Reign or Shine

by H J Welch

  “Well, look at you two, hiding away in the corner,” a simpering voice floated above the thrum of the ball. “I suppose you’re used to hiding, though.” Von Tarr laughed her tinkling glass laugh that she obviously thought was adorable and had probably helped her get away with a great deal of shit in the past.

  Matty kind of felt sorry for her. How sad to be so fake, reveling in other people’s misfortune.

  “Hello, Ms. von Tarr,” he said pleasantly, relaxing into his most carefree smile. Cas automatically put his hand on the small of Matty’s back, and Matty leaned against his side. “How are you this evening?”

  Ida von Tarr blinked, her smile only faltering slightly. Her lumbering cameraman was hovering by her shoulder. Matty wondered if he had the right lens in tonight to capture all the gossip they would no doubt be publishing by morning. In fact, he wondered how they had even gained access to the royal event at all.

  But he didn’t care about that, not really. He wasn’t here to control anything, aside from him and Cas having a good time, together representing the country that Cas was so proud of.

  He raised his eyebrows, waiting for von Tarr to reply to his question. She didn’t, of course. She cleared her throat and shook her head, doubling her effort on her fake smile. It stretched her red lips like a mad clown, her eyes narrow like glittering beetles in the twinkling chandelier light.

  “Come on, guys,” she said jovially. “You’re not fooling anyone. I thought Benedict and Leopold were the ones who kept things interesting around this place. Did you want your share of the limelight, Cassander, by bringing a commoner to dangle off your arm like a Christmas ornament?” She laughed, less like tinkling and more shattering glass. Her tone changed to faux concern. “This won’t last more than a minute, Mr. Doyle. Don’t you have any self-respect? He’s just using you for a joke!”

  Matty wondered if Cas was going to respond in the time it took for the smile to creep onto Matty’s face. He was genuinely relieved when Cas appeared to leave the reply to Matty. In fact, he felt a thrill rush up his spine as he leaned slightly closer, looking von Tarr in the eye.

  “Your Highness,” he said softly.

  Von Tarr blinked. “What?” she snapped.

  “The correct term,” Matty said slowly as he straightened up again, “when addressing any member of the royal family, is ‘Your Highness.’ Hopefully you’ll remember that in the future.” He turned and looked at the love of his life. “Like so. Would you care to dance, Your Highness?”

  Matty was getting pretty good at reading every tiny flicker on Cas’s face. And the adoration in his eyes in that moment could have fueled Matty all the way back to New York, it was so potent.

  “I’d be delighted,” Cas said back, then brushed his lips over Matty’s ear. “Your Highness,” he whispered. Not that Matty cared if anyone else heard, let alone von Tarr. She could only hurt them if they allowed her to. The two of them knew exactly what it meant for Cas to call Matty that.

  Matty didn’t know for sure if one day he might have the honor of becoming a prince of Rosavia. But Cas’s new little name for him confirmed he could step up to that challenge, if that was where fate brought them. They still had some bumps in the road ahead of them, but this was their start of forever, he was sure.

  And as Cas led him to the dance floor and guided Matty through his first-ever waltz, Matty wasn’t scared or unsure or intimidated.

  This was his dream come true, his real life, as impossible as it might seem, and he was going to live for every moment of it.

  Epilogue

  Cas – Three Months Later

  “Stop pacing.”

  Cas threw a withering look at his valet, who was sitting at his dining room table, but she didn’t shift her gaze even a millimeter from her phone to appreciate it. She just kept bouncing her foot where one leg was crossed over the other.

  “I’m not pacing,” he grumbled, shoving his hands in his pockets. That didn’t help, as there was something in one of them that was the main reason behind his nerves. Instead, he yanked his hands back out of his pants and began walking across the room…until he remembered he wasn’t pacing.

  He gave up and flopped on the sofa with a huff, checking his watch for the hundredth time. “He’s late.”

  “No, he’s not,” Valentina said calmly, again not looking up. “He’s not due for another few minutes. I’ve been watching the traffic report and everything.”

  “Why did I let you in here again?” Cas bemoaned, looking around his suite. He adjusted the framed selfie on the side table of him and Matty that they’d taken just before the ball, then moved it back to where it had been.

  Valentina snorted. “You didn’t. I forced my way in to stop you from driving yourself crazy.” She finally looked up over her glasses and arched an eyebrow at him. “Also, from letting you meet darling Matty looking like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards. Go fix your hair and then sit on your hands.”

  Cas sighed, but for once, he didn’t mind being bossed around. It was ridiculous how nervous he was, and he was grateful for the telling off. Why was he losing his shit? It was just Matty. They’d seen each other every two weeks since the Royal Ball, taking turns to fly and visit each other, and video calling every day. And what Cas had to ask today, he was pretty hopeful that he knew what the answer would be.

  But it was just so fast. Normal people didn’t do this, did they?

  “Just because you’re now pacing in the bathroom doesn’t mean I can’t hear you doing it,” Valentina called out in a sing-song voice.

  Cas huffed and finished re-taming his hair. Then he washed and dried his hands before marching back into the living room. “Okay, but now he’s late.”

  Valentina opened her mouth…just as there was a knock at the door.

  She gave Cas a triumphant look as she rose to her feet. Then she clip-clopped swiftly across the room in her pencil-thin heels. As she stopped, her hand on the door handle, she looked over her shoulder and fixed Cas with a firm stare. “Relax. Breathe. Everything is going to be fine.”

  Cas inhaled deeply, then nodded. Only then did she open the door.

  Matty’s face showed a moment of surprise at being confronted by Valentina, but then he broke into his usual friendly smile. “Hi, Valentina! How’re you doing?”

  Cas was just able to make out her wink. “I’m great, Matty. I’ll leave you boys to it.” She then turned and definitely winked at Cas. “Have fun,” she said in that same sing-song voice. Then she and the footman who had escorted Matty disappeared down the corridor, and Matty was stepping inside Cas’s suite.

  He automatically locked the door. That was their custom. Shutting away the outside world so it was just the two of them.

  Well, and Bella. But she was busy sunning herself by the window, squirming on her back as was normal.

  As Matty abandoned his larger-than-usual suitcase by the door and rushed into Cas’s arms, Cas inhaled his unique scent. He was generally tired and rumpled after his long flight, but to Cas, he was always heavenly.

  “I have some news,” Matty said. He was practically vibrating, he was so excited.

  “Come here,” Cas murmured, leading him by the hand to the sofa. He figured he couldn’t keep it in any longer, so he held Matty’s hands as they lowered onto the cushions. “Matty, before you say anything, I have something to ask you,” he began…

  …just as Matty blurted out, “Cas, I’m moving to Alpina.”

  For a second, they both just stared at one another.

  “What?” Cas asked.

  “What?” repeated Matty.

  Cas shook his head. “Did you just say you’re moving to Alpina?”

  Matty chewed his lip as a smile warred with his lips. “Um, yes.”

  A laugh escaped Cas’s throat as he threw his arms around Matty. Then he cupped his face. “What? How? I don’t understand? What about your family?”

  Matty beamed, his eyes full of happy tears. “That’s why I’m moving. Fin
ley got accepted by an elite archery coach from the training summer camp. She came with me on this flight, and is literally starting school right now.” He sniffed and rubbed his eyes, clearly overflowing with pride. “She got into Elm Willows. Isn’t that amazing?”

  Cas was so full of emotion he couldn’t say anything for a second, so he kissed Matty on the lips. Then he kissed him again and again before wiping away Matty’s spilled tears with his thumbs. “That’s incredible, sweetheart. She’ll love it there, I’m sure. And huge congratulations to her on being signed by the coach.”

  Matty nodded and chuckled wetly. “I know. It’s a dream. So Reghan and Lola have thrown everything to the wind, and are applying for work visas and looking at houses on the edge of the city. Reghan is doing pretty good, and should be well enough to travel soon. My friend Esosa is helping them. Her sister Shommie and her family are thinking of leaving the UK and getting a place here too, so then we’ll all be together! And best of all, it looks like Reghan and Lola can get a real house here for what they were paying for an apartment in Queens,” he added in a scandalized tone.

  Cas chuckled. He had been looking into buying his own apartment in New York, so he could well believe it. But…maybe he wouldn’t have to now? “So there’s nothing keeping you in America?” he asked tentatively.

  Matty blew a raspberry. “Absolutely not. Especially as Reghan is doing so well on her treatment. In no small thanks to you,” he added fondly.

  Cas had insisted on covering all of her medical bills and getting her the best treatment available. Reghan had always had a good chance on this round of chemo, but she really seemed to be thriving. No doubt the mountain air would also do her a world of good.

  “So they’re getting a house, but you…?” he prompted. He wanted Matty to be bold and ask for what he wanted. He’d been getting so good at that in the time they’d been together. But this was a big one. Cas held his breath.

  But not for long.

  Matty grinned and bit his lip, bouncing slightly on the sofa. “I thought maybe we could move in together. If that’s what you’d want?”

  Cas let out a cry and threw his arms around Matty, kissing all over his cheeks as he dragged him down on the sofa. “I’ve wanted that since you first left me on that wretched plane back to New York. Three months has been enough!”

  Matty laughed and managed to wrangle Cas in for a kiss on the lips. “I packed everything I could into that case,” he said, glancing toward the door. Cas had thought that was an extra-large bit of luggage compared to what Matty usually brought with him. “My sister can ship the rest, although there isn’t much, really.” He sighed and placed his hand above Cas’s heart. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”

  Cas placed his hand over Matty’s and squeezed it hard. “So you don’t have to leave again?” His voice almost cracked with emotion.

  Matty shook his head. “Nope. I’m all yours.”

  Cas’s heart skipped a beat. He really hoped so. “Well, about that question I wanted to ask.” He pulled Matty up so he was sitting…

  …then Cas moved off the side of the sofa so he was kneeling on the floor. On one knee.

  Matty’s eye widened with a gasp. “Cas?” he asked, a smile playing on his lips as his eyes filled with tears. “Are you proposing?”

  Cas swallowed, finally retrieving the small box from where it had been digging in his pants pocket. “Shush, let me ask my damn question first.” Matty looked amused, sitting up straighter on the sofa. Cas held up the box and opened it to show the sapphire-encrusted band inside. “Um, yes. Matty Doyle, you changed my life. You helped me become the man I always wanted to be. I know it’s soon, but I know how I feel. Will you marry me?”

  Matty bit his lip, then slid off the couch to kneel in front of Cas. He tugged on Cas’s pant leg, encouraging Cas to get on both knees as well. “Oh, Cas,” he said with such deep fondness, chocking back a sob. “Why are you nervous? I love you so much. I’m moving across the world for you. You’re already my whole life. Yes, yes, of course it’s a yes!”

  Cas really had thought he’d be so cool in this moment. Instead, he gulped down his hiccup and threw his arms around Matty’s neck again, hugging him for dear life. “I thought you’d be more surprised or something,” he confessed with a laugh.

  Matty leaned back and cupped his hands on either side of Cas’s face with a happy sigh as tears traced down his face. “Don’t get me wrong, hearing you actually ask me is a dream come true. But…look at what I’m wearing, Your Highness,” he said pointedly.

  Cas blinked. “A shirt and jeans?” he said uncertainly. “You look hot,” he added, just for good measure.

  Matty snorted and shook his head. “A double-cuffed shirt. Look.” He twisted his wrist and showed Cas the rose cufflinks he’d given him. Cas’s heart caught in his throat. “I knew it would be complicated. I knew it wasn’t going to be simple for us. But that night, you earned my trust that when the stars were aligned, our lives would come together the way they were supposed to. Destiny has our backs, remember? And when Finley got signed by that coach…” Matty grinned and took a shuddery breath as more tears spilled down his cheeks. “I booked myself a one-way ticket and decided to really show you how serious I am about us.” He kissed Cas again as Cas’s heart ached with relief. “I’m sorry I’m not more surprised, but, baby…I was already a sure thing.”

  Cas remembered sharing those words after their first kiss, and he laughed even though his eyes were wet. “I hate to break it to you,” he whispered conspiratorially. “But I was a sure thing, too.”

  “Aren’t we hopeless?” Matty said as he laughed and wiped his face.

  “Totally,” Cas agreed, kissing his love through his impossibly happy smile. “God, I love you so much, Matty. I thought about proposing in the city apartment, but I haven’t been back there really since our time there, and it felt…”

  Matty gave him a slightly sad look and caressed the side of his face. “Fake? Yeah. This is home now.”

  He looked around Cas’s suite, and Cas realized he was right. Matty had fit in so well here, conversing easily with family and staff alike. He’d blossomed here in Rosavia.

  Then Matty turned back to Cas, a sudden look of excitement. “But how about we spend tonight at the cabin?” he asked eagerly. “Just us two, in the woods away from everything. Kind of like a honeymoon for our proposal night?”

  Cas thought of that night. How everything had changed for them after the storm, only for the glorious sunshine to come back for them in the morning.

  Matty was right. Cas couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought to propose there. That was where their real love had begun, and they hadn’t been back there since that night.

  But the rest of their lives were going to be in this palace. They could escape whenever they wanted to the cabin for a vacation, but the palace was going to be their real lives. So, no. Cas knew this was the perfect place to propose. They didn’t need a fantasy. Real life was wonderful enough for them.

  Besides, Matty was right, he had kind of proposed the night of the ball.

  “Okay, sure thing,” Cas said, waggling his eyebrows. “If you want to stay at the cabin tonight, that’s what we’ll do.”

  “But this time without getting lost in the pouring rain,” Matty said with a laugh.

  “I want to be with you, come rain or shine,” Cas said firmly. Then, with a grin, he added, “Your Highness.”

  Matty inhaled sharply, his eyes shimmering with yet more tears as they widened and his mouth dropped open. Holy fuck. That was the surprise that Cas had been hoping for, deep down. He wanted this moment to be so special, so authentic for Matty.

  “Oh…!” Matty said, fluttering his hands in front of his face. “Oh! You’ve said that so many times. But this makes it real now, doesn’t it? I’m going to be a prince? Your prince!”

  Cas sniffed, finally losing the battle with his own tears. He kissed Matty and held him so tightly. They were huddled on the floor by the
sofa, just like after the first time they’d made love in the light, when Cas had realized that Matty had already captured his heart.

  “You’re my everything,” he said emphatically. “I just wanted to get you a shitload of precious stones to prove it.” They laughed wetly as Cas slipped the ring over Matty’s finger. “I know diamonds are worth more-”

  “The sapphires are perfect,” Matty insisted. “I want blue roses everywhere at our wedding. They’ve been my favorite since the start, and I’m obsessed.” He waggled his fingers at Cas, showing off the band. “And now I’ll match.”

  Cas caught his hand to kiss the palm. “Wren will be thrilled. But he’ll be even more thrilled that he gets to select an American rose for you.” Cas thought fondly of how much his brother had matured this year. “In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s been working on that since the ball.”

  Matty winked. “See. I knew there was a reason he was your favorite brother.”

  “Shut up,” said Cas, rolling Matty onto the floor as they kissed in a tangle of limbs. Then he sighed, knowing he had to be totally honest. They’d promised each other that. “Are you sure it’s not too soon? Because I’ve had my moments of doubt, and who knows what the press and people will think-”

  “Shh!” Matty pressed his finger to Cas’s lips. “I’m supposed to be the adorable one, and you’re supposed to look after me, remember?”

  Cas sighed. “Yes,” he said firmly.

  “So stop second-guessing taking something for yourself that doesn’t revolve around crown and country.” Matty rolled them so they were side-by-side, their heads pillowed on their arms as they looked at each other. “Like Finley says, when you have something in your sights, you have to fire, or you might miss. A crazy set of circumstances brought us together, but we’re the ones who control our own fates and are going to make sure we stay together, right?”

  “Right,” Cas agreed with a relieved exhale.

  Matty looked at his sapphire ring, then gave Cas a leisurely kiss. “I told you I’d look after you as well,” he said softly. “Just like you look after me.”