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Bitter cold water surrounded her, and she gasped. She came up sputtering and coughing. Tristan hauled her close, swam with her to where he could touch, and held her as her coughing settled and she caught her breath.
Her body trembled with cold.
“You’re very brave,” Tristan said. “I think you are worthy to be a princess and someday a queen.”
She stared at him and then laughed. “Well, thank you for the commendation. I think I have to marry a crown prince to have such a future.” She gave him a daring look.
Tristan arched an eyebrow and then entangled one hand in her hair. The other pressed into her lower back, pulling her flush against him. He kissed her then. It was deep and all-encompassing, and she forgot all about how cold she was.
The unmistakable sound of helicopter rotors sliced through the quiet forest. Tristan released Jennifer from the kiss and they both glanced up as a helicopter swooped over the lake, sending ripples out. Jennifer shivered and then started to shake.
Tristan escorted her out of the water as the helicopter landed in the small clearing. Chad saluted them both while Lieutenant Mason Henson and another man she didn’t recognize quickly set up a folding table and two chairs, covering the table with a white linen cloth. They set covered platters on the table, candles in the middle, and a small box of matches. Then they laid blankets across each chair, saluted crisply, and climbed into the helicopter. Chad grinned at them and lifted off, soaring above the trees.
“T?” Jennifer questioned.
Tristan walked her over to the table, picked up the blanket, and wrapped it around her. The blanket was fleece and felt like it had been recently warmed. He wrapped her up tight with his strong arms. She was instantly warm and in the perfect spot for her.
“A crown prince is expected to have a certain level of originality and appropriateness to our true love story.”
“You’re a crown prince? I thought you were my Big Bad Wolf.”
“I’m both.” The heat in his blue eyes made her catch fire. Her teeth stopped chattering, and she leaned into him, staring up into his alluring gaze.
“Oh my, Mr. Crown Prince, what big plans you have.”
“All the better to woo you with, my dear.” He grinned and dropped to one knee, taking her hand from inside the blanket and grasping it with his. “Truth or dare.”
She debated. “Truth.”
“Do you love your Big Bad Wolf with every fiber of your being?” he asked. “Is this true love, Jenn?”
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” she said, happiness making her entire body light up.
“I dare you to marry me and make me the happiest man on earth.”
Jennifer tugged him up and kissed him long and hard, the blanket falling off her shoulders. She didn’t need it anymore. Her clothes might be wet, but she was plenty warm.
“Dare accepted,” she said breathlessly.
He whooped and kissed her again. When he pulled back, he released her for a moment and pulled two absolutely gorgeous rings out of a zippered part of his pants pocket. She recognized one as the queen mother’s ring that William had forced her to wear in the cave. Was this the moment he’d ask her to wear it properly? She’d loved the way he’d looked at her as he’d huskily said that line a few days ago.
“When my mum was alive, I bought this ring.” He held up a beautiful square diamond that sparkled in the autumn sun. “I didn’t plan on you wearing this ring until much later.” He held up the queen’s massive pink-hued round diamond. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you wear both for me, love, and would you promise to love and cherish me forever? Jenn … will you marry me?”
“I will,” she said solemnly. She held up her right hand, and he slid the queen’s diamond on her ring finger.
“This ring will always remind us of my mum and your future as queen. It’s a heavy responsibility, but I know you can handle it with grace, beauty, kindness, and faith.”
She drew in a breath. It was heavy, but the ring felt right there. She held up her left hand, and he gently slid the ring he’d bought her on her left ring finger.
“This ring will always remind us of the depth of my love for you and the beauty of our relationship that will soon be sealed for all time.”
Jennifer took a moment to let the significance of wearing both rings seep in. Then she slid her hands up around his neck. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he said.
