AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Roo and his dad are passing out flutes of champagne. When there’s a minor spillage, Reuben says easily, “Go and sit next to Winter, Dad. I’ll do this.”
I quickly look across at Jasper who must’ve overheard, but he just claps his hand on Balthazar’s shoulder as he walks past to find a seat near me, a prideful smile on his face.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spy Brecken taking pictures as I read the labels on every gift, unwrapping them one by one. Things I never knew I needed mount up on the table, the wrappings taken care of by Rachel. Relieved when I open the final one, a stunning ruby and diamond tennis bracelet from Balthazar, I stand to hug them each in turn, grateful for so much.
“I don’t think she’s noticed,” Luca says more loudly than normal.
“No. Perhaps we should keep it for ourselves,” Roo suggests, his dimples popping. “It would look good on Brecken.”
“What?” I ask, wondering what they’re up to.
“You’re missing a present.”
“I am?”
“Yes, from us,” Roo points out. “And it wasn’t the one we gave you this morning.”
I tilt my head, conveying as much disapproval as I can muster as I regard him from under my eyelashes.
Some of The Moms and Dads chuckle as Roo grins away my discomfort. Thankfully everyone’s attention is distracted by Brecken revealing a large, square box from behind his back. Wrapped in gold paper, a silver bow tops it off. “This is from us,” he says simply.
“More gifts?” I voice. “You’re spoiling me.”
“We like to. Happy birthday,” he murmurs, passing it to me.
Not bothering to retake my seat, I stay by the island and slide apart the overlapping paper with the tip of my finger. It falls to the floor, revealing a box from the jeweler’s Roo and I stopped in a few days ago.
This is too big for a ring.
Heart clattering with excitement and a small amount of trepidation, I lift the lid. Soft, royal blue material covers whatever’s inside. Peeling it back, I reveal a diamond-studded half-crown cushioned within the box.
I gasp. A hand comes to my mouth. The design is one I recognize from the bed frame in the mirror room. Stars and moons and snowflakes glitter up at me, the kitchen lights making everything super sparkly. “Oh my gosh. This is too much. I mean, just when am I supposed to wear this? During dinner?”
Laughter sounds as I carefully remove it from the box. It’s heavy and far too beautiful. And aside from the staggering amount of money this must’ve cost them, I’m unsure why I need such an extravagant present.
Luca comes closer, murmuring, “Put it on. You can wear it around the suite if you like, but you’ll need it for the summer ball.”
Whatever my thoughts on it are, I don’t need further encouragement. With my hair loose, I’m hoping it doesn’t slide off my head, but the fit is comfortably tight as it grips my scalp.
When I look at Luca his eyes are molten. Reuben stands there subtly nodding like he greatly approves of how it looks.
Brecken’s blade-sharp gaze slashes across my features, from forehead to chin, ear to ear, eye to eye. “You look incredible,” he tells me. “You were born to wear something so potent.”
Potent. Wow, yeah I guess I can see it as symbolic. I’m a woman whose professional empire has grown. I’m a woman who’s courted three kings, who’s aligning with them romantically. With Luca, Brecken, and Roo at my side, my power will reach far and wide. And once I’m married to Brecken, once my role in this family is cemented forever by the laws and rules this country follows, I will match them in stature.
“A queen to rule our empire,” Luca voices proudly, kissing me tenderly on the mouth.
Leaning in, Roo whispers, “A queen to rule our beds,” following it with a soft kiss on my cheek.
“A queen to rule our hearts,” Brecken says in a low baritone. He lifts his glass, passing me a fresh flute of champagne so that we can toast. “To our beautiful Winter.”
Suddenly, with my found family looking on with love and affection, with hope and happiness in their eyes, I realize just what’s at stake. At what lies at my fingertips. Somehow, I’ve found myself at the helm of this hotel dynasty. Of the future generations of Wolffords. Why I fought destiny I don’t know, but looking back at Past Winter I can admire her determination to put her career first. Finding love along the way was poetry in motion. And while the Wolffords can never replace the people I’ve lost, they’ve filled the void that surrounded me for so long.
I fight back tears as my new family toast to my good health before drinking from their flutes.
“Thank you,” I choke out. “I’m extremely lucky to have you all in my life. To love me, guide me. To listen to my ideas and help me realize them. To protect me from the ugliness of my past,” I add, looking at Brecken.
“Always,” he assures me. “And as your husband, it will be my honor.”
