"You know! A real kiss is when the prince finds the princess and he kisses her because he loves her."
He could feel himself starting to smile. This wouldn't be the worst way to finally confess his feelings.
"Ye—" he began, but Zia spoke over him.
"That's when the book ends, but the happily ever after begins. They kiss, they get married, and then they live happily ever after." He didn't think he'd ever seen her smile so big. "You're our happily ever after. Isn't he, Mom?"
Alara gave him an apologetic shrug. "That's only how it works in fairy tales, Z. Not in real life."
Seeing Zia's little face fall made the decision for him. He tightened his arm around Alara and winked at Zia as he said, "Sometimes it happens in real life too."
Alara's gaze snapped to his, and he shrugged. "It's true. It does. And I mean—if it's going to work out that way for anyone, you'd think it'd be for the guy who grew up in a castle, right?"
Zia nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! That's how it works. I knew you were a prince." She slid down off the bed. "I'm going to get more berries from Mrs. Faye. She said I should come back if you guys were busy."
Reaves let out a short laugh, and Alara gave him a rueful smile.
When she reached the door, Zia turned back. "It was a real kiss, wasn't it? You love Mom, don't you?"
He turned to face Alara as he said, "I do. I love you."
Her eyes grew wide. Zia shouted, "Yes!" and then scampered off downstairs.
He rested his forehead against Alara's and looked into her eyes. "That probably wasn't the most romantic way to tell you how I feel."
"I… Reaves, you don't have to say that just to make her happy."
His hand came up to cup her cheek. "No matter how much I love her—and I do—I'd never say those words unless I meant them. It's probably not fair to spring it on you like this, but…" He pressed his lips to hers. "Here we are."
"Here we are," she repeated. "And, Reaves? I…" She stopped and shook her head at herself. "I love you too. I tried very hard not to."
He chuckled. "But I proved irresistible?"
"You did."
"I'm glad."
"But what do we do with it?"
He held her gaze, knowing she had so many questions, and that they'd all need answering. But they'd all work themselves out. He kissed her again. "I vote that we roll with it. Does that work for you?"
She nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think that's the best we can do."
He sat back and pointed at the forgotten tray. "You should eat."
~ ~ ~
The sun was setting when Alara opened her eyes. She lay there staring out through the window, trying to figure out what was going on. She knew it was sunset rather than sunrise from the way the light fell on the vines—and because she couldn't remember seeing a sunrise since she arrived here. She always slept through it.
She struggled to sit up, and that was when it all came back.
It was Saturday. Saturday evening, by the look of it, and she must have spent the whole day in bed. She covered her face with her hand.
Reaves had been here, bringing her food, checking on her. The last thing she remembered, he'd been sitting with her. And that had been… wonderful. Peaceful. She didn't know how to describe it. They'd chatted for a while, but she'd been too tired, and he'd told her to lie down if she wanted. She'd been honest for once and told him that she didn't want to, because she didn't want him to leave. And he'd just smiled that gorgeous smile of his and asked who'd said anything about him leaving.
He wasn't here now. But she wouldn't have expected him to stay for hours, and she must have been asleep for a couple of hours at least.
She pushed herself up, and even that small effort left her exhausted. She had to believe Dr. Ambrose was right, and that this would only last a day or two. She hadn't felt this bad inweeks. Maybe months. Definitely not since she'd arrived here at Charles's place.
