The Christmas Princess Surprise - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Alvaro

Alvaro Byrne stared at his wife. ‘You want to what?’

‘Just a little ride.’ She smiled winsomely at him. ‘It’s beautiful out there. Untouched and perfect.’

He always found it impossible to say no to her. Not because she was Queen of his adoptive country, but because she was Queen of his heart, body and soul—yeah, she owned him.

Jade Monroyale, Queen of Monrova, was his world.

Fortunately for him, the same was true in reverse.

But he stepped forward, unable to resist teasing her, because this request was most unlike his very conscientious Jade. He admired her strength of purpose, her sense of duty—it was part of who she was. But this…? This was a little off-course.

‘You realise we’re supposed to be on board in an hour?’ he reminded her.

He was already dressed in his formal attire. They’d been married a couple of years, but he still wasn’t used to the scarlet sash that crossed his chest. He knew he had to wear it at events like this—well, he wore it purely for Jade—but it still felt like a costume. He laughed to himself with a quick glance around the room. Then again, he was living in a fairy tale, complete with tall forests and stone castles and spellbinding princesses.

‘Just twenty minutes,’ his Queen said softly, her green eyes like bewitching jewels. ‘I can get ready quickly.’

That was true. Jade had attended so many formal events in her life she had it down to a fine art. She always looked immaculate, even when she’d had only a stunningly short amount of time to prepare. Because sometimes when they were supposed to be getting ready they stole secret moments for themselves…

But she was asking for a little more than such a moment now. Then again, if she wanted to escape for a while, he was her man.

He’d barely seen her today. They’d both been busy, working through the last of their respective to-do lists before the Christmas break. He had his own office suite with all the technology he needed down the corridor from hers. And, as he’d promised when he’d proposed, they’d made it work. He still ran his business, and was enjoying diversifying into charitable projects as well. He’d have done anything to ensure he could have the woman he loved by his side. It still gave him a kick to realise she was his wife.

But their final public event of the year was the ball tonight, in the neighbouring Kingdom of Severene, where Jade’s twin Juno lived with her husband King Leo. After the ball it would be their private time. They were heading back to the States to their lighthouse for a week, and would see his foster carer Ellen on the way. He couldn’t wait. And at least he didn’t have to wear feathers and a sword, like his brother-in-law King Leo.

‘I just need some fresh air…’ Jade gazed at him, clearly willing him to say yes.

The afternoon’s blizzard had eased, leaving behind a dusting of powdery snow, and his winter-loving woman wanted to play. He loved it when she turned to him for these quiet moments. He would steal her away to space and peace and silence. Just the two of them. And twenty minutes now…? If that was what she needed, then he was ready. Frankly, he ached for it too.

‘It’s freezing out there,’ he teased as he reached for the intercom button.

‘It’s fresh,’ she corrected, with a sparkle in her eye.

Her merriment melted his heart, but the flush in her cheeks gave him pause. ‘Are you okay? We don’t have to go tonight if you’re—’

‘I’m fine. I just want to get out for a few minutes.’

That he could understand.

He buzzed and issued his instructions when the butler answered.

‘Twenty minutes of freedom…’ Jade sighed happily. ‘Then I’ll get ready.’

By the time they got to the stables two huge horses had been harnessed up, their feathered plumes and jingling bells lacking any subtlety whatsoever. The Kingdom of Monrova certainly did things in fairy tale style. The highly polished black and silver sleigh was packed with soft woollen blankets, and even a basket with a Thermos of hot chocolate was safely stowed in front.

All this had been got ready in only ten minutes. The stable hands were amazing. But they loved their Queen and would move heaven and earth to accommodate her wishes. Alvaro understood that desire well.

‘No bodyguard,’ she said, glancing at the head of security loitering only a few feet away. ‘Okay?’

‘There’s a locator beacon in the sleigh. We couldn’t escape destiny even if we wanted to, darling.’ Alvaro winked, knowing full well she didn’t want to. ‘You wish to drive?’

She climbed up and took the reins. Alvaro tucked in close beside her, running his arm along the back of the seat, holding her to him.

One of the grooms swung the side gate open and the horses moved out onto the track. The royal park rose up the hillside behind the town. Further on it merged into a vast national park, but this lower part was private and safe. She let the horses pick up speed, so they could climb the hill with ease. It was only a few minutes until they got into thick trees and then rode a little higher to a lookout that was kept trimmed for the ultimate view.

The stunning countryside was postcard-perfect. With dusk already falling, darkness was coming quickly. Alvaro listened to the soft sounds of snow falling from branches. Through the forest he could see the castle, glittering below them in the distance. The town lights twinkled too, like beacons welcoming them home—just as the lighthouse guided them to their holiday home in the States.

He’d not just fallen in love with Jade, but with her country Monrova too. He’d never imagined he could be this happy, feel this at home or this grounded. As if he truly belonged. And that place really was by her side.

‘It’s truly beautiful, isn’t it?’ he breathed.

The chilly air refreshed his lungs and made him blink. This wasn’t a dream, nor a fairy tale. This was real. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to how stunning it was. How stunning she was. Glancing down, he saw that the merriment in her eyes had morphed into peace and pure appreciation. To pure love.

‘Thank you for coming with me,’ she said simply.

‘Always.’ He bent his head and kissed her.

She had such a sweet, hungry mouth. He felt her clutch him closer, and then she all but crawled onto his lap. He saw her energy fire, seeking connection, and she arched towards him. His luscious wife needed his touch. He needed hers too.

Beneath the blankets, he slid his hand to her soft, secret places and discovered just how much she needed it. ‘Long day, darling?’ he muttered as she moaned against him. ‘You missed me?’

‘Yes, Alvaro...’

It was a whispered plea he couldn’t ignore. There was no greater joy than giving his woman pleasure. And, as responsive as she always was, this took almost nothing. She was so on edge, so worked up. A bundle of feminine strength and need and fire.

‘Jade…’ He kissed her, held her, touched her. Loved her.

‘Yes…’

He caught her cry of release in his mouth. The knowledge that this—he—was so vital to her devastated him.

With a profound sigh she rested against him, her eyes drifting shut. He swept back the strands of hair from her forehead with gentle, regular strokes, feeling her soften and relax against him as he did so. Contentment swept over him. He was happy to wait for his own release. Later, after the ball, when they had their big bed and the whole night before them, he would have what he wanted with her. But right now being together like this, alone beneath the stars was everything.

And they were about to have two solid weeks of pure perfection. He’d discovered in the last couple of years that Christmas was the best time ever.

‘Sweetheart…?’ He studied Jade’s face in the pale light as the sky above them darkened.

She’d been hyper-responsive—hyper-emotional, really. And now she was this fatigued…? And for her to be unfazed at the prospect of being late to a state function…

Something was a little different with his dutiful Queen. Something had changed.

Still holding her against his chest, he tightened the reins and clicked his tongue. One thought gripped him as he guided the horses home. One possibility that would be so perfect he couldn’t bring himself to whisper it aloud.

There was only one thing to be done. ‘Are you sure you want to go tonight?’ he asked, gently rousing her as they neared the stables. ‘You seem very tired.’

‘No, we need to go. I’m better now.’ She straightened up, her full pout curving slowly into a soft smile. ‘Thank you.’

Back up in their suite, he felt his heart thump heavily in his chest. Suddenly she looked so fragile to him. Which she wasn’t—and she’d be at pains to point that out if he mentioned it. And yet…

He foraged in the drawer for the item he’d purchased privately, so that no one else would know. ‘Jade?’

She looked at him. Outwardly there were no real signs of the secret he hoped she might be carrying within her.

‘Maybe you should use this.’ He held the small box out to her.

Her eyes widened. He saw the second hope ignited within them. Had she not considered this herself?

‘What makes you think…?’

He shrugged. ‘Humour me?’