Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

“Yes. I’m never going to agree with what she did, but we wouldn’t be here if she didn’t upend her life and move to South Carolina. She somehow found a way to tear you away from the crown. It’s ironic, really.”

“I don’t think there’s anything more ironic.” I smirked. I didn’t want to give Sophia that kind of credit. But here we were.

We had somehow managed to untangle ourselves from the palace and because the ambassador was willing to resign, I had a strong strategy to make a play for the U.S.

“If this is what you really want, I’ll make it happen. There’s nothing the king can do to stop me from giving you what you want.”

“Is there any other way?” she whispered. “Truly? Can you think of a better plan?”

I exhaled. “No, not if I’m going to have any chance to raise Adaline.”

“Do you think you’ll miss it?”

I huffed. “No. I think we’re going to be ok here.”

I kissed her on the forehead.

The door opened and the server stepped on the deck. “Lunch is served,” she announced.

“Thank you.” Kenley smiled. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

I took her hand in mine and held her back for a second.

“What is it?” She searched my face for answers.

“I think I was like you. I had something planned for dinner. And maybe I’m ruining it.” I dropped to one knee.

She gasped. “Oh, Nic.”

I reached into my pocket. “I bought it here in the city.” I held the diamond in the sun and it sparkled, throwing rainbows all around us. “It seemed fitting. Like this was our place. Our fresh start. Nothing royal about it. Just you and me.” My throat tightened. “And when I was picking out the diamond all I could think about was a future with you. A life that was ours. I think all along I knew we were going to stay here, Kenley. You, me, our baby, and Adaline. I knew we weren’t going back to Freychon.”

She held her finger forward as I threaded the band over her knuckle.

“I want what we have every day. Every night. Will you marry me? Will you become my princess in every way?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

I stood and pulled her into my arms.

She giggled.

“What’s so funny?”

She scrunched her nose. “At the library you read one of those sappy fairytales.”

“Yes. I remember. I think the knight had to slay a dragon that guarded the tower of Freychon.”

“Right. And I thought it was complete bullshit.” She held the ring in the sun.

“And now?”

She blushed. “I might have changed my mind a little bit.”

“Because of the ring?”

She laughed. “No. Because you have to tell Sutcliffe we’re moving to the U.S. If that doesn’t qualify as dragon-slaying I don’t know what does.”

Epilogue