I gasp, and my eyes fill with tears. No. Before I can even open my mouth, Roman is in front of me, his big hands cupping my face.

“I’m sorry. Forgive me. I didn’t mean… Please.” He peppers kisses all over my face. “I’m sorry. Don’t cry.”

I close my eyes, and he kisses my eyelids.

“I was angry.” His voice sounds a little choked. “I don’t like when you say you’re not going to be mine. I didn’t mean it.”

I open my eyes and see remorse all over his face. His eyes look soft and not as dark as normal.

“Please don’t cry. Say you forgive me.”

I stand there, shocked by how he’s reacting. He’s upset that I’m upset.

“Your sister can have a whole wing of the castle for all I care.”

“I really don’t take up that much space,” I hear my sister say, and I can’t fight my smile. Worry drains from Roman’s face. He lets go of me reluctantly, and I blush as I realize what everyone has just seen. I glance over at Vlad, and he simply stares at Roman as if in shock.

“Princess,” Roman growls, and I pull my eyes back to him. I can see jealousy light up his eyes.

“Shirt,” I hear my sister bark at Vlad again.

“Babe, you’re still wearing it, for one, and two, come tomorrow night you sleep where I sleep.”

“Don’t boss me around,” Tabby replies halfheartedly, but I can tell she likes it. It makes me giggle, and she smiles.

Roman huffs out a breath, and the next thing I know I’m over his shoulder and he’s leaving Tabby’s room and heading for mine. I don’t fight it because I don’t want to make noise and get caught and also because my belly got all tingly when he picked me up like that.

When we get to my room he places me softly on the side of the bed and drops to his knees in front of me. The move allows me to see him at eye level.

“Did you come here to get off?” I blurt out, and I feel my face turn red. I drop my eyes in embarrassment. I can’t believe I said that.

He brings his finger to my chin and tips it so I look up at him.

“No, my princess. I came here because I couldn’t stay away from you.” He brushes his finger along what I know are cherry-red cheeks.

He suddenly stands, kicking off his shoes and taking off his suit jacket before going to the other side of the bed. I watch as he lies down, his eyes on me the whole time.

I bite my lip, unsure what he’s going to do. Then he grabs me and pulls me to him so I’m on my side. My back is to his chest as he wraps his arms around me. One of his legs tangles with mine, and I immediately feel so safe. He buries his face in my hair, and I can feel his breath against my neck as I drift off to sleep faster than I ever have before.

10

Roman

I’m pacing the room so much, I’m surprised the hardwood floor hasn’t worn away.

“Calm down, Roman. She’ll be by your side in moments.”

I look over at Vlad, who’s leaning casually against the wall. I want to punch him in the face just to get some of my aggression out, but I know it won’t do any good. The only thing that will make me feel better is to have Alena by my side. Forever.

“What time is it?” I growl, and make another pass along my pacing route.

“It’s exactly fifteen seconds after you asked me the last time.” He rubs his face like he thinks I’m being ridiculous.

“You think you’d be so calm if the sister was the one coming down the aisle to you?” I challenge.

“Tabby would never make me lose control like that.”

I can’t believe he was able to say the words with a straight face. As soon as they are out of his mouth, he’s laughing.

“Okay, okay. I see your point. Just a few more minutes and the suspense will all be over.”

There’s a knock on my door, and I stop in my tracks as Vlad goes to answer it. He peeks out and then leans back, opening the door and allowing the person to enter.

“Cousin!”

I smile when I see my childhood friend, and as usual he’s taking up almost as much space as I do.

“It’s good to see you, Karim,” I say, giving him a big bear hug.

“It’s a happy day for you, Roman. One I hope to have myself.”

Karim is king over his own country, and soon he’ll choose his own bride. When I think about how we used to throw mud at each other as children, I cannot imagine him getting married. But I’m about to do the same thing. Tension automatically comes flooding back, and Karim notices.

“I’ll leave you and Vlad alone right now. I’m sure you’re anxious to claim your bride.” He gives me a smile and a pat on the back before walking out. Before he does, he turns and laughs. “We’ve got bets to see if you make it to the end of the ceremony before carrying your new bride to the honeymoon tower. Don’t let me down, cousin.”

I growl as the door shuts, and Vlad simply shakes his head.

I pace for a few more moments, and after what seems like an age to me, it’s time. In a traditional ceremony, the bride is presented with both her parents while the groom waits with the officiant. As I wait, I note that a large crowd is present, even though the wedding came at short notice to everyone. But they could all be invisible for how many of them I see. My sole focus is on the doors at the end of the room as I wait for them to open.

It’s maddening torture, but finally the sun beams through them, and I see Alena standing there with her parents on either side of her as she walks to me.