Sacha briefly embraced Marku’s wife, and introduced Finette to Selene.
Lastly, a very pregnant woman entered. “Sacha?” She beamed at him.
Finette stiffened when they embraced.
Queen Marie ushered them along. “Please, come inside. Are you hungry?”
“We ate on the ship, Mother.”
Reimond broke in. “They probably want to stretch their legs.”
“Feel free to wander the castle,” his mother said. “The gardens are in bloom and make a lovely stroll.”
“Merci.” Finette bobbed a curtsy, and then felt a fool.
No one seemed to care. The family walked down the hallway. Reimond slung an arm around Sacha and they talked easily.
Nadia latched onto Finette’s arm. “Sacha has never brought a girl home to meet his parents.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “He must have brought you.” The idea of spending forced time with Nadia loomed, a potentially unpleasant part of her future.
Nadia shook her head. “Reimond introduced me to the family. Sacha made one excuse after the other. He was always too busy flying here and there.”
“He does love to travel, doesn’t he?”
Sacha glanced over his shoulder and scowled at Nadia.
The woman ignored him. “As do you, I take it.”
“I hope to.” Wishes weren’t real-life experience. Yet.
“So you are perfect together.” Nadia looked truly happy for Sacha.
Finette only nodded, relieved there seemed to be no lingering affection between them.
“I’ve never seen him so animated. Ach, he was so surly, always fighting with Marku. Of course, Marku objected to King Vlad accepting Sacha into the family. Reimond loves him very much.” As if she’d read Finette’s mind, Nadia added, “So do I. Like a brother. I knew I couldn’t make him happy. But obviously you do.”
“It’s kind of you to say so.” Even if Nadia was only being polite.
“It’s true. Do you know how often I saw him during the year we were together?”
She shook her head. Sacha had only spoken of Nadia once. One time had been enough for Finette.
“About once a month, sometimes less. He was never in a great hurry to return to me. But look at him. He can’t take his eyes off you.”
A glance, and Finette blushed. It was true. Again, he’d glanced back, and this time, shot her a smile.
“Ugh, here he comes. Sacha, let the girl breathe,” Nadia chided him.
He walked close enough that his shoulder bumped hers, but otherwise he didn’t touch her. “Don’t fill her head with nonsense.”
Nadia rubbed her large belly. “I’m merely welcoming her to the family. I want us to be like sisters, Finette.”
A real sister who loved her? “I’d like that.”
Sacha clasped her hand and led her away.
Nadia laughed as she said something in Romanian.
“What did she say?” Finette asked.
They turned a corner into a different corridor and he pinned her against the wall. “That I’m going to ravage you.”
“Are you?” She hoped so.
“Again and again.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait.”
***
The day was as bright and clear as Finette had hoped. British flags flew from the archway at the grand entrance to the air field a few miles outside London. Horse-drawn and steam-powered carriages lined up, and people poured from them to crowd the field’s borders.
Sacha grasped Finette’s hand. “If I said something like, ‘no matter the outcome, you’re still a winner’…”
“I’d slap you.” She grinned. “But I’d still love you.” She’d had to nix his idea to ride in the aeroplane with her. He deserved this chance, too.
He heaved an audible sigh. “Then I will wish you luck, though you have enough skill not to need Lady Luck.”
“Luck’s not a lady anyway. She’s the force of gritty determination and persistence.”
“She has your grace and beauty, too.”
“Merci, kind sir. And my good wishes go with you.” She grinned. “But I’m giving the prize money to Addie to help her rebuild her business.”
“Good idea.” He shrugged. “I’ve already advanced her a good sum for several deliveries.”
“You did?” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “You are a prince.”
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Shh, Marku will be alarmed if he hears you.”
“Marku can have the throne. I only want you.”
He tightened his arms around her waist. “I spoke with my parents about an idea for increasing visitors to our country. They agreed that setting up an airship transport system would encourage more people to travel, which would boost commerce. I already have a few airships, but could use assistance from first-rate pilots such as Addie. And you.”
“Me?” Her mind flew in a thousand directions. Her dream would become real. But what of Sacha? When would she see him?
“Of course, you.” He dropped a kiss on her mouth. “So that you wouldn’t feel too restricted, you’d have the option of working for us either directly or through Addie.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“I will never try to trap you in a gilded cage, ma petite mouton.”
Emotions in a whirlwind, she could only nod.
“And if you’re in need of a first mate…” He shrugged. “A certain bastard prince comes highly recommended.”
“I’ve heard that.” After pulling him into a long hug, she wiped her eyes. “I can’t wait to talk it over, but not now, all right?” Today, she had a race to win.
“Of course.”
She peered at the starting line where ten flying machines sat in a row. “I thought we’d have more competition.”
“The less participants, the better the odds. My faith rides on you, no matter what.”
She poked his chest. “Don’t jinx me.”
He pulled her to him. “May I show you instead?”
“Always.”
He kissed her so hard, her toes curled. A groan, and she smiled against his lips. “Save that thought for later.”
He winked. “Time to go.”
“Wait.” She had to know, and now seemed the best time to get him to answer. “I know it was you who left the aeroplane at Addie’s. You wanted me to have it. Why?”
“Addie didn’t tell you that.” He furrowed his brow, apparently certain of his statement.
“No, she wouldn’t give the owner’s name.”
“Then how did you…” He laughed as he held her shoulders to kiss her again. For a moment, he held her gaze from inches away, then laughed again.
The sound of happiness. Enough of an answer for her. “See you at the finish line.”
He winked. “And every day after that.”
A thrill shot through her. “What?” They hadn’t discussed the future, and she didn’t dare hope. Instead, she’d treasured every moment with him. This would be the first time they’d been apart for more than a minute since she’d left her father’s house. Their days together had been heaven.
“We’ll talk later.” He waved.
“But…” What did he mean? Oo, that man. She laughed, and couldn’t wait to find out. And she felt certain that he’d surprise her all over again, tomorrow and every day after that.
She wound the propeller and it whirred to life. She climbed into the cockpit, and readied for the signal flag. It dropped, and she expertly thrust the aeroplane forward along the airstrip and soon lifted it into the clouds.
With the world below, and Sacha flying at her tail, she’d already won. Her once upon a time had arrived.
~~~
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