The paramedics had tried to convince Stefano to go to the hospital to get his wound treated, but he had refused to leave Alora’s side. Martino had indulged him by requesting that the local physician make a house call and treat him at the chateau. Four stitches and some bandages later, Stefano was able to turn his focus back to trying to help Giancarlo and Dante reclaim their sense of security.
Bedtime had been a long and drawn-out process tonight as one prayer had led to another, the boys struggling to understand the danger they had faced. Then Garrett had arrived and given the boys some kind of blessing. Alora explained that it was a way to help the boys find peace and comfort, that the ritual could only be performed by certain priesthood holders within her church.
Though he couldn’t claim to understand the ritual, the boys seemed to have found some solace and were now finally asleep.
Alora tucked the covers more tightly around Dante and then repeated the process with Giancarlo. With an audible sigh, she walked toward the door, where Stefano stood. Without a word, she slipped her hands around his waist and leaned into him.
“It’s okay now,” Stefano murmured, drawing her close. “It’s all over.”
“I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
She shifted, pulling back enough that she could see his face. “You saved my children today. You saved me.”
“I love your children,” Stefano said quietly. He drew a breath and added, “And I love you. The three of you are everything to me.”
Alora’s hands tightened on his back, and she looked up at him.
Stefano’s fingers trailed down through her hair, tangling in it as he searched for the right words. “I know you worry about our religious differences, but I love you, and I want you in my life. Please tell me we can build a future together. ” Before she could answer, he leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “You have my heart, Alora. If you walk away from me, away from us, you’ll do more than break my heart. You’ll shatter it.”
Her breath caught, and the truth of his words reflected in her eyes. Her hand lifted to rest on his chest as though to steady herself. “I keep praying about what I should do about my feelings for you, but I don’t seem to be getting any answers.”
“Maybe you aren’t asking the right questions.”
“Maybe you’re right.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I keep asking if I should walk away from you, but every time I do, you’re right there in front of me, and I know I want to be with you.”
“Surely God didn’t put us together only to ask us to stay apart,” Stefano said almost desperately.
She hesitated, her expression becoming more serious. “I keep wondering if you might ever open yourself up to the gospel the way your brother did. Then I have to remind myself that for you to ever truly discover the joy of the gospel, you’d have to do it for yourself, not for me.”
His eyes narrowed at that. “I want to learn more about your religion, to understand how God can answer personal prayers, but I don’t think my country is ready to have two princes walk away from the Meridian Church.”
“I know.” Sadness and regret hummed through her voice.
Impatience flowed through him. “Are you really going to let this stand between us? We can make a life together, Alora.” He waved impatiently around the room. “We already have.”
“All my life, the main thing my parents wanted for me was to grow up and be happy. Part of that happiness was to get married in the temple, to raise my children in the gospel.”
“You already did get married in the temple, and I would never get in the way of what you want for your children. If raising them Mormon is important to you, then it’s important to me.”
“What about any children we might have together?”
Stefano pulled out of her arms and crossed to the balcony. He looked out at the sea for a moment, staring into the darkness. Life seemed so simple here, but for him, there would always be complications. His voice was low when he turned back to face her and forced the words out. “There won’t be any.”
She followed him onto the balcony, her hair catching in the breeze. “What do you mean?”
“I can’t have children.” Stefano kept his eyes on hers. “The royal line will continue through Garrett’s children. Someday this country will have a Mormon prince. One day, his son will rule.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I have Merid’s syndrome,” Stefano said, almost choking on the words. “It’s a rare disease that has affected my family for generations.”
Concern flashed in her eyes. “Are there other problems? Does it cause you any pain?”
“No, nothing like that.” He shook his head, unexpectedly relieved by her selfless reaction. “Most of the symptoms are minor, some odd allergies and an occasional problem with balance. They’re so minor that until recently, I didn’t even realize they were connected. Unfortunately, the one symptom that is irreversible is infertility.”
“Stefano, I’m so sorry.”
He took her hands in his. “I know you will have to make a lot of sacrifices if you are to marry me. We wouldn’t be able to give Giancarlo and Dante brothers and sisters, at least not in the traditional sense. Your privacy will cease to exist in many areas of your life. And I know how concerned you’ve been about the idea of marrying outside of your religion.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you asking me to marry you?”
Nerves battled in his stomach. “I’m asking if the question would be a welcome one.”
Something changed in her countenance, as though she had suddenly found the peace she had been searching for, as though the answers to her prayers had finally been revealed. She offered him a tearful smile, her posture relaxing ever so slightly. “I think it would.”
He reached into his pocket, his fingers curling around the ring box nestled within the folds of fabric. He drew it out, his lips curving when he saw her eyes widen. “This is the ring my father gave my mother.” He flipped open the box to reveal the square cut emerald surrounded by diamonds. He pulled the ring free and took her hand. “I hope you’ll accept it. And me.”
She swallowed hard, her eyes lowering to her finger as Stefano slid the ring into place. Then she looked up at him and nodded. “Yes.” She reached up and pressed her lips to his. “Yes, I’ll have you.”
The weight of the last few days vanished, and he lifted her in his arms, despite the twinge of pain caused by his injury. He whirled her around as his lips covered hers. Then with a grin on his face, he set her down and said, “Let’s go tell the children.”
Humor shone from Alora’s eyes, but she shook her head. “If you wake them up, they’ll never get back to sleep tonight.”
Stefano glanced toward their room, remembering how long the boys had struggled to fall asleep. He pushed aside the little seed of disappointment and nodded. “You’re right.” He turned his gaze back to her. “Tonight we’re a couple.” He pressed his lips gently against hers. “But tomorrow, we’re a family.”
About the Author
Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson has spent most of her adult life living in Virginia. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written several novels, including the Undercurrents trilogy, Royal Target, Obsession, and the Saint Squad series.
When she’s not writing, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She also enjoys coaching the local high school swim team.
Other Books and Audio Books by Traci Hunter Abramson:
Undercurrents
Ripple Effect
The Deep End
Royal Target
Freefall
Lockdown
Crossfire
Backlash
Smoke Screen
Obsession
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Prologue<
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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
About the Author
Other Books and Audio Books by Traci Hunter Abramson:
Royal Secrets Page 29