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“Of course, sir.”
It would be odd not having Ollie and Braxton trailing him all the time, but nice too. Would they get reassigned if he didn’t go back to America? He hoped to only return for Ellery’s mum. If he could convince Ellery to love him this week, there would be no reason to move back to Boston. He had more hope at the moment than he’d had since he met her. She’d defended him with Malik, bragged him up, claimed he was ‘the best kisser’ and almost kissed him multiple times.
He jumped out and offered his hand, escorting Ellery from the car. She gazed around at the towering castle and the more towering mountains in the background. He wanted to show her the castle, the village, the mountains, the waterfalls, the lakes, his kisses.
The doors to the castle burst open and Kiera dashed out first.
“Yes!” she screamed. “Princess Elle is here!”
Ellery’s eyes widened. Not be prepared to be Princess Elle? Kiera worshipped Ellery. Derek had stupidly told his sister in a video chat that he was going to win Ellery’s heart and make her his princess.
Kiera navigated the steps with the grace of a Ninja Warrior veteran leaping through the first obstacle of the course, springing off each step she touched as if it was spring loaded. A person of lesser athletic ability would’ve tripped and fallen. His dad, Ray, Macey, and Tristan stood on the steps behind her. Tristan’s face looked much better, but it was still red, puckered, and scarred. Derek’s gut tightened. He should’ve stayed longer after the accident, but T had insisted he was fine and Derek had been anxious to get back to Ellery.
Kiera was fifteen feet from level ground when she launched herself into the air, tucked, performed a perfect double front flip, and landed easily on the concrete. Derek considered himself an accomplished Ninja Warrior, but that same move would’ve broken one of his legs.
“Nice, Wild Child,” Malik called, striding over to hug her.
Kiera let him have a quick hug but then explained, “Ellery Monson ishere!”
Malik laughed and released her. “Go see your idol.”
“Idol?” Ellery whispered to Derek.
“She thinks you’re the best warrior in the world,” Derek admitted.
Her eyes widened and her green eyes got suspiciously bright. She had fans everywhere, but her ‘adorkable’ title wasn’t always complimentary and she often got awkward with fans and in front of the camera. His sister being a huge fan seemed to touch her.
“Princess Elle,” Kiera breathed. She’d reached them and was standing before them with a respect and reverence Derek had rarely seen from his rambunctious sister. “You’re finally here.”
Ellery curtsied to Kiera. It was so appealing out of this woman who was so brave and loved to tease him. He loved her.
“Princess Kiera,” Ellery said. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“The honor is mine.” Kiera grabbed both of her hands. “Can I show you the castle? Will you be my friend? Will you marry Derek so you can be a princess for good and my sister?”
Ellery was definitely taken aback by all the questions and Kiera’s rambunctiousness.
“Now there’s the wild child we’ve all been looking for,” Derek teased, hoping to calm her down. “Give your long-lost brother a hug.”
“If I must.” Kiera grinned and launched herself at him. He picked her up off the ground, surprised by how much taller and heavier she was. It was still an easy feat to lift her. She hugged him fiercely and whispered in his ear, “Did you propose yet? Can we make it a double wedding?”
“Double wedding?” Ellery’s voice was full of uncertainty.
“Calm down, sis,” Derek said softly. “We have to woo the princess first, remember?”
“Oh, blast. I loathe waiting.”
“We know, we know,” T said. “Don’t worry, little princess. Soon you’ll have more sisters than you know what to do with.”
“I thought I was your favorite sister,” Macey Clifton teased.
Derek had never officially met any of his new sisters-in-law, or in Macey’s case, future sister-in-law. She’d been gone by the time he had made it to T’s hospital room. He’d chatted with her on video calls, though, and he liked her a lot. He glanced at Ellery and could see she recognized the beautiful brunette from the internet and magazine covers. The rumors were she was a brilliant introvert who’d met Prince Tristan online, fallen in love with the prince, and gotten engaged to him, but then when she met Prince Raymond, she’d changed her mind about which prince she loved. Ray had finally admitted to him that Macey had been a protection detail sent from Sutton Smith for a fake engagement. That made more sense than Ray stealing T’s fiancée ,and it was obvious how in love Ray was with his fiancée and how comfortable T was with both of them.
“You are my favorite new sis,” Kiera said, looking a tad uncomfortable, which was unusual. “But come on, she’s the Adorkable Boston Beauty, the best American Ninja in the world.”
“Hey,” Derek protested.
“Out of the mouth of the most beautiful, talented, and brilliant princess,” Ellery said, nudging him with her elbow.
