Page 46 of Royal Resistance

Because I’m scared.

There, I said it. But not to Duncan. There’s only so much that you can tell your best friend.

“Maybe it’s time…” Duncan makes a little pushing motion with his hands. “Get moving with things.”

“What, you think I should just lay one on her? Out of nowhere?”

“I don’t know how you do things, but it might be a start.”

I push back my chair with a huff. “I know. I know. But I thought I should try to make it special,” I admit. “Do like a grand gesture like in one of those books that have your pretty picture on the front.”

“Have you ever read one of those books?”

“No. Should I?”

“If it’s taken weeks to kiss your wife, then yes, you should.”

“Ha.” I scribble my name on another paper. “You really think she’ll… you know? Be interested?” I don’t look up because I don’t want to see the expression on Duncan’s face. If he’s not telling me the truth…?

“I’ve seen how she looks at you.”

I glance up hopefully. “Is that a good thing?”

“It is.”

And my heart gives a leap, like I’ve jumped off the top of the castle and can suddenly fly.

Duncan grins because he sees it. “And I’ve seen how you look at her, Mag, so start planning this grand gesture.”

She looks at me. I don’t know how exactly, but it’s a good thing. Looking at me is a good thing.

And it’s not like I haven’t thought of it. Of leaning over to kiss her goodnight. Or surprising her at the breakfast table. Or… anytime.

I think about kissing Selene more than I think about anything. Is that normal for a husband?

Maybe for a husband who has never actually kissed his wife.

“Maybe after we get back from England…” I muse, thinking about what kind of grand gesture I could make toward my wife.

18

Selene

Magnus calls me into his office.

“We’re heading to England for a few days,” he says without his customary greeting.

“We?”

“Me and Duncan. I thought you… I thought you might like a break.”

A break? That sounds slightly ominous. “Are you meeting with the royal family?”

“I’ve got a casual meeting with Charles, but that’s it.”

I nod. “If your new wife were to come with you, there would have to be a formal dinner to welcome her,” I tell him.

“Welcome you,” he corrects with a grin. “And yes, that’s what they said. Considering the reason we’re going, I thought we could do that during the next trip.”