“She really did. Nothing too sensitive, fortunately.”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously, probably in recognition of this having been a ploy. I almost told him what Valentina had said but chose to hold it back for now. I didn’t know how to explain the theory with two people listening in who shouldn’t know anything about regression.
I turned to Sir Seymour. “Escort Miss Tabitha to Knight Commander Harland and inform him of all that has transpired. We’ll need to keep a good record for when the inevitable argument with Ascor breaks out.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
James waited until the two of them were well out of earshot before turning back to me. “So Tabitha found files in Valentina’s room?”
“She did.”
“And how many theater tickets did that take?”
“Four opera tickets, in fact.”
James threw his head back, laughing so hard he was almost crying. I knew he’d appreciate my method.
“I seriously love you,” he choked out, still laughing. “Come here, I need to kiss you senseless.”
Ooh, I got rid of Valentina and got kisses?
I should get rid of problematic people more often if this was my reward.
Seventy-three
Edwin
I shouldn’t be nervous, I shouldn’t be nervous, I’m already married, why the hell am I nervous? Oww, stomach.
James had stashed a small bag of peppermints in my pocket before we split up—we were entering on either side of the hall—and I snuck one out and slipped it into my mouth. Thank the gods for his foresight. Then again, he’d always taken good care of me.
In all honesty, I had no reason to be nervous. I kept waiting for something to go wrong, some aspect of the ceremony to be fumbled, something that would necessitate me jumping in to fix it. But even if that happened (please let it not happen), it wouldn’t be my job to fix. Either Lady Kitchingham or Marchioness Maitland would handle it.
My job was to look decorative, walk out on cue, and not faint.
I heard the music for the procession start up, took in a breath, counted to ten, and then started walking. The aisle to either side was red carpeted, wrapping around in a U shape in order to meet at the altar in the very front of the throne room. It wasstanding room only. Today marked the first for a lot of things in this kingdom—first same-sex couple, first royalty to marry a commoner, first combined wedding and crowning ceremony. Everyone who could get in here had come.
I’d made sure the very first row held my family. As I walked, my eldest sister peeked her head out and gave me a ready smile and thumbs-up. The encouragement bolstered me, and I grinned back, even as I finished off the candy in my mouth. I’d need to speak clearly in a minute, after all.
Then I wrapped around the front and James came into sight. We were somehow in sync with each other, due to arrive on the dais at more or less the same moment. He looked ecstatic. I’d share the feeling the minute the ceremonies were over and the party started.
Oh, but he did look striking in his uniform. Because we would be the default military leaders of the country, we’d both been dressed in its white uniform. James had golden embellishments sewn into the lapels of his jacket and around the cuffs, a bevy of medals pinned to his breast, with a red sash draped from his right shoulder to left hip since he was already prince turned king. I wasn’t truly military in nature, so my uniform was much simpler in embellishments, with a golden sash.
The sight of James in his uniform, with his intricately braided platinum hair, intense emerald eyes, and rich crimson velvet cape swirling about him, made my mouth go dry. He looked every part the fairy-tale king and he was allmine. I think I fell in love with him all over again.
James couldn’t seem to take his eyes off me, either, and we held each other’s gaze as we completed the walk to the dais. Doing so steadied my nerves. Take on a kingdom? Eh, I’d eventually adjust and be all right. Marry James?
I’d marry him a million times over, no hesitation.
The moment we reached each other, James took my hand and lifted it to his mouth, his eyes soft on mine as he kissed my knuckles. This hopeless romantic. What was I to do with him?
Judge Galbraith sighed indulgently before clearing his throat. He stood with cane in hand, an assistant nearby holding our wedding rings on a red velvet cushion. He looked resplendent in the deep purple robes of his office.
There had been some debate about what order the ceremonies should go in, but truly, we had to be married first. Legally, James would have no reason to make me co-ruler otherwise. It was like putting the cart in front of the horse.
“We are gathered here to witness two lives joining together as one,” Judge Galbraith stated, his aged voice carried to every corner of the room with magical aid. “James Kronenscheld, speak your vows.”
James’s voice was as clear and sure as the day we’d actually gotten married. “You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself, but while we both wish for it, I give that which is mine to you. You cannot command me, for I am a free person, but I shall serve you in every way you require. You have my love, devotion, and loyalty that even death may not overturn.”
