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CHAPTER 1

AMELIA

“How is marriage treating you?”

I smile gently as I glance at the female reporter sitting across from me. It’s the most popular question I get asked. Since our wedding, it’s what everyone wants to know.

To be honest, it’s my favorite thing to talk about. I don’t mind answering.

“Very well.” I clasp my hands in my lap, allowing my wedding ring to show. A move perfected in the seven weeks since I became a wife. “It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.”

“But was it really yours ?”

She’s brave. The first reporter to broach the circumstances surrounding our marriage. I’ve been coached on how to answer, but it’s hard not to allow my irritation to show.

“Yes, it was my decision. From a very young age, I knew my destiny, the expectation of what my life would entail. Was I nervous at first? Of course, but Tristan is the best person I’ve ever met.”

“I’m sure others would say differently.”

“I’m sure others don’t know him the way I do.” I tilt my chin at her. “They don’t see us in private moments or how he treats me as the woman in his life. While we may not have had what many would call a traditional courtship, it’s a love story nonetheless.”

“You’re a better woman than I, Queen Amelia.”

My eyes meet Shannon’s across the room. I nod almost imperceptibly. We’ve become perfectionists at it.

“I’m sorry to interrupt.” She comes into view of the reporter. “But the queen has another appointment. If you’d like to book a follow-up interview, please contact our office.”

She stands, holding her hand out to me. Most people in my presence would curtsy, but something tells me she won’t give me the satisfaction. Instead of putting her in her place, I shake her hand.

“Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”

“My pleasure.” I give her the smile I’m supposed to and watch as she’s escorted out.

When the door shuts, I plop into the chair, sighing heavily. Sometimes having to be polite in the face of rudeness is the worst part of what I have to do.

Shannon comes back into the room, giving me a look as she has a seat across from me. “She was interesting.”

“She was a bitch,” I mumble.

“Amelia.” She laughs.

“She was,” I defend myself. “Just because I’m not supposed to say it doesn’t mean I won’t.”

“Which is why I love working with you.”

“Thank God. If you didn’t enjoy working with me, I’m not sure what I would do.”

“You’d find someone else.”

I glance over at her. “Not sure anyone else could put up with me.”

“Oh, I’m positive someone else would put up with you.”

Sighing, I lean forward, taking some of the strain off my back from sitting properly. “What’s next on my agenda?”

The door opens, and I’m met with the man who makes my heart beat a little faster each time I see him. “How about lunch with me?”

“What are you doing here?” I jump up from my chair, launching myself into his arms.

We saw each other last night at dinner, but you’d have no idea given the way I greet him. This morning, he was gone when I woke up, and I wasn’t able to start my day off the way I’m used to.

“We got done early,” he explains. “I had Parker swing by the pub you like. Got you a pint and some lunch. Sound good?”

King of Haldonia, and he’s still willing to take time out of his busy day to do the little things that make me happy. “Sounds great.”

He turns, clearing his throat. “Parker, Shannon. Do you mind?”

They glance at each other, smiles toying with the edges of their lips. “I think I know what you’re saying.” Parker chuckles. “We’ll be available if you need us.”

Tristan doesn’t waste a glance at them. “I’m sure the two of us will do just fine.”

“Duly noted.” Parker opens the door, holding it for Shannon.

“Never thought they’d leave,” I whisper, standing up on tiptoe to fuse my lips with his. Before they meet, he pulls back slightly.

“Sometimes they need a little push.”

Tilting my head to the side, I lean forward to where they’re almost touching. “Looks like you need a little push too.”

One of his arms slips from around my waist, his fingers tangling in my hair. “Are you having pictures made this afternoon?”

“Nope.” I shake my head, my eyes fluttering downward to his mouth. “You can mess me up as much as you like. The rest of my day I’ll be sitting behind this desk going through our correspondence. No more interviews.” I wrinkle my nose.

“Was your interview bad earlier?”

“Nothing a kiss won’t fix.” I lick my lips in anticipation, hoping he’ll give me everything I want.

His gaze moves down before he grips my hair tight, pulling my body into his space. We meld, fusing ourselves together. My fingers grab hold of the dress shirt covering his torso. What I wouldn’t give to have a few hours alone with him in the middle of the day, where he wasn’t needed by someone, and I had nothing to do. The only days we’re allowed to truly be ourselves are the weekends we spend at the beach.

Those strong fingers of his caress my ass, gripping tightly. His lips let go, smearing along my neck, nipping at the column of my throat. I’m drunk on the kiss, inebriated on him, and everything he does to me.

In front of the world, he’s all buttoned up and proper.

With me? He’s everything I’ve always wanted in my own love story. The strength to my weaknesses, the bold to my shy, the understanding to my anxiety. Tristan lifts me up and holds me tight, never letting me fall against the pressures of what we’re trying to do for our country.

Pulling apart, we rest our foreheads together. He breathes deeply.

“I guess we should get this lunch on the road. Parker will show up expecting me to be ready for my afternoon, and all I’ll be doing is walking around with a hard-on and an empty stomach.”

I giggle, pressing against his chest. “If the people only knew the way you talk to me in private.”

“If the people only knew the way you take me down your throat.” He grasps my chin with his thumb and forefinger, tilting my face up to his. “But that’s just between us, isn’t it, Lia?”

I bite my bottom lip, grabbing hold of his shirt collar. “Our little secret. Come on, let’s get to lunch.”

We have a seat on the couch in the back of my office, where I start setting out the food and beer he brought for us.

“Do I get bonus points for bringing you a pint?” he teases, raising his eyebrow as he grasps his glass, pulling it toward his lips.

Diving in, I grab hold of the pint, stealing the drink, moaning as it slides down my throat. “That’s good stuff.” I smack my lips together. “And you do get bonus points for bringing me my own, but yours always tastes better.”

He shakes his head, an astonished grin on his face. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know.” I wrinkle my nose up at him.

Instead of arguing, I start to lay out our Styrofoam containers, my mouth watering as I smell the fish and chips. It’s the freshest in town, not as good as what’s up north by the beach, but it’s tasty enough that I want it at least a few times a week.

“They tried to give it to me.” He grabs a piece of fish. “Instead of paying for it. They wanted to gift it to someone who could purchase it a million times over. Apparently my father was a regular, and he never paid for his meals there.”

“Does that make you angry?” I take a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

“I want our country to succeed.” He stops for a second. “It doesn’t seem right. I would use my position of power in a way that doesn’t set us up to do so.”

I’m proud of him, possibly prouder than I’ve ever been. “You’re a good man, Tristan, and an even better king.”

He smiles, taking a drink from his pint glass. “As long as I can improve on the one before me, that’s all I care about.”

Leaning over at the man I call my husband, I wrap my arms around his waist. “Haldonia’s lucky to have you.”

He drops his lips to my forehead. “And I you.”

There’s a feeling I have about him. He’ll be the leader written in the history books, and I want nothing more than to stand by his side. None of it will be easy, but together, I know we can do anything we set our minds to.