Royal Elite Epilogue (Royal Elite 7)

It’s easier this way and doesn’t give us grief from any prying eyes.

Mum moved to Paris two years ago. She sends us invitations to her exhibitions, but we don’t go. There isn’t even any pain as we talk about her now. She’s like that distant relative no one actually cares about.

Even Kirian, who’s supposed to be attached to his mother, doesn’t want to spend time with her and is now striving to be a ‘proper’ man like Dad and his Uncle Lewis – his words, not mine.

“I’ll bribe Kirian with brownies so he doesn’t spend the night,” Xander says.

“Why can’t he?”

“Because we’re celebrating.”

“We’ll be doing a lot of celebrations for one night.”

“We’ll have to add one more then. The most important one.” He reaches under the pillow and retrieves a ring with a blinding green jewel on top.

My eyes widen as I stare between him and the ring. This can’t be what I think it is…?

“I’ve wanted to do this since RES, but Dad and Calvin said all that adult shit about college graduation and whatnot. Besides, I didn’t want to distract you more than I should. Needless to say, I’ve waited so fucking long to make you officially mine, to call you my wife, my life, and my future.”

I’m crying like a little girl by the time he finishes. “Yes! Absolutely yes!”

“I wasn’t asking. That means you have the chance to say no and I’m not having that, Green.” He slips the ring on my finger. Perfect fit – of course it is.

Sometimes, I think Xander knows me even better than I know myself.

He stops and looks at me more than I’ll ever stop to look at myself.

And for that reason, he’s not only perfect for me, but he was made for me.

Just like I was made for him.

“I love you so much, Xan.”

“And I love you, Green.” He claims my mouth in a slow kiss that robs my breath.

I’m melting and I have no interest in stopping it. London, our cat, mewls, then jumps on the bed, demanding to join the celebration. She hates being left out.

Xander pulls away, “Now, for the wedding date.”

“What about it?”

“How about tomorrow?”

We both laugh as our lips meet again.

4

Teal

Age Nineteen

There’s something about seeing the world through different lenses.

Before, it was blurry. Now, there’s sense to it, a clarity I wasn’t able to feel before.

There’s something called happiness, and there’s something called joy.

For my whole life, I never actually understood what happiness meant and why people would crave to be happy. It felt like a high that would just eventually wear off.