A Royal Wedding: The Royals Series

by Brown, Tara

  “He knows what I’m about to say. He just doesn't know I know.” The queen mother’s eyes sparkled with emotion. “In case you’re wondering why we spread my dead husband’s ashes here, this is where he fell in love. When he was young, he had no desire to take the throne of Andorra. He knew the political struggle it would be to take the country from a principality to a kingdom and that the old lines would need to be honored, meaning France and Spain would have to give back the land they had taken for themselves.”

  “Yeah, I know this.” Everyone knew this.

  “What you don't know is that he had a fiancée when these discussions were in play. He had a life already set for himself. A future he believed was his to control.”

  “A fiancée?” I cringed.

  “Yes, that was my response to it all when I found out about her.” Her tone tightened. “In the end, he left her and took on the role that would change his life and his family’s forever. We were married, he was crowned king, and the battle for Andorra began. I believe it claimed his life but on his deathbed, he told me he had accomplished what he set out to do. Andorra had her lands back. She was thriving. And she had gained respect in the world’s financial market. He was a success and had changed the lives of thousands of people in the course of only a few decades.”

  “Cool.” What the hell was her point?

  “Indeed.” She nodded slowly. “Had he selfishly chosen a life with that girl, he would have been in love and had a happy small life and maybe he would still be alive.”

  I had many comments about that but I kept them to myself.

  “But he chose the nobler path and changed the world.” Her point punched me in the face.

  “And you want me to step aside and let Aiden do the same?”

  “Precisely.” Her eyes met mine for the first time, focused and determined and cruel.

  “I don't see how I’m impacting Aiden in any way. He’s king. He’s sticking to his father’s plans for Andorra. He’s successful already and he’s only in his mid-twenties.”

  “On his deathbed, Aiden’s father asked him for two things: One, take his ashes to the place where he met his fiancée and where her ashes were already spread.”

  “She died?”

  “In childbirth, many years ago.”

  “His child?” My stomach twisted in knots.

  “It doesn't matter now, neither the child nor she survived.” She was dismissive of the two dead people in the story. “The other thing he asked was that Aiden not marry you. His father told him he forbade it. And if you go through with this relationship, Aiden will live his entire life with the same sort of regrets that killed his father.” She stood, leaving me with that weird sentence, though it didn't make sense in my head. “You should know”—she paused, holding the dark wooden door open in her pale hand—“he and Alex were quite close during school. And before you got back together, they had rekindled that relationship. I’ve left you some proof, since I know you trust me as much as I trust you.” She nodded at the bedside table where a small phone sat.

  She strode out and closed the door, leaving me with an aching stomach and all the doubt she intended me to have.

  She was a master of this. The evil queen of pain and hate.

  But I didn't move for the phone. And I didn't care what she said.

  This was another attempt at sabotage and I wasn't falling for it.

  For the first time, I didn't care what she said or did.

  17

  I’m only mean to people who deserve it. Like a bitchy vigilante. Bitchilante.

  Thankful for periods

  Thanksgiving

  “Why are you pushing food around the plate and not eating? It’s brioche stuffing, kid. It doesn't get better than that.” Hattie waved a long finger at me from the head of the table.

  “I think the jet lag is killing me,” I grumbled and forced a bite of gravy-coated stuffing, hating the texture of the soft bread in my mouth.

  “And what about you?” Hattie focused her savagery on Jess.

  “I’m tired too. It’s been a brutal couple of months. Final year of school. Reading job applications. I’m exhausted.” Jess looked and sounded as tired as I was.

  “Where did you say Linna was again?” Dad asked, also a little worse for wear with his jet lag.

  “Kent, with Riley. His family asked her to come for the weekend.” Jess wrinkled her nose as she spoke, sporting an accent now too. “Seems serious.”

  “I’ll say,” I complained. “She didn't even do Halloween costumes with me. She went as Black Swan with Riley. He wore the white ballerina costume, and she wore the dark one with the white face paint,” I grumbled, still completely baffled at how that had happened. “She didn't even like the movie. And he’s never even seen it.”

  “She wanted to wear the black ballerina costume,” Jess pointed out.

  “It was weird.” I wasn’t getting over it. Sexy animals had been our thing for years. “Although, I will say, seeing Riley in the tight white ballerina dress was not awful.” I tried to perk up. We were here for three days and I needed to not be a dick about petty things.

  “He plays for Manchester United professionally and wore a ballerina costume in public because Linna asked him to?” Dad seemed confused.

  “Yeah.” Jess nodded, forcing a bite of turkey.

  “Sorry, girls, but you are about to lose your friend. She’s done. That boy is in love with her.” Dad raised his eyebrows. “And if she’s meeting his parents, she’s clearly feeling the same. Linna isn’t really one of those ‘meet the parents’ types.”

  “I know,” I said disappointedly. “We’re seeing less and less of her. She’s been going to Edinburgh to meet him on weekends. He comes and stays when he can, but they’re always together. It’s insane. I’ve never seen her like this. Between the art history and the boy, I swear she’s so different.”

  “How’s Aiden?” Dad changed the subject.

  “Typical Aiden.” I shrugged. “It’s like we didn't miss a step. I’m busy. He’s busy. We talk on weekends and before bed every night. It’s like dating on pause. It sucks.” I was brutally honest. “And I don't think he likes it any more than I do.”

  “He likes it less than you do,” Jess corrected me.

  “What about Alex?” Hattie asked, her eyes darting to Dad’s which caused him to lower his gaze.

  “Not a word,” I said, wondering why Hattie and Dad were being cagy. “I know she’s back in England because Bea saw her at a party in Glasgow a week ago. She threw a drink at Alex who then left in a rage—”

  “Bea shouldn't have done that,” Jess cut me off. “I know we all hate Alex, but she’s been shunned. It’s like society death. Johan said no one considered good company would invite her over and or allow her into their homes. She has no one. If she ends up doing something drastic because of this, I don't want to have a hand in it.”

  “I agree with Jess.” Dad scowled. “You shouldn't be bullying her. She’s done enough damage to herself and her poor family.”

  “Her poor mother, you mean,” I huffed, working myself up again. “Alex’s dad left her. She told him she wouldn't out Alex for everything so the dad left, said he couldn't take it. He didn’t want to lose his life too. When I visited her mom, she was devastated.”

  “She told you everything?” Hattie’s eyes narrowed.

  “Yeah, it took some persuading. And she said she doesn't want further attention from this mess and begged me not to tell anyone anything. She said she owed me an explanation but no one else.” I rolled my eyes. “Like I was keeping that secret.”

  “You did better than I expected you to.” Jess shrugged.

  “What’s done is done. I say we move on. Tell me about jobs after school.” Hattie sat back in her chair, again giving my dad a weird look. They were up to something.

  “I think I’ll stay in St Andrews one more year, for Johan. And my professor asked me to consider staying on at the school as a research aide. I might do that. O
therwise, it’s London or New York or somewhere to get a proper job. I have a bunch of options and even an offer to complete my masters back in the US. But that would mean leaving Johan and I don't want to. Honestly, I’m thinking St Andrews for one more year.”

  “To go with that proper accent you’re acquiring. And you?” Dad asked me, as if we were moving on because he was satisfied with Jess’ answer.

  “Andorra,” I said flatly. “He wants me there with him.”

  “What do you want?” Hattie was savage tonight.

  “Him. And until I want something else, I’ll chill there and we can decide the rest of the crazy stuff. I’m so tired of school. I’ve been in now for almost seventeen years. I’m done. I need a break. And leaving a prestigious university with a degree in international studies is a great start if I do decide to pursue a career.” I sounded like I was justifying everything. Convincing myself maybe. “Let’s be honest, this is way further than any of us thought I’d get,” I joked, making them laugh, except Hattie who was in rare form.

  “Hmph. What about being a journalist?”

  “Well, since they spend all their time being dicks about me, I don't think I want to join the ranks.” I shrugged.

  “So off to the castle then? We’ll see how much you like being the doting little princess. Before I whipped you into shape, it might have been up your alley, but I suspect now that you’ve had your freedom, you’re going to want a career for yourself. Women in our family are never very good at sitting still,” Hattie remarked, to which my dad lifted his glass miserably and took a long drink. “And you always wanted to go into journalism and travel.”

  “Speaking of our family,” and desperate to change the subject again, “did you guys know you’re both Scottish and, Hattie, our family is related to a lot of royals? Including Aiden’s family?”

  “Of course. All the royals are related in some way.” She lifted an eyebrow at me. “I’ve got the family tree fairly figured out. Back to France in the eleven hundreds.”

  “Yeah. And, Dad, the castle Aiden bought was once your family’s. I had no idea we were even Scottish.”

  “We are. And Jess’ family is also Scottish. Sheila did her family tree with an aunt one time. I’ll get Aunty Melinda to send it to me so you can see the branches.” He winked at Jess who nodded.

  “Awesome.”

  “What’s the castle like?” Hattie asked.

  “Creepy—”

  “Oh my God, it is not! You’re such a diva sometimes,” Jess cut me off. “One side needs some TLC. It was last renovated in the eighteen hundreds. But the other side is stunning. Aiden just had it redone to be modern and beautiful. It’s been so cool coming into our rooms in the evening to the fires lit and beds turned down. I’m going to miss this when Johan finishes school.” She sighed, her cheeks blushing.

  “Just what you two and Linna didn’t need, living in a castle. And how’s the ankle on all those stairs?” Hattie’s tone changed a bit, sounding suspicious.

  “Good. I can finally walk normally. Not allowed to run for another couple of months. But I’ve been doing the elliptical and bike in the gym we have at the castle.”

  “You’ve been on the elliptical twice and when I saw you at the gym, you were sitting on the bike reading, not pedaling.” I gave her an accusatory stare.

  “I mostly watch Johan work out,” she confessed with a grin.

  “And Mary?” Hattie’s eyes narrowed.

  “I think she’s sneaking around with that Kennington twat,” I grumbled. “She’s been doing a lot of extra study sessions at school, and Tracy made a comment about her constantly taking off on them.”

  “Kennington?” Dad asked. “Who the hell is that?”

  “Some asshat. He’s a complete stuck-up jerk.”

  “Why can’t you get an English accent and get rid of asshat?” Dad begged.

  “Anyway, Linna and I are plotting Kennington the Turd’s death.”

  “You won’t have to if the queen or Aiden find out.” Jess grimaced. “They hate him.”

  “Maybe they’ll find out.” I winked but it was a lie. I’d never rat Mary out to the queen.

  “Well, sounds like the year is going well. You have intrigues and adventures and a weird glow about you, both of you. I’d say it’s safe to assume you’re happy again.” Hattie folded her arms, still scrutinizing me.

  “It’s going to be a great year,” I agreed. “And I think the mansion in France will be fun at Christmas.”

  “It’s lucky there are so many rooms. I have a bad feeling we’ll have to expect the royal family.” Jess wrinkled her nose. “Christmas with the queen.”

  “Queen mother,” Hattie corrected her as the doorbell rang. She scowled. “Who the bloody hell could that be?” She got up and hurried to the front door and the sound of delight and Aaron’s voice filled the air.

  “Aaron?” Jess mouthed as she gave me a worried look, which matched Dad’s, as Aaron and a stunning blonde, one who looked shockingly like Jess, came strolling into the dining room.

  “Aaron!” I jumped up and gave him a hug.

  “This is Holly, my wife.” He hugged me tightly then pointed at the blonde. “Holly, this is Fin. And Jess and their father, Frank. We had a layover and Linna said you guys were here.”

  Jess hugged Aaron awkwardly and shook Holly’s hand as I stood, gawking with my jaw open.

  “Wife?” I asked, so surprised you could have knocked me over with a feather. “What do you mean wife?” Had he actually said wife?

  “We eloped in Fiji last week and we’re on our way back home to meet the parents in Spokane.” He winked.

  “How did you meet?” How had he not told any of us this?

  “In Dublin,” she answered politely with her incredibly thick Irish accent. “In Temple Bar.”

  “I was with a group of guys from work, and Holly was there for a hen party with her friends from Galway.” He turned and smiled at her and I saw it, the look. Aaron, the player, the legend, the problem, was in love. Real love. This girl had stolen his heart. A feat I’d believed impossible. “We’ve been seeing each other for about four months, and I’m getting transferred so we decided to get married, and she’s coming with me.”

  “Where are you working now, Aaron?” Dad asked.

  “At Google, in Dublin.”

  “Dad, I told you he was working for Google. Remember, they’re allowed to bring their dogs to work?” It continued to be the thing Jess was most interested in, bringing pets to work.

  “We are.” Aaron laughed. “And now I’ve been offered my boss’s job in Madrid. I leave in a week.”

  “And now we leave in a week.” Holly smiled, returning the same gaze he had given her.

  “Congratulations,” Jess and I said at the exact same moment with the same stunned and slightly fake excitement. I added, “Madrid, that’s so close to Andorra.”

  “I know. When are you lot all back there?”

  “June. This is great news. I’m so excited for you.” I hugged him once more.

  “How the hell did you land a job at Google, working in a bar?” Hattie asked, folding her arms. “We all know you can charm the short pants off the pope, but don't you need schooling to work there?”

  “I did a condensed degree in two and a half years, working part time in one of Dad’s friends’ offices in Dublin and the bar. And then nailed the interview at Google.”

  “He worked really hard. Basically, he was doing twenty-hour days.” Holly seemed proud.

  “And in six months of work you’ve managed to get the manager’s spot in Madrid?” Dad was clearly impressed.

  “Yeah. I’ve been working nonstop. They reward the hustle there. I’m pretty used to the twenty-hour work week now.” Aaron sounded so together and old and figured out.

  Jess lifted an eyebrow and gave me a side stare that no one else saw.

  “It’s so weird we’re going to Madrid and Linna’s boyfriend is going there too,” Aaron said smiling wide, seemingl
y unaware we had no idea what he was talking about. “I imagine we’ll be seeing her a ton. Be nice to have a friend in the city.”

  “What?” Again, Jess and I spoke in unison.

  “Madrid—oh shit.” He cringed. “She didn't tell you yet?”

  “Riley’s going to Madrid?”

  “Yeah. Something about David Beckham’s footsteps and playing for Real Madrid. I’ll let her tell you the story.” He lifted his hands. “God knows I’m likely in shit for saying that much.” He glanced at Holly. “Linna’s the zesty one.”

  “And you’re the only one he never dated?” Holly asked me while nudging him. He shook his head, blushing.

  “Yeah,” I answered awkwardly.

  “We were all young. Small city,” Jess explained, also visibly uncomfortable.

  “Who wants dessert?” Hattie interrupted this weird conversation while my dad looked like he’d pay to escape.

  We sat and ate and listened to Holly’s life story. It was better to keep her talking. My stomach was in knots and Linna’s life was hanging in the balance. How could she tell Aaron and not me? Or Jess?

  By the time the evening was over and Aaron and Holly were back on their way to the airport to fly home, I was spent. But I tapped Linna in my contacts, aware it was the middle of the night in England, and woke her ass up.

  “This better be life and death,” she muttered into the phone.

  “You’re moving to Madrid and you didn't tell me?” I snapped, knowing there was no way she was letting her gorgeous soccer star go there without her.

  “Oh, that wanker. I accidentally slipped it to him, I meant to tell you first.” I tapped the FaceTime icon and my phone changed the conversation, showing her groggy face lightly lit up in the dark. “I didn't know how to tell you. I swear. I’ve been stressing and worrying for a month since Riley found out.”

  “A month! You’ve only been dating for like three months. Who follows someone around the world after three months of dating?” I said it before I’d thought about it.