Forbidden Crown

by Victoria Pinder

  Then she wrapped her arms around his waist and puckered her lips. He leaned forward and accepted her offering of peace. Her kiss righted everything in his world.

  Without another word, he led her off the balcony and toward her room. Once he opened the door for her, she reached into his suitjacket, massaged his back, and kissed his cheek. "Stay with me. No one has to know."

  He followed her into the room, but said, "Everyone will know in the palace."

  She kissed his cheek again. "Does it matter?"

  No ring… He kissed her and forgot about that for the moment. She tugged him toward her bed and he said, "I have to leave early in the morning for the changing of the guard ceremony. I’m pinning a metal on Babik and the young nurse who saved my father’s life."

  "That's tomorrow, and Babik deserves a raise." She took off her earrings and placed them on the vanity below the long mirror.

  The racks of clothes were gone now and he had a clear sight to her bed. His body grew hard, so he tugged his ear to avoid the change. Duty. "You'll see my mother and pick out a dress."

  She removed her necklace as well and then returned and kissed him, drawing his lip into her mouth. "All this protesting. If you don't want to…"

  "Oh, I want." He kissed the nape of her neck. Her skin was soft and tantalizing.

  She wiggled her backside and laughed. "Then help me with my dress."

  He reached out and unzipped the tight red dress. The curve of her back was something he could stare at all day.

  Once the zipper went to the bottom, he traced her spine with his lips and kissed her neck again. "Kristin, you are beautiful."

  She turned and let the gown hit the floor. She tugged at his suit jacket and he slipped it off, along with his shoes. She unbuttoned his shirt and gazed up at him. "So, any hints on your plan tomorrow for a special evening?" She reached the bottom button.

  “I made you a promise I intend to keep, but that’s tomorrow.”

  "No." She unbuckled his belt. "I can be patient as long as you keep me busy."

  Without another word he stripped off the rest of his clothes and let his manhood free. "Like this?"

  "Now you're getting it." She scooted on the bed, inviting him to join her.

  He unclasped her bra, freeing her nipples. They were pert and ready for his kiss. "How about this?"He claimed her chest with his lips.

  She arched back for him, "Mmm hmm."

  He let one full breast free and aimed for the other. "What was that?"

  She wrapped her legs around him and he felt her panties as the barrier. "No more talking, Your Highness."

  "Are you ordering me around, Princess?" He traced her body with his fingertips. Her skin was soft everywhere and her curves just made him harder. He tugged off underwear so there was no more barrier.

  She giggled and reached for his shoulders to pull him up to her face. "Is that a problem?"

  He claimed her lips in a kiss as he pushed his way inside her. She sighed a sweet sound as he said, "Not as long as I can do this."

  "Oh, yes," she murmured as he set a rhythm for them.

  Then to tease her he withdrew and kissed her neck. She placed her hands on his hips and gently guided him back inside her. "More."

  "Yes." He retook her body as his own. They were one and she was the perfect mate for him, no matter how he had found her.

  Chapter 14

  Kristin Wells sashayed in her blue jeans down the halls of the palace and really studied every corner. Impeccably well kept, the pristine powder blue walls with white trim looked spotless and not a speck of dust was anywhere.

  Soon this would be her home.

  Her body hummed for Antonio, though last night she'd hardly slept. He was amazing in everything he did, and his stiff upper lip wasn't stiff at all when he feasted on her.

  She giggled and continued down the hall. Antonio had drawn her directions this morning and she held the paper in her hand to find the breakfast room, where she was supposed to meet Renee.

  She followed the map and stood in front of a large white door with gold trim. This reminded her of how she imagined Versailles in France, though she'd never been to compare. Perhaps he’d take her on a tour after they married. She sucked in her breath and opened the door.

  Everyone stood from their seats at a huge dining room that was clearly being used as a conference room. At least ten men and women in suits stood next to Renee and the queen, who was the only one seated. The queen turned her head and said, "Kristin, glad you could join us, come in."

  Her skin prickled like she was a young girl caught by the teacher for some mistake on a test and expected to be corrected. She lowered her head. "Am I late to a meeting?"

  "I let you sleep in as my son hadn't left your room until three hours ago." The queen waved her forward to the seat next to hers. Once Kristin stood at her place at the table, everyone waited for her to sit.

  This was her life now. Kristin nodded, though her cheeks were hot, and sat. "Yes, er, thank you."

  The queen then asked politely, "So you worked out the problem?"

  "There was a problem?" Renee asked and her eyes grew wide like saucers.

  She hadn't been the best friend, Kristin noted, confiding everything about the contract. It seemed too personal to share so being upset over it wasn't something she could tell Renee. Kristin tugged her ear. "It's fine now, Renee. Antonio and I made plans to see each other tonight."

  Queen Anna Camilla told the group, "He has already informed me that he will not be available for tonight's foreign affairs dinner."

  "Ohh." Kristin turned toward everyone and asked the queen, "Are these your foreign affairs guests?"

  "No." The queen waved her hand. "These are designers and they wish to know your taste in clothes. Some have samples for you."

  Kristin stared at all of them. Designers? Seriously, the queen thought about clothes, all the time, but Kristin kept that to herself. "I thought we were here to discuss the wedding? The ceremony? Expectations."

  Everyone else took their seats.

  Renee said, "Valentino's a top designer, next to me here, and a few other brands we both know. Queen Anna Camilla said they want you in press conferences and out in public wearing their line of clothes. You're to always look fabulous!” Renee laughed. “But yes, the primary purpose today is to find out what kind of dress you want to get married in."

  Her jeans were Banana Republic which she had stashed away the extra money to get on sale, so she had no idea about Valentino other than the designer was out of her price range. She blinked and then folded her hands together on the empty table. It seemed no one had touched the buffet behind her, though the smell of bacon lingered in the air. "The truth is I never thought about getting married to have a dress picked out. So I'd like to try on a few different styles to really see which one I like."

  Renee laughed and sat further back in her chair. "This sounds awesome—and whatever you don't want, I'll happily take."

  The queen nodded her regal head. "The next room is already set up for you to try things on. Right now we'll just choose from different whites and basic body types."

  Renee smiled. "Try the mermaid on first, Kristin. You have the perfect figure for it."

  Kristin took a deep breath. At least Antonio had warned her about what was necessary for today. Also, Sophia wasn't here. Nothing could go wrong. She let out a soft sigh as she imagined her wedding. "Glad you're here, Renee."

  The group all stood once she did. She'd eat after she tried on a few dresses. Renee linked her arm with hers as they proceeded through the door to the next room. "Once the wedding is over, I'll go back to my normal life but you'll start living in this world forever. I'm excited for you."

  Inside the room she saw enough clothes to open her own shop, and these were just samples. Kristin passed a rack of Balenciaga designs and kept the question to herself on who they were. She walked straight for the wedding dresses and let Renee hand her one. She hugged it to her waist and blinked. "Renee, I
'm happy..."

  The main door of the room opened as light grew brighter between the racks. Kristin pressed her lips together and let the shiver of cold sharpen her spine.

  The queen then said, "Sophia, we discussed that you would not come today."

  Kristin walked closer to the main room to see.

  Sophia lowered her head and spoke softly, "Your Highness, I came to apologize. My own wishes..." She shook her head and stared directly at Kristin in the side door. "I shouldn't have put the ring on. I wanted..." This time she curled her fists and glanced at Kristin. "I hoped to be the one, but he chose you."

  Antonio said she scared off the last girl. Kristin stayed hyperaware, but tried to be kind. "Okay. Don't worry about it, Sophia."

  Sophia took one step farther in the room. "Before you start trying on dresses, can I talk to you?"

  Kristin glanced at the queen. What should she do? Queen Anna Camilla liked Sophia and Kristin needed to be the one she liked at the end of the day. She swallowed her fear. "Of course." She handed the dress to Renee. "Be right back."

  Sophia then motioned for the two of them to leave. Kristin followed her into the hall. "Where do you want to talk?"

  "In here." Sophia opened the door across from them. "I have a surprise for you."

  Every cell in her body told her to run, but she needed to get this conversation over with in order to have a strong marriage. She forced her sluggish feet to go inside, but once she did, she stopped. Her neighbor from home stared at her, his eyes big in a pale face beneath a mop of blond hair. "Greg, what are you doing here?"

  "He's come to save you from making a big mistake," Sophia said not sounding meek or sorry anymore.

  Greg winced as if this was the last place he wanted to be. He wore a wife-beater and cargo shorts that he normally wore when washing his car outside the apartment complex in the humid Miami heat.

  Kristin put her hand in her pocket and gripped her phone. She hoped she hit the power button, and Antonio. He’d programmed his name as number one. She did it as quietly as she could, but Antonio had warned her to be on guard. She faced Sophia again. "Excuse me?"

  Sophia circled her like she was a lion and Kristin the prey. "Greg here has already confessed to our local news that you love him, and that you are using our prince for his fortune."

  "That's insane." Kristin kept her head high, tracking Sophia.

  "Kristin, just listen to her, please,” Greg said on a sob. “She has my mom."

  His mother? How would his mother fit into this plan of Sophia's? His face was sickly white beneath his Miami tan, so she believed him. Sophia crossed her arms. "Your friend, Renee, is also about to find out that her parents are missing too and she needs to hurry home."

  All these people were in danger now because of her. Kristin's blood froze. "Why would you do that?"

  "Seems you don't have family I can use against you, but you are loyal to your friends." Sophia came closer and stared her in the eyes. "I fully intend to be queen and help my people rebuild in a better sense than you ever could."

  Her people. She clearly already saw herself in the role. Kristin’s palms broke into a sweat. "What do you want?"

  "For you to leave quietly," Sophia said. "Without a word to Antonio."

  All her problems just burst forward as a movie that replayed in her mind, but this time it was Sophia.Kristin's fingers shook. "Are you behind what happened here in the palace? The hostage situation? The disloyal guards?"

  Sophia rolled her eyes. "A smart woman would have left on the first plane out of here. I don't know why you stayed."

  Kristin needed to be in control and think on her feet. She turned to her neighbor. "Greg, where is your mother?"

  "I don't know.” He pointed to Sophia. “She only let me talk to her on the phone and told me to get on the plane if I wanted my mother to live."

  Greg's fear was palatable—his body shook, he swallowed repeatedly. The tremble in her hand now moved to her entire arm, but she hid it behind her back. "Why would you hurt innocent people, Sophia?"

  "Antonio's my property." No he wasn't. He’d turned to a computer to find a new wife that might match rather than be with Sophia. The thought helped stabilize her hands and she stopped shaking as Sophia continued, "This entire kingdom will have its first queen without a king soon enough. I've been biding my time, and at the last second, you showed up. I will not tolerate this interruption of my plan."

  Sophia intended to kill Antonio too? No. Her hands went into fists. She refused to let this woman hurt more people she loved.

  Suddenly Antonio and a guard came out of the shadow of the other room. "Babik, we’ve heard enough. Arrest her."

  Kristin’s heart leapt. "Antonio?"

  Babik placed handcuffs on Sophia, none too gently.

  "What about my mom?" Greg asked. "I need her back. She’s in danger."

  Antonio wrapped his arm around her, but nodded at Greg. "My brother Lucio is at FBI headquarters in Washington DC already. I thought he was looking for a wife, but he's been tracking Sophia's known associates for the past year. Let me call him."

  "Thanks," Greg said.

  Babik and the guards took Sophia out of the room.

  "And Renee's parents?" Kristin asked as Antonio dialed a number on his phone.

  He spoke into the receiver, then raised his voice and said, "Lucio's on the phone. I'm putting him on speaker—go ahead, Lucio."

  "Bonjourno. The FBI has confirmed Renee's parents are at home and currently serving the agents tea and doughnuts,” Lucio said. “There are agents checking Greg's mother's house now, but no sign of her yet. They will report to me so I'll know more shortly." He ended the call.

  Kristin closed her eyes and prayed everything was fine with Greg's mother. She had to be okay, for all their sakes. She finished her prayer and then asked, "So, how can we help Greg, Antonio?"

  “We’ll tell you anything we discover.” Antonio rocked on his heels, his hands behind his back. “Let’s hope your mother is safe, but for right now, we can offer a room in the palace for as long as you’d like, and a flight home. Whatever you need, but I recommend waiting for my brother to call me back with news. He won't let you down."

  Greg said thank you in a shaky voice. He took a few steps but his walk was unsteady. He stopped and coughed, then coughed again.

  Kristin went straight for the untouched buffet and grabbed a glass of water. She returned, handed Greg the glass and then hugged Antonio. "Antonio, let's go tell everyone what happened while we wait for news about Greg’s mom. It’s really over now."

  He kissed her forehead and they walked out of the room and across the hall. Beside Antonio, a rich and full life stood in front of her, but first they needed to ensure no one else was hurt.

  Chapter 15

  The moment Antonio entered the room, one of the designers moved the rack of wedding dress samples behind one of the other samples so it wasn't obvious to see. She’d always heard it was bad luck to see the dress so she’d not invite trouble, even if it was a silly superstition.

  Greg went and hugged Renee with his arms only, as if he didn’t want to get too close. Renee‘s face was red, but she squeezed his neck.

  Kristin glanced at Queen Anna Camilla and a dozen designers in a row like this was a fashion show. A moment later, Renee joined Antonio who spoke to his mother.

  The queen looked shaken at the news, then said, "Sophia's from Neblo, a neighboring region that did not bring back their monarchy. It is possible that she has followers from there."

  Antonio held Kristin close.

  Babik opened the door and her breath caught in her throat as the general, straight-backed, bowed his head. "Your Highness."

  The queen motioned for him to speak.

  "Sophia Venko promised a quarter of our guard lands and money for their help in reclaiming her rightful throne."

  Antonio shook his head and continued to hold her with one arm around her waist. How many women had Sophia threatened throughout the years
? She swallowed as Antonio asked, "How did such a thing happen right under our noses?"

  Babik stood at attention, his expression grave. "She's been a guest here for so long, Majesty. Most assumed she'd one day be Antonio's bride. Now that he's marrying the lovely Princess Kristin, most are questioning what they have already done for Sophia."

  "I'm not a princess, Babik." The title felt wrong at the moment.

  Antonio answered without commenting on what she’d said. "The biggest question right now is what Sophia has done with Greg's mother."

  Greg glanced over at them and the pain in his eyes was heart-wrenching.

  Babik never blinked. "I'm coordinating information with the FBI, but we have no record of a plane landing here from the United States."

  Good. If Greg’s mother was safe at home, then Kristin could breathe again, and the ordeal would be over. "Where would she be, if not in Avce?"

  Babik answered like a well-trained soldier. "The FBI believes she's somewhere in Florida. And they have a trace on Zika Horvak."

  "Zika." The queen paled. "He worked for you. A member of the guard."

  "Yes." Babik’s next words held a streak of cold. "If he returns, he'll face a court martial."

  Greg piped in from behind them. "I just want my mom to be okay."

  "We will do everything we can," Kristin promised.

  The queen then motioned for both of them to follow her onto the patio. "Antonio, can I talk to you and Kristin for a minute?"

  "Yes, Mother." Antonio offered Kristin his arm. They both followed the queen outside. "What's going on?"

  She crossed her arms and stared at both of them. "The people will need to see us united this evening. The wedding is in two days and so is the vote. I'll need you ready so it is imperative that Kristin try on dresses so she's gowned as a royal."

  Kristin wasn't born into politics but his mother worked endlessly. Would this be expected of her too? By signing the contract, she agreed to do whatever Antonio needed from his wife.

  "Mother,” Antonio said, dropping his voice, “what if the people vote to end our constitutional monarchy and return to the communist ways that were implemented?"