Epilogue
Islowly looked around the glistening splendor of the vast ballroom that served as our reception hall, marveling that I was finally experiencing my own happily ever after after I’d spent my entire life dreaming of this moment. A flutter of anxiety tightened my chest, but it was nothing to the joy and gratitude I felt on this occasion…especially with my new husband’s calming presence beside me.
He sensed my discomfort in his usual attuned way and paused in playing with my hand beneath the table to give mine a reassuring squeeze, a silent communication we’d developed the habit of. I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand back. A simple gesture, but one of many that sent a pleasant flutter to my heart which I was grateful I could now enjoy with my newly restored body.
In addition to my beloved husband, I found solace amongst many of the guests who’d joined in our celebration—my mother who now lived with us at the palace, whose presence brought me endless joy the closer we became; my protective brother who visited at every opportunity and wrote short, businesslike yet still sweet letters befitting his stoic personality whenever duties kept him away; Ryland and Evelyn with their new baby daughter, who were now dear friends; the King of Brimoire who had become the father I’d never had; and even some of the members of the court and palace servants, including Aira, whom I’d befriended in ways that, much as I’d appreciated her kindness, my past reservation hadn’t allowed.
The King of Thorndale was noticeably absent, a welcome reprieve so that my past wouldn’t taint the future I’d chosen…especially since tensions between our kingdoms had escalated after we’d broken the curse, which Castiel doing all within his limited power as the crown prince to overcome.
The most important presence of all was the dear man beside me, who’d scarcely left my side ever since the curse had broken. When we weren’t occupied with our many yet fulfilling tasks in helping to restore the kingdom from the recently lifted curse or our other royal duties as crown prince and princess, we continued exploring our relationship.
Lucien had hired a tutor to support my budding painting talent, and we spent many quiet but pleasant hours together—he’d settle close beside me with a stack of books and journals, curiously reading or excitedly scribbling notes as he put the finishing touches on the latest volume of Brimoire’s history detailing the breaking of the curse, while I practiced my brush techniques—both of us often pausing to share conversation or exchange a small look or soft smile. It was one of many simple pastimes that comprised the beautiful string of moments that made up our relationship, and I couldn’t wait to continue to build upon them in our new life together as husband and wife.
Lucien’s grasp tightened around my hand the longer our wedding reception continued, as if the part of him unsure whether the curse had truly broken was afraid to let me go. I smiled at him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“While the vows now binding us makes that beautiful truth all the more real, I still welcome any excuse to touch you.” He plucked a loose daffodil from my bouquet and tucked it in my hair, the heat of his breath tickling my ear as he leaned closer. “You’re so beautiful, my dear wife.”
Wife. My new title was far more precious than I could have ever imagined, and held infinitely more meaning after all we’d endured together.
His soft look grew into a rakish grin. “Despite your promise not to go anywhere, you have had the habit of separating from me at night—necessary at the time, but now that we’re finally married, you have no more excuses. I look forward to holding you all night long so you don’t escape from me.”
“And I look forward to being able to watch you sleep again.” My cheeks warmed at the admission I had previously been too shy to give. His eyes widened in surprise before his smile grew.
“You were quite rebellious while you were invisible.”
The blush warming my cheeks deepened and I ducked my head. His arm immediately came around me to nestle me close.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you. It appears I have much to work on to be the husband you deserve.”
“You’re perfect just the way you are. I don’t mind your teasing.” Despite my lingering shyness, I welcomed any interaction with him.
“I like to think of it as flirting, a practice I have no intention of giving up after our vows.” He brushed aside my hair to press a kiss to my cheek. I marveled at the sensation, a phenomenon I never tired of ever since becoming visible again. “I believe the bride and groom have sufficiently done their duty to their guests. Perhaps I can earn your forgiveness by making our escape. I have a surprise for you.”
I was immediately intrigued. Lucien had developed a habit of coming up with simple but delightful surprises throughout our courtship following the curse—a new set of paintbrushes, a windowbox of blooming roses on my bedroom sill, an unexpected picnic of scones and strawberry jam. I was pleased he would continue even after our wedding. Midst my delight, a worry niggled my heart. “You do know that you don’t have to keep making up for our past or prove anything to me, don’t you? I know you love me.”
His expression softened into one of soft contentment. “I know, but I still want to do all within my power to make you happy.”
He tugged on my hand, encouraging me to follow him. I felt the eyes of our guests upon us as we conspicuously snuck from the reception, but any embarrassment I might have otherwise felt was lost in my anticipation for our newest adventure.
Our mysterious destination turned out to be the garden’s alcove of hedges, our own special place that harbored the swing we’d spent many happy afternoons on. I paused in the entrance, my breath catching at the sight. Daffodils twined the ropes just as they had around my childhood swing back at the Thorndale palace, and the swing had been replaced with a sturdy piece of wood longer than the one that used to be there.
He chuckled at my mixture of delight and confusion. “As happy as I am to bring a piece of your special childhood place to your new home, there’s admittedly an ulterior motive behind this gift.”
Keeping hold of my hands, he led me along as he backed up to settle on the swing and pull me atop his lap. I gave a startled gasp of surprise before allowing myself to melt against him, not the most practical position but one deeply romantic. He adjusted the hem of my lacy wedding gown so it wouldn’t drag on the ground and wound one arm securely around me to keep me in place while he gripped the rope with the other.
“What do you think, my dear? Will you forgive my first of many selfish acts as your husband?”
“Perhaps I can forgive you if you make it worth my while.” My smile was teasing. “You’re certainly much more mischievous than your proper persona indicated when we first met.” It was one of many delightful discovers since we’d helped one another emerge from the cages that had previously trapped us—me in my reservations and insecurities, him in the royal image he used to protect so fiercely.
“I will gladly sacrifice the proper image of a crown prince if it means having more scandalous moments like this with you.”
I snuggled closer, nuzzling against his neck. His arms tightened to snuggle me close as he gently began to swing us back and forth.
We lost ourselves in the tender moment. I marveled at the feel of the contours of his body pressing against mine, the security I experienced within the sanctity of his arms wrapped around me, a position that not only kept me secure but made me feel cherished…an embrace that served as a physical representation of the closeness that continued to deepen with each passing day.
He pulled back just enough to stare into my face. “You’re so beautiful, my darling wife.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You must be truly enamored to consider this plain face beautiful.”
The swing ground to a halt as he pulled back to stare at me in dismay. “You are beautiful, Lisette. Your lovely eyes drew me in the first moment I saw you, and your sweet nature only makes your natural beauty shine forth more brightly. Make no mistake—you are absolutely stunning, and I’m not sure how I will be able to attend to matters of state if you’re in the room.”
My cheeks warmed in a welcome blush. “No one has ever told me I was beautiful…quite the opposite.”
Lucien’s arms tightened around me protectively. “Then I will spend the rest of my life proving your father and anyone else who ever caused you pain wrong. However many times he made you feel ugly or unwanted, I want to spend ten times that number and more making you feel cherished.” He gradually resumed gently swinging us back and forth.
I rested my cheek against his steady heartbeat. “This is quite the romantic first adventure as husband and wife.”
“The first of many more to come.” He sealed the promise by pressing a soft kiss first on my brow before trailing down to kiss my lips. I melted into his affection, finally after all this time allowing myself to be loved…the greatest adventure of being seen of all.