Page 46 of Return of the Nutcracker Prince

“Do you not like dancing?”

“No, that’s not it!I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“What then, my love?”If she were having second thoughts, he’d release her from the marriage, no question.

“I’m just worried.”

He pressed their foreheads together, and her eyes fluttered shut.“Please tell me.I don’t want secrets between us.”

She pressed a gentle kiss to his mouth.“I will, but not here.”

Klaus nodded.

As the song ended, he realized other couples joined them on the dance floor.He and Clara were lost in their own realm, somewhere between dreaming and waking.Klaus couldn’t believe that mere days ago, she’d had no idea he was real.And now they were married.

They danced the night away, and his bride seemed to relax as the reception went on.At her first yawn, however, he decided they had stayed long enough.

“Shall we slip away?”

Clara nodded, that blush coming over her cheeks again.She tucked her hand in his arm and he nodded at his father to let him know they were leaving.

The silence rang in his ears as soon as they left the ballroom.He hadn’t realized how loud the reception was until he was away from it.

His bride clung to his arm, and he realized she was trembling.“Darling, what’s wrong?”

“Not here.”

She hurried him up the stairs.When they arrived at the guest suite where Klaus’s parents had advised them to stay, he had to block her from opening the door.

“Can I carry you over the threshold?”

“Is that a tradition here too?”

He nodded.“Please, I don’t want to risk any bad luck tonight.It’s been so perfect.”

“Then you may.”She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he turned the knob behind his back, then bent to lift her into his hold.

“Look at me.”Clara lifted her doe eyes to him.He could see the fear still inside, and he did not know what to do about it.“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He backed into the room slowly, then turned and kicked the door shut.She made to jump down, but he held firm.“I’m not putting you down until I get to the bedroom.”She was rushing him, and he wanted to savor every moment.

Thankfully, the door was open, so Klaus had no trouble getting inside.He placed Clara on the bed, then slanted his mouth over hers.Perhaps kissing her silly again would help.

When he pulled away, she had that dazed look in her eyes.Gathering her hands in his, Klaus kneeled on the floor.“Now, what’s upset my bride, and who do I have to kill?”

That made her giggle.“You’ve no malice in your voice.You won’t kill anyone tonight.”

He grinned.“That all depends on what you say next.”

Clara sighed.

“Please, tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’m just scared.”

“Scared of me?”

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