“I had thought we would. Will I have the crown on?”
“You will.”
Jocasta gave him a worried look. “I’ve never kissed with a crown on. I’ve never done anything with a crown on! I don’t know how people keep them on their heads! What if it slides off and breaks? You know I have to tilt my head way back to look up at you. When we kiss—” Jocasta put herself in position, almost touching his chest, neck craned back.
“We’ll practice, hold on!” Girion turned and walked back to his chambers.
Jocasta heard Girion’s low bass rumble of a voice briefly address Herrick and Cole, and then he was back, bearing two crowns. His and hers.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s incredible. Stunning.”
“All right. Let’s practice.” Girion put his crown on his head, sighing. “These things are silly, in my opinion. A fancy, uncomfortable hat. They offer no protection whatsoever from enemy attack.”
Jocasta giggled. “You look wonderful, sire.”
“All right. The bishop speaks, da dum, da dee. Vows from me. Vows from you. My little speech calling upon you to be not just my wife but my queen—and you say yes.”
“I will,” she promised.
“Then the crown goes on.” Girion took up her crown and rested it gently on her head. He sighed with relief when it fit just right. “Now, you don’t have to tilt your head so much. I’ll come to you.”
Girion held her chin and brought his tall form down to bend over hers.
Lips almost touched.
“We should practice further,” Jocasta whispered. “What if it falls when I turn my head?”
“It doesn’t have to be long. Just a quick gesture.”
“Won’t people talk if it is too quick?”
“Yes, but they will think I’m being scandalous if I linger too long,” Girion whispered back.
Jocasta nudged her chin forward, and he met her mouth with his.
“Where do you want me to put my hands?” Girion demanded, pulling back.
“I don’t know! My arms?”
“All right, again.”
Jocasta was the one to break it this time, even though she had no desire to do so. Girion’s lips were warm and skillful, fitting against hers and sending fire rushing through her without more than a second’s touch. “Where do my hands go?”
“I have no idea. Why is this so complicated?”
“Should we get Herrick and Cole in to tell us if we look silly?”
“God forbid. I would never live it down.”
“Maybe the trick is just to do it without worry?”
“We will be the sovereigns of a kingdom. If they don’t like the way we end the ceremony, it’s not like they can nullify it. I think...” Girion frowned.
Jocasta kissed it away.
GIRION LEFT HER ROOM, both crowns in his hands, a smile plastered to his face. He stumbled like a drunkard.
