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“I’m afraid I already have.” He sat next to me and touched my knee. “I know I have to marry soon, Damaris. Is it so hard for you to believe you’re my choice?”
“Kind of, yes.” I held out my hand to reveal old scars and calluses. “In what universe would the most eligible bachelor in the world choose someone like me?”
“It’s the universe I want to create.” He took my hand and brought it to his lips, then kissed my palm. “The universe in which a brilliant woman takes my hand to help me lead my country into a better future. It is a monumental task, a… big ask, yes?”
“You could say that,” I muttered. “How do you see this working out, Savva? I’ve got things on my plate, and?—”
“It is my hope you finish your doctorate,” he interrupted. “You may do it at the observatory in Agafonza, or in another location if you don’t receive the fellowship.”
“You didn’t influence the selection committee?”
“No. If your application is accepted, it will be because you earned it. Besides, considering you received a personal invitation from Dr. Sieger, there wasn’t any need to.”
“Oh.” Flushing, I added, “Sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested you would. That was rude.”
Smiling, he kissed my fingertips. “It was a fair question, but alas, Dr. Sieger is more likely to decline anyone recommended by me out of hand.”
“Yeah, I got the impression he doesn’t like you much.” I hesitated for a moment, then decided to get the most pressing issue out of the way. He’d likely give up his crazy plan once he heard it. “I’m not willing to give up my career, Savva.”
“Nor should you. You’ll continue to work while you act as advisor to the crown until I can install a democratic government. After that, your duties as princess will cease.”
“And what happens when you get independence for your country? We go our separate ways?”
He hissed out a virulent curse and hauled me into his lap, then wrapped a large hand around the back of my neck. “No. I want you as my wife, Damaris. That means forever. I will not cheat, nor will I ever give you any reason to regret your decision.”
“But—”
“I also trust you to be the princess my people need.” He kissed my forehead, making me want to melt into a puddle. “You made a promise, darling. You promised to help, and I need you to help me guide my people into a brighter future.”
“Dang it.” I let him pull me close and rested my head on his shoulder. “You really think I can do this?”
“I know of no one more capable. Give me a chance to prove you’re the princess we need.” He touched my chin and nudged my head up until I was looking at him. “Let me prove I can be the husband you deserve.”
I had made a promise to him, and I wasn’t one to go back on my word—even if I didn’t quite understand what I’d promised. That was on me, but the thought of helping him birth a wholly independent Agafonza was incredibly enticing.
It was one of the few places in the world where a resident had a relatively low tax burden while enjoying robust social programs including both child and elder care. Instead of accumulating personal wealth, the royal family used it to better the lives of their subjects.
Laughing softly, I shook my head. “Sugar, I’m pretty sure we’ll regret this, but… where’s my ring?”
“It’s in the vault containing the crown jewels.” He placed a searing line of kisses across my collarbone. “Along with your crown.”
“Mmm.” Trying to get my thoughts away from the weight of a crown I didn’t want to think about resting on my head, I twisted my arm to reach between his legs, then cupped his balls. “I have some crown jewels right here.”
“Such a bad girl.” He lifted me up and positioned me with my legs on either side of his hips. “I’m looking forward to having my beautiful, brilliant lady in my bed for the rest of my life.”
I nibbled my way down his muscular chest and slid to the floor between his legs, then tugged his pants down to reveal his thick cock already dripping precum just for me. “Babyboy, I ain’t no lady.”
SAVVA
“You look beautiful.”
The peach and gold confection of a dress my mother loaned her was perfect with her coloring and made Damaris look like an angel. White opera-length gloves completed the look, and her hair was twisted into a curly mass held in place with diamond-encrusted pins.
“Thanks.” She took a deep breath and felt for the strand of opals around her neck, then checked the matching earrings and bracelet. “Do we have to do this?”
“I’m afraid so.” I helped her with her wrap, then pressed a jeweled clutch into her hand. “Attendance at the closing banquet is expected and will be good practice for our engagement ball.”
She touched the necklace again and grimaced when the bracelet jingled. “Sugar, you’ll need to find me some horse tranquilizer for real, and don’t get me started on a royal wedding. Heck, I don’t even know which fork to use for what. And what if I drop this bracelet in my soup, or?—”
