Page 68 of The Last Strike

Asher grinned, not wanting to waste a second.

He stepped toward the dining table where Father John had just laid out the papers, signed where he was told, and passed Abi the pen.

“And we’ve been asked to sign a second copy?” Father John questioned. “Most unusual.”

Asher looked to Abi, who nodded encouragingly. “A request of James Thomas,” she said as if in explanation. She gestured toward the priest ever so slightly and Asher held the questions on the tip of his tongue.

“Of course,” Asher said, scribbling his signature again.

When the documents were signed, Father John collected them and turned to them both. “Thank you for the privilege, King Asher and Queen Abigail.”

Asher stole a look at Abi, who looked stunned for a moment, but recovered quickly.

“Thank you, and thank you for coming on such short notice,” she said with an apologetic smile.

Father John excused himself and Asher took Abi’s hands. “It sounds weird when you hear it from someone else for the first time, right?” he asked knowingly.

Abi looked bemused, dropping her voice as if the priest might hear her. “For a split second I thought he was talking to someone else, but then I realized it was me!”

Asher chuckled. “This was perfect, and I love that it was just the two of us. Private moments in royal life are rare.”

Abi smiled, nodding. “Your mother said the same thing. But they are joining us for dinner.”

“By the way, what was the double signing about?” Asher asked.

Abi grinned. “The priest was reluctant to let James lodge the papers—the priest said it was his honor and responsibility. So, they compromised. James will keep one copy here and the priest is taking the other copy. James said, this way, if the priest were to get killed off before the papers were lodged with him, we would still have another copy. It was nonnegotiable.”

Abi pressed her lips together, looking like she might laugh despite it all.

“Thorough,” Asher said with a grin. “Is there any reason to think the priest might get killed off?”

Abi smiled. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Good to know. I like him,” he said, taking a moment to look at his wife. Asher didn’t know how to describe it, but being married felt different. Wonderfully different.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world,” Asher said, kissing her temple. His lips lingered as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Nothing separated them, and he hoped it would always be that way. He would make sure it was. He would be the husband Abi deserved.

Abi didn’t respond, but he saw it in her eyes as she looked up at him.

He pressed his lips to hers, the kiss soft, tender, and sweet.

It was perfect.

Abi

Abi squeezed her eyes shut as Asher’s arms tightened around her. Husband and wife. Against the odds, they’d made it. And against the challenges they would face, they would make it.

Asher swept a loose strand of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear.

He beamed that beautiful smile at her, a smile so magnificent it lit up his eyes.

Her husband.

He leaned in and kissed the soft spot behind her ear. “This is going to be fun, I promise.”

Abi chuckled. “Of course it is, Your Majesty.”

“Should we get this party started?” he asked excitedly.

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