Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7)

by Marianne Knightly

  Tears pooled in her eyes. “The pain I still feel.” She shook her head. “I can’t help but think there’s something the doctor’s missing. I don’t want anything to be wrong, but I can’t help the feeling that something is.”

  As he’d done earlier, Alex kissed her tears away as they fell on her cheek. “Then we’ll keep searching for answers.”

  “You don’t think I’m crazy for feeling this way?”

  “Darling, it’s your body. Your gorgeous, addictive body. You need to trust your instincts. I don’t want anything to be wrong with you, either, Rebecca. But I’ll never leave your side. Didn’t I prove that a few months ago?”

  She nodded and sniffled. “You did. I know you did.” She took a shuddering breath. “I love you, Alex.”

  “I love you, Rebecca.” He gently kissed her tear-softened lips. “You’ve gotten as little sleep as me. Maybe a nap wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

  “Of course it’s not. Since it was my idea, I think it’s fairly brilliant.”

  He gave her a soft smile, then laced his fingers with hers and walked to the bedroom. He undressed her until she stood only in her panties, and pulled her under the covers with him.

  Their arms and legs twined, her cool skin pressed against his flushed, warm skin. His cock nestled easily between her legs, her simple panties the only barrier between them.

  His face was buried against her neck, a position he loved. She ran her hands gently, consistently through his drying hair, an easy rhythm she hoped would help him sleep.

  “Don’t let me sleep too long,” he murmured in a thick voice.

  “I won’t. I love you, Alex.”

  “I love you, darling,” he mumbled, his body going lax as it finally fell asleep.

  She’d had as little sleep as Alex, but she’d get her chance later.

  For now, she continued her gentle soothing.

  Alex’s eyes fluttered open when a pair of plump lips met his. Too quickly, they brushed away, and continued their journey down his neck, over his chest, and grazed his stomach. His cock – which was nearly always erect when he woke – was no different now.

  The pair of lips pressed a tantalizing kiss to the head of cock, then maneuvered the whole thing into his mouth.

  Wide awake, he gazed down his body and saw his nearly naked fiancée staring up at him with mischievous eyes and a mouth full of him. “Becca,” he groaned.

  Her mouth sucked him deeper, harder, faster. His hand delved into her hair, whether to pull her away or hold her tighter against him, he wasn’t sure.

  One of her slim hands gripped the base of his cock, while the other caressed his balls.

  Holy hell.

  “Becca.” The name sounded tortured on his lips. His knees were bent, his feet flexing for purchase in the bed.

  She didn’t stop, but kept going. Faster. Faster. Harder.

  Just as his balls tightened, her mouth broke free with a wet pop, and his seed coated his stomach.

  “I’m sorry,” she said.

  “What for?” he said, his breath still in short gasps.

  “Now you’ll need another shower.”

  He pulled her up and into his arms, coating her as well. “Now we both will.”

  She giggled, and his heart felt light again. “No funny business.”

  “None.” He gave her a long, lingering kiss until she melted against him. “God, I missed you today.”

  “You did?”

  “I kept wishing for another moment with you, just to hold you. I’m lost without you, especially now.”

  “Alex.” Her hand went to his cheek. “I’m right here. I’m with you, always. Just as you’re always with me.”

  “Did you miss me today, then?”

  “I miss you every day, fiancé.”

  “I always need you, but especially today. First, my decisions are questioned. Then, with the decisions I do make, well, I feel like I’m in a fucking free-fall. Every decision I’ve made before now was with a safety net, with my father or someone else there to catch me before I even fell. Now, I’m falling and there’s no one there. It’s fucking terrifying.”

  She linked a hand with his and placed it near his heart. “I’m here. I’ll catch you.”

  He let out a shuddering breath, restraining the tears that threatened to come.

  A king shouldn’t cry.

  She snuggled closer. “I’ll catch you, Alex. Fall if you need to. There’s no one else here.”

  His breath caught; he couldn’t. Shouldn’t.

  A king shouldn’t cry.

  “I’ll fall with you.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Let’s fall together.”

  The dam burst forth. His arms wrapped like bands of steel around her, emotion pouring forth.

  His father.

  His sister.

  Their wedding.

  Another possible threat.

  Everything came crashing out at once.

  Their bodies heaved, not with passion but with shared grief. Why had he waited so long to let go? When would he realize he didn’t need to hold back with her, not with anything?

  It was several minutes before he calmed; Rebecca had calmed before him. With puffy faces and red eyes, he brushed his lips against hers. “What time is it?” he asked gruffly.

  “Nearly eight. I wanted you to sleep a little more. I’m sorry.”

  “Stop apologizing for taking care of me.” He brushed a lock of hair from her face. “How are you doing with all of this?”

  “I’m okay. You’ve got so much on your mind, Alex, don’t worry about me.”

  “You’re stronger than I am, certainly.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “You weren’t a blubbering mess like I just was.”

  Rebecca snorted. “Did you forget my tears this morning? And in the bathroom before our nap? And there were other times besides those. I’m a bigger blubbering mess than you.”

  “Rebecca,” he admonished. “Why didn’t you come to me? You shouldn’t be crying alone.”

  “I wasn’t alone, not the first time anyway. My parents were with me.”

  “I feel as though I’ve let you down.”

  “How can you possibly think that?”

  “Rebecca.”

  “No. You haven’t let me down. You’ve let no one down.” She broke free of his arms and sat up. “Everyone is so proud of you, Alex, especially me.”

  His heart swelled under her words.

  “No one’s disappointed in you. But you’re doing so much on your own. When will you get it through your thick head that you don’t need to handle everything by yourself? When will you finally realize that you’re not alone? You’re not alone. Not now, not ever.” She crossed her arms over her chest, thrusting her stunning breasts and soft nipples higher. “What else should I do? I’ve tried everything I know to help you. I’ve tried to keep my distance. I’ve tried to give you space. I’ve done the opposite as well.”

  A grin lit Alex’s face; his fiancée was beautiful when she was angry, though he didn’t think now was the time to mention that. “Rebecca.”

  She scrambled from the bed. “No. Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to take a shower – alone. You can take a shower in one of the empty guest bedrooms – and don’t try sneaking into ‘wedding central’, either. After we’re dressed, we’re having dinner with your family – whom you will call on to help you – and then you’re going to go get ready for tomorrow’s stupid Council meeting, while I greet your extended family as they arrive for the wedding. Do you understand?”

  A smile, big and broad, stretched his cheeks. “Yes, darling.”

  “Good.” She swiveled around and walked away, muttering about a ‘stubborn, thick-headed fiancé’ as she did.

  Alex collapsed back on the bed. He stared up at their ceiling and thanked God for a woman who wasn’t afraid to call him on his shit. Sometimes Alex needed a kick in the ass.

  Thank God he found a woman who kicked with purp
ose, and whose aim was true.

  Chapter Eight

  Rebecca, still slightly perturbed with Alex, strode swiftly next to him on their way to the dining room. Showered and dressed, he felt somewhat refreshed, but could still use a good night’s sleep.

  “Are you done being angry with me yet, darling?”

  Her shoulders stiffened. “I’m not angry with you. Exactly.”

  He chuckled and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tugging her to his side as they walked. “You’re adorable when you’re angry.”

  “Alex,” she warned.

  “Don’t worry about me, all right? I heard you loud and clear.”

  “Did you?”

  He nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t take on so much by myself. Even my father has all of us to help him with royal duties. I guess I just felt I needed to prove myself. To Papa, to my siblings, even to you.”

  “You don’t need to prove anything to me, or any of us. You know how this morning, you told me you knew I’d make a great queen?”

  “Yes.”

  “No one will ever look at you and think anything but what an excellent king you’ll make.”

  “The Council might disagree with you.”

  “The Council knows that better than anyone. Why do you think they keep trying to usurp the family’s power? The public loves you, and they’ll never compete with that. Their best chance is to destroy you somehow.”

  Alex stood stunned for a moment. “You might be right.”

  “I am right. Do I need keep explaining why you don’t need to prove anything to anyone?”

  He stopped them in the hall, and kissed her temple. “No, darling. Thank you for reminding me.”

  “Will I need to remind you again?”

  “Probably not.”

  “I’ll take that to mean I’ll need to remind you again.”

  “You won’t.”

  “I will.”

  He growled. “You won’t.”

  “I will.”

  “I can’t believe you’re arguing with me about this.”

  Rebecca tugged him and they began walking down the hall again. “Well, I am.”

  “Do you want everyone to see us arguing when we get to the dining room?”

  “They won’t, as long as you realize that I’m right.”

  “You’re not right.”

  “I am.” She patted his chest. “But, if it makes you feel better, you can pretend to be right.”

  “Rebecca,” he said in a low, warning tone.

  “Alex,” she said, in a perfect imitation of his low, warning tone.

  Alex halted his stride, then burst out laughing, his resonant voice echoing down the hall. He wrapped her into a hug. “God, what would I do without you?”

  “That’s the same thing I should be saying.” She gave him a gentle, sweet kiss. “Come on. We’ve all got a long night ahead of us.”

  They entered the dining room a minute later. Everyone was seated and enjoying mini-fruit tarts for dessert, along with copious amounts of coffee.

  “Nice of you to finally join us,” Nate teased.

  “We had wondered if you’d ever turn up,” Lorenzo added on.

  “You can blame Rebecca for that,” Alex replied as he helped her to her seat.

  Rebecca’s face flamed. “Alex.”

  Alex grinned as he took his own seat, and decided to tease her a little more. “Rebecca forced me to take a nap. Then, when I woke up, she was busy telling me off. Once she gets going, it’s hard to stop her.”

  “Alex.” Rebecca slapped him on the arm, then took in the surprised looks around the room.

  He just chuckled and draped his arm over her chair. “I didn’t say I minded it, did I?”

  Rebecca shook her head, and slapped a hand to her forehead.

  “Rebecca,” Cat began, “perhaps you–”

  “There’s no need to scold her. I deserved it, if you want to know the truth.”

  “Yes, you did,” Rebecca said in a whispered hiss. “You’ll get some more, too, if you don’t shut up about it.”

  He wagged his eyebrows. “I can’t wait.” Chuckles rang through the room.

  Rebecca looked up to the ceiling, then sighed. She signaled to one of the servants and a few moments later their food was brought out. “Eat your dinner. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”

  “You going back to the hospital?” Ethan asked, then frowned when Alex ignored his question. “Papa’s doctors are on top of it. Though I’m not specialized in cardiology, they didn’t recommend anything I wouldn’t have. I think he’ll be home in a day or two.”

  The wedding day. He could be home by the wedding day. Rebecca and Alex shared a glance, then Alex turned to his other brothers. “Did any of you tell the rest?” They shook their heads.

  “Thought we’d wait for you,” Lorenzo said.

  Alex nodded as he finished a bite of succulent steak. “The Council are up to something. We think they’re planning to disrupt the wedding somehow.”

  Exclamations broke out across the table. “They can’t do that!” Cat said.

  Alex sipped some wine; he wouldn’t have much of it, but a little, after a hellish day, was completely called for. “They can and they likely will.” Alex went on to explain the situation, and the reason for the Council meeting tomorrow.

  “Bastards,” Nate said.

  Alex carefully put down his wine glass. “You said it. Rebecca and I will get married the day after next. I’m counting on you, on all of you, to help me see that priority through.”

  “You know we’ll help,” Marcello said. “But the Council could just be the tip of the iceberg. What with Zinnia and Gerald, not to mention–”

  Cat gasped. “What about Zinnia? And Gerald? Has he done something?”

  Marcello cursed under his breath, then told them all about Zinnia’s request. “I haven’t found out much about her. She’s kept quiet for the last few years, even before Gerald tried to kill some of us. I did find out that some of Gerald’s privileges are being revoked in two days.”

  “He had privileges?” Alex asked.

  “Just a few. One of those privileges was being allowed family visitors under certain controlled conditions. We, as the royal family, could grant leniency and allow it once the prison revokes it. My guess? The prison informed Zinnia of this, so this is the last time she can visit him without getting permission from us.”

  “She still wants permission to come into Valleria, though,” Alex said.

  “She wants it, but she doesn’t explicitly need it. We flagged her in our systems, but all that means is she gets someone following her once she enters the country; she’s not barred from entering. There’s nothing – except her relation to Gerald – to suggest she’s a threat. She did the right thing approaching us first, though. She probably thought it’d be easier to get permission to enter Valleria, than it would be get permission later to both enter the country and visit her father.”

  “Does Papa know about this?” Carolina asked as she toyed with one of her bracelets, a nervous habit she’d never been able to break.

  “We haven’t told him. I’m not sure that we will, either,” Alex said. “What good will it do? I don’t want him worried about a threat against the wedding.”

  “He’s worried about that anyway, Alex,” Marcello chimed in. “We talked about it when I stopped by to see him today. I didn’t mention Zinnia, but he’s not an idiot. He knows the wedding will be a good time to try something, if someone or some group were so inclined.”

  “So you think we should loop him in on this?” Nate asked.

  “I think he knows something’s going on, so we might as well,” Marcello said. “Ask his advice, see what he thinks.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Alex said after a pause. “In the meantime, keep looking into her background. There’s something we’re missing. I know it.”

  “Will do. In the meantime, don’t stress out too much about it. Once the rest of the family arrives, t
hey’ll know right away if we’re hiding something.”

  “We’re always hiding something from them,” Alex said easily. “They’re on a need-to-know basis and, since most of them have loose tongues, I’d just as soon they didn’t hear anything.”

  “Not even about Zinnia?” Sarah asked. “I know a couple of our cousins have stayed in touch with her. They’re bound to make a comment about her not attending the wedding, or about Gerald.”

  A foul taste coated Alex’s tongue at the sound of Gerald’s name. “If anyone mentions that name in my presence,” he began regally, “they’ll find themselves thrown out of the palace with nowhere to stay, particularly since every hotel in Valentia has been booked up since the wedding date was announced.”

  “Oh, no.” Rebecca put a hand to her forehead. “I’ve forgotten to change the arrangement with the Gara Hotel.”

  “We can give them a call tomorrow. It’ll be fine,” Cat reassured her.

  “Maybe.”

  “What arrangements?” Alex asked.

  “Well, that’s where I’ll be tomorrow night, the night before the wedding. We were going to have my bridal shower then, but we should cancel that now. I can’t believe I forgot.”

  Spend the night without her? Was she mad? “What’s this nonsense?”

  Rebecca blinked. “What nonsense?”

  “You staying at a hotel the night before the wedding.”

  She smiled. “Alex, you know it’s bad luck. I’ve told you about this before, and your mind simply refuses to acknowledge it.”

  “It is bad luck for the bride and groom to be separated before the wedding. I won’t stand for it.”

  She chuckled and said, in a placating tone, “All right, Alex.”

  “I’m serious.”

  “Of course you are.”

  “Rebecca.”

  “Alex.”

  His eyes narrowed on hers. “You’re not going to give in, are you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry I’m not. The hotel is very close to the church. Logistically, it makes sense. If I didn’t stay there, I’d stay with my parents, but they’re staying with me at the hotel. I’ve got the top suite of rooms to get ready for the wedding, and they, along with some of my family, are in the rest of the rooms at the hotel. We booked the entire hotel, at considerable cost, I’ll remind you.