Page 88 of Promised to the Alpha Prince

“Like what?” I whispered.

“Belonging,” he said, voice cracking.

“Maybe because we all belong together,” I said.

“No,” he said. “No way.” He backed away. “I’ll be there, though. Tonight. Heirastein Castle.”

“You want my phone number so you can text me?”

“Not necessary,” he said. “I’ve already got that.”

I smiled. Yeah, he was good. He was good, and he was still sharp in the way I used to be sharp. I’d been dulled by love and safety and the luxury of royal life. But he…

He turned his back on me.

I watched him walk down the sidewalk to his car.

Corentin. Hmm.

He had a nice ass.

17

dmitri

NO ONE WAS pleased when I said I wanted to leave and shirk my duties, such as they were, for another two or three weeks.

I pointed out that this had been the original plan. When I was supposed to bite and bond her on our wedding night, the plan had been for us to have two weeks on the other side of it without any duties to see to. Sure, I’d bitten her early, and this had necessitated changes to the schedule, but how many events could really have been scheduled for this time when we’d originally not had any events?

Apparently, a lot.

Apparently, everything from the past two weeks had been pushed forward until after the wedding, and now it was going to have to be pushed forward even more. Apparently, the palace staff was not even remotely pleased.

The King actually took me aside to ask me if everything was going all right. “Look, it might be a good idea to bring some other alphas into this. I know you’re feeling possessive, but you need to understand that you do have a full-time job. You’re the heir to the crown, and you can’t spend all your time seeing to your omega’s every whim.”

“Great minds think alike,” I told him. “That’s actually my plan, is to bring them in over the following two weeks.”

“You don’t have to be there if it’s upsetting for you,” he said. “I didn’t like watching Cole with anyone for years. I actually told him to do whatever he wanted with anyone else and just not to tell me.”

“Really?” I considered it, actually. I could send her off to the castle with Nik and Johannes, and they could have her to themselves. Johannes would be happier that way, and maybe it was better if I did get back to work.

But, no, no. I needed her there for all of my public appearances. I didn’t need to consult the staff to know that it wouldn’t look good if she wasn’t at my side right after our marriage.

“Really,” he said. “We could absolutely—”

“We’re going on a honeymoon,” I said. “What could be more normal? Everyone will understand.”

And so, by that evening, we were pulling up the drive to the Heirastein Castle. It was tucked away on a winding road through the mountains, standing at the top of the hills with spires reaching for the sky like a fairy tale castle. In the fading sunlight, it reflected the purplish glow of the evening sky, and it looked magical.

Aurelie looked out the window, grinning up at the glowing windows and spires, gleaming against the setting sun. She gasped and oohed over it. It really was a striking building.

We got out of the car and we were met by the staff, all lined up on the front steps to greet us. I went directly to the housekeeper to explain to her our requirements. We needed the nest made up, in addition to separate bedchambers for myself, Aurelie, Johannes, and Nikolai. Someone should help Aurelie into the garments I had prepared for her to wear for her night with us, and then escort her to the nest in about an hour and a half.

“Very good, Your Highness,” said the housekeeper. “None of this will be a problem.” She nodded at one of the maids. “Olga will take care of the new princess.”

I went to Aurelie, kissed her, and gave her a little nudge toward Olga. Then a gentle swat on her bottom. “See you soon.”

She gave me a look, and I could see some part of her wanted to argue with me. Maybe she didn’t want me to spank her in public or maybe she didn’t want to wear clothes I’d picked out for her or maybe she simply didn’t want to obey.

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