enough to recognize that if he smudged her television-ready makeup, it could be the shortest engagement ever.
Elias nuzzled at Kelsey’s neck. Her sister held him close, one arm wound around his shoulder.
And Christian, her fairy tale of a prince come true, took Mallory’s hand and kissed right on top of her engagement ring. “Sorry I didn’t give you a heads-up. Theo swore us to secrecy.”
“I understand,” she murmured. Because if their roles were reversed,? Mallory would’ve done the same thing. “This was wonderful.”
“Well, it’s no janitor’s closet stinking of bleach, but only a king gets to pull out that full royal treatment for a proposal,” he joked.
Which was a story only those in this room knew. Some things needed to stay private from the world. “I still think Elias wins the prize for best proposal out of all of you, despite me not being there to see it. Doing it on the sidewalk in front of Junior’s was inspired.”
“You only say that because he and Kelsey brought home six cheesecakes for you from there.”
“Yep. He’s going to be a wonderful brother-in-law.”
Mallory traced a finger along the strip of ermine encircling the base of his crown. She still had trouble accepting that it wasn’t a prop from a play. That, aside from being culturally priceless, the gems and gold dangling from Christian’s hand were worth almost five million dollars. And she was touching it.
“I’m not going to ask if you’re ready for today. I know you are. But I will ask if you feel more…settled about it.”
Christian inhaled deeply. “You know I didn’t expect to go through this ceremony for at least another thirty years. The thing is? Even then, I wouldn’t have felt ready. It’s like jumping off a cliff, or becoming a parent. You’re never ready. You just do it anyway.”
Ah, but Mallory remembered a story he’d shared. Which proved her brave fiancé was, indeed, ready. “You’ve jumped off a cliff before.”
“Yes. I’d do it again.” Christian twined his fingers with hers. “And Sir Kai is ready to send the adoption paperwork to three American agencies, the day after our wedding.”
“Good. Then I guess all that’s left is for us to get this party started.” Mallory accepted the flute of champagne that Clara handed her. She and Marko had opened two more bottles and made sure everyone in the room had a glass. Protocol be damned. Today was a day for celebration. Mallory would forever default to her American roots and be inclusive of all, regardless of rank or status.
Still holding her hand, Christian pulled them into the loose semicircle formed by Genevieve, Theo, Elias, and Kelsey. The clanking of his sword as he walked echoed off the stone walls. “Eleven months ago, my world turned upside down. My best friend brought me my missing sister.”
“Protesting all the way,” Elias grumbled, not entirely under his breath.
“I did not, at the time, realize that Eli brought me two gifts that day. Not just my beloved sister, but the woman who would steal my heart.” Christian kissed her ring finger again. He did it all the time now. And Mallory adored the sweet gesture. “I’m forever in your debt, Elias.”
“Don’t make me a prince on my wedding day and we’ll call it even,” he joked. Sort of. Although, knowing Elias, he was probably dead serious. And, knowing Christian, poor Elias was 100 percent getting that title, like it or not.
Christian pointed his crystal glass toward the door. “The people out there will insist on celebrating me for the rest of the day and night.”
“Ah, the burdens of being king,” Mallory teased. Because he needed it as a ward against permanent pomposity, and because she enjoyed it. “Good thing you get a rock star salary and perks like a seven-hundred-room palace to make it all bearable.”
“But now, I raise a glass to all of you.” His violet eyes deepened, turned serious as he looked at them. “I toast the five of you. You are my family, by blood and by choice. I would not be a man worthy of the crown without the foundation of your strength, love, and friendship.”
“To us,” Elias said, quirking his eyebrow as he clinked glasses with his friend. One by one, they all did the same.
Because really, when Christian used his I am the king voice like that, you couldn’t say no.
Especially not in bed.
Which was not a thought for the somber pomp and circumstance of Coronation Day, but she couldn’t help herself.
Mallory had discovered she had