Later meaning…oh.Oh. “Wait. You’re planning on us marryingnownow? As in, right this second?”
“The second Galbraith transfers all powers over to me, I’m marrying you on the spot.”
For the second time today, I was speechless. I still had no idea how he loved me so much, what I’d done to earn this unwavering loyalty, but I hoped I always proved worthy. “I love you. In fact, I must be crazy in love with you to agree to all this.”
Grinning, he leaned in for another kiss. “I love you more than life itself.”
I knew he did with every fiber of my being. I never doubted it.
“We need rings,” I managed.
“I’ve got them in my room.”
“Of course you do.” Was there anything at all, in regard to us, that he left to chance? “Where? I’ll fetch them.”
“No, we’re sending someone else to fetch them. I want you right with me.” He abruptly opened the door and called, “Captain Rowan, I need you to send a runner to my room to fetch something.”
I listened to him detail precisely where the rings were and tried to mentally brace myself for the fact that I’d be the king’s consort in about fifteen minutes. Nimus preserve me, that sounded insane even in my own head. I was not ready in any way or form.
But I refused to leave this man’s side. So, apparently, Iwasready.
I opened the balcony doors again as the obvious hit. “We need to get Helena and Royce up here, if at all possible. As witnesses.”
“Ah, good thought.”
Royce might well be in the city at this time of the day, but maybe not; it was early enough he could still be in the palace. I crossed my fingers and hoped even as I snagged two runners and sent them out immediately.
James used the time while waiting on people to arrive to draft out several agreements. The first being a transfer of all power and responsibilities from the established monarchs. Patrick looked it over as James next drafted an agreement to givethe specific castles to each monarch, with the living expenses. Beatrice was quick to snatch up the document and review it. She only tacked on two requests, which were easy to add, both of them for personal assets to be transferred with her. Apparently, she’d brought a villa and a vineyard with her into the marriage and she wanted to keep them. Fair enough.
The runner Rowan had sent out returned with the rings, and I gave Ruffy a high five for managing it so quickly. He grinned before returning to the hallway, on standby once more.
By the time we had the contracts written, I’d gotten word back Helena was out in the country for a lunch party, and wouldn’t be back until much later this afternoon. I hated her missing our vows, but we couldn’t afford to stand around waiting on her, either. I’d apologize to her later.
At least Royce had arrived on scene. I was relieved to see him and hastily drew him to the side, filling him in on all that had happened and what the agreement was.
Royce’s jaw dangled as he spluttered out, “You are marrying James? Right now?”
“As soon as he’s king, yes.”
“Gods above,” Royce breathed, seeming so shocked a single puff of air could blow him over.
“For now, let’s get through this. I want a promise from you that you’ll ride herd on your parents until they have safely left this city. I don’t trust them to not try to find some kind of loophole.”
“I certainly wouldn’t,” Royce agreed bluntly. “I’ll do my best. Oh, I think—yes, Galbraith’s here.”
I turned to see for myself, and sure enough, the man of the hour had arrived. Judge Galbraith was the only one with the power to confer titles and land. He’d been in position since the previous monarch and should have retired five years ago by anyone’s reckoning, but the man was completely untouchable.No one could bribe or maneuver him, and it was hard to find his replacement, so he kept lingering in the position.
I’d never been more thankful to see him in my life.
At his age, his knees and hips were bad, so he moved slowly. There was nothing slow about his mind, however, and I could see the sharp appraisal in those grey eyes as he came closer to James.
“Your Highness. It’s my understanding you’ll be given the monarch’s seat today.”
“You’re correct, Supreme Judge,” James said with utmost respect. “All rights, authorities, and responsibilities will be immediately transferred to me. Patrick and Beatrice will keep nothing for themselves and will retire to their individual territories by the end of next week.”
Judge Galbraith, with his network of people, surely knew what was going on and how hard James had fought this very thing. He gave James an approving nod. “A good compromise.”
“I ask a favor of you—two, really, but the first one is to grant Beatrice and Patrick a divorce.”
