I nod, letting out another breath. He’s right. Jai’s all that matters.
It’s a stunning August day in Vlalens, with blue skies overhead and just a slight breeze to prevent it from being too hot—perfect for the outdoor ceremony we’ve planned. Because a church is not an option for this particular ceremony, we’ve decided to hold the nuptials in the main courtyard of St. Vladimir’s, where Jai is now studying for his PhD. It’s a truly beautiful university, and I’m proud to be showing off this piece of Korova to the rest of the world.
The logistics of our arrival is something that has been discussed at length with the organizers—yes, there was a team of organizers who took over the planning while Jai and I just nodded and smiled. Other televised royal weddings, like the recent flurry of nuptials amongst the royal family in the United Kingdom, have always involved a moment where the bride is driven to the ceremony and the cameras follow her as she gets out of the car and reveals her dress. And then there’s the walk down the very long aisle…
But of course we can’t do that.
It was decided that Jai and I would take separate cars to the ceremony and time our arrivals so we could meet and walk down the aisle together.
As my car arrives at the university, my stomach is completely twisted up with nervous anticipation, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more glad to see Jai than when I’m told it’s time for us to get out of our cars.
“Christ, you look incredible,” I tell him, taking his hand in mine when we meet outside the university gates. He’s wearing a simple black tuxedo that’s tailored perfectly to mold to his lithe frame, and his usually unruly dark waves are coiffed up out of his face.
“Speak for yourself.” He offers a sexy grin. “I could rip that uniform right off you.”
“Later,” I murmur, as we begin our walk down the aisle.
The courtyard is brimming with guests, mainly members of the government and other foreign leaders. But there’s also our close family and friends.
I’m happy to see Jai’s parents have flown over for the occasion, and are sitting in the front row, smiles on their faces. I know in my heart they only ever wanted the best for their son, although they may not have had the best way of showing it, and now that they can see how happy he is and that he’s settled with a family while still taking the opportunity to fulfil his academic dream they have relaxed their attitude and are no longer pushing him to pursue other paths. It’s clear they’re still a little perplexed by their son’s choices, but they’re trying and that’s all we can ask for. It helps that they’ve fallen completely in love with my children, who have been addressing them as ‘grandma’ and ‘grandpa’ ever since Jai and I got engaged almost a year and a half ago.
We’ve kept the ceremony relatively short, with a single reading by my brother that tugs at my heartstrings and seems to have many members of the crowd reaching for tissues. When the minister pronounces us married, I don’t hesitate to draw Jai toward me and claim his mouth in a hungry kiss. We break apart far too quickly, aware of all the crowds and the cameras intruding on the moment.
Tomas and Katya rush to congratulate us, and we spend a few moments soaking up the joy of this occasion with our new little family. But then it’s time for Jai and me to make our way out of the courtyard. Alik wrangles the children and Jai and I set off, hand in hand, down the aisle toward where our car is waiting for us.
It’s one from my collection—a 1939 Mercedes Special Roadster—and the plan is for us to drive along a prepared route back to the palace so the public can get a glimpse of us.
“You look so freakin’ sexy, baby,” Jai growls in my ear once we’ve slid into the car and it’s started moving at a snail’s pace along the prepared route. “You should wear this uniform all the time.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “I think you’d find it a little inconvenient if I wore it all the time,” I murmur in his ear. “It takes a bit of time to get into—and out of.”
“Fair call. How long ’til I can get you out of it?”
“We have about ten hours of parties to attend before we can get to bed,” I tell him.
“Oh, god no,” he groans. “That’s not going to work. We’ll have to make a pit stop somewhere, ‘cause there’s no way I can go that long without getting my dick in you.”
Before I can respond to that, I hear the little click in my ear alerting me to my comms being turned on.
“Uh, Your Majesty?” It’s Boyd’s familiar Scottish lilt that fills my ear; he sounds a touch nervous and I worry there might be some kind of commotion or danger up ahead.
“Yes, Boyd?”
“You might want to tell Prince Jai to turn his microphone off.”
I let out a burst of laughter and reach across to snatch Jai’s lapel mic, making sure it’s now disconnected. “Thanks, Boyd.”
Jai casts me a sheepish grin. “Oops. My bad.”
I smile affectionately and press a kiss to his temple. “And in answer to your earlier suggestion,” I murmur, “yes, we will. I can barely wait another ten minutes to be with you—ten hours is likely to kill me.”
He tilts his head and seals his lips against mine; I don’t hesitate to return the kiss as the crowd on the side of the road goes absolutely crazy.
“I think you have a few fans,” I say against his lips.
He smiles. “Not just me. Us. Everyone’s a sucker for a happy ending.”
I lift our joined hands, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. Offering a wry
