I smiled. “As long as I’ll always be your Anwen first.”
“That’s all I want you to be, and I’ll love you forever for it.” And he leaned down to seal the promise with a tender kiss.
Epilogue
“I think I found one, Anwen.”
I looked up from combing my own section of flowers to see my husband’s face lit up with his usual smile. He lay on his stomach in the garden of the summer palace, where we were nearing the end of our month-long—and this time real—honeymoon. Due to royal duties and obligations, our honeymoon had been delayed two months, but it had been well worth the wait.
Liam stared with intense focus at the orchid in front of him, his jar at the ready. “Is this a flower mantis, Anwen?”
I crept closer and leaned down. The excitement that came from discovering an insect bubbled within me. “It is.”
“Then we have prevailed in our quest. We couldn’t have left our honeymoon until we’d succeeded.” Liam’s excitement faded into a thoughtful frown. “Perhaps we should let the flower mantis get away so we finally have an excuse to extend our honeymoon indefinitely.”
“That’s far too drastic. Hurry and catch it before it gets away.”
He did so, angling the jar carefully before successfully capturing our prey in one swoop. “Success! Now, my dear, may I present the distinguished Sir Flower Mantis, captured by your adoring husband for your enjoyment.”
He bowed and handed me the jar with great ceremony. I lifted it so I could better study its colors, which matched the orchid it had been perched on.
He scooted closer and peered into the jar. “They are rather fascinating insects. Do you think we can manage to catch all twelve species?”
I gaped at him. “How did you know there were twelve?”
He smirked. “I’ve been studying. After all, it’s only fitting that my wife’s favorite hobby become one of my own.” His expression softened as he pressed his forehead against mine. “My wife.”
I smiled. He made an effort to call me that almost as often as he found excuses to use my name.
He kissed me and as usual I melted into him, only breaking the kiss when something captured my attention. A few yards away, tucked within the grass, was an orb web. Excitement bubbled within me as I craned my neck for a better view, hoping to see…yes, an orb-spider, an argiope bruennichi by the looks of it from this distance. I itched for a better look.
Liam sensed my wriggling. “What is it, darling?” He glanced over and his eyebrows raised. “Oh…” It came out as both a moan and a sigh of wonder.
“I need to get a closer look.”
“Very well. Go hunt, darling.”
I tugged out of the comfort of his arms and crawled over to eagerly study the black-and-yellow spider. Oh goodness, its web was so beautiful, a perfect orb with a zigzag shape in the center—likely used to aid camouflage and lure its prey—with the magnificent spider residing at the center.
“Liam! Come look! It’s an argiope bruennichi, a wasp spider.”
Liam, bless his heart, came over and peered down at it in interest. “Tell me about it,” he said.
“It’s an orb spider. It builds a new web every day—usually at dawn—after consuming its old one in the middle of the night, and then it lives in the center. Fascinating, isn’t it?” I peeked up at Liam with a wicked grin. “The spiders are cannibals, almost always consuming their mate during reproduction.”
He chuckled as he rested his hand reverently on my stomach. “I’m grateful you don’t take that particular habit to heart, my insect-loving darling, else I’d be in trouble.” He leaned down to press the sweetest kiss on my stomach, where we suspected new life already resided.
I rested my hand right above where he’d just tenderly kissed and he placed his on top of mine, beaming at where our hands resided with his usual enthusiasm. “I told you, Liam, I’m not completely sure I’m with child.” Though my suspicions were only being confirmed with each passing week.
“I’m betting you are, and my guess is it’s a girl.”
I hoped that was true. We’d waited long enough to marry for real, so how wonderful it’d be if we didn’t have to endure the wait to become parents.
He bestowed another kiss on my stomach. “I’m going to be the favorite parent, I just know it.”
I giggled. “Quite likely. You always know how to charm the ladies.”
“While that’s true, there’s now only one lady I’m interested in charming, and her name is Anwen.”
I smiled at the way he said my name, just like a caress. I sighed contentedly, closing my eyes a moment to savor it. “I never tire of hearing it from you.”
He smiled tenderly. “I know, Anwen.”
Liam gently took my hand and led me to where we had a picnic set up. We settled on the lawn, where he looped his arms around me and pulled me securely against his chest before offering a basket filled to the brim with my favorite fruit, one of the only foods that didn’t make me nauseous—another reason I suspected I was pregnant.
“Strawberries?” I eagerly accepted one, but I’d no sooner eaten the juicy fruit than he handed me another. “Can’t forget the baby.”
I took a sweet, juicy bite of my strawberry. “If I really am pregnant, your family is going to be ecstatic.”
Mischief flashed in his eyes. “They will when they find out. Shall we play a game?”
“What sort of game?”
His grin became wicked. “Let’s not tell anyone you’re pregnant and see how long it takes them to notice.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Isn’t that rather mean?”
“Come on, Anwen, you know it sounds fun.”
My lips twitched. “Fine, we’ll play on the condition that you take the blame when your poor mother realizes we kept the secret for so long on purpose.”
He chuckled. “Deal. This will be fun.” He pressed his lips to my hair. “Now, how about another story about when you were a goose girl. Those are some of my favorites.”
Thinking of my little darlings reminded me of one of the surprises Liam had arranged—having my geese brought to the palace. Unfortunately, Liam had insisted they not join us on our honeymoon as he was adamant that nothing eclipse our time together.
“Do you think the children miss us?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I’m sure they’re getting along just fine…except perhaps Hornet; he’s likely starving not having any of my fingers to eat.”
“He’s growing fonder of you.”
“I’ll win him over in the end,” he said. “Considering my goal is to be the favorite parent to all our children, not just this one.” His hand lowered once more to my stomach. “This picnic reminds me of the day I discovered your picking strawberries with my sisters and you told us about chiggers. It was one of many clues into your true identity.”
“You were really good at discovering those; I gave far too many hints about Anwen. I just couldn’t keep myself from occasionally slipping out. I suppose one can never fully lose oneself.” It was such a comforting thought.
“You were afraid I was falling in love with a mask, but it was only the glimpses of the real you that stole each piece of my heart. There were so many hints of my Anwen, each discovery causing me to fall more in love with you.” He hooked his finger beneath my chin and lifted it so our eyes met. “I see you.”
His words enveloped me, as warm and tender as his embrace, and they were more than a fact—they were his assurance. “You do see me.” And I knew he always would.
He kissed me with the usual sweetness that was my Liam before he helped me to my feet. “Now Anwen, we’ve spoiled our baby, discussed the children, searched for insects, and had a picnic complete with strawberries. What other adventures shall we plan for today?”
I squeezed his hand. “Anything, as long as it’s with you.”
“Then I have the perfect one in mind. Even though I’ve already found my greatest treasure, how about a treasure hunt all the same?” He pu
lled out a hand-drawn map and wriggled his eyebrows. “Do you trust a pirate to lead you on a quest?”
I hooked my arms around his neck and stared up at him in adoration. “I trust my Liam to make our life together the greatest adventure of all.” And hand in hand, we returned to the palace to continue what promised to be a lifetime of living happily ever after together.
Thank You
Thank you for allowing me to share some of my beloved stories with you! If you’d like to be informed of new releases, please visit me at my website www.camillepeters.com to sign up for my newsletter, see my release plans, and read deleted scenes—as well as a scenes written from Aiden’s POV, Alastar’s POV, and Liam’s POV.
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Coming June 2020: Prince Briar’s story, Enchantment, inspired by Beauty and the Beast.
Books By Camille Peters
Pathways
Inspired by “The Princess and the Pea” and “Rumpelstiltskin”
Spelled
Inspired by “The Frog Prince”
Identity
Inspired by “The Goose Girl”
Reflection
Inspired by “Snow White”
Enchantment ~ Coming Soon
Inspired by “Beauty and the Beast”
Preview of Book Four: “Reflection”
My hand shook where it hovered, poised to knock on the door of the study where my parents had asked me to meet them. The reason for the visit wasn’t a mystery; I’d known for several months now that this day would come. Despite having had time to prepare myself, I still wasn’t ready to hear the news that would change my life forever.
I took a wavering breath. You can do this, Rhea. Be brave. But despite being the eldest princess of Draceria, I didn’t feel brave. I never did.
I took a deep breath and knocked before nodding to the footman standing outside the door, inviting him to open it. Mother and Father sat with their heads bent together, conversing quietly. They looked up at my entrance.
“There you are, Rhea.” Mother stood to greet me with a hug while Father looked on with a proud smile, already pleased by the answer he knew I’d give in response to their news. He wasn’t wrong; I knew my duty, although knowing it didn’t make it any easier to fulfill.
He motioned to the settee. “Please have a seat, dear.”
I perched on the edge, trying not to appear nervous. My parents took seats across from me with all the regal bearing expected of the king and queen.
“You wanted to see me?” I managed to keep my voice steady, a small victory.
Mother took my hand. “Your father and I have something to tell you.”
I braced myself. Mother glanced at Father, allowing him the honor of sharing the dreaded words that would alter my life forever.
“We’ve been in contact with the Queen of Malvagaria, and all the arrangements are finally in place. We’ve invited her and her son for a visit so that you and Prince Briar can get to know one another before your betrothal.”
I released a shaky breath. There it was. I wasn’t surprised, as Mother and Father had told me a few months ago that during my brother’s wedding reception, the Queen of Malvagaria had expressed interest in forging an alliance between our two kingdoms. The alliance made sense; not only was Draceria Malvagaria’s only neighbor, but we were their primary trading partner.
What baffled me was why she was interested in having her son, the crown prince, marry me. I was an unremarkable princess, especially compared to my two superior younger sisters, both of whom were of age to wed. But I kept my confusion locked away, just as I kept every other emotion; it was safer that way.
Mother and Father were still awaiting an answer, so I forced a smile. “I’m pleased for the opportunity to get to know Prince Briar before our engagement.” Especially considering I’d only met the crown prince a handful of times over the years; from what I remembered, he was a rather sullen man, even more so than my ex-fiancé, Crown Prince Deidric of Sortileya.
The familiar pain I fought to suppress returned to attack anew. I forced it away. Now wasn’t the time to remember my broken engagement.
“That’s what we were hoping, but”—Mother squeezed my hand—“please remember that your father and I would never force you into any arrangement that you’re not comfortable with, especially after what happened with Liam…” She bit her lip guiltily.
Father rested his hand on her shoulder. “It’s alright, darling. It all ended well for him.”
She dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. “I know, and I’m still so relieved. But I couldn’t bear to watch another one of our children endure a situation similar to his. No political arrangement is worth the cost of our children’s happiness.”
“That’s why we’re arranging for Prince Briar to visit before signing any contracts.” Father turned to me. “If you find you don’t suit, please be open with us.”
Even though I knew they were sincere in their willingness to put my wishes above the interests of our kingdom, I also understood that doing so would disappoint them, for it was their duty to see to the welfare of our subjects…a duty that was also mine. I’d known it my entire life and wouldn’t falter.
“I understand.” I took a steadying breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. “When are they to arrive?”
“At week’s end.”
My heart sank. So soon? But perhaps it was for the best so I wouldn’t have time to get even more anxious than I already was. My chest tightened and my mind’s familiar taunts returned before I had a chance to suppress them.
He’ll hate you too, just like Deidric did.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the fearful words to leave me. They quieted but lingered, lying in wait to make another attack soon.
“Rhea, dear?”
Mother’s face was twisted with worry. I forced a smile. “I have no doubt their visit will go well. Then we’ll be aligned with a powerful kingdom.”
Father frowned. “That’s true…but Rhea, even though we’d be pleased with such an alliance, please know we’re sincere in that we’d never force you to—”
“Liam’s fell through with Lyceria, as did mine with Sortileya. This one has to go through.”
My parents studied me closely, as if trying to pry off the rigid mask I wore in order to steal a glimpse of my true feelings. But they wouldn’t succeed; I’d long since trained myself to keep my emotions hidden.
“There’s no doubt this would be a wonderful alliance for us,” Father said. “Not to mention I’d be pleased to have one of our daughters as the future queen of our primary neighbor, but this isn’t the only potential alliance you can make. You could always marry Prince Briar’s younger brother, or any of the four princes of Bytamia, or even Prince Nolan of Lyceria.”
“Bytamia is too far away.” Being aligned with a kingdom across the sea wouldn’t be nearly as beneficial as being aligned with our neighbor. “Besides, their crown prince already has an arrangement with Princess Seren of Sortileya, and Crown Prince Nolan is likely not an option, considering our relations with Lyceria have been sour ever since Liam’s betrothal with Lavena fell through. That leaves the three Bytamian princes, and none of them would provide the opportunity for me to become queen.”
My stomach knotted at the thought. I didn’t really want to be queen, but I knew Father desired it for me, which meant I should aspire to it, too.
“Indeed.” Father was still perusing my expression. I fought to keep it neutral. He finally nodded, seeming satisfied. “Very well, I’m pleased you understand the situation. I hope you and Briar discover you’re a good match, but if it doesn’t work out, then we’ll arrange a different marriage for you. All will be well.” He patted
my hand.
I nodded again. “It will be.” But I didn’t believe my own words, especially as my constant fear attacked anew.
What if you fail…again?
No, I couldn’t. But how could I not when I still didn’t understand what I’d done wrong the first time?
I sat rigidly in my seat, fighting the urgency to pace the parlor as my gaze repeatedly darted towards the window for any sign of the carriage bearing the Malvagarian royal crest.
Oblivious to my tension, Elodie wriggled excitedly beside me, her embroidery forgotten on her lap. “This is so exciting, Rhea. You’re to marry the crown prince of such a wealthy kingdom, and Briar is so handsome.”
My romantic younger sister thought every prince was handsome, even those whom she’d never met.
Elodie’s embroidery slid to the floor as she swiveled in her seat to peek once more out the window with a disappointed frown. “The carriage still isn’t here. I don’t think I can bear to wait a moment longer.”
I bent down to retrieve her embroidery. “Perhaps this will help you pass the time. Would you like some help?” I knew she’d been struggling with some of the more complicated stitches.
She wrinkled her nose at her unfinished pattern. “Who cares about embroidery when you’re about to meet your future fiancé?” She pulled back the drapes to peer outside again with another sigh of longing. “They’re taking a rather long time.”
“It’s a long journey, Elodie,” Aveline said from her seat on the neighboring settee.
“How far, exactly?” Elodie asked.
Aveline didn’t even look up from her needlework, nor did her perfect posture falter. “Three days, which you’d know if you ever paid attention in our studies.”
Elodie rolled her eyes. “I do pay attention…to interesting subjects like music and dance, not dull facts such as how many days’ journey it is between the five different kingdoms.” She returned her gaze to the window for a minute more before swiveling to face me. “How can you sit so patiently when your future husband is on his way to the palace?”
The Kingdom Chronicles Box Set 1 Page 89
