Sorry wasn't enough. Amy knew the truth now. She swallowed and shook her head. "Why did you?" She didn’t care that they were on the steps of the palace. "I guess your sister was more important in the end."
"My father was the only person who ever looked after me." Suzie was led to a jeep, where she'd be presumably taken into a prison. She called out again. "But I don't even know her. If you help me get out of here, I'll tell everything I know."
Lucio stepped forward before she could form an answer and said, "Don't answer Amy. Let our police handle this."
Now that she’d spoken her mind, what happened to Suzie didn't matter. What mattered was that she and Lucio were together and no one had stopped their wedding. Not the anarchists, not her supposed best friend, and not her sister. From now on, she'd spend every second healing or focused on Lucio. She told him, "Let's go inside, Lucio."
He pushed her in and she felt confidence growing in her bones. They had a chance for happily-ever-after now.
22
Amy held still in the bridal chamber at the church. She tried not to move as she stared at herself in the mirror one more time. With the tiara on her head, she seemed a princess, but the diamonds didn't matter. Soon, she'd see Lucio again and she couldn't wait.
Evie rushed back inside and sounded breathless. "The Queen of England is here!"
She'd been expected. Amy could hardly think beyond finally seeing the man she loved again. For three days, they’d been separated due to the wedding festivities and it had been torture. She turned toward her sister, but Queen Anna said, "Yes. Her husband is next to her, and we have many other foreign royals. I sat your parents at the reception closest to the English royals as I could."
Amy tried to sound genial but she just wanted the formalities over. She turned toward the group. "I’d like to meet her at the reception."
"Naturally." Anna hugged her carefully. Soon, they'd all be one family. "You will grow weary of meeting every single one of your guests but you mustn’t let on. The music has started. Are you ready, Amy?"
"Yes." Amy turned and picked up her bouquet of pink peonies. She smiled at her sister who opened the door. "Evie, it's time for you."
Anna waited until Evie left and reiterated the protocol, "In a moment, King Leopoldo and I will go and then it's your turn to officially join our family."
During this formal ceremony, she followed the royal couple. Her arms trembled. "I'm just glad I can walk to Lucio without limping."
The past few months had been intense physical therapy, but today everything would be worth it.
"He's waiting for you." Anna walked toward the door. The king immediately offered her his arm and the music changed.
Her father came in, his hair freshly touched up to hide his grays, and offered his arm. This time her parents had more of a role too, and she was glad her family was here. She took his arm. "Father, are you ready?"
He led her to take the first steps out of the bridal chamber. In the hall people snapped their picture as if it wasn’t a foyer in a church. Her father ignored the chaos and gawking at all the royals. He acted like the two of them were among equals as he said, "I'm happy you're so happy now, Amy. Your mother and I both feared we made a mistake pushing you for this union."
"I love Lucio and he loves me." Amy stayed close, aware of how to smile at the cameras. Her life was forever changed, for the better.
They walked down the aisle in step as they’d practiced, but when they turned she focused on Lucio. He stood at the altar, waiting with a proud expression, and his tall frame took her breath away. Her father said, "We've seen that these past few months."
She hardly heard his words and couldn’t respond. They closed in on Lucio and that smile of his was magnetic. Once they reached the altar, her father held out his hand and shook Lucio’s. "Lucio, take care of my girl."
"Absolutely, sir," Lucio said.
Her father joined her mother to stand to the right, waiting for the priest to speak. Amy stared at Lucio and her heart grew in her chest.
He took her hand. "You look radiant."
The priest cleared his throat. "Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"
"I will." Lucio's answer was firm.
Amy whispered next to him, "The past three days without you was hard."
The priest reached for the bible, so Lucio leaned closer. "Now you'll spend the rest of your life holding my hand."
"That’s so much better." Amy scooted closer though the huge formal dress that went down the aisle and the flowers in her hand made moving too much difficult.
The priest then said to her, "Amy Elizabeth Fields, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, so long as you both shall live?"
She nodded. "I will."
The priest turned toward her parents and asked, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
Her parents stepped forward, holding hands, and the priest shook her father's hand.
In a formal ceremony, they stepped back and sat in their seats.
The spectacle was a lot, but soon, she'd marry her love.
Her sister took her flowers and without blinking Lucio grasped her right hand. He then repeated everything the priest said, "I, Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, take you, Amy Elizabeth to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
This time Amy took his right hand and repeated after the priest. "I, Amy Elizabeth, take you, Lucio Arthur Louis Philip, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse: for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish, till death do us part."
She let his hand go as they’d practiced.
Lucio turned and they joined hands while the priest blessed the rings. "Bless, O Lord, this ring, and grant that he who gives it and she who shall wear it may remain faithful to each other, and abide in thy peace and favor, and live together in love until their lives' end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
Her heart stammered. Finally, they were almost done. Soon, they'd be married and no one would stop this. Prince Lucio took the ring and placed it upon her fourth finger.
Her skin grew goosebumps. Lucio repeated the priest's words. "With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honor; and all my worldly goods with thee I share: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Everyone stood behind them and the standing had a musical cant. This meant they were almost done, but Lucio helped her in her dress as they both knelt at the altar.
Once they were on their knees, Lucio’s hand in hers, the priest then said, "Let us pray. This ring given and received is a token and pledge; and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The priest then took their hands higher so everyone could see and joined their right hands together: "Those whom God has joined together let no man put asunder." The Archbishop then addressed their guests.
Amy stared into Lucio's brown eyes, overcome with happiness. In a moment, they'd be together forever. He leaned closer to her and she felt his nearness. Soon no one would ever separate them.
The prayer the priest said to the Church was lost on her.
Finally the priest blessed them both with the sign of the cross. "God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, mercifully with look upon you; and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that you may so live together in this life, that
in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen."
Lucio helped her stand and without waiting, he kissed her and held her tight.
Despite all the formalities, they were now one. Her life was better than she imagined. She held onto his strong hand and felt his strength run through her veins. Whatever happened now, she was happy. Lucio and she were together, forever.
<<<<>>>>
Please check out the entire Princes of Avce series:
Princes of Avce
Forbidden Crown
Forbidden Prince
Forbidden Royal
Forbidden Duke
Forbidden Earl
Forbidden Crown Preview
Kristin Wells held her refurbished pocketbook close to her chest, scratched side in. She’d spent an hour before her interview this morning buffing out the flaw in the black leather.
She tapped her feet on the marble floor of the hotel. She’d applied for this position three months ago while browsing the job postings at her current employer, Miami Insurance. Who wouldn’t want to travel the world as secretary for the Royal Prince Antonio Aussa, the world’s most eligible bachelor? She hadn’t seen much of the world, and never a man as gorgeous as the prince in the photos.
Her shoe slipped off. Drat. She reached down and fixed it as her heart raced. Her best friend Renee had convinced her to go for it—what did she have to lose by applying? And now here she sat in a Marriott Hotel conference room, her legs jittering despite skipping her morning coffee. Kristin glanced at the old curmudgeon with steel-gray hair and round brown glasses that sat at a black, shining desk near the door. If she got the job, would she report to this woman? She avoided eye contact but smiled as much as possible.
The older lady stood and pointed toward the door to an interior office. Kristin got the impression that this was a temporary set up—the only thing on the desk was a phone. "You may go in now, Ms. Wells."
At least the interview would give her a peek at Antonio, who she’d researched online. He was a playboy prince from a country next to Italy that wasn’t quite as big. If she landed this job, she’d have to brush up on her Italian to ensure his social calendar stayed in order. But most important had been that smile of his. It was magnetic. With luck, she'd see it in person.
“Are you thinking about running away?” The older woman asked.
"I’m going in. Thanks." She fixed her black skirt, went inside the empty room and closed the door. Her heart beat out of control.
Bright sun reflected off the ocean visible from the glass walls and she ducked her head. The hotel must use this room for weddings, she thought. A modern, sleek metal desk, with a single white folder atop,, and two accent chairs for guests was situated in the middle of the room. The large sliding glass door would give access to the private beach, not that she was interested.
Her pale complexion and the beach had never gotten along. She chose the seat in the shaded part of the room to avoid a burn and smoothed her skirt.
A moment later, she heard the click of the door to her right and in walked Prince Antonio Aussa. A shiver so deep it woke every part of her body spread through her and she felt like she’d combust if he brushed against her. The pictures hadn't done him justice. His smile was better than magnetic, his shoulders more broad in his gray tailored suit, and his hair as shiny and rich as melted dark chocolate. He’d starred in her dreams over the last three months but the reality made her tremble.
He held out his hand in greeting. His palm looked massive compared to her small wrists, but she felt a zap when he took her hand to shake. "Nice to meet you, Your Highness.” Grateful she hadn’t stammered, she focused on the yellow legal pad in his hand. He hadn’t said a word yet. “I'm excited to start our interview,” she swallowed her nerves, “as I am very interested in this job."
Millions of women would die to do whatever he wanted.
He cleared his throat, and took the empty seat beside her. She sat on the edge of her chair and waited while he assessed her plain brown eyes behind her black frames. Renee had urged her to get highlights in her brown hair but she hadn’t had time—now she wanted to hide from his brilliance.
Her skin grew goosebumps of awareness, but she kept her mouth shut. Her current job sucked the life out of her and if she had to do one more fraudulent insurance claim she’d jump off a bridge. Her life was boring, predictable, safe. And her third masters degree wasn’t taking her mind off things. Being hired as the prince’s secretary would allow her to travel, and maybe pay off her condo which she could rent while away because she needed a major change and to figure out how to be happy in her skin.
He scooted his chair closer to her and her pulse raced. "Why should I choose you?"
Because if he ripped off her clothes, she wouldn’t protest? Her hand shook slightly and she clutched her bag to hide it. His smile had triggered a longing for something more. Her body throbbed to know every inch of him. She’d never had a high school crush—was this feeling like that?
Kristin knew the math for them would never add up. She refused to let her emotions rule her, ever, and she certainly didn’t believe in falling in love, especially at first sight.
But as his paid secretary? Her parents had instilled a solid work ethic. They were gone now and she’d honor their teaching—even the silent lessons, like love being a delusion that eventually ate away and destroyed all happiness.
Kristin needed to convince him that she was the best applicant. "My undergraduate degree is in finance, so I can run numbers for you in addition to taking notes during meetings or updating your calendar. The idea of being flexible to meet the demands of a royal prince means I get to think on my feet."
At her current job, she worked on the same items, every single day. He sat back and she felt a pang of loss that his interest in her was gone, but then he met her gaze. She couldn't look away. "You're sure of yourself."
Did he think so? Normally yes. Right now, she was a hot mess on the inside. When she tried to loosen the death grip on her pocketbook, she dropped it instead, the broken latch spilling the contents of her purse all over the floor. "Is confidence a bad thing?"
Her cheeks burned as she bent down to collect her things. Once she’d stuffed her lipstick, mascara, pads that weren't necessary at all for another few weeks, and pens into her bag, she straightened in the chair. "I'm sorry, I'm never this clumsy."
"I'm used to it. It's what happens when women meet me for the first time."
Arrogant too. She lifted her chin. "Or it's your title. A crown can be intimidating." This was an interview, not a date. Kristin had to remember why she was here. She nodded. "I'm career-oriented and a fast learner."
He crossed his arms and again her body grew warm from his perusal. Then he picked up the one folder on the desk. "Your name is Kristin Wells?"
"Yes." She had sounded breathless. She battled for control of her senses, but her skin heated and she feared she blushed.
He stared at her, gifting her with his sexy grin. He closed the folder and the snap of papers filled the air. "Would you take your glasses off for a minute?"
A simple request if her hands weren't shaking. She did her best, but lowered her lashes so she didn't have to look directly at him. If he saw into her soul, he’d see her fantasies of him and goodbye perfect job. "Umm, okay, but I do need them to see."
He took them from her. His palm made her skin jump. "You have beautiful eyes, have you ever thought of contacts?"
"Of course." Beautiful wasn’t a word she’d expected to hear today, when she’d chosen her borrowed black heels, black pencil skirt and feminine white button-up blouse. Once her glasses were on her face again, she looked up. "I do have them, but I don't wear them often."
He angled his chair closer. "Any particular reason?"
If she somehow landed this job, she'd have to get her raging crush under control. She didn’t like people looking directly into her eyes as he was doing right now, but she carefully chose her words to answer his question. �
�I’m not trying to impress anyone. I know my place and how to be a professional.”
He read his paperwork again. "Kristin, your resume also says you have a marketing background."
"Yes." At least her voice sounded normal. She crossed her legs. "I’ve run a successful online launch for the watch band company I briefly worked at." His attention was drawn to the slit in her skirt so she uncrossed her legs, self-conscious. "We sold out of the band. Now I work for an insurance company."
His gaze returned to her eyes. "Why did you leave that job?"
The interview was back on track. Good. She could handle business. She’d always wanted to travel and learn, but she knew the value of a penny in the bank. Her parents had taught her frugal now meant security in the future. Her body eased. "The watch band was exciting, but once they sold out, her position was over."
“And insurance?”
“The insurance company because there were health benefits and a 401K, but it was so boring. Your position would be anything but, and I’m up for the challenge.”
“I hope that’s true.” He opened the folder again and scanned the contents. "So, let's get right to this. How much are you for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year?"
Her pulse surged. Did she really have a chance here? And she had no clue how much she should say for a salary demand. What a terrible interview question! "I would need to give two weeks’ notice at work, but I don't have any family obligations."
He stared at her and she noticed that his brown eyes had a hint of green. No picture had ever captured that illusive color.
"You didn't answer the question. How much are you?"
She blinked. What question, she thought but then she remembered the salary. She’d checked online and the starting salary for a secretary was forty thousand, but he wanted around the clock attention. Late nights meant she should request more. Her stomach churned. She needed to be in the ballpark number so that he didn't laugh her out of the office. "$60,000? For the extra time."
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