Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7) (8 page)

“Could this be a ploy?” Alex asked. “The Council members have partial or full ownership in those companies. If they, say,
encouraged
a strike to make the monarchy look bad, they might succeed.”

“If they’ve got striking workers, they’re not allowed to pay them regular salary,” Nate interjected. “We could use the money trail to prove the other Council members are scheming again.”

“I’ll look into it if the strike happens,” Marcello said. “Something else the Council could bring up is the security costs for the wedding, since Valleria’s picking up the tab for that.”

“But nothing else. Papa and I are paying for the rest of the wedding from our personal funds. Have the arrangements been finalized for all of the visiting dignitaries?”

Marcello nodded. “Several of them want to see Papa on their trip, though.”

“Send the list to Corrado. After we’ve vetted them, we’ll discuss it with Papa, though I doubt he’d want anyone but family and hospital staff to see him in his current state.”

“Agreed. Security arrangements for the wedding are all set, too. We’ve called in the Vallerian Reserve Guard to assist with keeping the street crowds at bay. Declaring the day a bank holiday is going to help keep traffic down.”

Alex checked his watch. “Anything else?”

Marcello fidgeted in his seat for a moment. “Got some interesting news.”

They all braced. ‘Interesting’ news from Marcello never boded well for them.

“I got a request from one of our distant cousins.”

“Why is that interesting?” Alex asked.

“Because the request was from Zinnia.”

The sound of a collective intake of air echoed in the room. “Are you fucking kidding me?” Alex snapped. “What does she want?”

“She wants to visit our father in the hospital, and she wants to visit her father in prison and the grave of her half-brother.”

Holy fucking hell
. Zinnia was the legitimate daughter of Gerald, one of his father’s distant cousins who had been behind several schemes and assassination attempts against the royal family over the last year. He’d been directly responsible for almost killing Nate and Gabriel several months ago during a live, televised feed that shook the country. He’d also been indirectly responsible for threats against Rebecca’s and his lives when Gerald’s illegitimate son, Lafayette, along with an accomplice, kidnapped Rebecca and lured Alex to save her.

None of the attempts had been successful, and there was no evidence that Zinnia had been involved with any of them, but they’d learned to be wary of anything – and anyone – related to Gerald.

“Is she already in Valleria?” Alex asked.

“Not yet. She reached out to me personally before she even bought a ticket out of Switzerland. Everything was above-board. She said she didn’t want a surprise at the border if she was turned away, and didn’t want to hide that she was coming.”

“I don’t like the fact she wants to see Gerald,” Lorenzo said.

“Neither do I,” Marcello agreed. “But the man is her father, such as he is. He’s essentially kept secluded at the prison, and has minimal contact with anyone there.”

“Why now?” Alex asked. “Why right before the wedding? Is she angling for an invite, too? Could this be part of a scheme to pull something off at the wedding?”

“I’m not sure,” Marcello said. “Since her request came in, I’ve been doing some digging. Besides checking to see if she’s been in contact with Gerald before now, I’ve been checking to see if there’s any link between her and any anti-monarchist groups. Nothing yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything there. Plus, she knows we’d do a background check on her, so she could be covering her tracks.”

“Just keep me updated. I won’t approve her visit, not now anyway. Do some more checking and I’ll decide later.” Alex ran a hand over his face and checked his watch again. “If we don’t leave now, we’ll be late to the meeting.”

Alex downed the rest of his juice and stood. He shrugged his shoulders back and buttoned his jacket. As his fingers went to straighten his silk tie, he thought of Rebecca again.

Yes, he really wished he’d taken a few more moments with her. Now, he’d have to wait until tonight to see her again.

Alex nodded and the group followed him out.

Time to face the Royal Council.

* * *

A
lex waited
while Nate and Marcello entered the Council chamber first. When the Sergeant at Arms announced Alex’s arrival next, he felt a pang for his father.

It would be the first time he’d be holding a Council meeting as king. Even as acting-king, it was a heady feeling.

He brushed a hand down his tie – a fleeting connection to Rebecca – and entered, his back straight, his expression impassive, and his stride purposeful and regal.

Alex took his spot on the dais and sat, everyone following suit once he had. “Greetings to all the members and Ministers of the Royal Council. I’ll begin by stating my father is doing well and the doctors assure me he should be home resting soon.”

Whispered murmurs swept the room, then silenced when he spoke again. “We all have important duties to see to today, so let’s keep this meeting on point as much as possible. First order of business goes to you Minister Moneta.”

Bryon Moneta, Valleria’s Minister of Culture, rose. “Thank you, Your Hi–, er, Your Majesty.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. Byron had almost addressed Alex as ‘Your Highness’, a title used to address the princes and princesses, but not the king, not even an acting-king. Whether the slip was accidental or intentional would need to be seen, and dealt with accordingly.

“Your Majesty, we understand the wedding will take place as scheduled, is that correct?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

Byron nodded, as if he’d expected that answer. “Your Majesty. My department is responsible for many important functions, including cultural traditions and history. It has come to our attention that changes have been made to the wedding ceremony that may counteract royal wedding tradition.”

A flash of anger coursed through Alex, but he tamped it down. No way in hell was the fucking Royal Council going to change his wedding ceremony. “That is the exciting thing about tradition, Minister Moneta.”

“How do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“All traditions begin somewhere, and some are beginning at my wedding.”

“Even so, Your Majesty, it is unorthodox for a bride’s father
and
mother to walk her down the aisle and stand with her.”

“That is only a minor change, and a completely legal one,” Alex said with a sharp edge to his words. “Are you against a mother walking her daughter down the aisle? I must say, it’s quite a surprise to hear you say that. I wonder what the people will think of it.”

Another flush of murmurs. “Your Majesty,” Byron began, backtracking, “I meant no disrespect, of course. I was merely pointing out the traditions.”

“Yes, though we’ve already discussed tradition quite extensively. Did you, or did you not, sit down and have a lengthy conversation with us – the ‘us’ including my father – about this almost a year ago when the engagement was announced? Did you, or did you not, at that meeting state that you would be fine with any changes to the ceremony we wished to make, as long as they did not violate any legal rule? Were you dishonest with your king, Minister Moneta?”

No murmurs this time, just shocked silence. “N-N-No, Your Majesty, of course not. I would not lie to my king, not to either one of them.” Byron clapped a hand over his mouth as gasps were heard around the room.

Alex pitched his voice low and soft, hiding the fury vibrating under his skin. “You’ll watch your tongue, Minister. Your behavior, and that of the Council, astounds me. My father is in the hospital, yet not one of them have asked to see him, or even speak with him. None of you have even asked me or my family about his health. Curious, indeed.” Uncomfortable looks swept the room, as the Ministers slunk in their chairs.

“And, let me make something patently clear. I am the King of Valleria. While my father convalesces, I am your leader. Regardless of how you feel, that’s how it is. Anyone who has an issue with Valleria’s line of succession can state it now or forever hold their peace.”

No one spoke, and they hardly moved.

“I’ll remind you again that the penalty for lying to your king, even an acting-king, is steep.”

Eyes darted around the room to see if anyone would raise their hands.

They’d be fools if they did.

“Excellent,” Alex said. “Was there anything else, Minister Moneta?”

“No, Your Majesty. Not at this time. We would like to call another Council meeting for tomorrow, however.”

“What must be discussed tomorrow, the day before my wedding, that cannot be discussed today?”

“That I cannot say, Your Majesty. I only speak for the Council’s wishes.”

What the hell were they up to now?
Another day away from his love, his family, and even other duties, just to cater to the whims of the Council.

No wonder his father had been turning the responsibilities of the Council over to him more and more. However, he’d never been on the receiving end of the Council’s machinations quite like this before. “Very well. We’ll reconvene tomorrow.
Early
tomorrow. We are adjourned.”

Alex strode from the room, anger and frustration fueling the way, Nate following close behind. He caught sight of Tavin and Corrado in the hall. “You both heard the end? I’ll need you both here tomorrow. And try to find out what they’re planning. There’s no way they’re done trying to sabotage us or the wedding.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Corrado said, then bowed alongside Tavin and they both left.

“Nate, I’ll need you tomorrow, too. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me for that. Fucking morons.”

Alex clamped a hand on Nate’s shoulder. “Thanks, Nate.”

Nate clamped a hand back. “Think nothing of it. Finish up here and then come home. We’ve got a family dinner, after all.” Nate strode away down the hall.

Jesus
. Alex had almost forgotten about dinner with everything else. Not to mention all of the extended family, hordes of them, were descending in just a few hours as well.

Alex strode down the hall towards home, and the one woman who made it so.

R
ebecca had changed
into a simple and comfortable dress for dinner. As a commoner, dressing for dinner wasn’t something she was used to – unless it was a date, of course – but it hadn’t taken much for her to get accustomed to it. That was mostly due to Alex, who loved to take off her clothes and do delicious things to her after dinner was over.

Tonight, however, as the unmistakable pain in her body rang through, she knew they wouldn’t make love tonight.

Her period. The most glorious and, for her, one of the most painful things about being a woman. Since she and Alex had decided to forgo birth control and start trying for a baby, her body had rebelled in a serious way. She thought she wouldn’t be able to have children, that something had been wrong with her – no one should ever have to deal with pain like that – but the doctors had confirmed there wasn’t anything.

Not one thing.

A niggle in the back of Rebecca’s mind said that there may still be something, which the doctors were missing, but she’d decided not to worry about it until after the wedding.

There were, after all, so many other things to worry about at the moment, and her period coming a week early, and two days before she had to don a vintage white dress in front of millions of people, was the least of her problems.

Rebecca had just finished swiping on her lipstick when Alex walked in.

He was exhausted. Others probably wouldn’t notice it, but no one knew him like she did. He was tired and sad, and she also sensed anger. “Something’s happened. What’s wrong?”

Alex headed for his closet, tugging off his clothes as he did. “What isn’t wrong?”

Did she leave him alone? Push him to tell her? She wished she knew. Sometimes she felt useless in these situations because she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want to cause Alex more stress but, if she didn’t know what was wrong, how was she supposed to help him?

Alex strode naked from the closet, his broad shoulders and tapered waist, his long, corded legs and impressive cock, were all on display to her. They’d been together over a year now and the sight of his nude form still gave her a jolt.

He pulled her into his arms and took a deep breath.

She rubbed a hand down his back. “What can I do?”

He pressed a kiss into her hair. “Join me in the shower?”

The one thing he needed from her and she couldn’t provide it; having sex was too painful during her period to allow it, even with her prescribed pain pills. “I can’t, Alex. My period came early this month.” Disappointment flickered across his face. “But I can join you for a nap after you’re out.”

“We’ve got dinner.”

“We’ll be late. You need some rest, Alex.”

“I won’t get any, not tonight anyway.” He pulled away and strode towards their shower. He stepped in, let the initially cold water jolt him, then let the blistering hot water soothe him. She’d seen him do the same thing before.

“Why not? What’s going on?”

“Let me shower first.”

“You’re taking a nap after your shower.”

“I’m not.”

Should she push him? “You are, Alex.”

He peered at her through the steam-coated glass, his hands busy lathering shampoo into his hair. The sight of him like that – gleaming wet, his hands behind his head, his cock warm and stiffening – usually made her want to lick him from head to toe.

“There was a problem at the Council meeting,” Alex finally said.

“What?”

“They’re up to something, and I have a sinking feeling it’s about the wedding.”

“What do you mean?”

In between soaping up and washing himself clean, Alex told her what had happened, and about the meeting tomorrow.

“Oh, Alex. The day before the wedding?”

“I know, but there’s nothing for it.” He turned off the water and stepped out, flicking a towel off a warming rack as he did so. “How are you doing?”

“Do you want the good news, or the maybe good news?”

His lips twitched. “Start with the good news first.”

“People have been coming to me all day needing help with things, and asking my opinions.”

The towel whipped over his body in swift, careless strokes before he rubbed it over his hair and uncharacteristically tossed it aside instead of hanging it up. “Darling, that sounds like they’re pestering you. That’s not good news.”

She stepped up and pressed her hands to his bare chest, still hot from his shower. “It’s good news to me. It means people think I’m competent enough to handle various issues. And, so far at least, I haven’t made a mess of anything.”

His hands covered hers. “That is good news. What’s the maybe good news?”

She took a deep breath. “I heard from the doctor.”

“Whose doctor? My father’s or Arianna’s?”

“Mine. My doctor.”

His eyes widened. “And?”

“They still didn’t find anything wrong with me.”

He exhaled. “Darling, that’s great news. Why aren’t you happy about it?”

Tears pooled in her eyes. “The pain I still feel.” She shook her head. “I can’t help but think there’s something the doctor’s missing. I don’t want anything to be wrong, but I can’t help the feeling that something is.”

As he’d done earlier, Alex kissed her tears away as they fell on her cheek. “Then we’ll keep searching for answers.”

“You don’t think I’m crazy for feeling this way?”

“Darling, it’s your body. Your gorgeous, addictive body. You need to trust your instincts. I don’t want anything to be wrong with you, either, Rebecca. But I’ll never leave your side. Didn’t I prove that a few months ago?”

She nodded and sniffled. “You did. I know you did.” She took a shuddering breath. “I love you, Alex.”

“I love you, Rebecca.” He gently kissed her tear-softened lips. “You’ve gotten as little sleep as me. Maybe a nap wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”

“Of course it’s not. Since it was my idea, I think it’s fairly brilliant.”

He gave her a soft smile, then laced his fingers with hers and walked to the bedroom. He undressed her until she stood only in her panties, and pulled her under the covers with him.

Their arms and legs twined, her cool skin pressed against his flushed, warm skin. His cock nestled easily between her legs, her simple panties the only barrier between them.

His face was buried against her neck, a position he loved. She ran her hands gently, consistently through his drying hair, an easy rhythm she hoped would help him sleep.

“Don’t let me sleep too long,” he murmured in a thick voice.

“I won’t. I love you, Alex.”

“I love you, darling,” he mumbled, his body going lax as it finally fell asleep.

She’d had as little sleep as Alex, but she’d get her chance later.

For now, she continued her gentle soothing.

* * *

A
lex’s eyes
fluttered open when a pair of plump lips met his. Too quickly, they brushed away, and continued their journey down his neck, over his chest, and grazed his stomach. His cock – which was nearly always erect when he woke – was no different now.

The pair of lips pressed a tantalizing kiss to the head of cock, then maneuvered the whole thing into his mouth.

Wide awake, he gazed down his body and saw his nearly naked fiancée staring up at him with mischievous eyes and a mouth full of him. “Becca,” he groaned.

Her mouth sucked him deeper, harder, faster. His hand delved into her hair, whether to pull her away or hold her tighter against him, he wasn’t sure.

One of her slim hands gripped the base of his cock, while the other caressed his balls.

Holy hell.

“Becca.” The name sounded tortured on his lips. His knees were bent, his feet flexing for purchase in the bed.

She didn’t stop, but kept going. Faster. Faster. Harder.

Just as his balls tightened, her mouth broke free with a wet pop, and his seed coated his stomach.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“What for?” he said, his breath still in short gasps.

“Now you’ll need another shower.”

He pulled her up and into his arms, coating her as well. “Now we both will.”

She giggled, and his heart felt light again. “No funny business.”

“None.” He gave her a long, lingering kiss until she melted against him. “God, I missed you today.”

“You did?”

“I kept wishing for another moment with you, just to hold you. I’m lost without you, especially now.”

“Alex.” Her hand went to his cheek. “I’m right here. I’m with you, always. Just as you’re always with me.”

“Did you miss me today, then?”

“I miss you every day, fiancé.”

“I always need you, but especially today. First, my decisions are questioned. Then, with the decisions I do make, well, I feel like I’m in a fucking free-fall. Every decision I’ve made before now was with a safety net, with my father or someone else there to catch me before I even fell. Now, I’m falling and there’s no one there. It’s fucking terrifying.”

She linked a hand with his and placed it near his heart. “I’m here. I’ll catch you.”

He let out a shuddering breath, restraining the tears that threatened to come.

A king shouldn’t cry.

She snuggled closer. “I’ll catch you, Alex. Fall if you need to. There’s no one else here.”

His breath caught; he couldn’t. Shouldn’t.

A king shouldn’t cry.

“I’ll fall with you.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Let’s fall together.”

The dam burst forth. His arms wrapped like bands of steel around her, emotion pouring forth.

His father.

His sister.

Their wedding.

Another possible threat.

Everything came crashing out at once.

Their bodies heaved, not with passion but with shared grief. Why had he waited so long to let go? When would he realize he didn’t need to hold back with her, not with anything?

It was several minutes before he calmed; Rebecca had calmed before him. With puffy faces and red eyes, he brushed his lips against hers. “What time is it?” he asked gruffly.

“Nearly eight. I wanted you to sleep a little more. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing for taking care of me.” He brushed a lock of hair from her face. “How are you doing with all of this?”

“I’m okay. You’ve got so much on your mind, Alex, don’t worry about me.”

“You’re stronger than I am, certainly.”

“Why would you say that?”

“You weren’t a blubbering mess like I just was.”

Rebecca snorted. “Did you forget my tears this morning? And in the bathroom before our nap? And there were other times besides those. I’m a bigger blubbering mess than you.”

“Rebecca,” he admonished. “Why didn’t you come to me? You shouldn’t be crying alone.”

“I wasn’t alone, not the first time anyway. My parents were with me.”

“I feel as though I’ve let you down.”

“How can you possibly think that?”

“Rebecca.”

“No. You haven’t let me down. You’ve let no one down.” She broke free of his arms and sat up. “Everyone is so proud of you, Alex, especially me.”

His heart swelled under her words.

“No one’s disappointed in you. But you’re doing so much on your own. When will you get it through your thick head that you don’t need to handle everything by yourself? When will you finally realize that you’re not alone? You’re not alone. Not now, not ever.” She crossed her arms over her chest, thrusting her stunning breasts and soft nipples higher. “What else should I do? I’ve tried everything I know to help you. I’ve tried to keep my distance. I’ve tried to give you space. I’ve done the opposite as well.”

A grin lit Alex’s face; his fiancée was beautiful when she was angry, though he didn’t think now was the time to mention that. “Rebecca.”

She scrambled from the bed. “No. Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to take a shower – alone. You can take a shower in one of the empty guest bedrooms – and don’t try sneaking into ‘wedding central’, either. After we’re dressed, we’re having dinner with your family – whom you
will
call on to help you – and then you’re going to go get ready for tomorrow’s stupid Council meeting, while I greet your extended family as they arrive for the wedding. Do you understand?”

A smile, big and broad, stretched his cheeks. “Yes, darling.”

“Good.” She swiveled around and walked away, muttering about a ‘stubborn, thick-headed fiancé’ as she did.

Alex collapsed back on the bed. He stared up at their ceiling and thanked God for a woman who wasn’t afraid to call him on his shit. Sometimes Alex needed a kick in the ass.

Thank God he found a woman who kicked with purpose, and whose aim was true.