Page 107 of Fit for a King

I couldn’t help my smile as I watched him, the book in my lap now forgotten. That had happened more often than not lately, since my evening routine had changed. No longer did I enjoy reading with a bit of scotch to wind down, not when all I wanted after a long day was to slip beneath the sheets beside my man. I’d taken to waking up a bit earlier to get a few pages in, but Noah was a distraction even when he was fast asleep.

As the sun began to peek out from the edges of the curtains, he stirred a little, and then his eyes opened slowly.

I couldn’t help touching him, reaching over to run the back of my finger along his cheek. I loved the feel of his scruff, more pronounced now than it was when he was a by-the-book footman.

“Good morning,” I said, and his answering smile made my heart swell the way it always did.

“Morning.” His voice was thick with sleep, and he yawned.

“Sleep well?”

“Too good. But this”—he reached up to cover my hand where it lay on the pages of the book in my lap—“is my new favorite time with you.”

“Is it? Waking up beside me?”

“You look so serious and sexy with your glasses on and your hair a mess.” He rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “I like seeing you like this. No one else gets to.”

I closed the book and set it on the nightstand, keeping my glasses on as I lay on my side, facing Noah. He scooted in closer, slipping his leg through mine to tangle them together, and I wrapped my arm around him and kissed his forehead, his cheeks, his lips.

“Happy coronation day,” he whispered against my mouth.

“Don’t remind me.”

“It’s gonna be a good day.” He leaned back to smile at me. “No, a great day.”

It was, of that I was sure. Every detail of the events today had been triple-checked, so there was no doubt in my mind that everything would go perfectly. My anxiety would’ve been through the roof if it wasn’t for Noah…and the many rehearsals.

Only a slight flutter of nerves filled my stomach now, my fiancé serving as the perfect distraction. It was still early, and we probably still had time to spare before we needed to get up and moving.

I pushed Noah to his back, kissing his lips then making my way down his throat as his hands roamed over my bare back. This was exactly the way I wanted to wake up today and every morning—but just as he let out a soft moan beneath me, a polite but firm knock on the door interrupted our moment.

“No,” I groaned, dropping my head onto his shoulder.

But it was no use. The knocks wouldn’t stop, not today, when everything had been planned down to the minute.

“We’ll celebrate tonight,” Noah said before stealing another kiss. “But first, let’s make you king…officially.”

Then he threw back the covers and coronation day began in a frenzy of activity that didn’t let up. The bells rang out across Valoria, setting the tone for the day as Baxter orchestrated the household like a maestro. Everyone had their parts to play, and for this, the most special of days, Noah had wanted the honor of fitting me into my coronation regalia. I’d dismissed everyone for that time, giving us one last quiet moment as he adjusted the velvet and chains, the sword by my side. And then he smiled at me, and though I felt the weight of our kingdom on my shoulders, a sense of peace flowed through me then.

This was what I’d been born for. This was my place. Only now, instead of feeling dread, I looked forward to ruling, knowing that the man I’d chosen to be by my side would never let me falter.

The crowds began cheering as soon as the palace gates opened for the procession to the cathedral, and stayed that way throughout the ten-mile journey. There were television cameras stationed everywhere, journalists hoping to get the perfect shot of the Valorian carriage that was only used for special occasions. I’d chosen Noah and Gabriel to ride with me, bucking the tradition of riding alone, and we all waved at the smiling faces we passed, many of them holding flags as they called out, “Long live the king!”

The ringing church bells provided the soundtrack, though they sounded more hopeful than the last time I’d heard them, at my father’s funeral. Today was about a new reign, setting a new standard for the modern monarchy that I hoped would change things for the better.

We pulled up to the cathedral and saw the carpet of royal blue had been rolled out along the many steps in the front, lined now with the archbishop, prime minister, and many foreign royals and leaders from around the world, as well as my royal council.

I took in a deep breath and Noah reached over to squeeze my hand.

“Don’t forget to breathe,” he said. “You’re gonna do great.”

Gabriel winked at me from across the carriage. “But if you do pass out, I already know I look great in your regalia.”

I knew he was joking, but it reminded me of how many times I’d wished it could be Gabriel in my place over the years. Up until recently, I’d felt like being king was a death sentence, one filled with rules and protocol, one where anything that made me happy would be snuffed out.

But now I was king. And I’d learned I didn’t have to live a life full of nothing but sacrifice to be a good leader.

I could do this. I wanted to do this.