Page 52 of The Prince and the Double Shot

“That they did. It always amazes me how the worm turns, though.” Mom laughed happily. “I’ve been waiting on good news for years, it seems.”

“What is going on?” I asked quietly, feeling like I had missed the entire first act of the play I found myself in.

“Are you coming stalking with us this fall, Luis? We found a magnificent buck. It feels a shame to find him, but he will help feed the people.” King Henri slapped my father on the arm.

“I wouldn’t miss it. We always have such a great time. I wish we could do it more often.” Dad laughed, and I realized that I had entered a wormhole and was in another reality. That’s what had to have happened. How did I not know any of this? “Maybe this time, I can get Phillipe to join us. He’s never been much for hunting, but…”

“Neither was my son.”

“Oh, speaking of.” Sheena laughed, and both queens grinned widely. “Phillipe of Grandir, let me introduce you to the Crown Prince of Montagne, His Highness, Prince Nicolas Zane Marchand.”

My jaw fell open. It couldn’t be.

Queen Sevier and King Luis stepped apart, and behind them stepped one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen in my life. Zane, dressed in a matching purple suit. A small crown worn on his head made his eyes twinkle in the lights.

“Phillipe,” Zane nodded his head, and frowned. “I… didn’t know how to tell you. I wasn’t really sure, to be honest, if I was…” His full European accent was back in place, and all I could do was stand there with my mouth agape.

“Once a prince, always a prince, my son. I’m just glad that you came back to us.” Queen Sevier touched him tenderly on the shoulder.

“Zane, I… A prince?” I chuckled and couldn’t stop the wide smile from exploding on my face. “I should have known.”

“Well, I acted the opposite of princely.” He shrugged and reached out his hand. “But I’m here now. I’m back where I belong with my family, and with you if you’ll have me?”

“I… Yes?” I turned towards my mother.

“There’s a lot to discuss.” My mother reached out and took both of our hands in hers. “But once upon a time, before this young rascal escaped, there was a plan to reunite our kingdoms and have the two of you marry.”

“It was the reason I ran away, to be honest.” Zane frowned. “One of them, anyway. I mean, I didn’t know you then. I was young and didn’t want to be used as collateral. I understand now. It took being on my own to… Well, you know, to find myself.”

“I was also not available then,” I muttered. “But I am available now.” Petra had his hand in this. He was guiding the whole thing with his energy from the green. He wanted me to be happy. He had given me a final gift from beyond – a man who would always remind me of my first love. But a man I could love on his own, for who he was. “Zane, I…”

“If you are going to apologize – don’t. We both said things that… Does it matter, Phil? I guess I should get used to calling you Phillipe, huh?”

“To you, I will always be Phil.” I stepped forward, and Henri Zane Marchand crushed me against him.

“Parents, if you don’t like PDA, you should look somewhere else,” Zane chuckled before crushing his mouth against mine. My head swam. My feet felt like they were floating above the floor. I lost myself in him.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather look,” Queen Sevier giggled.

“I do love a happy ending,” Sheena said. “If you don’t mind, I do have to see to the other guests, Margaurite.”

“Thank you,” Mother answered.

Zane broke our kiss. “I mean, which of us is going to propose?”

“Let’s just see what happens. I don’t think we’re in a rush. Now, do you promise to love, cherish, obey, and make me a double-shot macchiato every morning?”

“How about love, cherish, and I’ll always be your personal barista for eternity? I’ve never been very good at the obey part,” he laughed, and it was music to my ears.

“I can live with that. Now, what did you say about reuniting the kingdoms?” I turned to the four royal parents, who were smiling at us.

“Son, you are going to make a wonderful king.”

We danced and kissed all night. I couldn’t keep my hands off him. Photographers took our photo as we spun around the dance floor. It was magical, and the future was ours.

King Henri Zane and King Phillipe Marchand-Vallee would reunite the kingdom and live happily ever after.

Somewhere, I knew Petra was smiling.

THE END