The Crown Jewels

by Honey Palomino

  I desperately hoped I wasn’t making another huge mistake. I didn’t know if I could survive being hurt by him again.

  These were the last few days of my twenties. I’m be going back home after my birthday. Back home to my quiet, stable, boring life, where castles and Prince’s and jewels and wicked Queens only existed in the fairy tales I read to my students.

  But now that I was here, all I wanted for my birthday was more night alone with my incredibly sexy Prince.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  WILL

  “What?!” Seraphina exclaimed. “You can’t be serious.”

  “But I am, darling, I am. Seeing you the other night made me realize what an ass I’ve been. Your beauty, your intelligence,” I said, “your delightful charm. I never should have thrown it all away. I was a fool.”

  “Will, I don’t think —,” she began.

  “—hush!” I said, putting a finger over her lip. “Let me finish.”

  I smiled when she stopped and I continued. “I was awful to you. I’ve realized now that nobody else is suited for me the way you are. You understand how demanding my life as a Prince is. You’ll make a lovely Princess. Can we please start over?”

  “Will, stop,” she said, pulling her hand away and standing up. She walked over to the roaring fireplace, and turned back to me. Her eyes looked at me with suspicion. “Why are you doing this? It’s so out of the blue.”

  “I know, I know,” I agreed, walking over to her. I reached out and caressed her cheek gently. “But it’s all true.”

  “Will, I saw the tape of you and the girl in the green dress,” she replied.

  “Ah, that. Yes, I’m sure you did. But who hasn’t by now? It’s been run in every country by now.”

  “Exactly. So if you’re involved with someone else, why are you here?”

  “That’s just it, darling. The girl in the tape? She’s nobody. She’s a rube that was thrust into my life by my mother. She’s marrying the girl’s father. That’s not been announced yet, so keep it to yourself. But you know how I am. I was just having a little fun, that’s all. There’s nothing between us. For fuck’s sake, she’s about to be my step-sister, it was nothing.”

  “It didn’t look like that,” she replied.

  “Well, trust me when I tell you that’s the case. There’s been so much drama going on since she arrived, I can’t wait for her to leave.”

  “I see,” she said. I pushed a strand of long blonde hair behind her ear and smiled at her again.

  “You, Seraphina, it’s you. You’re the one I want. It’s always been you. I was just too young, too afraid of getting married. I never should have hurt you like that, darling. Can you ever forgive me?”

  She looked up at me silently, her eyes darting to my lips. I lowered my head and kissed her. Her lips quivered under mine, and she softened beneath me. I opened her lips with my tongue and slid inside, kissing her deeply for a moment before pulling back.

  Her lips parted. Breathlessly, she looked up at me.

  “I have to tell you something,” she said, her bottom lip shaking. “And once I do, you’ll probably change your mind about all of that.”

  “Darling,” I said, pulling her into my arms. “I love you. I’ll never change my mind again.”

  “Will…” she began, hesitating again.

  “It’s alright, darling, what is it?” I pushed.

  “The night of the party. I did something terrible. I feel awful about it now, but I was hurt by the way you walked away from me right in the middle of our conversation. It was humiliating.”

  “I’m so sorry, my love, I was very preoccupied. I shouldn’t have been so rude to you.”

  “I know. I over-reacted. Big time. I had way too much champagne. I saw you leave with that girl and I followed you.”

  “You followed us?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry, Will. I stayed far enough behind that you wouldn’t see me. And then you went into the vault together. I stood outside the doors listening….” she said, dropping her head in shame. “…listening to things I never should have heard. And then you came running out and she came running out a few minutes later, wearing that emerald necklace. The one I loved so much. I was devastated that you would give her a piece of the Crown Jewels, but you’d never given me anything like that when we were together.”

  “I’m so sorry, darling. It was a moment of insanity on my part,” I explained, leaning down to brush her lips with mine again.

  “That’s not all, Will.”

  “Okay, what else then?”

  “I went into the vault. I took your mother’s crown.”

  “It was you, Seraphina?” I asked, my voice filled with shock.

  “Yes. I’m so sorry, Will,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “Like I said, I was drunk and hurt and totally reckless. I stuffed the crown in my bag, and went home. I don’t know what I was thinking. I wanted to hurt you. I wanted to hurt her. None of it makes any sense now.”

  “I understand, darling,” I said, pulling her into my arms.

  “That’s not all. The next day, I woke up feeling awful about everything. I know how important and priceless the Crown Jewels are and I knew how much trouble I could get into for stealing them. So, I decided to come back to the palace and return them before anyone noticed they were gone. I ran into Bertolf and told him I had left my scarf in the ballroom somewhere, and he let me retrieve it myself, since I knew the way around the palace so well. Bertolf was so kind, he’s always been such a gentleman to me. I’ve missed him, actually.”

  “Bertolf is quite fond of you, Sera,” I replied. “Go on, darling. What happened then?”

  “I really had left my scarf behind. I walked towards the ballroom and past the kitchen. The staff was crowded around a television laughing and whispering. I looked to see what they were watching, and that’s when I saw the tape of you and that girl. I was overcome with jealousy, Will. I couldn’t help it. My good intentions of returning the crown were replaced with more desire to hurt you. And her,” she said, looking down again. “Mostly her…” she mumbled, her voice shaking.

  “I retrieved my scarf from the ballroom and as I was leaving, I saw the girl walk out of the Blue Room. I was devastated. That was my room when I stayed at the castle. Do you remember?”

  “Of course, I remember, darling,” I said, kissing her again. “We had a lot of fun in that room, didn’t we?”

  She blushed and nodded.

  “Yes, that’s why I was so upset. Thinking about you…and her…in my room.”

  “I’m so sorry to hurt you, darling. I was a complete idiot.”

  “After she walked away, I went into the room, just to see it again. I was still planning on taking the crown back to the vault, but when I walked in and saw the emerald necklace just lying on the table like a discarded piece of junk, I was furious. The jewels deserve much more respect than that. At that point, I was filled with rage and jealousy, Will. It was awful.”

  “What did you do, darling?”

  “I knew where the safe was. I still knew the combination from years ago when Bertolf let me keep my valuables in there. I put the crown and the necklace in there together. I wanted to frame her, Will. I wanted to punish her somehow for her carelessness. For leaving the vault open. For not taking care of the necklace….” Her voice trailed off and she looked up at me again. “I wanted to punish you for hurting me, Will. I’m so very sorry!”

  “Oh, darling,” I said, pulling her back into my arms. Her arms snaked around me, and she rested her head on my shoulder. “You have nothing to apologize for. In fact, you’ve done me a huge favor by confessing everything to me.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked, pulling her head from my chest and looking up at me.

  “Because I just recorded everything you said, you spiteful bitch,” I said, flashing her my most charming smile.

  Her eyes widened in shock, and she slapped me. Hard. Almost as hard as Jewels had slapped me, but it was nothing like Jewel
’s slap.

  It didn’t turn me on at all.

  ***

  I strode into my mother’s quarters gleefully. She’d just hung up the phone and she looked up at me as I entered.

  “Not now, Wilhelm, I’m busy cleaning up your mess,” she said.

  “What mess?”

  “The mess you created because you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself,” she seethed. “I’ve been fielding phone calls from the press all morning. They figured out who Julia is and they’re bombarding me and her father asking for interviews. I’m surprised he hasn’t called off the wedding, honestly, after all this nonsense.”

  “Mother, you’ve been purposefully cruel to Jewels and I demand that you stop!”

  “Cruel? She most likely is a thief, Wilhelm!”

  “No, she isn’t. As a matter of fact, you seem to be a very poor judge of character, Mother.”

  “What are you talking about? She was caught with the jewels in her room!”

  “You’re sad, Mother. You should open your mind more. You fixate on one fact, and you can’t see the forest for the trees.”

  “Wilhelm! I won’t allow you to talk to me like that!”

  “I’m done talking, Mother. When you’re finished listening to this, you owe Jewels a huge apology.”

  I hit the play button on my cell phone, and threw it down on her desk and walked out.

  The sound of my voice followed me, and I smiled with supreme satisfaction.

  “Seraphina, darling, it’s so good to see you…”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  JEWELS

  Will entered my room without knocking, his face full of smug satisfaction. He locked the door and then walked towards me.

  “Hey, there,” I said, as he joined me on the bed, laying on top of me. Gently, he kissed me and then propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at me.

  “You look like the cat that ate the canary,” I said.

  “It’s over,” he said, his devilish eyes gleaming.

  “What’s over?”

  “Everything. I took care of it all. I figured out who took the jewels and who placed them in the safe in your room.”

  “You did!?” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him and kissing him. “That’s amazing!”

  “Yep, you’re in the clear,” he said in between kissing me back.

  “Who was it?” I asked. “Tell me!”

  “It was Seraphina. My sad and lonely ex-fiance. She was at the party; she saw us together. She was jealous. She followed us. She took the crown, and when she came back the next day to return it, she decided to frame you instead.”

  “But why would she do that?”

  “Because she’s in love with me. Can you blame her?” he said, with a wink.

  I hit him playfully, shaking my head.

  “Wow. So it’s really all over?”

  “It is. I got her to confess on tape, and I just delivered it to my mother.” My heart filled with joy as I stared up at him.

  “You saved me,” I whispered, my eyes filling with tears. “Thank you, Will.”

  “Trust me, it was my pleasure. I couldn’t stand to see you so upset and miserable. It was so unfair. I had to do something.”

  “You’re amazing,” I said.

  “Actually, the credit goes to Bertolf. He figured it all out on his own. I just did the dirty work, so to speak.”

  “Well, whatever you did, I’m grateful to you both. It felt terrible being accused of something I didn’t do.”

  “I know, Jewels. I’m so sorry. My mother can be a little heavy-handed sometimes.”

  “That’s an understatement,” I replied.

  Will kissed me again, and I melted into the bed below him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him in close. He moaned as I slid my tongue into his mouth. I felt his cock stir against me, and I wrapped my thighs around his hips, pressing up into him suggestively.

  He didn’t need any more prodding, and he pushed away my clothes as he trailed kisses along my skin, his mouth devouring me as he removed the fabric barriers between us. In moments, we were naked, our bodies sliding together with sensuality and purpose.

  His hot mouth engulfed my nipple, biting gently until I cried out in pleasure. Trailing down to my stomach and then lower, lower, lower until his tongue darted out, licking my clit, sending delicious sparks of electricity through my body as he tasted me. I opened my thighs wider, my fingers sinking in his hair as I pulled him closer. His lips engulfed my clit, sucking, pulling, throwing my body into a writhing dance of ecstasy below him. His mouth explored my center, biting, nibbling, sucking, until I was thrashing beneath his touch as my body flew over the edge, exploding into a thousand pieces of bliss.

  When I opened my eyes, he was right there, smiling down at me, my very own Prince Charming. He slid a condom on and my thighs slid around his hips again. He pressed forward, his massiveness sinking into me, deeper and deeper until I was pressing against his flesh, consuming him as much as my body would allow.

  We moved together, slowly at first. I savored every second of it, feeling every inch of smooth delicious pleasure as he rocked against me, in and out, in an out, until I was crying out loud, my moans escaping from my mouth, my hips rising and falling to meet his every thrust. His pace quickened with his breath, and I smiled knowing he was as close as I was.

  He hammered into me, faster and faster, until we were both crashing over the edge again, our bodies united as one, our souls tangling together as he kissed me deeply, his moans turning to a growl as he exploded inside of me, waves of blissful pleasure washed over us.

  He stayed inside, kissing me over and over again, our bodies melting into each other like two souls that were destined to be together. I never wanted to let him go. I never wanted to leave. All I wanted to do was spend the rest of my days locked away in this castle with him, oblivious to the world outside.

  I didn’t care what anyone thought. I didn’t care if our parents married. All I carried about was him.

  Right here. Right now.

  Forever.

  EPILOGUE

  A few days later, the entire Royal Family gathered around the massive fireplace in the Great Room after Jewel’s birthday dinner.

  The Queen had graciously apologized to Jewels, and Jewels had just as graciously accepted. Nobody seemed to bat an eye that Will and Jewels had been holding hands all evening.

  Neither of them had ever looked happier, and now that all the drama was over and the mystery solved, everyone was just grateful to have peace restored in the palace.

  Bertolf brought out a gigantic birthday cake alight with candles and placed it on a large round table. The family gathered around to watch Jewels blow out them out.

  They began singing Happy Birthday to her, their voices rising in a jumbled out of tune symphony. Jewel’s smile was wide, her eyes sparkling with happiness. Will stood at her side, her father on the other, and she’d never felt so content and happy.

  Will looked on with an immeasurable happiness of his own, unable to tear his eyes away from her pure beauty. Catherine had lent her a gorgeous flowing white dress that draped her curves perfectly. Her auburn waves cascaded around her shoulders, framing her beautiful face and bringing out her sparkling green eyes.

  She bent towards the cake, Will’s hand planted firmly in the small of her back, as she closed her eyes and made a wish.

  She blew out all the candles in one try. That’s good luck, she thought, as they all clapped. Will pulled her into his arms, planting a kiss on her as they all looked on.

  She pulled away, turning to her father. Her pulled her into a huge bear hug, just as he always did.

  “I love you, Jewels,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m so thrilled to see you happy again. Happy Birthday, darling.”

  “I love you, too, Dad. Thank you.”

  Vicky walked over, hugging her, and kissing her cheek.

  “Darling, you look absolutely stunning in that dress,” she said, as Jewe
ls smiled up at her. She’d forgiven the Queen completely, how could she not? She understand her protectiveness, her fierce desire to keep things safe in her home. Holding that grudge wasn’t what she wanted to do. She’d held a grudge against Will for ten years, and the last thing she wanted to do was feel that again.

  She turned back to Will, but he had disappeared.

  Moments later, Bertolf appeared at her side.

  “Madam Rose, His Royal Highness requests your presence outside.”

  “Outside?” she asked.

  “Yes, Madam, please follow me,” Bertolf replied.

  Jewels followed him, and the rest of the family followed behind. When the palace doors opened, she walked out into the cold evening. The sun was setting on the horizon, ribbons of purple and gold threading through the sky.

  Will stood at the bottom of the steps, a golden chariot pulled by four white horses standing behind him. The horses kicked at the dirt, steam escaping from their mouths in the bitter cold.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, the smile that had been plastered on her face all day spreading wider. She lifted the skirt of her dress, walking down the wide stairway to him.

  “Your chariot awaits, My Lady,” he said. Jewels laughed as he helped her in and jumped in behind her. Willy jumped in after them, sitting at their feet. Bertolf closed the doors, jumping up and taking his place behind the horses and gathering the reins.

  “Where are we going?” Jewels asked, waving to her father and Vicky and everyone else as they watched them leave.

  “I want to show you something. A birthday surprise. Here, put this on, it’s a bit of a ride,” he said, draping a white fur coat around her shoulders. He pulled her in close, and she nestled into his side.

  They passed through the front gates and headed towards the city. The roads were blanketed in snow, and Jewels looked out the windows, watching the scenery pass by.

  After several moments, Bertolf pulled the reins in front of a huge cathedral. Will jumped out first, and helped her down.