Page 209 of Bride By Coronation

Brax mutters, "Don't fill her head."

Valentina elbows him.

"Ouch," he grumbles.

Kirill scowls.

I quickly add, "Which is why Valentina and Brax can take their seats as long as they get married on the next full moon."

Shock fills Kirill's expression. "You aren't buying this?"

My lips twitch. "Oh, Brax has always wanted to get married, haven't you?"

His face hardens.

"Answer the queen," Kirill instructs.

"Yeah. All day long it's all I think about," he replies.

I motion between them. "It's clear they're madly in love."

"It is?" Kirill retorts, furrowing his forehead.

"Of course," I lie.

He gives me an I-can't-believe-you're-allowing-this look.

"We are. We'll have our wedding on the next full moon," Valentina offers.

"On the..." Brax scrunches his face, then blurts out, "That's in three weeks!"

"Yes. Is there a problem?" I sternly question.

Valentina squeezes his bicep and offers, "No. No problem at all. Brax told me this morning he's dying to marry me sooner rather than later, didn't you?"

He locks eyes with her, narrows his, and slowly lowers his gaze over her body. He lewdly raises it, meets her gaze, and in a gravelly voice, replies, "I sure did, my sexy little minx."

A flush crawls up Valentina's cheeks.

I stop myself from laughing and lean into Kirill. "Sounds like our problem is solved. I'm tired and want to go home. Congratulations on your engagement and future seats at the table and on the Royal Council." I step forward and hug Valentina.

She hugs me back. "Thank you."

I retreat, firmly adding, "Thank you for saving us."

She smiles. "Anytime."

I step in front of Brax.

He glares at me.

I tease, "Give me a hug to celebrate."

His jaw tics, but he goes through the motions.

I contain my laughter and step back. "Thank you as well."

His face turns serious. He nods. "Happy to be of service."

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