EPILOGUE
ONE MONTH LATER, I had learned three things about loving Noah Bennett openly. The first was that the palace adapted faster than the court, something that brought us both a sense of relief—even though Noah occasionally still tried to open doors for me and called me “sir” out of habit.
Though the latter I didn’t mind as much…as long as we were in bed.
The second thing I’d learned was that the court held a grudge for anyone who didn’t follow tradition—and that included kings, apparently.
There was nothing much they could do about it, to my relief, other than complain loudly every chance they got that we’d missed the opportunity to strengthen our position in the world and potentially soured ties with Solterra.
A small price to pay to live the rest of my reign with the love of my life.
Which brought me to the third thing: that not a day had gone by when I didn’t fall in love with Noah Bennett even more than the day before.
I looked over the top of my reading glasses at where he lay beside me sprawled on his stomach, arms curled under the pillow and the top sheet pulled low across his back. He was so unbelievably beautiful, his hair ruffled from sleep and a soft expression on his face.
And he was mine. All mine.
I couldn’t help my smile as I watched him, the book in my lap now forgotten.
That had happened more often than not lately, since my evening routine had changed.
No longer did I enjoy reading with a bit of scotch to wind down, not when all I wanted after a long day was to slip beneath the sheets beside my man.
I’d taken to waking up a bit earlier to get a few pages in, but Noah was a distraction even when he was fast asleep.
As the sun began to peek out from the edges of the curtains, he stirred a little, and then his eyes opened slowly.
I couldn’t help touching him, reaching over to run the back of my finger along his cheek. I loved the feel of his scruff, more pronounced now than it was when he was a by-the-book footman.
“Good morning,” I said, and his answering smile made my heart swell the way it always did.
“Morning.” His voice was thick with sleep, and he yawned.
“Sleep well?”
“Too good. But this”—he reached up to cover my hand where it lay on the pages of the book in my lap—“is my new favorite time with you.”
“Is it? Waking up beside me?”
“You look so serious and sexy with your glasses on and your hair a mess.” He rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “I like seeing you like this. No one else gets to.”
I closed the book and set it on the nightstand, keeping my glasses on as I lay on my side, facing Noah. He scooted in closer, slipping his leg through mine to tangle them together, and I wrapped my arm around him and kissed his forehead, his cheeks, his lips.
“Happy coronation day,” he whispered against my mouth.
“Don’t remind me.”
“It’s gonna be a good day.” He leaned back to smile at me. “No, a great day.”
It was, of that I was sure. Every detail of the events today had been triple-checked, so there was no doubt in my mind that everything would go perfectly. My anxiety would’ve been through the roof if it wasn’t for Noah…and the many rehearsals.
Only a slight flutter of nerves filled my stomach now, my fiancé serving as the perfect distraction. It was still early, and we probably still had time to spare before we needed to get up and moving.
I pushed Noah to his back, kissing his lips then making my way down his throat as his hands roamed over my bare back. This was exactly the way I wanted to wake up today and every morning—but just as he let out a soft moan beneath me, a polite but firm knock on the door interrupted our moment.
“No,” I groaned, dropping my head onto his shoulder.
But it was no use. The knocks wouldn’t stop, not today, when everything had been planned down to the minute.
“We’ll celebrate tonight,” Noah said before stealing another kiss. “But first, let’s make you king…officially.”
Then he threw back the covers and coronation day began in a frenzy of activity that didn’t let up.
The bells rang out across Valoria, setting the tone for the day as Baxter orchestrated the household like a maestro.
Everyone had their parts to play, and for this, the most special of days, Noah had wanted the honor of fitting me into my coronation regalia.
I’d dismissed everyone for that time, giving us one last quiet moment as he adjusted the velvet and chains, the sword by my side.
And then he smiled at me, and though I felt the weight of our kingdom on my shoulders, a sense of peace flowed through me then.
This was what I’d been born for. This was my place. Only now, instead of feeling dread, I looked forward to ruling, knowing that the man I’d chosen to be by my side would never let me falter.
The crowds began cheering as soon as the palace gates opened for the procession to the cathedral, and stayed that way throughout the ten-mile journey.
There were television cameras stationed everywhere, journalists hoping to get the perfect shot of the Valorian carriage that was only used for special occasions.
I’d chosen Noah and Gabriel to ride with me, bucking the tradition of riding alone, and we all waved at the smiling faces we passed, many of them holding flags as they called out, “Long live the king!”
The ringing church bells provided the soundtrack, though they sounded more hopeful than the last time I’d heard them, at my father’s funeral. Today was about a new reign, setting a new standard for the modern monarchy that I hoped would change things for the better.
We pulled up to the cathedral and saw the carpet of royal blue had been rolled out along the many steps in the front, lined now with the archbishop, prime minister, and many foreign royals and leaders from around the world, as well as my royal council.
I took in a deep breath and Noah reached over to squeeze my hand.
“Don’t forget to breathe,” he said. “You’re gonna do great.”
Gabriel winked at me from across the carriage. “But if you do pass out, I already know I look great in your regalia.”
I knew he was joking, but it reminded me of how many times I’d wished it could be Gabriel in my place over the years. Up until recently, I’d felt like being king was a death sentence, one filled with rules and protocol, one where anything that made me happy would be snuffed out.
But now I was king. And I’d learned I didn’t have to live a life full of nothing but sacrifice to be a good leader.
I could do this. I wanted to do this.
As I stepped out of the carriage to the ear-piercing roar of the crowd, I felt ready to earn my role.
The ceremony went by without incident, the oath taken with my hand atop the constitution as I pledged to protect the people, govern faithfully, and serve rather than rule.
I wanted the people of Valoria to understand that this was a new dawn for the monarchy, one that would meet the issues head-on and rise to whatever challenges the kingdom faced.
It was a vow I easily made, knowing I’d have Noah’s counsel through any difficult decisions—a vow that would’ve been much more daunting without him.
The crowd fell silent as the archbishop moved over to where the crown of Valoria sat upon its pedestal. When he lifted it to place it upon my head, soft gasps echoed throughout the church, and he proclaimed, “Long live His Majesty, the King of Valoria.”
Cheers and applause erupted from the pews behind me, and I turned to greet the people for the first time in full regalia.
One by one, senior figures stepped forward to pledge their loyalty.
Gabriel was first, his smile bright and full of pride, before he stepped aside and I was greeted by the prime minister, lord chancellor, and other members of the royal council.
Then, as the trumpets swelled and the choir began, my eyes drifted to the front pew, where the love of my life stood beside his mother and father in his wheelchair.
Noah had never looked more handsome in his navy suit, with a sash that had Valoria’s crest embroidered on it, and my family’s ring on his wedding finger.
Cannons boomed outside, signaling that I was officially the king. I made my way down from the dais, toward Noah, and took his face between my hands to place a kiss on his lips.
Noah melted into the embrace and then smiled up at me, his eyes roving over the jeweled crown upon my head.
Then he inclined his head, ever so slightly. “Your Majesty.”
“Noah…” I whispered, and ran my fingers along his cheek.
When his soft hazel eyes lifted, they were full of admiration, pride, and love, and my heart had never felt so full.
I held my hand out to him and said, “It’s time to go and meet our people, Mr. Bennett.” I gestured to my outstretched hand with a smirk, and he gingerly took it.
The crowd filed out of the church as the council, Gabriel, Noah, and I headed upstairs to the balcony for my first official appearance as king.
When we reached the wide double doors and Gabriel approached, Noah let go of my hand and moved off to stand to the side.
“What are you doing?”
“This is your moment,” he said as he looked toward the curtained doors. “Valoria wants to see their king. They deserve to see you looking so resplendent and ready to govern. I’d just be a distraction.”
The speech was so intrinsically Noah, so noble and self-sacrificing, that I couldn’t help but smile as I walked over to him and took his hands.
“You are the reason I am ready to govern, ready to be their king. They deserve to know why I am able to stand out there today with a heart full of hope for tomorrow, for both the kingdom and myself—and that’s you, Noah. Soon to be His Royal Highness Prince Consort.”
I turned to see the guards moving to the doors, then looked back to my beautiful fiancé.
“Come, let the kingdom meet and fall in love with you, just the way I did.”
Noah took a deep breath, but then nodded and walked with me up toward the doors. We stopped and Gabriel moved to stand on the other side of me.
“Ready to do this, big brother?”
I glanced at my mischief-making twin. “As long as I have you and Noah with me, I’m sure I’ll be able to muddle through.”
Gabriel smiled at Noah, who was a little paler than usual. “Not sure he’s going to be with us much longer if he doesn’t breathe.”
“Remember what you said to me when we arrived today?” I asked Noah.
“Yes, but, you’re used to this. I’m just a foot—”
“My fiancé.” I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed the back of it.
Noah swallowed but then turned back to the doors. I glanced over at the guards and nodded.
The double doors opened and the crowd below erupted into a thunderous cheer, the roar close to deafening as I stepped out onto the balcony for the first time as king.
The streets below were packed as far as the eye could see with people waving the Valorian flag and celebrating the moment with confetti and streamers, dancing and singing. Joy and happiness rippled through the masses in a way that made the crown feel that much lighter.
I stepped up to the railing and saw Gabriel in my periphery, then I felt Noah move to my other side and slip his hand into mine.
His touch was the final piece of the complicated puzzle that was my life.
But when he moved into view and the crowd got even louder, I knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.
My heart pounded as I squeezed Noah’s hand and waved, and the people chanted, “Long live the King!” from below.
Planes flew overhead, the air force coming out for their new king as celebrations kicked off, to continue long into the night and the rest of the week.
The reception turned into dinner, which then turned into a gala that spilled into the ballroom, all music and candlelight, laughter…and Noah in my arms.
We’d been practicing the waltz, but like he had been that first night when no one was around, he was a quick study. I knew he was nervous, and maybe he missed a step or two, but he moved with ease, letting me lead him as we danced in the middle of the floor with every eye on us.
Somehow, though, it was like none of them existed with Noah’s hazel eyes locked on mine. I could see the pride he felt for me, the fierce, protective way he’d always have my back—and I his.
“Look at you,” I said. “Dancing like you’ve been doing it your whole life.”
“Don’t lie, Your Majesty. I’m pretty sure I just stepped on your foot at that last turn.”
“Didn’t feel a thing.” I winked at him, drawing him in closer, and he blushed, grinned, and looked away.
But when his gaze caught on something that made his smile drop slightly, I turned us to see what he was looking at.
I didn’t have to scan the crowd long to notice the stare-down a certain Prince of Solterra was giving us.
Alejandro’s head was held high as he stood near the front of the circle gathered around us, his strong jaw tense, looking striking in bold red.
He didn’t look pleased to be here, and we hadn’t had a chance to speak since he’d disappeared from the reception line before I could thank him for his attendance.
He was no doubt smarting from my rejection, though I was sure it was more because of the public humiliation over the news of our breakup rather than any feelings he had for me. After all, we barely knew each other.
When our eyes met briefly, I nodded at him, but he only lifted a dark brow in response.
The Prince of Solterra and I were unlikely to be friends, but he was here, and in the royal world, appearances were everything.
But my mind couldn’t linger too long on that, because the music changed, throwing Noah off, and he stepped on my foot.
“Sorry, sorry,” he said, looking down at our feet to try to figure out where to go next. “I’m not fit to take anywhere.”
As the crowd began to filter onto the floor around us to join in, I stopped moving, right there in the center of the ballroom, and lifted Noah’s chin.
“On the contrary,” I said. “You, Noah Bennett, are fit for a king.”
The smile he gave me was breathtaking, brighter than the sun reflecting off the sea at Whitefall Cliffs, and I was entranced.
I leaned in and gave him the sweetest, softest of kisses. One full of love, passion, and the promise of tomorrow.
For the first time in my life, the future awaiting me was not something I would have to merely endure, and it was all because of the man in my arms, the one who’d taught me how to be brave. How to choose love above all else.
The crown had given me Valoria, but Noah Bennett had given me a life.
And at long last, I was ready to live it.