by Kat Mizera
“You okay?” Casey asked, nestling into my side.
“Just a little overwhelmed at how much has changed and how much love is in this room right now.”
“It’s pretty great, huh?”
“Not as great as having you.”
“Speaking of having me, we need to get married.”
“We are. As soon as we can arrange it. I have to—”
She was shaking her head. “No, we have to get married. Right away.”
“Why?” I was confused. “Has something happened?”
“Yes.” She smiled and put my hand on her stomach. “We’re going to have another baby.”
“What?” I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close. “How is that possible? I thought you had your tubes tied?”
“Apparently, one in two hundred women can get pregnant even after a tubal because the fallopian tubes grow back together. I was concerned about the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, but my doctor confirmed that everything is fine and the baby is healthy.”
“When, exactly, did we manage this miraculous feat?” I asked, leaning in to kiss her.
“Halloween.”
“So…a baby in late July?”
“Ish.”
I kissed her like I hadn’t just ravaged her body half an hour ago. Her mouth opened for me and she pressed her body against mine.
“God, you two, enough already,” Skye laughed. “We’re about to serve dinner.”
“We’re coming,” I called to her without looking up. I stared into my beautiful Casey’s eyes and gently rubbed my knuckles across her cheek. “We’re really having another baby?”
“Yup.”
“Are you happy?”
“I’m ecstatic.”
“You really are the most fertile woman on earth.”
“You’re getting snipped after this one.”
“We could have more,” I teased.
“I’m thinking this is plenty,” she laughed.
“I’m so fucking happy.”
“I’m so fucking hungry.”
We laughed and moved into the room together.
I married the love of my life on New Year’s Day in Monte Carlo, surrounded by everyone we loved and the security detail that would be going with us everywhere from now on. The coronation was coming up soon and there would be all kinds of pomp and circumstance when that happened, so we’d decided this would be just for us and the people closest to us.
Much later, after the kids were in bed and we were finally alone, we nestled on the bed together, our naked bodies close together.
“It’s not the wedding we were going to have once upon a time,” she said as she twined her legs with mine, “but I’m happy we did it like this. I love you, Your Greatness.”
Damn, it had been forever since she’d called me that, and I fucking loved it.
“I love you too, Your Highness.”
She grimaced. “Are people going to call me that?”
“Absolutely.”
“And what about you? Am I going to have to call you Your Majesty?”
“Nope. Your Greatness will suffice most of the time.”
She giggled. “And the rest of the time?”
“My liege.”
We both laughed.
“So I’m a little nervous,” she said. “Elen’s been preparing me for my part of the coronation and I really don’t want to embarrass you.”
“You never could. No one expects your pronunciation to be perfect and I’ve arranged for the ceremony to be done in both Limaji and English. I promise, you’ll be prepared, so I don’t want you to worry. You’ll need to get an assistant soon, though, and she’ll be able to guide you through the details.”
“I was thinking of that barista I met from the New Rebellion… Her name was Edita. I liked her.”
“I think Daniil keeps in touch with her. We can find her for you.”
“Okay.” She shivered a little and I pulled the blankets up. “We should work on consummating this marriage, Your Greatness.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I never thought this day would come,” she whispered.
“I did,” I said, staring down at her. “I didn’t know how or when, but I knew someday I’d make you legally and permanently mine.”
“I was yours the first time you touched me.”
Our eyes met and I smiled. “Ditto.”
Epilogue
Casey
The day of Erik’s coronation was cold and snowy, but it was a beautiful, exciting day. I was a little nauseated thinking about my part of the whole thing, but Erik had promised he would be at my side the entire time and Elen planned to be off to the side, just in case I needed anything.
Erik was looking around and our eyes met across the room. We’d had a formal brunch this morning with immediate family and the children, but it was almost time for the ceremony to start and we had something special to talk to Luke about. “We’ll be heading down for the coronation in approximately fifteen minutes,” he said to everyone. “But if you’ll excuse us, Casey and I need to have a talk with our son.”
I turned and looked at Luke. “Will you walk with us, son?”
Luke nodded. “Sure.”
We walked from our private dining room to the great hall, which had been prepared for the official ceremony that would crown both a king and his queen. It was all so formal, like something out of a historical novel, with two gilded thrones and jewel-crusted crowns that would be placed on our heads once we went through the ceremony.
“This is pretty cool,” Luke said, looking around. “Everything about the palace and what’s happening today.”
“It’s part of who I am,” Erik said quietly. “And I’d like to know if you’re interested in making it part of who you are.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve loved you from the minute I found out you were growing in your mom’s tummy—no matter what you decide, that never changes. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, sir.” Luke had probably never called anyone “sir” in his life, but this was the second time he’d done so around me and I wasn’t sure if I was proud or concerned that my son felt the need to be so formal when he hadn’t been raised that way. I didn’t have time to dwell on that, though.
“So today I will officially become the King of Limaj. You’re my son, my firstborn, and that means that you become the Crown Prince, my heir, and the King of Limaj when I’m gone. But that also means that I have to officially claim you. That you won’t be Lucas Kingsley anymore. You would become Prince Lucas al-Hassani. Do you understand what that means?”
“Well, yeah.”
“But you don’t have to. The choice is yours. I would have liked to wait a few years, give you the chance to make a decision like this when you’re a little older, but according to our laws, I have to claim you now or the baby your mom is going to have later this year will officially be my firstborn. So it’s up to you, son. And nothing changes between us if you decide to remain Lucas Kingsley.”
Luke turned to me, his face thoughtful. “What do you think, Mom? Do you want me to be Prince Lucas al-Hassani?”
I smiled. “I want you to be happy. You told me you’d always felt different, that you knew something was missing in your life and then when you found out about your dad—this dad—you said you’d figured out what it was. I think this is your destiny just like it’s my destiny to be with your father and become a queen.”
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Erik added, “but I trust you to make the right decision for yourself.”
“I’ve always been your son,” Luke said simply. “I’m ready to make it official. I just… What about my dad? My other dad?”
“Like he told you when we first officially met—his feelings for you won’t ever change just like mine won’t. We both want what’s best for you.”
“Then yes.” He swallowed. “I want to officially be your son.”
“I love you,” Erik whispere
d, pulling him close for a hug.
“Do I have to do anything?” Luke whispered. “I mean, like, today?”
“No. I’ll make the proclamation after your mom and I are sworn in.”
“Is Leni going to be mad?”
Erik laughed. “No. She’s going to become an official princess and I’m pretty sure that’s all she cares about.”
“Your Majesty.” Sandor came through the wide double doors. “It’s time. You’re going to need to vacate the room so we can prepare for the ceremony.”
“Of course.” Erik took my hand and the three of us went out the back entrance and into the hallway where we would wait to be announced.
Elen and Sandor joined us and Sandor put a gorgeous scarlet, velvet cape across his shoulders and over Erik’s suit.
“Wow, that’s awesome,” Luke whispered, running a finger along the edge.
“Someday you’ll wear this too,” Erik whispered back.
“Casey.” Elen brought out a more feminine version of the cape and laid it over my shoulders as well. “Remember, you’re not to speak during Erik’s portion of the ceremony. It’s a bit antiquated, the whole process, but we’ve been doing it this way for hundreds of years.”
“I can be quiet for ten minutes,” I said, winking at Erik. He leaned over and kissed me but I pulled back. “Don’t you dare mess up my lipstick.”
“Yes, dear.” I slid my hand into his and realized I was beyond nervous.
“You’re shaking,” he whispered, sliding his arm around my waist and pulling me up against him. “You sure you’re going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “It’s just a little nerve-wracking and I don’t want to screw up.”
“You’ve got this,” he said. “Remember, no matter what it is, I’ll never let you fall, baby.”
He hadn’t said that to me in a long time but the words washed over me and inexplicably settled my nerves.
“You ready to become my queen?” he asked.
“Absolutely.”
We walked into the great hall and Erik held my hand tightly. Luke would be off to the side with Elen and Sandor, and I was about to become a fucking queen. I’d finally married the love of my life and he was on the verge of becoming the king of Limaj. We were beginning a whole new adventure and as he knelt in front of Daniil, who, as President of the General Assembly, was the one who would make it official. He placed the crown on Erik’s head and my vision blurred with tears as I listened to him make his oath to the country and his people.
I loved this man so much and he’d waited his whole life for this moment. I’d once thought I’d have to give him up for this to happen, but I’d been wrong. Here we were, doing it together, and my heart swelled with both pride and nostalgia. My father would have gotten such a kick out of this and been so proud of us.
The ghosts of a hundred kings before him swarmed through my psyche as my husband became the next King of Limaj. King Isak was certainly watching over us today, I thought as I was called forward for my part of the ceremony. Erik took my hand as I knelt in front of Daniil, making sure I was steady before letting go. I repeated foreign words and swore my allegiance to my husband, my king, and my new country as Daniil put the fantastic crown on my head. And just like that, I was the Queen of Limaj.
Erik was there again immediately afterward, helping me to my feet and pulling me into his arms. “My Queen.”
“My liege,” I breathed softly.
He chuckled before pressing his lips to mine.
“You’re pretty sexy for a queen.”
“You’re the hottest king I’ve ever known.”
“I’d better be the only king you’ve ever known, if you know what I mean.”
We snickered softly and turned, hands linked between us, and the room erupted in applause. I looked around and motioned for our children to join us. Sasha, Luke, Leni, Jocelyn and Jessica. They swarmed us, cramping our personal space and smiling broadly for the cameras.
One of the royal pages, something I hadn’t even realized still existed, stood on a platform and raised some sort of scroll. “Introducing…the Royal family of Limaj, the al-Hassanis.”
Erik stepped forward and made a motion with his hand. “And today I formally declare my son, my firstborn, Lucas al-Hassani, as Crown Prince of Limaj.” He held out his hand to Luke, who took it without hesitation. Applause broke out again and I looked out at the faces of the people who loved us. Our destiny had been fulfilled and they were all here to witness it.
“Your Highness, I need the crown,” Daniil said softly, reaching for it. He lifted it from my head and it was replaced in the case where it was housed, along with Erik’s, as a hundred people crowded around us to congratulate us and wish us well.
“You okay?” Erik asked softly as I hung back, a little unsure what to do next.
“Yup.”
“Shall we go mingle with our guests?”
“Yes. Okay.” I bit my lip, hesitating to follow him.
“You sure you’re all right?” he asked, cocking his head slightly.
“I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“Do I need to take you in the next room and make you come a few times to calm you down?”
I snorted out a very unroyal laugh. “That wouldn’t be very kinglike, would it?”
Apparently, it was, because the King of Limaj lifted me off my feet, threw me over his shoulder and stalked out of the room.
“Erik!” I protested, laughing and swatting his back.
“That’s Your Greatness to you,” he shot back.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Wait till you see what I do next.” He gently put me down and lowered his mouth to mine.
“Mmm,” I murmured. “I think I’m going to like this queen business.”
“You will if I have anything to say about it.”
“I love you, Your Greatness.”
“I love you more, my queen.”
“Say it again.”
“My queen?”
“No, the part about loving me more.”
“I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“I’m pretty sure I know.”
***The End***
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Excerpt from “Defending Dani”
Sergei Petrov got out of the taxi and hurriedly paid the driver as he grabbed his bag. He hadn’t seen his son in more than two months and couldn’t wait to look into his sweet little face. They’d spoken on the phone and via video chat, of course, but it wasn’t the same as holding him, touching him, feeling his warmth. He’d had no choice but to leave Nikolai here with his brother Toli’s family when he’d been unexpectedly traded to a team in Anchorage, Alaska, but it was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do.
He didn’t bother to knock, merely threw open the door and called out to his family, “Hey—anybody home?”
“Dadddeeee!” Nikolai bounded down the hall and vaulted into his arms.
“Hey, big guy.” Sergei held him tightly, nuzzling his shoulder and inhaling his familiar scent.
Toli came down the hall more slowly, smiling at them. “Good to see you,” he said when Sergei finally put Niko down.
“Good to be here.” Sergei hugged his older brother as well, unsure where a sudden influx of emotion had come from. “I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again—you and Tessa saved me with this.”
Toli shook his head. “You’re my brother—what choice did we have? Although, to be fair, it was more Tessa than me. She’s the one who really stepped up to the plate, along with some of our other friends.”
Sergei nodded. “I know. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay everyone.”
“That’s what family does,” Toli said, walking back towards the living room.
“He
y, Sergei!” Tessa called out, her hands buried in a meat concoction she was putting in a pan.
“Hi, hon.” He leaned over to kiss her cheek. “That looks good. Your famous meatloaf?”
“I know it’s your favorite.” She smiled.
“You’re the best sister-in-law ever.”
“I try.”
“Daddy, I can skate.” Niko was tugging his arm.
Sergei frowned. “What?”
“Dani and her friend Sara took all the kids,” Toli said, handing him a beer. “Raina, Niko, Derek, and Duncan. They had a blast.”
“I’m gonna be a ’fenseman like you!” Niko yelled, gliding across the kitchen floor in his socks.
“Easy, tiger, this isn’t a rink,” Tessa called after him, laughing. “And defensemen are supposed to protect the goalie, not run around like lunatics.”
“I was going to teach him this summer,” Sergei muttered, taking a pull from his beer.
“He’s three.” Toli chuckled. “I’m sure he’ll need more than one lesson. Besides, serves you right for not teaching him last summer. Alex will be on skates this summer and he’s only a year.”
Sergei made a face. “Not like I have a lot of time, you know? Have you forgotten about that whole single dad thing?”
Toli arched his brows. “Cranky much?”
“Whatever.” Sergei sank into a chair in the family room.
Toli sat across from him, leaning forward and cocking his head. “How’s it going? You haven’t said much since you moved to Alaska.”
Sergei shrugged. “What’s to say? They’re a struggling expansion team. They came into the NHL the same year as the Sidewinders but there’s a different vibe than what you have here.” Sergei and his brothers all played professional hockey. While Sergei had been playing in Russia and then in Boston the last few years, Toli and their half-brother, Vlad, played for the Las Vegas Sidewinders. A little over two months ago, in late February, Sergei had been traded to the Alaska Blizzard, and it hadn’t been anything like what he’d been expecting. In fact, it hadn’t been like any team he’d ever played for—in college, in Russia, or in the NHL. Though he didn’t want to say the words out loud, it sucked.