Keira stretched lazily, feeling the pleasant ache in her muscles from the previous night's activities. Beside her, the bed was empty. Alexei had left her with a kiss, explaining he had a brief meeting before they departed for their honeymoon that afternoon.She got out of bed and walked across the carpet to the bathroom, catching sight of herself in the mirror, hair disheveled, lips swollen, a small mark blooming on her collarbone. "Keira, look at you," she whispered to her reflection. She looked like she had been thoroughly fucked the night before, grinning at herself because she had enjoyed every moment of it. The first time had been gentle but throughout the night Alexei had become more demanding and intense. Just the way she liked him.After a long shower, she dressed in comfortable clothes and made her way to the private dining room where Amelia was already seated, cradling baby Nicholas."Good morning," Amelia greeted with a knowing smile. "Sleep well?""I'm going to be honest h
Hours later, after the reception and formal photos were at an end, Keira and Alexei finally escaped to the royal suite that would now be theirs. The palace staff had transformed it for their wedding night, filling the rooms with candles and flowers. Keira was sure Elena had made sure it was perfect.Keira kicked off her heels with a sigh of relief. "Remind me to burn them tomorrow so I'm never tempted to wear the torture devices again."Alexei laughed, removing his formal jacket and loosening his tie. "Welcome to royal life, Princess Keira.""God that still sounds weird," she admitted, moving to the window that overlooked the palace gardens, now lit by moonlight. "I keep thinking someone's going to realize they made a terrible mistake, and I'll be deported or exiled to the bloody tower or something like that."He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. "Too late. You're stuck with me now."She turned in his arms, her hands slidi
The morning sun streamed through the tall windows of her suite. Keira sat at the vanity, watching in the mirror as Elena deftly wove white flowers into her upswept hair."Are you nervous?" Elena asked, securing another bloom with a pearl-tipped pin.Keira's eyes met her reflection. "Oddly enough, no. After everything we've been through, walking down the aisle is the easy part."She smoothed her hand over the delicate lace of her robe, thinking of the wedding gown hanging nearby. It had been a joint creation… Blair's top design team working with Wystovian royal dressmakers to create something that honored both traditions. Like everything in her life now, a perfect blend of who she was and who she was becoming. It amazed her every day the person she was now. How she and Alexei had grown together."Hard to believe it's been four months since Olivia was born," Keira mused. "I'm so glad we waited for Blair to recover before having the wedding."Elena smiled, adding another flower to the in
Blair adjusted her posture in the leather chair, trying to find a comfortable position…an impossible task at eight and a half months pregnant. The air conditioning in the office provided some relief from the summer heat, but nothing could ease the constant pressure on her lower back or the way her ankles had swollen to twice their normal size.Next time, she told herself, she was going to plan better… because there was no way she was carrying another baby to term in summer."Mrs. Kingston, the designers are ready for you," her assistant let her know, poking her head through the door."Thank you, Rebecca." Blair gathered her tablet and presentation materials, as she levered herself out of the chair. The last trimester hadn't been easy… her normally energetic pace reduced to a waddle, her sleep disturbed by the acrobatics of her baby, who seemed determined to use her bladder as a trampoline.Blair was glad Keira and Alexei had held off their wedding until after she gave birth. It hadn't
Sutton and Luca's Wedding DayMorning sunlight spilled through the windows of the room they were getting ready in, as makeup artists and hairstylists buzzed around the three Warner sisters, transforming them for the day's celebration. Keira was glad for the sunshine. Who cared that rain on a wedding day was lucky? She thought people only said that, so brides didn't burst into tears when it did rain.Keira sat still as the stylist added final touches to her updo, watching her sisters through the mirror. It had been a whirlwind few days since her return from Wystovia, and today was finally Sutton's big day."Ouch," Keira winced as the stylist secured another pin. "Are you building a fortress up there or a hairstyle? I think we could have a tornado could sweep through New York and my hair wouldn't move.""Beauty is pain," Blair replied serenely from the adjacent chair, her own styling nearly complete."That's what people without pain thresholds say," Keira muttered, but smiled despite he
Keira stared out the plane window, watching New York's skyline emerge through the clouds. After weeks in Wystovia's palace, the familiar skyscrapers felt both welcoming and strange, like returning to a favorite childhood book you've outgrown."Almost home," Alexei said, his hand covering hers on the armrest."Almost," she agreed, turning to meet his gaze. "Though I'm not sure where home is anymore."He smiled, lifting her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles. "Home is wherever we are together.""That's disgustingly romantic," she replied, but couldn't keep the smile from her face. "And nothing like the arrogant prince I first met.""You've ruined me," he said with mock solemnity. "Turned me into one of those men who says sappy things. Plus New York was our home before. I'm hoping you are still happy to continue living here.""I would love that. But I want to go to Wystovia as often as possible. Family is important to me, and that includes yours."The plane began its descent, the sligh