Page 77 of Redemption of a Prince

But he’d finally been deposed, and his son had taken the throne - and gotten married. They were both supposed to be at the wedding. Nikki wasn’t sure if she’d actually meet them or not.

“I don’t want to move,” Lydia declared, bringing Nikki back to the present. “I like my room. I don’t want to move so you and Zeke can move in there.”

“I don’t blame you. I don’t know what your parents plan to do. Your father is doing much better, but he may need to move somewhere with fewer stairs.”

The former king was doing well enough to walk Nikki down the aisle in a few minutes, but even with the elevators, the palace was large. He’d taken over Zeke’s old office while Zeke took the monarch’s. The walk to get from the office to the elevators and back was still difficult for him.

And, like the stubborn man he was, he refused to use a wheelchair until he reached the top floor. There was no shorter way.

Unless they moved his office.

The thought struck Nikki. Maybe they’d already talked about it, but his office didn’t need to be in the executive suites anymore. Why couldn’t it be moved to some other room, or set of rooms, that wasn’t used often? He could keep an office for the occasional official meeting, but couldn’t somewhere closer be converted?

Or was that too much of an admission that his continuing weakness was not as temporary as he’d like to think?

She’d have to mention it to Zeke.

Later.

Much later.

“I like you, Nik.” Lydia dragged her back again. “I think I like you better than Kari, Rosie, or Minnie. Don’t tell them that. It’s weird though, because you like Trilunium, but they love it. And so do I. So why do I like you best?”

Tears filled Nikki’s eye. “I don’t know, sweet girl. I guess we just have a connection. There’s no rational explanation for it. Some people just click.”

“I guess.”

“I’m glad you’re going to be my little sister.” Nikki pulled the girl into a side hug. “And thank you for agreeing to be a part of the wedding.”

Lydia gave a half shrug. “Why wouldn’t I? Zeke is my brother.”

“I know. I’m still glad.”

They’d decided to have one attendant each. Gideon would stand up with Zeke. There had been no other choice for Nikki, plus it made sense. She had no sisters, no close friends outside of her almost-in-laws, and Zeke had only the one sister.

It had to be her.

“I’m glad you’re marrying Zeke.”

Nikki hugged the teen harder. “I am, too.”

The door opened to let the former king in. “There are my girls.” He smiled at them. “It’s almost time.”

He looked much weaker than he had a year earlier, but still significantly improved over post-surgery.

“Lydia, you need to go to the end of the hall and wait for the coordinator to tell you where to go. We’ll follow in just a moment.” The former king smiled at his daughter. “You look beautiful, Lydia.”

Lydia gave him a quick hug. “Thanks, Papa.”

Then they were alone. “I’m sorry your parents aren’t here, Nikki. You also look lovely.”

Nikki smoothed the white satin over her knees. “It’s probably for the best.”

She’d been out of touch with her parents, and anyone else from that part of her life, for so long that she hadn’t heard of their deaths in an auto accident several years earlier until she started looking. She had fully expected them to come out of the woodwork when her relationship with the new king was publicly acknowledged.

“In many ways, you’re not wrong. Reconciliation, or even worse, continued rejection, in the public eye would have been difficult. You were able to grieve privately. None of their friends came forward with awkward stories. Things like that.” He took her hands. “As honored as I am to be the one to walk you down the aisle, it still saddens me that they’re not here to see you marry the love of your life.”

Nikki took a deep breath. “Me, too. But I’m extremely happy to have the two of you, and Lydia and Zeke in my life now. It’s for the best,” she reiterated.

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