Temporarily His Princess (Married by Royal Decree 1)

The freaking royal jewels of Castaldini.

She’d thought they would be— No, she couldn’t have thought anything that could come close to—to…that.

Each piece on its own would have been jaw-dropping, but having them piled together—from hefty necklaces, bracelets and tiaras to intricate earrings, brooches and rings—the treasure was literally dazzling. There were even some scepters and goblets and ornamental pieces not for wearing. And were those…those…

“The royal crowns! What are those doing here?”

As she turned stunned eyes between the two men, it was Alonzo who supplied an explanation. “I applaud your knowledge of our history, Principessa!” Before she could wince at the title, he went on, “Those are indeed the crowns that had been worn by kings and queens of Castaldini until King Benedetto and his wife—Queen Clarissa’s father and mother. But since their lives were marked by tragedy, King Ferruccio had new crowns made, with personalized changes, so the past wouldn’t throw the least shadow on his and Queen Clarissa’s lives.”

More proof of how total Ferruccio’s love for Clarissa was.

With that strange reticence that had come over him still subduing his eyes, Vincenzo said, “As my princess you’re entitled to any piece you’d like. After last night, Ferruccio and Clarissa insist you should have as many as you’d like.”

Alonzo chuckled. “They’re ready to offer the whole treasure to you as the one who’ll save Principe Vincenzo from unremitting bachelorhood. I am also offering whatever your heart desires for that Herculean achievement.”

So Vincenzo hadn’t even taken his closest person into his confidence. Alonzo clearly believed this was a grand love story with a happily ever after.

“Ferruccio is also putting the royal palace and everyone inside it at your service,” Vincenzo said.

“He wants us to have the wedding there?”

Vincenzo nodded. “Being the control freak that he is, he insists I take my vows under his supervision.”

“Can’t we…” She stopped, swallowed. “Can’t we have the wedding here?”

A flare of surprise then intentness incinerated the deadness in Vincenzo’s eyes. “Is this what you want?”

Feeling suddenly shy and awkward, wanting to smack herself for behaving as if she was a real bride, she murmured, “It’s just this place is magnificent, and it’s your family home…”

Vincenzo spoke over her, his tone urgent. “If it’s what you want, then we certainly will have the wedding here.”

Alonzo looked scandalized. “But what about King Ferruccio’s decree? And all this talk about being a knight in his round table and doing anything he commands?”

Vincenzo had said that about Ferruccio? Watching those two together, you’d never have guessed he felt that way about him.

Vincenzo twisted his lips at Alonzo. “That’s until my bride says different. Then it’s her desires that I follow, nobody else’s, no matter who they are.”

Alonzo whooped. “That’s what I waited two decades to hear. Principessa, you’re a miracle worker. A miracle, period.”

Feeling tears too near the surface, she wanted to get this over with. “Will you please do the honors, Vincenzo? I’m almost afraid to look at those pieces, I’m not about to go rummaging through them and chip or crack something.”

Vincenzo’s expression hovered on the smile she’d been missing, had even gotten dependent on basking in it. “Rummage away. Those pieces have weathered the test of hundreds of years. Choose whatever you want.”

“I want you—” her voice trembled, holding back only you “—to choose the ring for me.”

A moment of probing stillness. “Are you sure?” A tinge of teasing said after all the fuss? Then his lips spread. “I do have one ring, one collection in mind. I always felt it was made as a tribute to the beauty of your eyes.”

He gave Alonzo a nod, and as if Alonzo knew exactly which pieces Vincenzo was talking about, Alonzo started sorting through the treasure. In minutes, without letting her see what he’d selected, Alonzo placed the pieces in a rectangular box he’d had under his armpit all along then handed it to Vincenzo.

Coming to stand above where she sat feeling as though she’d fall apart any moment, Vincenzo suddenly dropped down on one knee in front of her.

Holding her stunned gaze with eyes roiling like thunderclouds, he opened the navy blue velvet box. She relinquished his gaze to its contents…and the gasp that had caught in her chest when he’d knelt before her escaped.

A seven-piece set—necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings, tiara, armlet and anklet—lay on the dark velvet like a brilliant constellation of stars set against a night sky. They were all made from the most delicate filigree yellow gold she’d ever seen, and studded with magnificent white and blue diamonds in ingenious patterns. But it was the ring that her eyes couldn’t leave. A flawless, vivid blue diamond of at least ten carats, the color of her eyes at night, with emerald-cut white diamonds on both the sides.

Vincenzo singled it out, turned his hand up, asking for hers. She placed it there without volition or hesitation.

The moment he slipped the ring on her finger, she knew what a huge mistake she was committing. She wouldn’t survive losing him this time.

His watchfulness intensified as he singed her hand in a kiss, then with a long groan, he stabbed his other hand into the depths of her hair and hauled her against him, kissing her so deeply, so hungrily, she felt he might finish her.

Surrendering to his passion, her need, her panic subsided as she accepted that if she wasn’t careful, he would finish her.

*

“We have only one hour left to go.”

Glory turned her head at Alonzo’s declaration. The man was the most outstanding organizer she’d ever seen. He’d marshaled everyone’s efforts to get the most efficient operation going. And in just one week, he’d managed to plan a wedding more incredible than any in storybooks.

Alonzo took exception to her saying that. The wedding hadn’t happened yet, and would she stop jinxing it?

If only he knew a jinx wasn’t needed to spoil anything. Everything would self-destruct in a year.

But a year was a long time.

The week had passed faster than she could catch her breath. Now the wedding was an hour away.

Her mother had arrived only yesterday with her father and brother, and Alonzo had promptly swept them off their feet and into the rush of preparations, for which Glory was grateful. No one had time to think of any relationship issues. Amelia, who’d arrived the day after Glory had invited her, had been running interference for her whenever any awkward moment arose.