Charlotte. She couldn’t remember the last time her mother had called her by her full first name. “Yes. Aunt Avery said she was disappointed she was going to miss Christmas. So I threw a Christmas.” She waved a hand toward the buffet of Christmas treats set up near the back of the room—cakes, cookies, and pastries in the shapes of trees and angels. Above her, lighted greenery twinkled beside the gorgeous tree, and the gifts she’d purchased for all of them sat in shiny wrappings underneath.
“It’s incredible!” Avery said.
“Aye, ’tis!” Xavier added, wrapping his arms around his mate’s shoulders.
Her father and Nathaniel entered the hall soon after, both beaming when they saw the room. She bounced on her toes, even prouder than she’d expected to be at the joy she saw on all their faces.
Liam leaned close until his lips brushed her ear. “You did it. It’s perfect, Charlotte.”
She turned to him, blushing again. “We did it.”
Raven strode toward them, her smile sparkling as bright as the tiara nestled in her dark hair. Without a word, she grabbed Charlotte by the shoulders and pulled her into a warm embrace. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
She glanced toward her toes. “I’m so glad you like it.”
Her mother dropped her hands and folded them behind her back, straightening and taking on the air of the queen she was. “I think the thing I find most impressive is that you did this while also leading the kingdom.”
Charlotte raised her gaze to meet her mom’s.
“Several Elder Council representatives confirmed that your leadership at the last meeting was inspired. They insist you lead in the future, and Marius agrees. He told me you were invaluable.”
She nodded. “Thank you. I feel the meeting went well.”
“I’m glad you think so because it’s yours now. Marius has his hands full with other things, and Gabriel and I think it’s time you took on more responsibility.”
She beamed, nodding vigorously. “Of course. Yes. Thank you!”
She was still gushing when Raven’s gaze shifted to Liam. “On another note, my mate tells me that you have some news.”
Liam gave an awkward bow. “I’m Liam. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”
She inclined her head, then gave him a knowing smile. “And who are you to me, Liam?”
He cleared his throat, glanced at Charlotte, then said, “I’m your future son-in-law.”
Charlotte giggled excitedly and held out her hand to her mother, showing off the ring.
Raven shook her head, her lips curling as if the entire thing amazed and delighted her. “I leave you for three weeks, Charlotte, and not only do you rise to the occasion for the kingdom, you throw a major party and find yourself a mate. If I haven’t made it clearly obvious, you amaze me.”
Gabriel swaggered up behind her and placed a hand on the queen’s shoulder. “I agree. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. There’s still a royal wedding to plan, and Liam has to be introduced to the kingdom. Not necessarily in that order.”
Liam wrapped an arm around Charlotte’s waist and pulled her into his side. “I’m ready.”
“That’s good, because there’s plenty of work to do around this kingdom,” Gabriel said. “And you’ve signed up for an extremely important role.”
“Husband to your daughter?”
Gabriel smirked. “Prince of Paragon.”
Liam gulped as her mother and father turned back toward the tree. “Is that true? Will I be…?”
“A prince? Yes, I’m afraid so.”
He took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m sure I can learn.”
“You’ll do fine.”
“So what’s a royal wedding in Paragon like anyway?” Liam asked.
