Forbidden King (Princes of Avce Book 9)

by Victoria Pinder

  Love? Even once they became husband and wife, it didn’t mean that he cared about her at all—he didn’t know she existed, other than as his secretary. But yes, she did care for him. Anna said cautiously, “He was always a fantasy. Now he’s about to be my husband.”

  Maria stood and entered the condo. Anna followed once she’d collected the tea cups. Her grandmother had already made it to the kitchen and tied on an apron. “You better eat your dinner and get to bed.”

  Normally they were up for hours watching television after their meal. Besides, sleeping seemed impossible. She offered Maria a spoon to stir the lemon garlic sauce. “It’s only seven o’clock.”

  Maria stirred, then took out the breaded chicken from the refrigerator and added the individual cutlets to a separate pan. “You will need to look breathtaking and probably have appointments before the sun shows up.”

  “You do too, if you remember.” Anna poured the sauce over the sizzling chicken. “But it’s our last night where it’s just us.”

  Maria laughed as she covered the chicken and Anna opened the oven door—they’d worked together a thousand times— “Good. You need a life outside of me.”

  Once the dinner was in the oven Anna threw her arms out for a hug like she was still a girl. “Grandma, I love you.”

  Maria hugged her back and didn’t let go. “I’ve kept you too isolated. Don’t forget to pack an extra pair of your cotton underwear for your honeymoon. We both know you’re allergic to latex.”

  Her cheeks flamed. Only Maria would mention that. She shook her head as the hug ended and said, “I’m going to shower while dinner cooks.”

  Maria headed toward the living room and picked up the remote control for the television. Anna had just opened her bedroom door when Maria called out, “Wait.”

  “What?” Anna turned around.

  Maria scratched the top of her gray head as if suddenly bashful. “I’m happy you’re getting what you want. You deserve love.”

  Leopoldo would never love her, but she’d find a way to live in peace. Maybe she’d find a way to help the world, but she smiled at Maria and spoke from her heart as she stayed in the doorway. “I have love. I have you.”

  Maria laughed. “Okay, but the love of a guy is infinitely sweeter.”

  Life changed on a dime and security wasn’t something anyone really had. Anna knew that, but she would prepare for tomorrow. She’d hold onto her fantasy for another day. Waving behind her, she said, “If you say so. See you in a few minutes.”

  Tonight’s breaded chicken with lemon garlic butter sauce was the last time she’d have it in this way, but tomorrow’s adventure meant that she got to live with Leopoldo, come what may.

  Chapter 3

  Leopoldo wore his royal blue sash for formal occasions as the Crown Prince and straightened his gold shoulder tassels. His mother had sent him files on Anna that he’d skimmed but Francesca was due to arrive any minute. In his royal suite, he sat in the adjoining breakfast nook he now used for his office and closed his laptop, his mind buzzing with the medical report that said Anna Camila was in peak shape for children.

  Francesca entered his office. His mother had also included reports of Francesca’s drinking and her late night social life.

  Black mascara dripped down her cheeks from a torrent of tears. He wished his guards hadn’t let her in.

  He fastened his medals on the sash as she cried and fell to her knees. “You can’t marry her, Leo. You can’t.”

  He shouldn’t have skipped the bride-finding ball to have sex with anyone who would sneak into the castle during the festivities. He ignored the tension in his neck that her being here caused as he took her hands that didn’t spark at all. “Francesca, Anna Camila agreed to be my wife. My parents have announced it. If I don’t follow through at this point, she can sue me and get every dime I have that’s not intended for the throne.”

  She pulled his hands to her breasts as she trembled before him. “So what? You’d still have your kingdom.”

  No. He would never touch her again. He took his hands back and found his white wedding gloves and the ceremonial sword for his hip. “I’m not going to bankrupt myself and run away with you, Francesca. We were a mistake and you knew what we had was never heading toward marriage.”

  More tears raced down her face and she covered her lips. He fastened the sword as she dropped her hands. “Don’t say that, Leo.”

  The truth was all he had, and their couple of nights in bed was no romance. One day he intended to be a great king, like his father before him, though it had taken some time to see his path. “Don’t romanticize our few nights into more than it was. We never got together outside of bed and even that shouldn’t have happened.”

  “I’m pregnant.” She clutched her slender belly.

  Leo’s blood ran cold. How? He’d used protection every time as he never intended to father a child outside of his station. This was impossible. Condoms were effective, so he lifted his chin and met Francesca’s blue eyes that had tears still flowing down her high cheekbones. “Don’t lie. The trumpets you hear outside mean I’m getting married.”

  She grabbed his arm and pulled him closer. “I’m not lying. I’m pregnant and the baby is yours.”

  Technology was a blessing and a curse. He took his hand back and listened to the wedding choir that sung outside the castle. Soon he’d be expected at the church.

  Anna waited for him.

  His heart beat faster. She’d have known what to do to get him out of this awkward situation, but for now he needed to act without her. He stepped back like Francesca might give him some disease while he said, “You can’t know that.”

  “I never slept with anyone else.” She followed like a spider. “Condoms aren’t fail-safe. It says so on the package.”

  The warning was for men who didn’t know how to use them. He’d used Francesca’s when he’d gone to her house—she must have done something to the package to create this mess.

  His mind screamed, “what if?” and he paused by the stand that held fresh flowers near the door below the portrait of his great-grandfather. “We’ll get a test. If it is true, then I’ll pay for our child but our conversation is over now.”

  Francesca pressed her cold fingers onto his cheek as she said, “I don’t want this baby if I don’t get you.”

  “I’m not for you.” He knew this wasn’t about him, Leopoldo, but about being the future queen. He stepped away from her touch. “Francesca, I’m marrying Anna Camila.”

  She wiped her face and for a flash of a second he saw red streaks of anger inside her pupils. “Why? You don’t love her.”

  Everyone had been right. He’d known it himself on a deeper level—Francesca wanted cash, and a title. Modeling made her think she was somehow noble. Anna might not have a royal pedigree but she’d perform her duties beautifully in a way Francesca never could. Greed ruined people. He fixed his collar as more trumpets blared. “I love my kingdom and my parents. Anna Camila… she makes my parents happy, so I’ll marry her and live with the consequences.”

  He turned and strode out of the office toward the door where invited guests would see him. Whoever’d snuck Francesca in here now needed to sneak her out, so he summoned his servant while he said, “I’m marrying for duty and country, Francesca. You should go and find someone you might love.”

  Immediately a man in a blue uniform came toward them, and Leo pointed to Francesca. “Goodbye.”

  Once she was out of sight, he clicked his heels and two servants opened his gold encrusted bedroom doors. Leo stepped onto the blue carpet while crowds cheered.

  Today was his wedding. Because it had happened so fast, there were fewer foreign dignitaries lining the walls, but he kept his confident stroll and waved like the well-trained prince he was.

  Outside, the cheers of the common people overshadowed the drums and trumpets.

  He continued to walk on the blue carpet that was set over the cobblestone road from the palace to the church
two kilometers away while he waved at the crowd, clearly on display.

  Women fainted as he passed and emergency personnel took care of them—despite it being against the rules, he stopped twice to ensure no one had broken their skulls.

  Finally he made it to the church and his mother, Queen Anastastia met him on the top step as they both waved toward the crowds. Then they turned and the doors opened for them. She looped her hand around his waist. “Is everything okay, Leopoldo?”

  So much to say but this wasn’t the place. If he told her about Francesca, someone might overhear “Everything is fine. I’ll go to the front by the altar.”

  She checked that his sash was straight and no shoulder tassel was out of order before they marched toward the spot where he’d see Anna. “Your father is escorting your bride, since her father is deceased.”

  His heart raced. Soon he’d be a married man. One with problems, but somehow, he’d figure out a way to fix them. “Excellent.”

  His mother patted him on the back like he was a soldier in her service. “I’m glad to see you are performing your duties.”

  Both his parents had impressed upon him that duty always came first. Choices were for peasants. Today wasn’t something he’d ever thought would be real, but having Anna waiting for him made his marriage… palatable.

  Anna might not be a noble woman by birth, but as his wife, he’d honor her. In exchange she’d perform the day-to-day operations of life as a future queen with the polish of someone born for the job. She was always diligent in everything and he would help where he could. “Avce is as important to me as it is to you and Father. I won’t let you down.” He took his position as bridegroom.

  His mother kissed his cheek.

  He discreetly glanced around at the noble guests. Dukes, Earls, Marquis, Barons, ambassadors, and a few foreign dignitaries all stared back at him from their seats as a choir sang.

  He stood tall and noticed the older woman across from his parents. She must be Anna’s grandmother, but she was dressed like a lady and he briefly wondered if Anna might one day age without many wrinkles.

  His wandering eye stopped as the trumpets blare changed to a sweeter note.

  At first he couldn’t make out anything other than a white veil that never seemed to end that floated toward him like an angel. He couldn’t see her face, but her silhouette showed off curves that one day he’d know every inch of.

  He compared her oversized button-downs she wore to the office with this and couldn’t wait to uncover her hips and breasts.

  His father escorted her to where he waited and he didn’t move until she lifted back her veil to reveal her steady brown eyes.

  He’d been wrong.

  Anna wasn’t an angel. Unlike some dream woman, she was here, real, and breathtakingly beautiful.

  She reached for his hand and he patted hers through his white gloves. “Anna, you look gorgeous.”

  Her cheeks blossomed into a blush as she glanced shyly down.

  The priest performed his ceremonial beginning as they both knelt in prayer. Anna whispered back, “Your mother’s people took care of me.”

  Against the rules, she talked to him, even now. They’d maneuvered many formal events with her at his side, helping him. Her calm essence lulled his heart into a happy state. Leo smiled as they stood, following the priest’s directions. “Soon the staff will be yours, Anna. So I dare you, now, turn and wave to the camera.”

  “During the ceremony we’re to be solemn.”

  “Anna.”

  She turned with him and they both waved toward cameras that pointed at them. Without saying a word, he pivoted on his heels and kissed her cheek.

  Her blush grew as they both turned toward the priest again. She mumbled, “I feel silly.”

  Anna was the perfect choice. He knew that now. He winked at her and hoped she gained confidence as he said, “You’re magnificent. I wish I’d thought of marrying you myself.”

  Anna stood straight, as if born to be a princess as she nodded and said, “You take duty seriously.”

  If only that was true and he’d never touched Francesca. Clearly he’d been blind a few weeks ago. He glanced at the dark wooden floors in the medieval church. “Not always.”

  She let out a small laugh. “More often than not.” The priest then stared down at her like he wanted to scold them. The older man read the vows. Anna lowered her head and said clearly, “I will.”

  Leo just wanted this to be done already. He’d be married, with a wife that he respected. Anna’s skin almost glowed while the priest spoke to him, “Will you honor….”

  Honestly he had no idea what was being said but at the pause when the priest stared at him for an answer, Anna pressed against his arm so he repeated, “I will.”

  Behind him people sighed.

  He stood straighter but glanced at Anna. Her face was white. He must have been lost in thoughts of her longer than he’d realized. He picked up her hand and kissed it.

  The priest began to speak and Leo whispered to Anna, “So now he speaks in Latin for the blessings?”

  She released a long breath that she must have been holding. “I thought you had changed your mind.”

  “I was lost in thoughts of you and our honeymoon.” He leaned closer and smelled her sweet flowery perfume, or was it the bouquet in her trembling hands?

  Her hands stopped shaking as she relaxed at his words. A moment later, she whispered back, “Any idea where we’re being sent on our honeymoon?”

  He’d made arrangements earlier that morning. His parents had demanded they go somewhere private and alone. Now that he stood here, as the priest continued this long ceremony, he understood why. Being alone with Anna would be very good. They could talk then, among other things. “I’m taking you to the South Castle.”

  She swayed a little but then held her bouquet closer as she glanced into the calla lilies. “I’ve never been there.”

  The priest had stepped aside, but now his father was giving a speech on the future of Avce being tied to their family.

  He pressed his hand on her lower back just to touch her. “It’s a small island with few inhabitants, so we’ll be alone, though if you want to go somewhere else, out of Avce, we can.”

  “I’m happy to go to the island.” She sounded steady and sure. “The pictures I’ve seen of the castle make it seem lovely.”

  The king ended his formal speech. Good.

  Now the priest started in on the ending prayers. Any moment this ceremony would finally end.

  His hair stood on end as he said, “Good. I hope we always get along.”

  Again the priest stared at them like they were children behaving badly.

  Anna whispered, “The priest is probably hoping we start following the rules.”

  Soon, she’d not care and give a flash of royalty back. He winked at her.

  The priest raised his voice and said, “Now by the power vested in me, I declare Prince Leopoldo Cosimo Francesco Gastone Giuliano Piero Charles Marcus Lorenzo Antonio Aussa of the House of Lukčeva and Miss Anna Camila Bruno husband and wife.”

  Silence clung in the air.

  Goosebumps grew on his arms. Yesterday’s kisses lingered in his memory and caused his mouth to tingle again.

  She stared up at him with big brown eyes as she asked, “What do we do now?”

  This kiss would be for show. Soon he’d have her alone and they’d do this right. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and pressed his forehead to hers. “Kiss me, Anna.”

  She closed her eyes and lifted her face. “I’m scared of all this Leo…”

  Leo captured her pink lips and a spark washed through him.

  Anna was now his.

  Maybe he shouldn’t want to claim her, but she intoxicated him with her innocence--she pressed herself into him like she needed him to hold her upright.

  He held her as the kiss ended until he was sure she was steady. He took her hand and said, “Relax and trust me. Now all we need to do
is wave and get into the limo.”

  She waved as they made their way down the aisle and the piano played the recessional while the children’s choir performed.

  She checked her veil was in place after a few steps and asked, “No reception?”

  Fifty meters, Leo thought, and no more ceremony. From now on it was just the two of them. He stayed beside her and took a few more steps as he smiled and said, “I wanted us to disappear right away. We will have the reception when we get back.”

  She mimicked his sisters and his mother perfectly as she followed him, like she’d been born into this role. “Perfect. I can wave and smile if you lead.”

  Without any more conversation they methodically walked away from the church, waved at the throngs of people cheering for them, and finally climbed into the limo.

  A servant helped Anna stuff her veil inside, which took up more room than a human being.

  Once she was tucked in, a servant closed the door and he settled into his seat and closed his eyes. “Finally. It’s quiet.”

  She wiggled away from his sword. He opened his gaze and unbuckled the silly piece as she unpinned her hair from that long veil. He watched her take her pins out like she was an expert and didn’t need a servant as he said, “My yacht is already fueled so we’ll be at the castle within an hour.”

  She removed more pins and then used her fingers to shake the strands loose. Somehow he’d never seen a woman change her hair without a stylist and tons of product.

  Anna set the veil beside her and then raised her eyebrow at him as she asked, “Is everything okay, Leopoldo?”

  “Leo,” he said. “My friends call me Leo.” She put the pins in a cup holder.

  Another zip of awareness washed through him. Anna was like no one else he knew, and her quiet practicality had often been his saving grace. From racing him to a funeral of an ambassador to answering scheduling questions in the middle of the night, she’d rescued him from potential social disasters.

  He’d talk to her and his parents later, once doctors confirmed what Francesca had told him—which he believed to be a stall tactic to stop his wedding. Leo picked up her hand, kissed her wrist and said, “Anna, let’s be honest with each other. Relationships are supposed to be best if we start out that way.”