Forbidden Crown

by Victoria Pinder

  But first, the bathroom and a toothbrush. Once finished, she walked out and saw the small breakfast table on her balcony now had eggs, toast, coffee, and her favorite prince sitting there drinking a cup. When she approached, he kissed her forehead and then took his turn in the bathroom.

  The normalcy between them was sweet. She wasn't worried about anything. She sat down and poured herself coffee.

  A few minutes later, Antonio came out in his green t-shirt and blue boxer briefs, clearly not caring if anyone saw him. He sat down and picked up his coffee.

  She nodded, "This is good."

  He finished his cup and then rose to his feet. She put her cup down when he stood in front of her. Her pulse beat a little faster and he knelt down. Her skin jolted. This seemed like a proposal, but she’d already said yes. She trembled and he reached for her hand. "Tomorrow is our wedding. I went out and bought this for you."

  Her breath caught in her throat and she saw the specks of green again in his gaze. He pulled out a jewelry box and her heart stirred. Was this his surprise from last night? She opened the square black box and a huge smile grew on her face at the twinkling jewel inside. "It's a ring!"

  "I promised." He gave her that look, slightly arrogant, sexy as hell, that made every woman in the world swoon. He took the box back, then removed the ring from the black velvet.

  The classic gold band and solitaire diamond shone brightly in the morning sun. Kristin reached out and gripped his shoulder. "You didn't have to."

  He scooted closer and hugged her. Then he let her go and stared into her eyes again while kneeling. "After what happened with Sophia, I really did."

  Why was he still on his knees? She already had the ring. She swallowed, unsure of what was happening now. She leaned forward and asked, "What are you doing?"

  He folded both of her hands in his, the ring between them, and pressed his forehead to hers. "In the heat of the moment, you told me you loved me."

  "Yes?" The patter in her heart grew and her breaths were shorter. She hadn't even thought about that moment. She had blurted out her feelings and then ran for her life.

  He caressed the back of her hand. His gaze made her forget where she was because all she could see was him as he said, "I wanted that to be true and not just because we could die..."

  "I love you, Antonio." She brushed his scruffy jaw and it scratched against her palm.

  He nodded. "Good, because I love you. I didn't expect to ever fall in love. And I put in the contract that nonsense because I hadn't met you. I do love you."

  "Can I have the ring now?" She held up her hand.

  With a wink, he slipped it on her finger, but then he took her hand in his again. "Yes, but there is one more thing."

  "What?" All she wanted was a kiss, but she was willing to listen.

  He released her and reached under the food tray for an envelope that he slipped next to her. "I ripped up the old contract, but I will need you to sign a new one protecting my parents’ crown. But you have my heart, and that means love."

  Fair enough. She marched inside her huge room, ignoring the sparkle of the crystal chandelier and how it illuminated the room with morning light. She marched to the desk, found a pen and walked back toward the patio. Antonio had stood up to watch her. She returned, took the paper and scanned it as she said, "I never had an issue with the prenup at the end. It was quite generous."

  She picked up her pen. Antonio reached for her hand with his mouth open. "Wait. You don't have to sign right now."

  "But I do." She shook off his grip. She signed the papers, stuffed it back in the envelope and handed it to him.

  "Why now? You should have read it. Taken it to a lawyer," Antonio protested.

  She narrowed her gaze and stared deep into his eyes. "Was there something in there different than before other than what you took out?"

  "I increased the money for you, if something happens." He swallowed.

  To make him happy, she took the paper out again and read it. It looked the same to her, except he’d stricken anything about love from the contract. She flipped the page and saw the money he’d mentioned. Very generous. Years of reading books helped her read fast. She looked at him when she finished and asked, "Anything else?"

  "No."

  She stuffed it back in the envelope and handed it to him. "Everything was good." He took it from her and finally closed his mouth. "More important, I trust you. Tomorrow is the wedding, and I should head out. I'm going to be late for my dress fitting."

  "You are?" He traced her curves with his fingers.

  She puckered her lips and closed her eyes as she said, "Absolutely. I want you—but if I’m late, your mother will kill me. I’ve realized Queen Anna Camilla is big on clothes. It’s her thing."

  "Yes, my mother always cares about looking good, my future wife..." His lips descended upon hers and he kissed her hard. The shadow of a beard pressed against her soft skin, tickled her and made her aware of him.

  Her hands tugged on his shirt. She had to have him. She had to touch the hard muscles that were hidden underneath the clothes. She pushed the shirt up, over his shoulders.

  The ripple of his chest muscles was beautiful. She kissed his pecs while he stripped himself of his pants.

  A raw hunger for him overtook her senses when she glanced down and saw his huge virility.

  His large hand traced her body and lifted the nightgown she wore. She shimmied her underwear off so they both stood, naked and needy.

  She licked her lips and reached out to touch his length, but he stopped her. "I want to taste you."

  He took her hand and led her to the bed, where he waited for her to lay down. The moment she did, he suckled on her nipple.

  His fingers found her entrance and played slowly while his mouth continued to feast on her breast.

  Heat grew for him, everywhere and she was more than ready. She needed him.

  Instead he kissed her again, this time on the lips, as his fingers teased what was to come. Between kisses, she said, "Please?"

  That sexy smirk she’d always liked about his photos showed up, the dimple deep. He whispered, "Tell me that you're mine and you want me inside you."

  "I'm yours." She felt the heat in her face grow. She never talked about sex to anyone, ever. It was something that had made her uncomfortable, but Antonio's kiss and the gleam in his eyes made her want to please him. She opened her mouth and said, "Please put your cock inside me."

  He laughed huskily, triumphantly, and the sound made her heart beat faster.

  A moment later, he entered her nether lips and it felt like he could reach her womb itself. Somehow her body stretched to accommodate all of him.

  He kissed her again and teased her nipples, this time with him fully inside her.

  Something within her snapped and she lost the ability to think. She moaned, but it was like she wasn't inside her body.

  She was in heaven itself.

  A wave of pleasure overtook her. She needed him, now and forever.

  Chapter 18

  Everything looked amazing.

  Kristin stood on her balcony and peeked around the corner of the tower, still in her nightgown. Her hair and makeup made her look like someone she had never been before, and the people of Avce wanted to see her.

  She wished her mother was here to see her now. Perhaps she’d tell her that true love might not have happened for her parents, but that love was real. Kristin believed in it now that she’d met Antonio.

  Horse’s hooves clapped in the distance. From what Renee told her, there was a horse-drawn carriage at the gate, just for her.

  Renee came out onto the balcony, with her makeup now done, and said, "Come inside. You'll see everything soon. You're the star."

  "I can't believe all of this is happening." Kristin let her best friend take her hand and lead her inside.

  Valentino designers waited for her to ensure she was perfect in the dress. Before they stepped back in the room, Kristin stopped and listened to
her heart beat, faster and faster.

  Today was her big day. She hugged her waist, closed her eyes and let the moment sink in. Tonight she'd be a princess, even if the vote took it from her. Her life had changed and she'd be married to a man she never could have imagined on her own. Renee then said, "I can. You deserve it."

  "I don't feel like any of this is real." Kristin confided and turned toward her friend. Renee was her only link to her old life, not that she had much of one. "This feels like I'm living someone else's life right now."

  Renee led her toward the food tray that was outside and poured them both a glass of water. She handed her a cup. "I’ve never seen you this happy."

  Antonio was why she’d stayed. Last night in his arms she felt whole in a way she never had before. With him she had no doubt that she was where she was supposed to be. "He's amazing."

  Renee laughed. "Amazing is your word for when you're very, very happy." She finished her water and put the glass down. "So yes, you deserve to get a happily-ever-after."

  Kristin sipped more slowly. She needed to take everything in. Then she felt her hand tremble with the glass in her hand. "Will you come and visit me? You're the closest thing I have to a sister, Renee."

  Renee took the shaking water glass before Kristin dropped it. "Are you joking? My students will never believe I spent the summer here, and participated in your wedding. I don't think video evidence will get more than a “that's cool, Miss Brown” response, so yes, I'll visit whenever I can."

  The blare of music from the street echoed around them. Her face heated. "Do the trumpets mean I'm late?"

  Renee opened the balcony door. "Let's get you into your Cinderella dress and get going. Antonio's waiting for you."

  Her thoughts returned to Antonio. His dark hair, brown eyes with those flecks of green made her ache for his strong arms to hold her again. Before they walked inside, she said, "He's handsome. How are things with Marco?"

  Renee's face drained of color but then she held up her head. "He's fun, but I'm leaving in the morning when you go on your honeymoon."

  Kristin's shoulders slumped. "I was hoping he would sweep you off your feet and you’d be my real sister."

  "Now that sounds like a fairy tale." Renee led her to the designers. "It's time to be the bride."

  The word bride rang in her ears. She never thought she'd be one and never imagined anyone in the world might care who she married. Once she walked outside she’d be streamed live for the world to see. Renee went to designers who helped her put on her maid-of-honor pink dress.

  Kristin couldn't watch as designers added layers of white around her, but she peeked at her friend who looked sweet in that pink Valentino dress.

  Then the doors to her bedroom opened and Queen Anna Camilla swooped in. Kristin's stomach twisted as she thought she was late. "Your Highness, they are tying me into this thing as fast as they can."

  "You are to call me Anna." The queen’s gold and blue ballgown screamed that she was the most important person in the realm.

  Kristin sucked in her bottom lip and shook her head. "That will take a while. You're a queen."

  Anna circled her, her arms crossed as she checked out the bridal gown. She nodded at the end and met Kristin's stare. "And my son is waiting to marry you, which means soon you'll be my daughter."

  "I hope I do you justice today." Kristin lowered her lashes.

  The designer stepped away so nothing was between them now. Anna came closer, brushed her shoulders, and fixed the heirloom necklace that Kristin wore as something borrowed. "You already do, but you'll have to forgive me when tomorrow I start the 'when will you make me a grandmother campaign.'"

  For the second time, Anna made her laugh. She wanted to go forward with her, but she stayed still as the designer adjusted the back of her dress. Kristin ignored the designer for that moment and tilted her head. "Let me marry Antonio first."

  "Is she ready?" Queen Anna Camilla stated in a way that a few hundred years ago if someone answered no they’d probably lose their heads.

  The designer backed away and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

  The queen then looped her arm with hers and walked her to the door. Renee followed behind them holding the flowers while the queen told Kristin, "Proceed down the grand stair case alone. Don't trip—hold your dress as you go down. Every ten steps there is a level step that's elongated. Stop and wave and if you see a camera, smile brightly. Once you make it down, walk into the carriage. Then as the horses bring you forward, wave at the crowds on both sides of you. Don't favor one side."

  Half the directions became jumbled in her head. Walk, stop and wave were all she processed. Kristin felt more adrenaline rushing through her, but she tried to hold still. "What if I mess up?"

  "So what if you do?" Queen Anna let her arm go at the top of the stairs and stepped back. "As long as you get to the church and say I do to my son."

  Kristin hugged her. Antonio's mother must be where he got his personality from because underneath all the pomp, she was caring and devoted. She let her go and asked, "Where will you be?"

  "In the black limo in front. You're going to be great." Queen Anna then turned toward her friend. "Renee, you'll come with me as Kristin does her thing."

  Renee nodded and then handed Kristin a small bouquet of roses that were designed for her walk down the stairs. Kristin remembered the drill. At the church she'd get her bridal bouquet. She accepted the flowers and Renee told her, "Think about Antonio and how you are about to be his. Meditate on his face. You'll be awesome."

  "Thank you." Kristin looked at the huge flight of stairs she was to walk down. She admitted quietly, "This part is slightly terrifying."

  "Antonio is at the end. Don't lose faith." Renee backed away.

  "Got it." Kristin told her, but then the trumpets blared.

  Someone outside said, "Presenting Kristin Wells, soon to be the Crown Princess of Avce. May God grant her a long life, and with our lady’s divine help, may the family continue to bless all of us."

  Kristin almost tripped on the first step. No one saw, but she left the shadow and made it to the light. On the first level, she stopped and waved.

  An image of Antonio's smile played in her mind and she thought about last night and the night before that. Once she made it through this, she'd be in his arms again.

  She proceeded down the next flight and smiled again with a wave. Despite the bright lights, she made her way down the steps and into the carriage. With every step she went one more inch toward believing love existed.

  Chapter 19

  Antonio carried his tuxedo jacket into the groom’s quarters of the church and draped it over a chair. His fiancé was soon to be his wife, who was about to be a princess. It would take a while to make it through the throng of people who wanted to see her.

  He heard laughter in the next room and knocked on the door. He hugged his brother, who’d arrived late last night. "Lucio, good to have both of my brothers here."

  Lucio patted Marco on the back and said, "Marco said the woman you found online was worthy."

  Lucio had no idea. To him, Kristin was the best thing that he’d ever found and he'd not lose her, not now. "Worthy? Lucio, she's the best wife I could have possibly found."

  Lucio wrung his hands together and paled. "I have nine months left. If my method fails, I may ask for your backup."

  With the Internet, everyone's secrets and who they truly are were there to be data-mined. He hadn't believed his computer technicians during that intial proposal meeting 60 days ago himself, but he’d been desperate. Now he wanted to sponsor everyone to use the technology to find their match. It had worked for him. He kept his words short though. "Tomorrow, if we're still princes, set up a meeting with IT. Answer every question, both of you."

  Lucio shook his head, as if not ready to hear it. "Let's get through this day and get you married." He then poured everyone glasses of water as the champagne was for the rest of the day, after the wedding. As he handed Antonio a g
lass, Lucio said, "Mother likes her, from what I understand. That has to make things easier."

  Antonio hadn’t considered his mother's possible disapproval. He stared into the dark eyes of his brother and said, "Strange thing to say Lucio. Did mother not approve of one of your dates?"

  "That was a long time ago, as a teenager." Lucio drank his water.

  Trumpets blared and Marco gulped his glass, stood and announced, "Mother and Father are here."

  Antonio and Lucio followed Marco's lead and put their glasses down. A moment later, their parents entered the church. His father leaned on his mother for support now that they were inside, because the march in must have drained him.

  Antonio saw how much his father had improved and prayed for continued good health. He opened the door wider for his parents to join him in the private room.

  The moment they walked inside, his mother placed her hand on his cheek and did the same to his brothers. "My handsome sons." She then focused on him again and music played in the church, as if on cue. "Antonio, let's go take your place."

  Antonio stayed still for a moment and then asked, "Mother what happens if we lost the vote and people want us to leave?"

  She shrugged. "Then we leave for England and you're free to live a life with your Kristin, but I wouldn't hold any hope for that. This has been our home since your father's ancestors left Rome and founded this church and our kingdom. We never belonged in that English estate. We belong here and we were granted this from land as our destiny. There were miracles."

  "Yes, when Mary made it snow here. We know the story." History was an easy subject to fall back on as Antonio thought that perhaps their mother was right. Maybe the intrigue was all because of jealous peers and now the people of their kingdom could be heard.