Royal Line (Tattered Royals #1) - Carrie Ann Ryan Page 0,75
this connection between us.
I didn’t know what was ahead of us, but I knew this needed to be part of it.
“I don’t know what I need to do for this to work, but I’m all in. There’s just going to be a lot of threads to untangle and weave for us to make it work.”
Her eyes clouded for a moment, and she backed away but took my hand in hers. “You’re right. I have no idea how this is going to work. And I don’t want any promises beyond this moment. But I love you, and I want to figure it out, even though we have a lot of obstacles to overcome. My kingdom still has that arcane law we have to deal with, and my timing couldn’t be worse.” She cringed and put her hand on her stomach.
My eyes widened. “Do you know this soon?” I asked, fear and what felt like elation tangling up together.
She shook her head, her hand falling. “No, it’s far too early to tell, and as I said, I’m on birth control. But that doesn’t negate the fact that there’s still a rule in place that states if I don’t get pregnant, or if my brothers don’t impregnate someone else within the next few months, we could lose our throne. And then, even if we get around that, I’m still the princess. I still have responsibilities. And you have your job to deal with, and I have my photography career, and… I just don’t know.”
I pressed my lips to hers, kissed her hard, and then pulled away, resting my forehead against hers. “We’ll figure it out together. I have some of the best people in the business when it comes to figuring out tricky scenarios. And your family is pretty damn smart, too.” There was a pointed cough, and I turned, pushing London behind me.
She pushed at me and laughed. “You don’t need to protect me here. It’s just my brother.”
The King of Alden walked from behind a tree and raised a brow.
“While I do enjoy the fact that you’re so protective you’d put yourself in front of my sister, I don’t know if I need you guys to make out like that in public.”
“We’re hardly in public. These are my private gardens.”
“So private that you didn’t even notice me here?”
“That won’t be a mistake I make again,” I bit out through gritted teeth.
The King of Alden nodded and chuckled. “Good. As for the issues regarding the royal line?” the King asked, shaking his head. “I’ve got a plan. Just don’t fuck this up between the two of you.”
“Roman,” London began, but he shook his head.
“Don’t. I’ve got it handled, just like I said I would. Live your life, London. Live it the way you’ve always wanted but have never been able to. I’m your big brother. I’ll always protect you.” He paused and looked at me. “You just do the same thing, or I’ll end you.”
“Understood.” I said, at the same time London shouted, “Roman!”
I laughed and pulled London close. “Let him protect you. And let me do the same.”
“My God, it’s like you guys don’t understand I can walk on two feet.”
“Oh, we do, but we still get to be the big growly men,” the king said before he walked away with a purposeful stride.
I had no idea what he was about to do, but I had a feeling it might rock the country of Alden for years to come.
I turned to London and let out a breath.
“So now what?” I asked.
“I don’t know. But I guess we’d better figure it out.”
As I leaned into her and took her mouth with mine, I knew we were far from figuring out our futures, far from finding our paths.
But we had taken a step, and we had found our way to each other.
And that, I supposed, was the point of a future. Even if it scared the hell out of me.
Chapter 21
London
Always expect the unexpected.
1 Month Later
I let out a long breath.
“Okay. Here goes nothing.”
“I feel like I’m going to throw up,” Kannon said from behind me, and I glared over my shoulder.
“You just held my hair back after I threw up. Am I going to have to do the same for you?”
“You’re welcome to try, princess.”
I smiled at that, even though I was still slightly nauseated. The idea of him calling me princess wasn’t so bad anymore.
It just gave me hope, made me feel loved and warm. I must be losing my mind.