Married for the Prince's Convenience

And there their discussion had ended.

The council had been waiting. He’d summoned Antonio to call the doctor, who’d arrived just as the council meeting had ended.

Reyes had peppered him with questions and he’d listened with an intensity that had terrified Jasmine. Even before the poor doctor had been dismissed, she’d known Reyes was heavily vested in his baby’s welfare. And that she wouldn’t be returning to London to raise her child as a single parent.

She was going to Santo Sierra to marry Prince Reyes Navarre.

She, a juvenile delinquent with a chequered past, was going to be crowned Princess in just over forty-eight hours.

And if that weren’t terrifying enough, the realisation of what she was trying desperately to deny had finally hit her in the face this morning. She was developing potentially heart-risking feelings for Reyes. Ironically, her mother had called this morning just as she was busy denying her feelings.

Jasmine would never have thought in a million years that she would adopt her mother’s head-in-the-sand approach to life one day.

‘Jasmine?’

God, the Latin intonation to the way he said her name...

‘No, I’m just a little nervous.’

He waved her nerves away. ‘Don’t be. The palace staff will cater to your every need. And my sister, Isabella, will also be on hand should you need a female perspective on any concerns.’ He smiled.

Her breath caught.

Scared he’d read any unwanted emotion on her face, she looked out of the window again, towards the mountain she’d learned was called Montana Navarre. Set on the highest peak, it was where the Royal House of Navarre had been born and where Reyes’s ancestors had ruled Santo Sierra for several centuries. Airplanes were restricted from flying directly over the palace, but the aerial view she’d seen of it had taken her breath away.

With supreme effort, she looked at him. ‘Are you sure we’re not rushing this? I’m sure there must be special protocols to royal weddings that I need to learn first?’

His eyelids descended and his nostrils flared slightly before he pierced her with that incisive grey gaze once more. ‘You’re carrying my child, Jasmine. Everything else ceases to matter in light of that reality.’

She couldn’t read anything into that thick emotion in his voice. It was just shock.

Recalling how his councilmen had beamed at her when they’d emerged from their meeting, Jasmine added another reason as to why Reyes was pleased about the turn of events.

Next to a royal wedding, a royal baby was the most joyous celebration for any country. Reyes was returning home not just with his future bride, but with his future heir, although the formal announcement of her pregnancy wouldn’t be made for another few weeks.

Coupled with his economic plans for Santo Sierra, those two events would surely regain him his people’s love and devotion.

A part of her felt relieved and thankful that her actions wouldn’t leave permanent damage on Santo Sierra. The other, selfish part of her couldn’t hide the pain of feeling like collateral damage.

‘You’re still troubled,’ Reyes observed.

She’d forgotten how well he could read her. Clearing her throat, she passed restless fingers through her hair. ‘It’s my problem. I’ll deal with it.’

His face darkened. ‘You’re no longer an individual, fighting against the masses on your own. And I prefer not to start our marriage with secrets between us.’

She shook her head. ‘Trust me, Reyes, you don’t really want to know what’s going on in my head right now. I’m hormonal and perhaps conveniently irrational.’

Firm, sensual lips pursed. ‘I want to hear it, Jasmine.’

The voice of caution probed, and was promptly ignored. ‘Fine, if you insist. I was right in front of you, Reyes. And yet you never considered me as a bride. So excuse me if I’m feeling a pauper’s sloppy seconds.’

* * *

Oh, God. Why on earth did I say that?

Jasmine was still reeling hours after they’d landed and she’d been delivered to her suite in the palace.

Despite her opulent surroundings and the rich history etched into every arched wall, mosaic-tiled floor, and ancestral painting, she couldn’t see, couldn’t think beyond the stark, soul-baring words she’d uttered moments before the plane had touched down.

How utterly pathetic she’d sounded.

The shock on Reyes’s face alone had convinced her she’d stepped way over the line. No wonder he’d beat a hasty retreat the moment they’d reached the palace.