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Most importantly, Xander agreed to this. So she wasn’t going to fear what he thought.
* * *
The ballroom was immaculate.The decorations, the music, everything was perfect.
Lexi was exhilarated and could not wait to dance around the ballroom all night. She thought about what Madison had said earlier today. She decided to speak with her father. “Father?” Lexi placed her hand on her father’s arm.
“Ah, my birthday girl.” The king smiled. His happiness quickly faded when he saw the worry etched into Lexi’s face. “Lexi? Come, child. Let’s take a walk before the kings arrive.”
They stepped out into the quiet hallway, her arm in his. Together they strolled in silence for a good while before he finally interrupted her thoughts.
“What’s troubling you, baby girl?”
“Oh, father, I’m … concerned about my marriage to Xander. He just seems so stoic, so impassive to things. I fear I will have a loveless marriage, that he’s only doing this because of his duty to his kingdom …” Lexi immediately regretted saying everything that came out of her mouth.
Her father stopped and slowly turned to her. When their eyes met, he burst into laughter. Lexi stood there with a perplexed expression on her face.
“Oh, my dearest.” The king wiped a tear from his eye. “You shouldn’t worry so much about this. Xander will protect you and honor you all the days of your life.”
“But aren’t these marriages just for convenience? Why would he …”
“Lexi, I arranged these marriages to allow you and your sisters to have good husbands. So you and your sisters might be cared for in the same way that I care for your mother. The Alpha Kings are good men, and they will be fine husbands.”
Lexi nodded but didn’t meet her father’s eyes. He lifted her chin with his hand and looked into her eyes. “I love you and your sisters more than anything else. Could you think it possible that I wouldn’t do the very best for you?”
Lexi shook her head. The king offered his arm again, and Lexi took it.
“Shall we get back to your party, my dear?”
He guided her to where the Hart family was gathered at the entrance to the ballroom to greet their guests. Excited energy burst from every inch of the palace, and the sisters were restless to begin the party. Lexi loved parties, and she was overjoyed to be celebrating her last night in her parents’ home with such an extravagant occasion.
The royal family was dressed to impress in beautiful evening gowns and dazzling shoes. The girls had their hair twisted up into creative designs that would allow their golden locks to flow easily around the nape of their necks.
As the Hart family stood there awaiting their guests, the young women couldn’t help but chat quietly amongst themselves. Growing up with prejudice weighed against them because of their inability to shift, they had become the best of friends.
“Today is the big day, little sister,” Addisyn remarked. “You’re all grown up. Who knows what will happen tonight?”
Lexi nodded, both excited and nervous about the coming events. The girls had agreed to the unions to appease their parents and promote unity throughout the kingdoms. The marriages were meant to prevent any dissension among the bordering realms.
While everyone had been made aware of the contracts many years ago, the deal struck was that the alpha kings had to wait until the youngest Hart princess turned twenty-one before claiming their brides. That night, all chains were loosened, and the agreements could be fulfilled.
“It’s not nearly as uncomfortable as you think,” Taryn interjected, who was the most recent princess to move out. She adjusted a fold of fabric on her dress and smiled at Lexi.
“It is definitely a change in the atmosphere when you’re in the kingdom you’re meant to rule,” Addisyn continued. She shrugged nonchalantly.
“And you will have so much to explore and learn in your new kingdom. Actually, I found it was a welcome change,” Madison added with a wink.
“Besides, he’s as hot as the midsummer sun, and you wouldn’t deny him the pleasures of a wife, would you?” Taryn teased.
Internally, Lexi had to admit she wouldn’t. But she also wasn’t sure if that actually eased her nerves at all. Tomorrow, she would be in an entirely new land without her parents or her sisters and without anything else familiar. She shook the thought from her head.
Lexi straightened her back and put on her best smile since the kings had begun to approach the entryway. Although the kingdoms had come together many times already, there was something different with the presence of the kings all in one place. Such power and regency.
The four royal processions began to step up to the Hart family. The attendant announced each party.
“Now presenting His Majesty, Alpha King Declan Marsh of Noblegrace.”
Taryn stepped forward to curtsy to her mate. This king and queen nodded the same as the others. How boring and overly proper, Lexi thought. But then she saw her eldest sister, Taryn, bat her eyes at Alpha Declan, and he broke into a sly smile. Seeing that all of her sisters were so happy with their mates, Lexi had renewed hope for her own.
