Page 77 of The Prince and the Puck
“Are you relieved to be a regular guy now?” I joked. Dad would never be a regular guy, but it had to be a relief not to be king anymore.
He grinned at me. “A regular guy who’s not dying anytime soon.” A serious look flickered across his face, replaced a moment later by a contemplative look. “If nothing else, these last few weeks have made me realize how very precious life is.And more than that, how much those around us matter—family, friends…”
I felt the same way. I’d neglected my family these last years, but I vowed not to do it again. “I know I haven’t been the most attentive son?—”
“Do not interrupt your king,” my father said. And then we both realized he was no longer king, and he amended his reprimand. “Or your father.”
“Sorry,” I laughed.
“I was about to say that I think the family you’ve found back in Virginia is every bit as important as the one you were born into here. And I want to be sure you know that you do not have to choose. You love hockey, and I know you love your team. If there is still a spot for you son, you should go back. If that’s what you want, of course.” His gaze drifted to where Lizzy stood with his wife, laughing. “You and Eliza.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, relief washing through me and making my elation over the events of the evening feel even more intoxicating. “I think that’s what I’d like to do… but I’ll come home in the summers.”
“Perhaps your mother and I will come see a few games,” he said, looking thoughtful. “Now that we are more free to travel.”
“I’d love that, Dad.”
CHAPTER 40
LIZZY
CAN I BORROW YOUR SOCKS?
The night was betterthan any I could remember or imagine. And to think—I hadn’t even wanted to attend the coronation party!
Now, I was engaged to the man I’d loved my whole life, and our future was ours to choose. His title was official, of course, and should anything happen to Lambert before another heir was announced, Declan would take his place as King of Murdan. But barring incident, all it meant was a bit of increased security.
Strangely, I found myself eager to return to the United States. It wasn’t that my life wasn’t satisfying here in Murdan… except that my life as an adult had been mostly work. Okay, all work.
In Virginia, I’d had something close to friends for the first time I could remember. Joey and Clara and Drea. I’d felt included, if only for a brief moment, and it had been nice. Fun, even. It had been a glimpse into a life I thought maybe only existed on American television shows.
The King Father and Queen Mother (King Erik and Queen Penelope’s new titles) had left the party relatively early in the night, and now things were winding down, citizens beginningto wander back to their own homes after a long night of palace revelry.
King Lambert and Celeste had bid us farewell, and as I returned from seeing my mother out, Declan caught my eye. There was a mischievous look in his deep blue gaze, and it sent a tingle dancing through me.
He approached, moving gracefully across the room toward me, and slid an arm around my waist as his nose lowered to nuzzle my neck just below my ear. “Have I told you how ridiculously hot you look tonight?”
I turned to brush his lips with mine, a deep sense of happiness filling me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. Had I ever felt this completely satisfied? “And you, Prince Regent Declan, are devastating in that tux.”
He grinned, raising an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? You like it?”
I laughed, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing my cheek to his warm, strong chest. “You know I do.”
“Well,” he murmured, his voice a rumble only I could hear. “If you like, I can leave on select parts while I demonstrate how the Prince Regent worships every inch of his fiancée.”
I leaned my head back to look at him as anticipation swirled in my stomach. “Which parts?”
His smile was sly. “The bow tie, of course. Maybe the cummerbund?”
I wrinkled my nose, picturing him in only the bow tie and cummerbund.
“Maybe the shiny shoes?” He suggested, lifting one for me to inspect.
“Let me see the socks,” I said, and he tugged up a dark pant leg to reveal Wombats socks.
I stifled a laugh. “Are those Wilcox Wombats socks? The ones they sell at the games?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Maybe.” Then he smiled down at me, his eyes filled with so much love it stole my breath for a moment. “If I leave these on, you have to keep your shoes on too. Have I mentioned how sexy they are?”
