A Royal Wedding: The Royals Series Read online

  “Right, mine too, but not castles. Maybe something more like what Suzzy has with that dipshit she married, ya know? Nice ski lodge in Aspen. Gorgeous house in California. Normal spoiled-brat dreams,” I joked, hoping I wasn’t hurting his feelings. “Girls my age do not have kings give them customized suites in castles. So you have to give me a hot minute while I process all this.”

  He narrowed his stare. “Is this you admitting you hate the castle but doing it in that roundabout way where you sneak it in there?”

  “I’m admitting nothing. I’m catching up. It takes a minute. Think about it from my perspective. If someone bought you a castle, you’d be like, ‘Cool, I’ll add it to my collection.’” I shrugged and did the Aiden voice, British accent and all.

  “That is not how I sound.” He laughed and pulled me on top of him. “And if it’s too much, we can go back to the mansion and pretend none of this happened.”

  “No.” I shook my head slowly. “Absolutely not. Your mom isn’t here. This place is already better. And I like this bed.”

  “Our bed.”

  “Our bed,” I agreed. “It makes me want to stay here forever and pretend all the other things don't matter. And never leave this suite.”

  “Ah, to dreams.” He kissed my cheek. “But now that you’re awake, we have to talk about the other situation.” He rolled me onto my back and ran his hand along my belly. “I’ve decided I want to know the sex. Boy or girl. Healthy or not.”

  “I don't want to know.” I scowled. “I think we should be surprised.”

  “You can be surprised and I’ll be prepared.” He traced a circle around my belly button. “How is it still so flat? Haven’t you been eating?” And there it was, the start.

  “Of course I’m eating.”

  “The bowl diet?” He rolled his eyes.

  “Whatever. I’m eating. I’ve felt like garbage for months. I thought it was—”

  “Us?” His eyes flashed stormy clouds.

  “Yeah.” I bit my lip.

  “Well, none of it matters now. Your things will be brought here from Scotland, and we will start the wedding plans. We’ll have to do it soon.”

  “Aiden, it’s the first week of December. I have finals in January. My dad is coming to France for Christmas and I have the Gardens. I can’t just walk away from my life.” I laughed at him. “I’m not moving here now.”

  “You certainly are.” He stared at me, giving me that look. The one that suggested I wouldn’t win no matter how hard I tried. “And we are not discussing this again. You cannot be pregnant out in the world, away from me, carrying the heir to my country, living your best YOLO life and not paying attention to your health.” He was mocking me. That was a positive sign.

  “I’m not YOLO-ing anything. I’m genuinely needing some time to figure shit out. I have to finish my semester. I have to give my notice at the Gardens. Pack my stuff. The whole world doesn't revolve around you.”

  “You’re wrong. The world does revolve around me. I’m having doctors brought in with a team to start management of this and you are moving here. You can finish your degree from here or later. Honestly, what’s the rush?”

  They were the wrong words to say to me.

  “What’s the rush? You mean I don't need to finish school because now I’ll be your little queen consort and raise your kids and run your house and one day I’ll be so bored I’ll focus all my energy on running and ruining my kids’ lives? Sound familiar?” I raised an eyebrow to go with my tone. “Do you honestly think that’ll keep me happy? Because your mom doesn't seem very happy.”

  “That’s not what I’m suggesting, and I would never imagine your entire world ceasing to exist apart from our kids. I know how my mother ended up here, obsessed over every tiny detail and controlling everything. She’s had nothing for herself and now she’s driven us all mad with it. Johan ignores her existence. Jack rolls his eyes at her. Mary is cavorting with that bastard Kennington just to spite her. And I am so close to banishing her I can taste the river of tears she will cry on her way out.” I hadn’t even told him what his mother had done, mostly because it wasn't important. Her days of messing with me were over. His hate for her was old and earned over time from her being a conniving bitch. And no matter what, I wasn't going to turn into her. Or be responsible for him hating her. If their relationship died, I would have no hand in it. She would do it all herself.

  “Well, what did you mean?”

  “What I meant is while you are growing our child, why not relax and enjoy the experience. Finish the degree slowly as the baby is born. It’s one semester, Fin.”

  “Nope.” I shook my head. “Bea was right. We need to forge our paths ahead, and I won’t let your world end up being my only world. I’ll finish my classes as fast as I can and tie things up for myself. And we’re not discussing this.” I put my foot down, metaphorically.

  He stared at me for a moment before he sighed. “Fine. But we announce our engagement today, and we will see the doctors and do an ultrasound and ensure you and our child are healthy.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “Our child. What a strange sentence and yet it fills me with joy to say it.”

  “I love your Shakespeare.” I leaned in and kissed him.

  “And I love you,” he said between kisses. “Now up, we have a big day ahead of us. You’ll need something elegant for the engagement shots. I’ll have something brought over.” He climbed from the bed, all business, but paused and gave me a smile. “Don't worry, this is all for them. I don't consider this anything but publicity and protocol. This is not how we get engaged or how we celebrate it.” He winked and left, walking to the large rooms he called closets.

  It took me several minutes before I was able to get up and get in the shower. My head was spinning.

  As the water ran down on me, I contemplated everything. I still hadn’t told him I was aware of his father’s deathbed demands. Though they didn't matter, I wanted him to understand I didn't care. His parents could ask whatever they wanted of him; he was his own man and would do what he wanted. And I knew Aiden well enough to see that. On the other hand, I didn't want him to feel burdened by the guilt of marrying me, betraying his father’s dying wish.

  But it was a predicament for another day.

  Today would be tough enough without adding that.

  After I stepped out of the shower, I ate alone. Aiden was gone, which might have been for the best. I had nightmarish visions of him standing over me, forcing food into me.

  As I finished, I pressed Linna’s picture in FaceTime and waited for her to answer.

  “Hey.” She smiled as the phones glitched for a second before turning smooth again.

  “Hey.” I tried to smile too.

  “Just give me a sec, okay?” she asked as she walked, pushing open a door and going into a lit-up room. “I’m with Jess. It’s Fin,” she said to Jess.

  “Hi, Fin!” Jess popped into the screen and they were both there. My two faces I needed right now. “How’s it going?”

  “It’s going.”

  “How did he react?” Linna asked.

  “Weirdly good. He’s kinda pumped and wants to hold me hostage and force-feed me.” I laughed weakly.

  “Typical Aiden.” Linna rolled her eyes.

  “What did the evil queen say?” Jess asked, not laughing.

  “She doesn’t know yet. But he had news too.”

  “What?” They gasped at the same time.

  “Uhm, well apparently, he built a castle here. He had it as a surprise for me, and I came and ruined his surprise with my own.”

  “What?” Linna’s eyes widened and Jess wrinkled her nose. “A castle?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I mean, that’s not so strange. He is a king. And maybe he doesn’t want to be ruling the country while still living in his mom’s basement,” Jess joked.

  “I guess. And you should see this place, it’s massive. Like the size of two of his parents’ mansions put together.” I carrie
d the phone, turning it so they could see. “This is just our room. Our bathroom. Our living room.” I walked quickly, doing the half-assed tour.

  “Is that lit-up room the closet?” Jess asked softly. “It’s massive.”

  “It’s stupid big. I told him we’re gonna play hide and seek later so I can prove my point that this castle is too big for just us. I said he was going to find me asleep in a closet in the maids’ area two days later, dying from dehydration. He didn't think that was funny.” I rolled my eyes. “He doesn’t understand how crazy it is for two people to stay here with a staff of twenty-five. It’s like being alone in a hotel, except Mary, Johan, and Jack, and you guys will be here all the time, I hope.” I turned the camera back to me and sat back in a chair. “I guess adding the baby will be a lot too.” I didn't know how royal babies were. Or any babies. I’d never even babysat.

  “Bro, I think you’re missing the point of this.” Linna licked her lips and gave Jess a side-glance. “You both see that, right?”

  “What?” I was lost.

  “This castle is so we don’t have to stay at his parents’ house anymore. I will bet that sapphire ring you don't wear anymore that he built this castle because his mom doesn’t want us there. Because of what his dad said to him on his deathbed. I bet this construction started when Aiden realized his dad was never going to agree to you and his affection for you was all an act.”

  My stomach twinged as I realized Linna was likely right.

  “Oh snap.” Jess wrinkled her nose. “Johan did say that Aiden bought the castle in Scotland in case it came down to you or the country.”

  “What?” It was my turn to gasp. Trying to recover from the fact I was possibly not welcome in his mother’s house and he had bought the castle as a backup, I took a deep inhale. “It doesn't matter. She can hate me all she wants. He loves me and I love him, and we’re both done with anyone meddling with us. And I heard Aiden on the phone before. I think his mom is in Barcelona doing some church reopening. Maybe I won’t even see her while I’m here.”

  “Yeah, Johan said they have ceremonies for like months because Aiden won some old land thing. He’s quadrupled the size of Andorra and has increased infrastructure demands, creating jobs.”

  “And he’s announcing our engagement today.” I never imagined I would sound so despondent about something I believed would one day be a happy event.

  “He asked you to marry him again?” Jess’ eyes widened.

  “No, it’s just for show.” I scowled. “It sounds worse than it is. But, basically, I think he’s trying to make it seem like we’ve been engaged for a long time, hiding it. That way when we announce the baby, it doesn't seem so aggressive and rushed.”

  “Which means their mom will know today.” It was Linna’s turn to wrinkle her nose in disgust.

  “I guess. I don't care. What can she do now? The ship has sailed.” I shrugged.

  “Did you tell him you know about his dad’s forbidding your marriage?” Linna asked.

  “No, and I don't want to. I don't want to add to the shit he’s coping with. I feel bad enough about getting pregnant,” I answered and gazed up, seeing the surprised face of Aiden who was standing in the hallway.

  He’d heard me.

  “I’ll text you guys in a bit. Love you.” I gulped and tapped the phone off before they could say anything else.

  “What did she just say?” He stepped closer but didn't walk all the way to me. The shock on his face made my insides tug more than they already were. “What did she just say?”

  “Your mom”—how the hell did I say this?—“she came to see me.” I took a step back, not afraid but hating that I’d kept a secret. I’d lied to him.

  “Fin?” His tone was the scary warning one.

  “She came to the castle in Scotland, the day you told me about my family.” I closed my eyes. “And told me about your dad.”

  “And you didn't tell me?” He warned with his tone.

  “No.” I opened my eyes, the rush of anxiety making my head and heart pound with the same beat. “I thought it was normal sabotage and her being angry and it didn't matter.”

  “What are you trying to say?” He was beginning to reach my level of panic. “What did she tell you?”

  “She told me about your dad, about him forbidding us being together on his deathbed.”

  “That was not hers to tell.” He grew cold in tone and stare, losing his fear.

  “She also told me about the woman he had been engaged to who died with his child before your mom and him—”

  “You mean during my mom and him. Isabelle died the year Geoff was born. She and the baby.” He sounded disgusted. “And so you see, my parents have no right to demand or dictate or speak to me on love and romance and loyalty.”

  “But it was his deathbed?” I whispered the point.

  “So what? What if he’d asked me to cut off my leg as his dying wish?” He scoffed bitterly. “It would be no less painful for me to do that. Should I be forced into it?” He almost laughed at the thought, but he was way too pissed to laugh. “I am the king. I will decide who I marry. And I will decide how I live. Is that it? All your dirty little secrets?”

  “No,” I squeaked. “She also gave me a phone filled with recordings of you and Alex,” I blurted surprisingly, not wanting there to be secrets between us. Not now.

  He closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them, a storm had taken over inside him. “As I said, they have no right to discuss loyalty with me. And I have never been disloyal to you. Ever.” His stare burned me.

  “I know that. I didn't even look at it. I hid the phone before you came and never looked. Because it didn't matter. It doesn't matter.”

  He stormed from the room, leaving me sitting in complete shock. He returned an instant later with his iPad.

  “Aiden?” Johan spoke from the screen.

  “Where is the phone?” Aiden asked me.

  “What?” I gasped.

  “The phone!” he barked at me.

  “Uhm. Uhhh. My closet. Under my sweaters on the shelf.” What was happening?

  “Go to Fin’s closet and retrieve a phone Mother brought to her with evidence of my being unfaithful to Fin.”

  “Jesus, Aiden,” Johan groaned.

  “Go get it!”

  “Fine, but I don't want to see this,” Johan protested. The screen moved as he roamed through the vast castle until he arrived at my door. He knocked once and entered, walking to the closet. The sounds of him rifling through the clothes and the phone scraping on the shelf were noisy, nearly enough to block out my pounding heart.

  “Show me!” Aiden snapped at his brother.

  “Yeah, fine. Stop being a dick, yah? Give me a moment.” He brought the phone into my bathroom and turned on the light. He held up the iPad and turned on the phone, flipped though pictures of Aiden and Alex in embraces, none of which would be considered sexual. More like close friends. I had photos like this of Carter and me and Aaron.

  “All during school.” Aiden nodded. “Yes, she had a crush on me. You know that already. School kids, nothing more. Nothing beyond a few kisses ever happened.”

  “Disgusting,” Johan said as he slid his finger over the iPad, moving through the pictures until he got to some where Alex and Aiden were older. The pictures became less cute, but still the closeness of the people in the images wouldn't be considered sexual. There was no kissing or sex or sneakiness. It was hugging and arms around shoulders. It could have been innocent. And knowing Aiden, it was.

  “Most of those are nothing. Random hugs and kisses for holidays. She was married to my brother by then. In that one I’m hugging her after she said she had a row with Geoff. Nothing intimate. And now I question if there had truly been a fight or if she was trying to start something back up with me.” His manner was cold and bitter.

  “Right, like how did she get the pictures if she wasn’t trying to cause shit?” Johan asked. “That bird is trouble, Fin. Don't buy this nonsens
e. And Aiden and I had yet to meet you when most of these were added.”

  “I didn't buy it,” I defended myself.

  Finally, a video played that was recent. I could see that for myself. Alex was hugging Aiden and placed a kiss on his cheek, lingering there. He didn't push her off.

  “Mate, I don't want to see this,” Johan muttered into the iPad. “Fin doesn't either.” The video cut off and Johan put it down. “That’s all there is.”

  “Thanks.” Aiden clicked off the iPad and turned to me. “That video was the day after my father died. I was a mess. I let her hug me and kiss my cheek. And comfort me. And when she tried to kiss my lips, I pushed her away and told her to stop. Clearly, she deleted that part of the video.”

  “You don't have to explain this to me.” I sighed. “I didn’t doubt the validity of the photos being nothing more than candids of friends or siblings. I know there was something in school, and I don't care. I trust you.”

  “Fin.” He walked to me, cupping my cheeks, his fingers were cold and clammy. “I love you with my whole heart. And I will deal with her.”

  “Don't bother.” I smiled. “Honestly. She can’t touch me anymore. She can’t make me think things. I’m not a teenager. I’m an adult.” My hand lifted to my stomach. “I’m going to be a mother.”

  “And my wife.” He lowered his hand, pulling out the sapphire ring. “Wear it for them. For the cameras. Please.”

  “Of course.” I held out my hand.

  He stood, slipping the ring back where it belonged.

  “I will ask you in a way you deserve to be asked.” He placed a soft kiss on the side of my face.

  “It’s fine. I get it.” And I did. I had missed the weight and feel of it, and enjoyed the sensation of being certain about something. Certain about him. It had taken me years to get to the place where I didn't care what his parents did or said. And if the country and people hated me without knowing me, that wasn't my problem. All I could do was my best. And for the small heartbeat inside my stomach, I would. And for him, the boy who had become the king, kissing me in a closet, as I wore a robe and stole his heart, I would do anything.