“I disagree.” His thumb moved beneath her chin and lifted her head until he was looking into her eyes. “I can’t think of anyone who would fit the position better.”
“What? No. You can’t be serious.”
“I’m very serious.”
He wasn’t thinking this through. “What if I have this disease? What if I can’t—won’t—have kids?”
“Then my brother and his kids will inherit the crown.”
This couldn’t be happening. He really wanted her, flaws and all. “But I’m a commoner. I have no money, no influence, and no important ties to any foreign countries.”
“You have something more important. You are the bravest person I know. You took on the world by yourself in order to care for your mother. You have a heart of gold—always putting the happiness of others ahead of your own. And you aren’t afraid of hard work. Just look at this place, it’s amazing.”
“Really?” When he nodded, she continued. “You aren’t just saying that to make me feel better? You thought about this?”
“I haven’t thought of anything else. I mean every word I’ve said. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
Her heart swelled with the warmth of love radiating from Demetrius. “What does this mean?”
He gazed deeply into her eyes. “It means I love you with all of my heart. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
“I love you, too. I never stopped.”
His hand moved, allowing the backs of his fingers to swipe away her tears. His head dipped, and then his lips claimed hers. She leaned into him. At last, she knew where she belonged. She didn’t know how the next chapter of her life would end, but she now knew how it would start.
Demetrius stopped kissing her and leaned his forehead against hers. “Come inside with me so we can announce our marriage. I want everyone to know how lucky I am.”
“What about the annulment papers?”
“Did I forget to tell you that I accidentally dropped them? They landed in the paper shredder. So it looks like you’re stuck with me.”
Her vision blurred with tears of joy. “So we’re still married?”
“That we are. You are now and always will be the princess of my heart.”
EPILOGUE
A year later...
“YOU DO KNOW that you’re breaking with tradition?”
Demetrius strode into the palace library, finding his wife standing on a step stool with a red shimmery ornament in her hand. He’d never imagined that he could fall more in love with her, but each day that passed, he found himself falling further and further under her spell. And he couldn’t be happier.
Zoe glanced over her shoulder at him. “I just need to find a spot for this last ornament.”
Demetrius’s gaze reluctantly moved to the Christmas tree. White twinkle lights shimmered off the dozens of ornaments. “I don’t think there’s room for more.”
“Sure there is.” Zoe sounded so confident. “There’s always room for more.”
He smiled and shook his head at her determination.
Over the past year, so many things had changed. First, they had a splashy wedding to the thrill of the people of Mirraccino—and Zoe, who got to wear a white dress with a long train. After which Zoe decided to get the DNA testing done. There had been some long sleepless nights while they both waited for the results, but to everyone’s relief, Zoe hadn’t inherited her mother’s early onset familial Alzheimer’s.
And though they’d moved into the palace and Demetrius was fully immersed in matters of state, his father still refused to step down from the throne, even though his doctors had advised him that it would be best for his heart. Demetrius now knew where he’d inherited his stubborn streak. All he could do was be there to alleviate as much of the stress as he could until his father was willing to see reason.
Zoe held up the sparkly Christmas ornament, regaining his attention. She’d never been more beautiful. He’d swear she was glowing with happiness. She moved the decoration around, still trying to decide which limb to place it on. At last satisfied, she situated it near the top.
She turned to him, resting a hand atop her slightly rounded belly. Her face was radiant. “It’s time we started a new tradition. After all, you helped me decorate the tree last year and you didn’t do such a bad job.”