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She could feel her cheeks grow warm. ‘Beautiful for you.’
His eyes narrowed as he looked down at her and she realised that he wasn’t seeing the spectacular white gown, or the white tulle veil held in place by a glittering diamond crown. Instead, his gaze was fixed on the chain which hung from her neck. A cheap little silver chain from which dangled a tiny bluebird. Her ‘something blue’, worn by every traditional bride.
Roman’s mother hadn’t come to the wedding. During a very exciting video call, she had explained that it was their day and she didn’t want to take any attention away from that. But they were planning to visit Missouri during their honeymoon and Zabrina’s brother was very jealous because Kansas City was the setting of one of his favourite films. And Roman was still getting his head around the fact that he had three half-brothers!
He had also invited her three siblings to stay during the long vacation and said he intended to do this every year if they were keen—and to instruct Alex in the art of kingship at the same time. He was also quietly intending to put a diamond mine in trust, so that her brother should have no financial woes, should he ever inherit a large national debt.
And when Roman had revealed that the priceless emerald and diamond necklace she’d worn on the night of the ball—and which she hated—had been a placatory gift intended to make amends for his deception on the train, Zabrina had wasted no time in chiding him. But not for very long. She had asked if she might sell it and use the funds raised to open a women’s refuge in Rosumunte and Roman had agreed. As she had observed, the world was going through a bit of a crisis at the moment and people like her needed to lead by example. Because she didn’t need things. The only thing she needed was him.
He lifted her fingers to his lips and as the trumpets gave their final flourish, he spoke against her skin, but so softly that only she could hear.
‘You bring me utter joy, Zabrina. Do you know that?’
‘Sssh,’ she said. ‘The congregation will be reading your lips.’
‘I don’t care—let them read to their heart’s content. I need to say this and I need to say it now. I think you know how much I love you, my Princess. Just as I think you know I always will.’
Blinking back tears, she nodded, trying to compose herself in preparation for the sacred vows she would shortly make. Later, she would bring him even more joy when she told him about the baby growing beneath her breast. A baby they hadn’t planned quite so soon, but something told her Roman was going to be a wonderful father.
She wanted to laugh and she wanted to cry. She was caught in the crossfire of so many powerful and conflicting emotions that suddenly she didn’t care about lip-readers either.
‘I love you too, my darling Roman,’ she whispered. ‘I love you so very much.’
And a single tear of happiness rolled all the way down her cheek and dripped onto the tiny enamel bluebird.
