Their Royal Wedding Bargain

Alerted by a tingling sensation along the back of her neck, Alexa’s eyes cut across the room to find her new husband watching her closely, his face devoid of emotion. She couldn’t hold the intensity of his gaze, her face flushed as she found herself admiring the cut of his suit that moulded perfectly to his wide shoulders and lean physique.

It was embarrassing how attractive she found him and the only saving grace was that he’d be returning to London some time in the evening. She couldn’t wait for that to happen.

As if reading her desperation for distraction, the King of Santara and his wife approached her.

‘May I have this dance, Princess Alexa?’

Alexa swallowed hard as she gazed at the man she had once thought she would marry. While the awareness of what might have been between them was gone, she was still embarrassed by how easily he had cast her aside.

‘Please,’ Regan encouraged when Alexa automatically turned to her for permission. ‘The wedding was beautiful and I hope we can one day become friends as well as sisters-in-law.’

They were sisters-in-law for now, but not for ever. She was sure the Queen knew, because Rafaele had told her that he intended to explain the situation to his brother so that he could prepare for when their marriage ended. Alexa had only told Nasrin that their marriage was a sham, not wanting her father to know in case he tried to interfere with her decision.

Ignoring the curiosity of nearby guests as they took to the dance floor together, Alexa pinned what she hoped was a convincing smile to her lips.

‘I hope you’re having a good time,’ King Jaeger murmured as they fell into an easy waltz.

‘I am, thank you,’ Alexa returned, keeping her misgivings about the wedding to herself. ‘I only hope this isn’t all for nothing at the end of the day.’

‘I have a feeling it won’t be,’ the King responded enigmatically. ‘Although I must confess my surprise in finding my rogue brother in the position of being forced down the aisle so neatly.’

‘But you know how that came about,’ Alexa said, her voice slightly husky as she gazed into blue eyes that were almost the exact shade as Rafe’s, but which didn’t make her breath catch at all when she looked into them. ‘My father demanded it.’

‘True,’ he mused softly, a knowing glint in his eyes. ‘But not even our father could force Rafa to do something he didn’t want to do if he really didn’t want to do it.’

‘Then he met his match in my father,’ she said dryly.

‘I wonder...’ The King smiled. ‘My brother is not his usual easy-going self today, and he didn’t seem to try all that hard to get out of the wedding.’

As far as Alexa was concerned Rafe had definitely tried to get out of their wedding, and as to his lack of ease...well, that was easily explained. The man had been forced to get married. No doubt that would have wiped the smile off any confirmed bachelor’s face.

‘My dance, I believe.’ Rafaele suddenly cut in, his eyes riveted to where her hand held the King’s.

‘I was just about to tell Alexa how beautiful she looks,’ the King said smoothly. ‘Don’t you think she looks beautiful?’

‘Extremely.’ Rafe’s eyes narrowed on his brother’s, his tone anything but convincing. ‘But perhaps if you devoted this much attention to your own wife she wouldn’t appear so unhappy,’ Rafe prompted lazily, his brow arched.

At that moment a joyous giggle rang out from across the room and they all turned to observe Regan, hand protectively over her baby bump, having a great time with a small group of guests.

‘Yes, I can see she feels terrible,’ the King drawled, his eyes just as mocking as Rafe’s.

The tension between the two men, while not aggressive, was palpable, and again Alexa wondered at the state of their relationship. For two brothers who looked so much alike and who were so close in age they didn’t seem overly bonded, the way she had been with Sol.

Alexa gave Rafe a curious look as King Jaeger strolled from the dance floor in the direction of his wife. ‘What was that all about?’

‘What was what all about?’ He gave her a too-innocent look.

‘You were rude.’

‘Maybe I was jealous.’

‘You? Jealous?’ Alexa nearly snorted at the prospect. ‘Have you ever been jealous before?’

‘Not so far.’

‘I didn’t think so.’

‘But then I’ve never married a woman who was once betrothed to my brother and who gazes adoringly at him every chance she gets. Are you sure nothing ever happened between the two of you?’