Epilogue
Tabitha turned her head slowly, taking it all in. Her breath caught. “Wow,” she whispered.
“Do you like it?” Stacy asked, smiling tentatively as they both stared in the mirror.
Stacy had gone all out—again. She’d flown to Uftar with John and, judging by the intricate swirl of curls and jeweled pins woven into Tabitha’s updo, had come armed with her full stylist arsenal.
The hairstyle created a crown-like effect that sparkled with diamonds woven into the style like a tiara, but without the weight or poky things.
“I adore it!” Tabitha whispered, pulling Stacy into a tight hug. Her heart swelled. “You’re magic.”
Stacy stepped back, hands on Tabitha’s shoulders, her expression filled with concern. “Are you ready?”
Tabitha inhaled deeply, but it didn’t do much good. Her stomach fluttered with nerves and anticipation. “Ramzi kept the ceremony small…but his entire family is still here. And that’s a lot of people.”
“A lot of royal people,” Stacy corrected, smoothing her lemon chiffon matron-of-honor dress. “You’re about to marry a prince, literally.”
Tabitha groaned and smiled all at once. “I’m not nervous,” she lied. “I’ve met most of them. They’re really kind.”
“They’re really powerful,” Stacy countered, digging through her cosmetic case like she was arming herself for battle. “Nice and powerful. Which is slightly terrifying.”
“Don’t remind me,” Tabitha mumbled, pacing toward the wardrobe.
She slipped into the gown that had been carefully designed by Marianna el Sandir and a team of palace seamstresses. The silver lace hugged her figure, refined and elegant, but not over-the-top.
As one of the palace attendants adjusted the hidden fastenings, Stacy paused. “Have you heard what happened to Leandra?”
Tabitha stilled. She had. After everything, it was still surreal.
“She’s safe,” she said quietly. “The judge ruled her mentally incompetent to stand trial. She’s in a hospital now. Getting help.”
She ran her palms down the front of her dress, trying to smooth the nervous energy from her body.
“And Martin?”
Tabitha turned from the mirror to face her friend. “Ramzi’s security team tracked him down in California. He’s working at a gas station and… learning to surf.”
Stacy’s eyes widened. “Surf? Seriously?”
Tabitha shrugged. “Apparently. He’s not a threat, but they’ll keep an eye on him, just in case.”
Stacy studied her for a beat, then took a shaky breath. “You’re getting married today. And I’m so damn proud of you. But I’m also terrified I’ll never see you again.”
Tabitha’s throat tightened. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Stacy, hugging her fiercely.
“Never,” she promised. “We’ve been through too much. You’re stuck with me. And besides, you’re always welcome in Uftar. The palace could use more sass.”
Just then, the door opened, and Tilda walked in, followed by Marianna. The two women—so different and yet somehow united in their love for their children—stopped just inside the threshold.
“You two look perfect,” Marianna declared, smiling so widely it softened her usual regal composure.
Tilda nodded, looking proud and tearful in a sophisticated sage green suit dress. Marianna, in a deeper emerald tone, looked like the embodiment of royal elegance—until she grinned.
“Ready?” she asked, and there was unmistakable mischief in her tone.
“I think so,” Tabitha whispered.
They walked together through the palace toward the ceremonial garden. At the entrance, Marianna paused and turned to face Tabitha. “This is it,” she whispered, then leaned in for a hug. “I’m so happy that you’re here!”
Then she stepped back and Tilda took her daughter’s hands. “You are lovely, my dear,” she said, then sniffled. “I’m so proud of you!” Then she hugged her daughter as well.
Ben stepped forward and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “She’s gonna cry, but I’ll take care of her, honey.” He patted her hand, then pressed his lips together in a valiant attempt to smother his own emotions. The three of them moved down the aisle, then took their seats.
Stacy turned to grin at Tabitha. “Are you sure?” she whispered, mischief lighting her eyes. “Because I know a secret way out of here!” Two of the body guards chuckled, neither worried.
“I’m sure,” Tabitha whispered back, grinning with excitement. “Go!”
Tabitha watched as Stacy regally walked down the short aisle, then took her spot and waited.
The music changed and the wedding coordinator nodded.
This was it. Tabitha stepped out, her eyes immediately searching for Ramzi.
When she spotted him, her steps faltered.
Not out of fear, but out of love for the amazing, powerful man waiting for her.
When he took her hands, she fell a bit more in love with him.
“Ready?” he asked, squeezing her fingers.
“Ready!” she whispered back, then they both turned to the officiant to get married.
Thirty minutes later, it was done. Ramzi was her husband.
“You’re mine now,” he growled as he swept her into his arms. She laughed, giddy with relief that the formal ceremony was over. The tension, the nerves, the stares—it all melted away when his lips found hers.
The audience blurred.
She kissed him back, her fingers clutching the front of his jacket, letting him feel the truth of how deeply she loved him.
It wasn’t their first kiss in public. But it was the first one that felt like they didn’t owe the world anything—because now, he was hers.
And she was his.
Completely.
Forever.
A Note from Elizabeth:
I came up with the idea for this story about ten years ago – and I tried writing it about five different times.
But every attempt failed. I couldn’t get the characters or the relationship to develop the way I “saw” them in my mind.
I have no idea why this attempt “worked” – but every scene in this story flew out of my fingers so fast, I could barely type fast enough to keep up.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading Ramzi and Tabitha’s story as much as I loved writing it – and the characters “worked” with your imagination as well.