Kingdom Fall

She sucked in air then let out a nervous giggle. “But you ran.”

I hadn’t run. I’d walked away thinking I’d won over the pull I’d felt toward her. I didn’t say that or chide her about speaking because this was no longer playtime. “That’s because you had this take-no-prisoners look and I didn’t want to be caught. It didn’t matter though, because you already had. There hasn’t been another woman in my bed since that day. It’s been you this entire time.”

“For me too,” she said.

“Not Griffin?” I’d avoided this question but had to know.

“No. Not even a kiss.”

“Good. I’d still forgive you, but I might have had to kill him.”

She giggled. I stroked her fingers and prayed for once in my life. This was the most important question I’d ever asked.

“Lizzy, I know technically we’re still married, but I have to ask. Will you be my wife?”

A tear spilled from her eyes and she got back to her knees, putting us face to face. “Yes, you big lug. I thought you’d never ask.”

“I never saw myself as a prince until I had a princess.”

“You know that’s corny, right?” she teased.

“And you love it.”

She sobered. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” So damn much. She was hope. My hope.

“What’s going on in your head?” she asked.

“You.” I kissed her longer this time. “Now back to playtime…” I slipped my hand around her throat as I slipped inside. “I really want to see you on a Saint Andrew’s cross.”

“Why?”

I squeezed just a little as I felt her getting close and said, “Because you look like a fucking angel and I’m about to corrupt the hell out of you.”EpilogueBailey and I both looked down at my dress and back at each other.

“I can’t believe it,” I said.

“Well, you look amazing.”

I’d been torn between two dresses. One was very princess-like in off-white—because who was I kidding, I was no virgin. It had a deep V in the front, back, and sides, intricately embroidered all over with geometric patterns in white beading. It was Mother-approved.

The other was more modern, a white mermaid dress with geometrical cuts of eyelet lace around the bust and hips to create an artful bodice. That I would wear at the reception. And if there was time, the plan was to change into my original dress from our courthouse wedding for our send-off.

“Three dresses,” I said, happy but second guessing myself for the millionth time wondering if it was over the top.

“This is your day. Have twelve dress changes if you want. I had two. And honestly, I’d be pissed if I didn’t see you in the dress from the wedding I didn’t get to attend,” she teased.

Grinning like a loon, I asked, “Is it weird to get married when you’re already married?”

The judge who had married us had agreed to perform today’s ceremony. My parents would have preferred a priest, but this felt right for us. When he’d explained he was a religious man, they calmed down.

“Who gives a fuck?”

I burst into laughter because it wasn’t often Bailey cursed.

She touched the diamond choker at my throat. “Another gift from Connor?”

The man was a giver. “Yes.”

I didn’t explain its significance. She was my greatest friend in the world, but husbands and wives were allowed to keep some secrets.

“He doesn’t know I’m going to wear it today,” I said.

“It’s stunning and goes with the tiara.”

“Who doesn’t want to be a princess, especially when your man calls you that?”

She grinned. “I told you he’s a keeper.”

I took her hands. “You did, and I couldn’t do this without you. You’re the sister I never had.”

“We might have been sisters,” she teased. She was referring to the crush she’d had on my brother, but Matt had dragged his heels. By the time he made a move, the gorgeous Scotsman had stormed into her life.

“Yeah, but we married brothers.”

She squealed. “That makes us sisters by marriage!”

“We are.”

She brushed something off my cheek. “Don’t cry. We can’t ruin this dress.”

I sniffed. “I just never thought…”

Finding the perfect life partner wasn’t a guarantee in life. Connor “Striker” King had his flaws, but he was perfect for me.

There was a knock at the door. When the door opened and Connor poked his head in, Bailey shooed him away.

“It’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” she admonished.

“We’re already married.”

She tilted her head as she thought about it. “There’s that.” She looked back at me. “You look amazing. I’ll see you out there and let you have a few minutes with your husband…”

I laughed. “Thanks, Bails, for being you.”

She left, and he closed the door. For the longest moment, he stood there looking at me. “You look beautiful.”

I did a little twirl. “Like a princess?” I teased and touched the understated tiara on my head. He came forward as if to kiss me, but I held up a hand. “Not the makeup.”