Her Off Limits Prince

"You told me the truth a long time ago and I never realized what you meant," he said, his voice laced with wonder and another emotion.

One she now had a name for. Love.

She nodded, tears spilling over. "I knew you wouldn't."

"But still, you told me."

"Yes."

"The only thing you've refused to tell me is how much you love me." He sighed. "But I think you showed it."

"Did I?" In her way of thinking, she'd been really self-protective bordering on selfish. How had that showed him how much she loved him?

"You put your relationship with Janne at risk so you could be with me."

"I hid our relationship to protect mine with Janice," she said, guilt flaying her.

"And you are smart enough to know that would hurt her when she found out. You had to spend the entire time we were together worrying in the back of your mind about the effect our relationship was going to have on the one you had with Janne."

"I did." He knew her so well.

"But you thought we had no future, so you created a way for us to be together that wouldn't end too soon. If you had told Janne, she would have seen your love for me and demanded to know my feelings."

Blythe had to agree. "She would have expected some kind of commitment."

"Which you believed I would not give you."

"Which I believed you could not give me."

"You were wrong."

Her lips twisted wryly. "Thanks for pointing that out."

"I'll have to work on my tendency to say I told you so before we start adopting." He didn't give her a chance to agree with him, but kissed her until they were both breathing hard.

She laid her head against his shoulder. "You're such an amazing guy."

"I am a prince."

Blythe was glad he couldn't see her expression, because really? "That's not the same as being a superhero."

"Isn't it?" he teased.

"Maybe for you, but not all princes are as special as you are."

"And there is not a single woman in the world as special as you are. Or as perfect for me."

Blythe couldn't believe that her biggest fear was gone. "Did you really say you love me?"

He said it in Norwegian and then again in English. And then in all of the other six languages he spoke. Finally, he said, "I love you, Blythe."

"But I made so many mistakes."

"You acted out of fear and that doesn't usually lead to great decisions. I saw it enough in combat."

She nodded, her throat tightening with emotion.

"You may not be perfect, but you are perfect for me," he promised her, his voice ringing with affection and sincerity. "I need you."