She’d made it back to the port. Alive. Dripping wet. But that was only the first step.
When she’d thrown herself into Graham’s embrace, he had…not truly embraced her. His arms had come up reflexively, but his body had been stiff. As though to say,I watched you sail away. How do I know you won’t do it again?
She would have to show him that nothing mattered more to her than him. That she had risked her life in that tiny boat because the only life she wanted to live was one spent with Graham.
“I think you missed your ride,” Marjorie offered when the silence wore on.
Kuni kept her eyes on Graham. “I meant to miss it.”
The wind whipped through his hair, tossing his curls asunder. His brown eyes remained fixed on hers.
“When will the next ship come?” Elizabeth asked.
“Two months,” Kuni replied.
“But…isn’t thatafterthe trials where your king chooses his new crop of Royal Guardsmen?” Tommy asked.
Yes. Yes, it was.
“I’ll miss it,” Kuni answered. “And the next ship, too. Only royals and their staff will be allowed on board.”
Elizabeth leaned on her sword stick. “Did…your brothers say you were unlikely to be chosen as a guard?”
“They said I would definitely be chosen. Floris and Reinald offered to sponsor me themselves.”
“Theydid?” Chloe said in surprise. “Graham said…”
“That they would not support me? No, not at first. But when they saw the thoroughness of my report, as well as the album Graham put together—”
His face lit up. “You took the copy?”
“I did. His Royal Highness, the King of Balcovia, shall be informed that the Wynchester family was instrumental in this mission and that Graham Wynchester in particular is owed a debt of gratitude.”
“You took the album,” Graham repeated. He looked as though he might float away with happiness.
Marjorie and the others lowered their umbrellas. “Are you going to try for the Guard next year instead?”
Kuni shook her head. “All my life, nothing was more important than serving my king as an honored member of the Royal Guard, just as my family has done for generations. And then I met you. You showed me all the different ways to guard others with honor.”
She placed her trembling hands in Graham’s. “It isyouwhom I have disappointed. I’m sorry I did not accept your help when I could have. I’m sorry I packed my valise and said goodbye. I’m sorry I boarded the ship, and I’m sorry I left. But regardless of whether there’s any hope for a second chance, I’mnotsorry I came back to try.”
She lifted their joined hands and stepped close.
“I love you, Graham Wynchester. I would sail the entire world twice over to be with you. No king of any kingdom can command my heart, which belongs only to you. Let me give you all of me, and spend the rest of my life by your side. If you don’t want ‘forever’ yet, we could try for two months to see—”
He hauled her against his body. “I want forever.”
Before she could reply, he covered her mouth with his.
The rest of the discussion was not with words, but with kisses. The stroke of his tongue against hers, the feel of his strong arms wrapped around her.
The Wynchester siblings cheered.
Kuni held on to Graham as tight as she could. This was the first kiss of forevermore. A kiss of hope and joy and completeness. Of finding her place, here in his arms. Of their fairy tale, coming true. Of a future worth fighting for.
“I love you,” he said, when at last he ripped his mouth from hers. “I’m not certain even forever will be long enough, but we can begin with that and continue on from there. You don’t have my heart, Kuni. Youaremy heart. And I would love for you to be my wife.”
“I would love that, too.” She kissed him again.
