Page 49

A few days before Christmas…

I couldn’t get over the sight of my belly. Standing before the mirror in my bedroom at the palace, it didn’t matter that I was less than an hour away from being crowned Princess of Edoria. All I cared about was the little bean in my round belly.

“You’re going to be late.”

Luc, dressed in a tuxedo and looking dashing as ever, emerged from the bathroom. He stepped up behind me, wrapping his big arms around my middle, just below my little bump.

“I can’t help it. Edoria might have to wait a little longer.”

He lifted his hands a bit higher, resting them gently, carefully on my belly. Luc then closed his eyes, a small smile forming on his handsome face.

“Sounds entirely reasonable to me. But what’s that expression you Americans have? A watched pot never boils? We might have to change it to ‘a stared at belly doesn’t grow a baby’.”

I laughed. “Alright, you’ve got a point.”

“Not to mention that Kinley worked very, very hard on this dress.” He stepped over to the gown where it hung on the nearby mirror. The dress was stunning—flowy and white lace, showing an effect as if I were covered in ice crystals, perfect for this time of year. “I don’t think she’d be happy if you skipped the ceremony without showing it off a little.”

“That’s true, can’t forget about Kins. Anyway, you want to help me get this thing on or what?”

He stepped back, taking a good long look at me in my underwear.

“Actually, I think this is working for you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Get that cute butt of yours over there and grab that dress. If you’re good, you might get to be the one to take it off later tonight.”

“When am I not good?” he asked, flashing me a smirk.

He carefully removed the gown from where it hung, bringing it over and carefully lifting it above my head. It took a little doing, but he was soon able to bring it down over me. I held the dress in place as he zipped it from the back. Once that was done, I stepped in front of the mirror and made the final adjustments. Last but not least were the gorgeous, matching high heels.

Once they were on, I stood in front of the mirror again, unable to believe what I was seeing. Luc stepped behind me, placing his hands on my shoulders.

“Not bad for a crab cake truck girl from Seattle, huh?” I asked.

“Not at all. You look… I don’t even know what to say. You look like something from another world. No doubt your mother would be beside herself with joy to see you like this.”

I was so happy and eager about the ceremony ahead that I hadn’t even stopped to really think about the fact that Mom wasn’t going to be there. I mean, obviously I’d known that she wouldn’t be. But something about Luc’s words put it into stark clarity that everyone I knew was going be there in the audience—everyone except Mom.

“She’s watching,” Luc said, seeming to sense my feelings. “Don’t even think for a second that she’s not. No way Analise would miss a day like today.”

I smiled. Luc seemed to always know just what to say, leaning in for a long kiss once he’d spoken the words.

“Now, come on, Princess Ava… you’ve got a tiara to wear.”

He stepped over to the bedroom door and opened it, revealing a gorgeous hallway decked with white tinsel. I joined him there, taking a long moment to appreciate just how beautiful the palace looked in Christmas style. Through the tall windows I could see snow falling from the white clouds above, the garden frosted and covered with fresh powder.

“Come along, my princess.”

I took a deep breath, a bit of nervousness forming in my belly. Down at the far end of the hall, Kinley and a few other members of the staff, all dressed in their finery, awaited me.

“You look amazing ,” Kinley whispered as I joined the escort. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

I suppressed a laugh, reaching over and giving her arm a pinch as our little precession moved on. Soon we reached the entry hall, my father and Hailey and the royal guard there awaiting us. The king was dressed in his white and red Edorian royal garb, looking every bit the dignified ruler. However, as much as I could tell he was trying to maintain his regal poise, a smile slowly spread across his face at the sight of me.

Our procession joined with his, and together we traveled down the main hall lined with Christmas trees, all of them covered in white tinsel and awash in white lights, the colors a perfect contrast to the green. The palace looked magical, and every step felt like I was walking further and further into a lovely dream.

We soon reached the throne room, the space packed with staff and nobility and the rest of Edoria’s elite. I spotted Hailey, looking gorgeous in a white gown of her own. She waved to me, and I wiggled my fingers back at her.

Two massive trees flanked the throne, snow coming down through the windows behind it. The Edorian Cardinal stood at the throne, waiting for my father and me to join him. Held in both of his hands was the Edorian princess tiara—a priceless ornament hundreds of years old, decked with diamonds.

My father and I made our way to the dais the throne sat upon, a hushed silence falling over those in attendance. Once we were in position, the Cardinal began reciting the official words, the rhythm I soon became lost in.

As he spoke, the funniest thing happened—I realized exactly what Luc meant about Mom being there. Standing by the throne, I saw her in so many different places. I saw her in the faces of the Edorians there watching. I saw her in Hailey’s features, my sister a spitting image of our mom. I saw her in the friendship and love that Luc felt for me. I saw her in my father’s eyes, as he gazed at me with all the affection a parent could possess. And I felt her love for the baby in my belly.

The Cardinal finished the recitation, handing the tiara to the king. He nodded and I kneeled as he placed the ornament on my head.

“Rise,” my father spoke. “Princess Ava Jensen, heir to the throne.”

As I looked out onto the crowd, now the heir to the kingdom, I swore that I’d make not just Mom, but everyone there, proud. And I’d never falter or forget who I was. That, before my subjects, I swore.

The End

I hope you enjoyed Ava and Luc’s love story. You can snag an exclusive epilogue one year into their future HERE .

The party isn’t over. Check out Daddy’s Obsession . This one includes a hot older man and a thrilling romance suspense that’ll keep you turning the pages. I’ve included a sneak peek of Daddy’s Obsession on the next page.