Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,163

people?” They both still at my question. “I mean… I’m coming into an already established couple. The two of you are in love. And no offense to either of you, I’m not in love with either one of you. What happens if you want to spend more time together and only occasionally fuck me? Do I have to be satisfied with whatever crumbs the two of you give me?”

“Um, well… I hadn’t really thought that far ahead,” the prince states.

“You thought that the person you would choose would simply put up with your relationship, and they would be satisfied by being a queen?” I question them.

“To be fair, the women we’ve been looking at are more interested in the crown than his crown.” Greyson chuckles.

“But you’re not like them, are you, Lila?” the prince questions.

“I think you know my answer to that already. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be contemplating me being your queen.”

They both nod their heads in agreement.

“If you agree to our arrangement…” the prince starts, “… then there’s a place we are members of that may interest you.” The prince looks over at Greyson, who grins. “But… I cannot tell you about it until my ring is on your finger. You’re going to have to trust me on this.”

“Okay,” I agree because, quite simply, they have piqued my curiosity to an all-time high. “And you can trust me with your secret. Even if you decide on another,” I declare because trust goes both ways.

They both look at each other again.

“Oh no, princess. You are the one. I never thought we would find someone as perfect as you at this stupid ball. But somehow we have.” The prince’s smile lights up his face.

“You better go and tell your father your decision,” Greyson reminds the prince.

“Yes, right. Okay.” The prince appears a little nervous. He leans over and kisses me and then does the same to Greyson.

He turns to me and asks, “You sure?”

“I’m sure.” Giving him a reassuring smile, I continue, “I’m up for the adventure.”

The prince grins, then he gives us one last wave and disappears into the night.

“Are you sure, Lila?” Greyson asks. “Because you’ve just agreed to build a life with him… with us.” I can see the concern on his face.

“I was never going to be marrying for love. If my sisters and I didn’t match with the prince, then we would be sold off to the highest bidder to pay for my father’s debt.”

“What?” Greyson raises his voice.

“I’m sure it’s all in our folios. You know we have huge debt thanks to my father. We have to pay back my father’s creditors in some way,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “So, if I’m being perfectly honest here, I would rather you and the prince over whoever buys women to clear a debt.”

“I’m sorry, Lila.” Greyson reaches out and pulls me to him. “I promise you that Auggie and I will give you the best life we possibly can.”

Tears well in my eyes at his kind words as I bury myself into his hard chest.

7

Augustine

“Where the hell have you been?” my father whisper-yells under his breath at me.

“I’ve found her, Father.” His eyes widen with surprise at my statement. “I needed a moment to clear my head in the garden to be sure.”

“Really, son?” he questions me. “You’ve found someone to be your queen?”

“Oh, Auggie, did I just hear correctly?” my mother interrupts our conversation. She kisses my cheeks.

“I have, Mother, and she’s perfect.”

My parents smile back at me.

“May I ask who has caught your attention?” My father looks out into the packed ballroom as if my bride-to-be will magically appear right here, right now, in front of him.

“I’d like to make the announcement now. I do not want to put myself through any more of this night with some of these women.”

My mother chuckles beside me.

“And you are sure?” my father questions me again.

“Yes. She’s perfect. I honestly don’t think I will find anyone else like her.”

My parents look at each other, and by the way, they are acting, I know they are more surprised than I am.

“Okay, well, then, let’s make the announcement.” I can see to the far right of the stage area Greyson walks in with Lila. Seeing her in the light with fresh eyes, she’s even more gorgeous than I remember.

How did I not see it? Of all the women in this ballroom tonight, she would not have been the one I suspected to be adventurous, especially being so young. Steeling