Page 108 of A Kingdom's Heart
And as I held her there, I knew one thing with absolute certainty.
Whatever came next, whatever the world demanded of us, I would love her for the rest of my life.
I would never love anyone else the way I loved her.
CHAPTER FORTY THREE
IRIS
I lay still with my head resting on William’s bare chest, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. His arms were around me, heavy and warm, holding me close as if the world outside did not exist.
Neither of us had moved for hours. The quiet felt endless, peaceful in a way I never thought peace could be. His heartbeat was steady under my ear, a sound I could have listened to forever.
Then came the knock.
I flinched, my heart lurching. Another knock followed, firmer this time. “Your Highness?” a voice called through the door.
I sat up quickly, panic sparking through me. William was already awake, his eyes sharp though his body stayed still.
“They are going to open the door,” I whispered. My voice trembled.
He glanced at the handle, then at me. The knock came again.
“Just a minute!” I called louder this time.
I turned to him, my pulse racing. “You need to put on your armor. Quickly.”
He nodded once, silent but focused. He reached for his tunic, slipping it over his head in one swift motion. The faint light caught the silver of his armor as he fastened each piece, his movements quick but precise.
The knock came again, impatient now.
“Hurry,” I whispered.
He secured the last clasp, then took his helm from the table and pulled it on. Within seconds, he looked every bit the knight he was supposed to be.
When he finished, he crossed the room and took his post near the balcony door, standing tall and composed as if nothing had happened at all.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my chest. My lips still tingled from his kiss, and my heart was beating far too fast.
“Come in,” I finally said, forcing my voice steady.
The door creaked open, and two servants stepped inside, bowing their heads politely. One of them, a young man in a green livery, glanced briefly at William before speaking.
“Sir William, His Majesty requests your presence,” he said. “You are to join the other guards in preparation for tomorrow’s station at the wedding.”
The wordweddingstruck like a stone to my chest. For a moment, the world seemed to quiet. I had almost forgotten about it, forgotten that in less than a day I was to stand beside Lorenzo, wear white, and vow myself to him before the entire court.
My breath caught, and I looked toward William. His expression didn’t change, though something flickered behind his eyes. He
gave a short nod, his voice calm. “Understood.”
He turned to me for only a second. It was brief, but I saw it, the faint ache in his eyes, the same one that was now in my own heart. Then he slipped past the servants and out the door. The sound of his boots faded down the corridor until there was nothing left but silence.
The servant turned to me. “Your Highness, His Majesty also asks that you begin practicing your vows. The royal scribe is preparing the final script, and the king wishes for you to be ready by this evening.”
I nodded faintly, though my chest felt hollow. “Of course.”
They bowed again and left me alone in the room.
