Heart of Mine

by Lindsay Bergman

  Slowly trailing his hands along my arms, Alexander spoke. “Yes, Maddy. In order to be with you I will have to renounce my claim to the throne.”

  Abdication. No! My gaze darted up to his face and looked into his determined blue eyes. I recognized the stubborn set of his jaw, and the regal confidence of a prince who was accustomed to making sacrifices. He was willing to give up everything for me. Alexander loved his country and had always been proud to follow in his father’s footsteps. How could I let him give up his birthright?

  “No,” I said firmly, touching his cheek. “I can’t let you do this, Alex. You have devoted your life to Coradova. I won’t let you throw away your birthright for me.”

  “Madison, you don’t understand how much I need you.” The eyes that looked into mine were blazing with deep emotion. “I want to do this because I’m in love with you.”

  For a breathless moment, I was transfixed by the man looking at me fervently with his heart in his striking blue eyes.

  “You’re in love with me?”

  Alexander smiled softly. “I’ve loved you for a long time now, dolcezza. Do you remember what you asked me once, when we were looking at the stars?”

  I shook my head, too stunned to speak.

  “You asked me what I would wish for on a shooting star.” He framed my face between both hands and gazed deep into my eyes. “If I ever made a wish on a star, it would be for you, Maddy. I don’t want to live without you anymore. Please stay with me, cuore mio. Let me love you.”

  He had left himself open and exposed, his vulnerable heart bared for me to see. I felt my own heart respond with an earnest and deep longing. Alexander was the love of my life and I finally had the chance to call him mine. In that moment, I knew without a doubt that I could never willingly give him up.

  “I love you, Alexander.” I laced my hands behind his neck and held his warm, loving gaze. “If you really want me, then I’m yours.”

  His smile was dazzling as he gathered me closer into his arms. Alexander pressed his mouth firmly to mine in a kiss that was sweet and soft, and so potent that my heart ached for more. His kiss deepened, his touch becoming fierce and possessive.

  “You’re mine now, Maddy.”

  “I’m yours, forever,” I promised.

  His mouth claimed mine again, and for the remainder of this amazing, miraculous night, I was consumed by the love of my prince.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When I woke early the next morning, I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face. Alexander’s declaration of love swirled through my head and my heart expanded with happiness. Alexander loved me! Eager to see him, I jumped out of bed and dressed quickly. There was a knock on the door just as I was reaching for the handle. I yanked it open, pleasantly surprised to find the prince standing in the hallway.

  “Good morning, cuore mio,” Alexander said, holding out a cup of coffee.

  I took a sip and smiled at the taste of hazelnut, pleased that he’d remembered my preference. “What does cuore mio mean?”

  “It means my heart,” Alexander said warmly. He kissed me, his touch sweet and loving. I practically melted into him. He shot me a crooked smile, then held out his free arm. “Would you like to have breakfast out on the terrace? The view of the sea is stunning this morning. Though not as much as you, bellissima.”

  He winked at me and I smiled, looping my hand through his arm. The prince had always had a charming way with words, but it was even more flattering now that he was actually mine. As Alexander led me down the hallway, I noticed the plastic container he had tucked under his other arm, filled with what looked like oat bars and—

  “Are those brownies?” A grin spread across my face.

  “I thought you might like dessert for breakfast, in a royal palace with a handsome prince.” His smile was captivating. “I did promise to try and convince the cook. I’m only sorry it took thirteen years.”

  I laughed, my thoughts lingering fondly on the memory of the night when I had first met Prince Alexander. After discovering that I had a fondness for sweets that could rival his own, he had invited me over to the palace with the promise of dessert for breakfast.

  “My childhood dream come true,” I said, kissing him affectionately.

  We spent the morning out on the terrace, snuggling on the double chaise lounge, enjoying our coffee, oat bars and chocolate brownies. The sea was indeed stunning, but I was often more focused on my prince than on the view beyond us.

  Alexander asked about my grandfather’s health, and I was thrilled to tell him about the current promising treatment that had worked wonders so far, miraculously slowing the rapid progress of Papa’s disease. We were grateful for the blessing of this extra time with him.

  After a while we hunted down our siblings and spent the rest of the day lounging poolside. It was late afternoon when Alexander told me that he needed to speak to his father about our relationship. My stomach churned with sudden nerves, but Alexander assured me that everything would be fine.

  A couple hours later Arianna and I left Mackenzie sunbathing by the pool and headed toward the princess’ private quarters to change clothes. The Deimos cousins had been out for the day but were expected to return to the palace for dinner. Arianna wanted to be ready to meet Bennett as soon as he arrived. I was grateful for the time away from Ethan, but knew it was only a temporary reprieve. I didn’t know how to act around him now, and seriously doubted that we could still be friends. It was going to be a long and awkward few weeks.

  Dressed in our dinner gowns, we made a detour up to the fourth floor to grab the earrings that Arianna had left in her office earlier. We saw two dark-haired maids cleaning in the hallway. I smiled at my personal maid when I recognized her. In her mid-fifties, Charlotte was short and plump, with curly black hair and striking emerald green eyes. She smiled back at me shyly, blushing but looking pleased. We were almost to Arianna’s private office when we heard muffled shouting behind us. I recognized Alexander’s voice, and exchanged a surprised glance with Arianna.

  We hurried back down the hall and stopped a few feet away from the king’s office, where we could hear Alexander’s angry voice within. A second later, the door was unexpectedly thrown open. Alexander appeared in the hallway, visibly trying to control his temper. I could see Ashton standing in the room behind him.

  “Do not walk away from me, son,” King Mathis ordered, his voice quiet with controlled fury as he followed on Alexander’s heels. “I will not let you do this, Alexander.”

  His countenance was dark, the slip in his impeccable control only slight. The King of Coradova was always very calm and collected, often wearing that same expressionless mask as his eldest son.

  “You have no choice, Father. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing you can do to change my mind.” Although angry, Alexander stood tall and proud before the king, his stance regal and his blue eyes filled with determination. At that moment, he was very much the Crown Prince of Coradova. “I’ve already made my decision.”

  “You need to give it more time.”

  “Father—”

  “Alexander.” King Mathis matched his son in height and regal bearing, and his quietly commanding voice brooked no argument. “You cannot afford to act without thinking. Remember your duty.”

  “I am perfectly capable of making rational decisions,” Alexander said indignantly. He clenched his fists and roughly ran a hand through his black hair. “I have debated about this decision for years, and I’m not happy about it either. But what other option do I have? You know that there is no way around this law.”

  “Then you know what you need to do, Alex. There is only one choice that you can make.” King Mathis reached out to clasp the prince’s shoulder, but Alexander remained stiff and unbending, his expression fierce.

  “I know what my duty is and I have devoted my life to it. But I’m done fighting how I feel. I love her and I will not give her up again. If this is the only way for us to be together, then I have to do
this. I’m sorry, Father. Can’t you understand? Wouldn’t you have done the same for my mother?”

  King Mathis studied Alexander for a long moment, contemplating. “No, I would not. I’ve learned how to put my duty before my desire. I’m sorry that I have to ask you to make this kind of sacrifice, Alex. But for the sake of your country—and everyone who looks to you for leadership—you must. You are the future of Coradova.”

  “Not anymore,” Alexander murmured.

  King Mathis stiffened. “We will talk more about this later. You are dismissed.”

  Alexander nodded his head respectfully as his father disappeared into the office. An unusually solemn-faced Ashton briefly clasped Alexander on the shoulder before following after the king.

  When the office door closed, I called out to him. Alexander turned and looked up. His weary expression brightened when our eyes met and he moved toward us.

  “It’s going to be all right, Maddy.” Arianna smiled softly. “Alex loves you, and that’s what matters most. Everything will work out, you’ll see.” She hugged me tightly, then briefly touched Alexander’s arm in passing.

  Once he reached my side, Alexander gently caressed my cheek. “Did you hear everything?”

  “Yes.” I blushed, feeling guilty. “I’m sorry we were eavesdropping.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched faintly. “I’m sorry that I lost my temper and argued with my father in the hallway for anyone to overhear.” The tips of his ears turned red and he added, “And I’m sorry you were here to witness it.”

  “Alex, we all make mistakes sometimes.” I touched his arm, my heart tender with compassion. “Even when you’re a prince.”

  Alexander shook his head. “My mistakes are worse because I’m a prince.” He sighed, and his shoulders seemed to droop in a rare show of weariness. He always seemed so strong and unshakeable, but around me Alexander had always been able to let his guard down. He pulled me into his arms and simply held me, while I tried to rub the tension out of his back. After a moment, he released me, then pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Come on, dolcezza. Let’s talk in private.”

  He took hold of my hand and led me through the palace to his personal sitting room. This was the first time I’d ever been in his private quarters of the palace. Curious, I looked around, noting how well the decor seemed to reflect his personality. It was a mixture of light and dark, masculine and earthy. On one wall, the massive fireplace was covered with stone from floor to ceiling. In the center of the room was a plush rug with two rusty brown armchairs and a hand-carved wooden coffee table laden down with stacks of books.

  Alexander sat on the dark leather couch opposite the fireplace and pulled me down next to him. I curled my legs up under me and snuggled into his side, letting my head rest against his broad shoulder. We sat quietly while Alexander played with a loose strand of my hair.

  He glanced at the mantle clock above the fireplace and announced, “We won’t be joining the rest of the family for dinner tonight. I’ve arranged for our meal to be sent here so we can have a private dinner alone.” His handsome face lit up with a warm smile. “Our first official date, actually.”

  He inclined his head toward the beautifully set table for two that I hadn’t noticed before. It was placed in front of the far window, with a white tablecloth, tall tapered candles and a vase full of purple lilacs.

  “You remembered my favorite flower,” I said softly, turning to look at him.

  “I remember everything about you.” Alexander’s blue eyes grew tender. He slid his hand up my arm to gently touch the barely visible scar above my elbow. “You got this scar when you were ten, after climbing under a barbed wire fence to retrieve a lost Frisbee.”

  His hand continued leisurely up to my left shoulder, a soft caress on my skin. “You broke your collarbone when you were thrown off that untamed stallion after trying to ride him bareback.” His eyes narrowed briefly, and I smiled sheepishly.

  When I was fifteen, I’d tried to ride a beautiful buckskin named Spirit, but the wild horse had unceremoniously bucked me off. I was lucky not to be trampled before Alexander could pull me to safety.

  He traced a finger over my bottom lip. “You once bit your lip so hard that it bled. It was the day Arianna had her liver operation.” Alexander paused and touched my hair, his eyes flashing with emotion. “You were wearing a purple dress, with your hair curled around your face. You were beautiful and so worried for my sister. It was then that I started to have feelings for you, and it wasn’t long after when I realized I’d fallen in love with you.”

  He looked at me in a way that turned my insides to jelly. Taking my face in his hands, he leaned down to kiss me, his mouth soft on mine. Within seconds, the tender kiss blazed with heat and passion. After years of trying to keep his distance, Alexander was making up for lost time. I leaned into him and luxuriated in his kisses. When he finally shifted back, my heart was pounding and the desire for more curled through me. He tenderly caressed my cheek, making me blush, and shot me a slow, lazy smile as he watched my reaction to his touch.

  “You have always been beautiful to me,” Alexander said softly. “When my father noticed my interest in you, he told me about the marriage law and immediately forbade me from pursuing you. It was nearly impossible to stay away, but I managed to do it for over a year—until I kissed you that night on Arianna’s birthday. You kept looking at me with your big brown eyes full of love, and I couldn’t resist you.” Alexander laced his fingers with mine, then brought our joined hands up to his lips, grinning mischievously. “You are a hard girl to resist la mia bellissima tentazione. You captured my heart years ago and have held me prisoner ever since.”

  I rolled my eyes at him, though my heart was fluttering. “Okay, Prince Charming. What does that mean?”

  “My beautiful temptation.” He drew me closer, one hand sliding to the back of my neck. “Tu sei la mia bellissima tentazione.” We were momentarily distracted by his passionate kisses before Alexander eventually resumed his story. “After you moved, I dated different noblewomen in an effort to appease my parents and to try to forget about you. But none of them could ever compare to the girl I had fallen in love with. When I saw you for the first time in three years, I knew I couldn’t let you go again. You are my heart, dolcezza. If you’ll let me, I want to spend the rest of my life loving you.” He looked at me with intense, smoldering eyes.

  “Oh, Alex,” I sighed, melting. I was momentarily lost in those eyes, their blue depths filled with promises. My heart swelled with love for this handsome, amazing man who was promising to love me forever. But a nagging worry threatened to burst that happiness. “What did your father say about our relationship? He didn’t seem very pleased.”

  Alexander sighed and his hand tightened into a fist. “He’s upset with me. But I’ve made my decision and he just needs to accept it. I’m going to abdicate, and Ashton will replace me as heir apparent.”

  According to something known as male-preference primogeniture, Ashton was next in line for the throne over Arianna, despite the fact that the princess was older. It was another archaic law that had been established over a century ago. I briefly wondered if Ashton had ever wanted to be king.

  Alexander’s fingers trailed slowly down my neck, making me shiver. My attention focused back on him.

  His look was fiery, hot and seductive as he drew me infinitesimally closer. “Then you and I can go anywhere we choose, amore mio. We can live on your family’s cattle ranch in Montana, or here in Coradova. We’ll get married and make beautiful babies that look like you, and we’ll live happily-ever-after.”

  Alexander captured my mouth, his touch filled with longing and need. I kissed him back passionately, trying to show him without words how much I loved him. After a moment, he pulled back, then slipped off the couch and down onto one knee. My breath caught in my throat and my heart stuttered in my chest. He couldn’t possibly be doing what I suddenly imagined.

  Alexander pulled a small black box
from his pocket, opened it, and placed it in my hand. Breathless, I glanced down to see a vintage engagement ring. A beautiful round diamond was nestled in a ring of smaller diamonds, completed by an intricate gold band.

  “This belonged to my Nonna. My mother gave it to me this afternoon, along with her blessing.” Alexander spoke quietly, with a hint of nervousness in his voice. “Do you like it?”

  “It’s beautiful,” I breathed, afraid to even touch it.

  Alexander reached out to take the ring from the box and carefully slid it onto the third finger of my left hand. I looked up at him, with my heart hammering in my chest and tears in my eyes.

  Alexander’s dark blue gaze met mine, smoldering with passion and promises. His slow smile was dazzling, and his voice was filled with emotion when he spoke. “Madison, my heart. Will you marry me?”

  “Yes!” A thousand times, yes.

  With a radiant smile, Alexander stood and pulled me up into his arms as his lips found mine. I luxuriated in his kiss and lost myself in his glorious blue eyes. I could feel the weight of the diamond ring on my finger, the love and devotion in his touch. Our future suddenly looked bright and promising. Held close in the warm embrace of my prince, I smiled with contentment.

  After tonight, we were one step closer to our happily-ever-after.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Monday morning was business as usual for the Royal Family. Alexander had appointments all day, and I was reminded that the life of a prince wasn’t all fun and games as it seemed in storybooks. In fact, it was most often consumed by duty and obligation to crown and country. It was rare for Alexander to have so much free time to indulge in. He’d only had this much time available because he had purposefully cleared his schedule in anticipation of our arrival last week. Now it was back to whatever constituted normal life for royalty.

  As of yesterday, my own life now had a new normal. In the light of the morning, it was hard for me to believe that the events of last night had truly happened. It was all so surreal. I sat on the window seat and toyed with the diamond ring on my finger, the proof that I hadn’t just been dreaming. Alexander had proposed, and I had accepted. I was engaged to His Royal Highness, Prince Alexander de Coradova.