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“You don’t mean that.”
“I do. I spoke to my brother Nikolai. It is not without precedence. Other Merikovs have chosen the life of a commoner over that of royalty.”
“I would like to hear those stories.”
“Ask my father. He loves to expound on family history.”
“Youdolove me.”
“I must, because I have always been very proud to be a Prince of Mirrus.”
“I would never ask you to give that up.” Jenna shifted so she was on her knees in front of Dima. She reached out and took his hand.
His usually confident expression bemused, he let her.
She started to speak, but found she had to clear her suddenly dry throat. “I love you, and don’t think I’ll ever let you forget I said it first.”
“I am sure my words tonight have been infused with my love for you. What are three little words in the face of all I will do to bring you happiness?”
“Those three little wordsarehappiness, Dima.” He should never doubt how important they were.
“Then I shall say them.”
“There you go being all formal again.”
“It happens when I am feeling nervous.”
“Good to know.”
“As if you need anything else in the way of telling my secrets.”
She didn’t reply, just waited, because her prince was no coward.
“I love you, Jenna mine. I do not care about the age difference, or your sterility, or how different our lives are. I need you to complete my life.”
“I need you to complete mine.” Sure, Jenna could live the rest of her life without Dima, but it would not be as rich, as full, as it would bewithhim. “Will you marry me, Dima?”
He went utterly still, and then the most beautiful smile broke over his gorgeous features. “I suppose you will never let me forget you asked first either?”
“I’m telling our children this story every year on our anniversary.”
He pulled her up and against him, his mouth hovering a breath away from hers. “Yes,milaya moy. I will marry you.”
They kissed to seal the deal, and that kiss held something none of theirs had before, a certainty of each other. It was like adding cinnamon to coffee, making the kiss better than any they had shared.
“Just tell your brother that I don’t want to be a princess,” she instructed when they were settled against the cushions, arms wrapped around each other.
“I can tell him, but unless I abdicate my role, I cannot stop him bestowing the honor on you.”
“If he does it, I’ll start lobbying for a constitutional monarchy.”
“You will do that anyway.”
Joy bubbling like champagne inside her, she laughed. “I will.”
The kiss that followed was incendiary. Soon, they were making love and doing their best not to be overheard, but ultimately, Jenna couldn’t care less who knew she and her prince had just promised each other a lifetime.
EPILOGUE
