours. Always yours—never forget that.’

‘As I’m yours,’ he said, smiling, his heart overfull.

‘Of course you are. You promised. And I trust you.’

That trust meant everything to him. He’d honour it, and never betray it. Lena rested her head on his chest as he held her. She was taller today, wearing heels. He’d caught a glimpse of them in the carriage on the way back to the palace, the sparkle of crystals.

‘Tonight…’ he said.

‘Mmm…?’

‘Leave the heels on.’

She gave a low, throaty chuckle and melted further into his body. ‘Do you intend to live up to your reputation, Your Royal Hotness?’

‘I’ll never make you a promise I can’t keep.’

She tilted her head up, her pupils wide and dark in the ocean of her eyes. A hint of pink flushed across her cheeks. ‘Lucky me…’

‘I think I’m the lucky one but let’s not argue on our wedding day. Another kiss from my bride?’

Gabe craved this private time before having to share her with the world again. He dropped his mouth to hers, and her lips parted. The kiss tender, languid, full of reverence. Even though they had a whole future ahead of them, they took their time, reconnecting. Learning each other all over again.

Each day was an adventure of discovery with her.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. It was a reminder.

For now, they were Halrovia’s. At the reception tonight, and afterwards, they could be each other’s again.

He held out his hand and she took it as they walked back into the hall towards a room with expansive French doors opening onto the balcony, where the rest of the family would shortly gather.

As they entered the space, everyone smiled.

‘Let’s do this,’ he said, and Lena squeezed his hand in acknowledgement.

The doors were opened wide allowing the King and Queen through first, followed by the rest of the family as Gabe and Lena held back. The sound of the crowd surged in like an ocean storm, its roar ebbing and flowing.

‘Oh. My. Goodness,’ she whispered, gripping his hand tighter. ‘Listen to everyone.’

Sometimes even he forgot what the crowds could be like from the balcony, but Lena would soon see. Realise how loved she was. It was unavoidable in the face of this.

‘It’s all for you,’ he said as they stepped out into the morning sunshine. A sea of people spread before them, chanting their names.

Lena turned to him and smiled. ‘It’s for you too, never forget.’

‘I know if I do, you’ll remind me. Now, shall we give everyone what they’ve been waiting for?’

Soon, a kiss wouldn’t be enough. There was already speculation about a royal pregnancy.

He and Lena had spoken privately about giving up contraception for the honeymoon.

Perhaps there’d be a royal baby sooner than anyone thought.

Whenever it happened, he was ready. In the meantime, he couldn’t wait to start trying.

But that was for later, in the quiet of their honeymoon suite.

‘I don’t believe things could be any better than right now,’ Lena said, her voice trembling and thick with emotion.

Gabe understood. He’d never imagined he could have what he’d gained with Lena by his side. His partner. His equal. The woman he loved. ‘We’ve a lifetime yet to come.’

They turned to face each other. Gabe leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. She placed her hand tenderly on his cheek and kissed back. The cheers of the crowd rushing over them in a tidal wave of joy as they shared the truth of their undying love with the world.