Page 42 of Crowned For The King's Secret

‘I want us to build a home here, where family is always welcome. I want to ensure you and Nic are cared for the way you both deserve. These are things I promise.’

She smiled then, but it was a little uncertain. Tremulous even. He hoped that he could turn her smile into something real. Genuinely happy. He reached into his pocket.

‘I have something for you.’

Her eyes widened slightly, seeing the box in his hand. His staff had scoured what was left in the treasury but he hadn’t been able to find a ring that suited her. Something she wouldn’t fear wearing every day, that was as beautiful as she was. That showed some thought in its choice, some meaning. Not selected because of ostentation. He hoped what he’d found with the help of the Crown Jeweller was perfect.

He opened the box. Victoria’s hand fluttered to her chest. Her mouth forming a perfect O.

‘What’s this?’

He removed the glittering ring from its bed of blue velvet and placed the box in his trouser pocket. Then Sandro took Victoria’s left hand in his own.

‘Since our engagement is being formalised once all the necessary arrangements are in place, you need an engagement ring.’ He gazed deep into her grey-blue eyes, hoping she could see how humbled he was reflected in his own. ‘I understand that this isn’t the way you might have wanted to get engaged. That you didn’t want to marry again. I can’t tell you how much your acceptance of my proposal, practical as it was, means to me.’

He slipped the ring on her finger. It was the perfect fit.Finally, it seemed as if something was going right.

‘Sandro, this is exquisite.’

The ring flashed on her finger as she held out her hand to the light, turning it this way and that. Two gems of the same size. A flawless round diamond and an exquisite round yellow sapphire the colour of Santa Fiorina’s summers, set in a crossover style of white gold, flanked by baguette diamonds in the band. The gems nestled together, symbolising their union as a couple.

‘It’s called atoi et moistyle. You and me. That’s how I want our relationship to be. A true and equal partnership.’

She flung herself into his arms and he caught her, both of them laughing. The sound was glorious, one of true happiness. He lifted her off the ground and swung her around. Sandro couldn’t recall ever feeling like this, sofull. As if life was somehow falling into place.

‘It’s perfect.’

She kissed him. This wasn’t tentative, it wasn’t troubled. It was free and alive and heated. He returned the kiss, glorying in it. As if joy had overcome them and was spilling over into the moment. A moment poetry could be written about but not something tragic, something brimming with life.Love.

Though he wasn’t sure why that last word entered his consciousness. It was their connection and mutual love of Nic, that was all.

Any thoughts were soon obliterated by the deepening of their passion. The need that grabbed a hold. He pulled away briefly, both of them panting. Victoria’s lips a beautiful, dusky rose. He craved to kiss them again and never stop.

‘When will Isadora be back?’

Victoria’s pupils darkened. ‘About twenty minutes.’

All of him grew heavy with anticipation and desire, temptation overcoming him. ‘If we’re quick... I want you.’

She backed away, smiling. ‘Then you’d better hurry.’

Victoria turned and raced to the bedroom, giggling. Sandro followed, laughing himself. Knowing that, whilst this might be a sprint, he’d make sure there were two satisfied winners before Isadora and Nicolai returned.

CHAPTER TEN

SANDROLAYWITHVictoria sleeping in his arms, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breath, her body soft and pliant against him. He was overcome by the peace these moments brought him. The rightness, certainty, even though he knew he needed to wake her soon. He’d tried to move Nic into his own room so she could stay with Sandro each night, but she didn’t want him disrupted again, when he’d only just settled in. Her argument was fair, yet for the most part she insisted that she return to their son.

The one precious time she’d stayed had given him the first peace he’d experienced since returning to Santa Fiorina. A blessing, and a curse, because he wanted her with him constantly. Around Victoria, his stress seemed to have eased. She was in tune with him, able to tell even before he could that he needed a break to avoid another headache. He began to see a future with more clarity than ever before...

Tonight, he simply held her. In a few days, an announcement would be made to his people. Firstly, a carefully crafted revelation about his son, secondly, the news that he would marry Nicolai’s mother. He’d introduce them both to the world.

Something about that caused a pang deep inside. The knowledge that he didn’t want to share Victoria and Nicci with anyone. Nothing about his life had ever been his own. It had all been lived for his country, for others. These rare, quiet times were precious, and he’d protect them. Once their engagement was formalised, he’d lose something of this. Victoria and Nic would become the property of Santa Fiorina too.

For the moment, he didn’t want to share. He wanted to wrap them up, keep them safe. He’d sworn he’d do that, and he would.

Yet there was no way to keep this hidden any longer. Staff in the palace had all been chosen carefully. Trusted explicitly. But it was time, as much as a voice inside him howled that there would never be a good time for this. This introspection caused the doubts to creep in that plagued him. He’d been born to the role, accepted it. Nic hadn’t. His child’s life had been a simple one. He was a happy, secure little boy all because of the woman he held, a gift who should be cherished. A mother who had given their boy unconditional love.

She stretched and began to stir. He stroked his fingers up and down the smooth skin of her spine and she snuggled back into him. Another five minutes and he’d wake her. Let her return to her suite and wait to see what the morning would bring.

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