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The wrinkle smooths, but she presses her lips together, not saying anything.
“I know I agreed this was all practical,” I tell her. “I know I promised to keep you out of the public eye. I know I told you it was about the farms and the throne, but I think I fell in love with you the first time you walked off the dance floor away from me. And it’s just grown stronger every day I’ve known you. I thought you were beautiful and wanted you more than anyone I’ve ever met the moment I saw you. But then I got to know you and, dammit, Abi, I don’t know how I could live knowing that you’re out there somewhere in the world and I don’t get to see your smile, or watch you work, or sit near you while you read, or make love to you every night.”
She’s staring at me.
“What?” I ask. “Say something.”
“You just called me Abi.”
I think back and…she’s right. I nod. “Your friends call you Abi. The people who love you call you Abi. The people who are closest to you. And fuck, princess, you’re my best friend. You see me as someone I want to be. You see my heart. You see the things I dream of and you want to help me make those come true. And no one loves you more than I do. You are…everything.”
She steps closer. “No one has ever looked at me, or listened to me, or valued me the way you do. All of this stuff with the farms…it started out as work, as my dream job, but now…it’s about you. It’s for you. For us. For our country. It was what I could do to show you how much you matter to me.”
“You don’t have to build farms for me, Abi,” I say, my voice husky with emotion. “What you do for me is make me happy. You make me want to be better, every day. You make me passionate for my work, for my position, for my life again.” I step closer and cup her face. “What you can do for me is just love me.”
I see the tears well up in her eyes and brace myself for her to say that she just isn’t there yet.
“God, Torin, I do,” she says. “So much. I love you, so so much.”
I stare down at her. Blood is rushing in my ears. “Say it again.” My voice is gruff.
She lifts her hands, holding my face between her hands. “I love you."
Chapter 45
Abigail
His eyes scan over my face. I can see amazement, surprise, and hunger in his gaze.
"Say that again,” he says, low and firm.
"I love you. My husband. My prince."
He puts his hands on either side of my face. "I love you so fucking much. You’ve taken my soul. You've taken everything—my future, my dreams, every hope. I don't know what I would do without you, princess.”
My hands cover his. "You never have to find out. I’m here to stay. We’re going to build this first farm together. Then another. Then another. Then other projects. Bigger dreams.” I pause, tears stinging my eyes. “We’re going to build a life."
His mouth crashes into mine and he kisses me deeply. I arch closer. Going up on tiptoe, I push my hands into his hair.
We separate only when we hear someone clear his throat.
I peek around Torin to see the king standing in the doorway.
"Okay, we'll talk more later,” I tell Torin. “There’s something we have to do right now."
He frowns, looks at his grandfather, looks at the doors that will lead out to the stage, then looks back to me. "What's going on?"
"It’s almost ten. I'm addressing our people. With you. And I’m probably going to say something very romantic. And maybe even kiss you. In front of them all.”
He starts shaking his head quickly. "No, Abigail. No. You don't have to do this. I won't let you do this."
I widen my eyes. "Excuse me, but I'm doing this. I'm not asking your permission."
"Seriously, Abigail. You don't have to do this. We’ll make a statement together. A written statement. Or you can do a one-on-one interview with someone. We can go on the podcast. But you don't have to go up in front of all those people.” He leans in. "I know what this does to you. I promised to protect you from this. I know I thrust you into the spotlight, but we can get around it. You don't have anything to prove."
But I squeeze his wrists. "The thing is, I do. It doesn't matter what it does to me. I want all of them to hear this. And I want you to hear this. Actions are wonderful. They completely count. They're so important. And that is why we are also going to have a wedding here, just like you promised. But words are important too, and I will always give you whatever you need.”
His fingers tighten against my face and he’s shaking his head again.
