Page 52 of Crowned For The King's Secret

‘You can’t fathom what I feel—there aren’t enough words. There has been barely a moment since we first met that I haven’t thought of you. At first I believed it was an obsession, but your strength, what you achieved...how you cared for our son, cared for me when I didn’t deserve you...’

He saw them now, the tears welling in her eyes. They broke him. He didn’t want her tears. He wanted her smiles. They lit his way in the darkness.

‘I said it’s simple and so are the words. Say,I love you, Victoria.’

‘Cara. If only it were as simple as love. What I feel consumes me. From the moment we met, there was only ever you, even though I didn’t realise it at the time. It felt too much, held me hostage each day.’

‘Then why let us go?’

A tear dripped down her cheek. He couldn’t take it any more. He strode to her. He might not deserve her but he would also give her anything she wanted. Anything she asked for, even if it was his broken self. As he approached, she threw herself into him and he wrapped her tight in his arms, a space she was made for. Where she was always meant to be.

‘Because I loved you, and loving you meant setting you free.’

Her fingers curled into his shirt. ‘That’s a stupid saying.’

‘You came back.’

She looked up at him. ‘Like I was ever going to leave. I’m yours.’

‘And I’m yours. You have my heart. I want you as my wife, my queen, my everything. If you’re sure.’ He’d give her an out, if she wanted to take it. Always.

‘I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.’

He smiled, and dropped his lips to hers. ‘Then I relish the rest of my days, beginning and ending with you.’

EPILOGUE

VICTORIASTOODATthe bow of the royal yacht. A warm evening breeze was blowing through her hair as she looked out at the twinkling lights of Santa Fiorina whilst they sailed to the open sea. The deep-water marina contained the superyachts of royalty and others who’d attended their wedding. It had been a long and glorious day, which had now ended, as they journeyed for a week-long honeymoon exploring the islands around the country and the wider Mediterranean.

She breathed in the salty air, the thrum of the boat’s engine rumbling through her. Soon, they’d be able to relax. Enjoy the fruits of a busy year since their official engagement. It had been an exciting time. State dinners where she’d met dignitaries of other countries wanting to forge closer ties with Sandro, much to their chef Michel’s utter delight, being able to showcase his country’s fine food and his own culinary skills. She’d particularly warmed to the King and Queen of Lauritania, Lance’s friends and hopefully soon to become hers and Sandro’s too. Queen Annalise promised to keep in touch and give her queenly tips, which were welcome as she really had no idea what the role entailed, but wanting to make it her own. Rafe’s irreverence and general disdain as a commoner for most royal protocol, keeping Sandro amused during the time they’d spent together. He’d loosened up, become less hard on himself since. And with that, his headaches had continued to improve till they were now a rare occurrence and easily controlled.

She tilted her head back, the moon high in a clear, inky sky. As Sandro had promised, Santa Fiorina’s joy at the prospect of a new Queen and the discovery of Nicolai had been effusive. There’d been fireworks round the country on their official engagement, street parties celebrating Nicci’s second birthday. She felt more at home here than she ever had in England. Together, they were beginning restoration of the palace, into a place for family and of welcome. Her life had been the stuff of dreams, better than she could ever have imagined...

The prickle at the back of her neck and a slide of warmth told her Sandro was close. His arms came round her, hands gripping the railing in front, caging her in, his shining golden wedding ring glinting in the bright moonlight. But this man was no trap; he represented her ultimate freedom.

Her everything.

‘Enjoying the view?’ he asked. Vic leaned back into the warmth of his body. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, leaning down to gently kiss her temple.

‘I’m enjoying your arrival more.’

Even though theirs had been billed as Santa Fiorina’s wedding of the century, something about the day had still felt intensely intimate. She’d had no bridesmaids, and Sandro no best man. The only other member of the wedding party was Nicolai, as ring bearer. Lance had walked Victoria down the aisle, not to give her away, but to involve him in an important part of the day so that he could be assured how happy she was. And Lance had grown to understand, after some intense posturing between him and Sandro when they’d first met in person, which she’d found a little entertaining. Although Vic knew that for both of them, their concern was borne out of their mutual love for her, so she’d let them work it out between themselves.

In the end, she and Sara were friends, and soon Sandro and Lance had reached a détente. She’d caught them talking about arranging a charity polo match together once the honeymoon was over. Then discussing the merits of a certain pony Lance had found, as a gift for Nic.

All was well.

‘It was a good day,’ Sandro said, rousing her from her musings. ‘The best day of my life.’

‘I thought the best day of your life was the day you met me?’

He squeezed his arms tighter round her, raked his teeth over her ear. She quaked with pleasure, melted further into his embrace.

‘It’s hard to choose which day. Since you and Nicolai came into my life, how could one possibly be bad?’

Things had settled into a happy equilibrium in the country. There was a new vibrancy and vigour, as if people felt there was something to look forward to, to build towards. Reconstruction had begun taking place. There had been new investment in infrastructure, the arts. There was so much good she could do as a new queen. She’d aligned with charities, become patron of organisations close to her heart. For victims of domestic abuse, organisations saving animals. Every day seemed full of hope and love.

‘Did you manage to get Nicci to sleep?’

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