Carrying the King's Pride(47)

She chewed on her lip. “You really like them? You’re not just being nice?”

“You’re a sure thing,” he murmured. “Why would I be nice?”

Her mouth fell open. She was about to give him a knock across the head when she saw the sparkle in his eyes. “You are terrible.”

“Sometimes you need to lighten up.” He nuzzled her cheek, the stubble on his jaw razing her skin. “I think they’re great.”

She rested her head against his chest, absorbing his warmth. He ran a hand over her hair. “Things are going to get crazy, Sofía. They always do. When it happens, when it feels as if we are surrounded by a force far greater than us, remember we can do this.”

A sense of foreboding slid through her. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It won’t be. But you are up to the challenge, agapimeni. I have no doubt.”

She hoped she was. Thought she might be. Guessed she was about to find out.





CHAPTER ELEVEN

NIK SLID INTO his car on a bright, sunny afternoon in Akathinia, a peace treaty with Carnelia in hand. A series of meetings between the two countries in the weeks following his return from Evangelina had finally borne fruit as he and Idas had signed the treaty and begun to map out plans for an economic alliance.

Because he didn’t fully trust the Carnelian king, Nik had also pushed the development of an enhanced military force forward, but it would take months to see real progress on that initiative given the scale and coordination involved. Meanwhile, he would continue to push the alliance forward with his neighbor by putting a framework in place.

Bringing the Jaguar rumbling to life, his favorite toy to taunt his detail with on the windy, coastal roads, he took the scenic route home to the palace. The sense of well-being that settled over him was profound. His press conference to announce the peace treaty had inspired a feeling of relief and celebration among Akathinians. He could now get on with the business of running this country and looking toward the future rather than the perpetual crisis control mode he’d been in since he’d become king.

The sparkling Ionian Sea to his right, the spectacular peaks of the Akathinian hills to his left, it was hard not to appreciate what destiny had handed him in that moment. He felt content. It felt right, as if what Sofía had said was true. That perhaps it was his destiny to lead Akathinia at this stage of its history.

Part of that had come with letting go of his life in New York. Truly letting go of it. He couldn’t live with his head in both places. He’d had to choose. It didn’t mean he would never grieve his former life. It wouldn’t be human for him not to. But as he got more comfortable in his role as king, the affinity he’d always felt toward his homeland had taken over. He knew he could take this country where it needed to go. Knew he had the global perspective his father and Athamos had not.

If he was content, his fiancée was another reason for it. Having her back in his bed, having that intimate bond to look forward to every evening made the long, complex days bearable. They’d taken to having dinner together in their suite a couple of nights a week so they could spend quality time with each other. He’d found himself sharing more and more of his thoughts and plans with Sofía as the days went on. Her sharp, objective perspective on things always gave him excellent food for thought.

Thankfully, his soon-to-be wife also seemed to have found a peace of her own. When she wasn’t doing a public appearance with his mother or sister, she was caught up in her designing with a ravenous enthusiasm that made him smile.

They’d given a joint interview to Akathinian TV last week, their first broadcast interview together. Sofía’s inner happiness had shone through this time, her innate wit and charm capturing the host’s heart and earning her good reviews. The image-conscious press had also picked up on her fashion sense, grudgingly conceding she was a bit of a shining star.

It was the boost of confidence Sofía had needed. She was acting more like her charismatic self, the woman he’d known in New York. And if that took him dangerously close to exploring uncharted feelings for his soon-to-be wife, he had deliberately held a part of himself back for just that reason. Now was not the time to be clouding his head with emotions he wasn’t capable of fully expressing. Feeling.

He had promised Sofía a partnership. To protect her, to be by her side. For a man who didn’t do commitment this was one promise he could keep.

* * *

They were done. Sofía stood back and surveyed the ten prototypes she’d created for the maternity line she would launch at the boutique, pride swelling her heart. It wasn’t a whole line, but it was ten solid pieces to start the fall/winter collection with next year. Ten pieces Katharine had raved about and couldn’t wait to sell.