"Yes." He retook her body as his own. They were one and she was the perfect mate for him, no matter how he hadfoundher.
Chapter14
Kristin Wells sashayedin her blue jeans down the halls of the palace and really studied every corner. Impeccably well kept, the pristine powder blue walls with white trim looked spotless and not a speck of dust wasanywhere.
Soon this would beherhome.
Her body hummed for Antonio, though last night she'd hardly slept. He was amazing in everything he did, and his stiff upper lip wasn't stiff at all when he feastedonher.
She giggled and continued down the hall. Antonio had drawn her directions this morning and she held the paper in her hand to find the breakfast room, where she was supposed to meetRenee.
She followed the map and stood in front of a large white door with gold trim. This reminded her of how she imagined Versailles in France, though she'd never been to compare. Perhaps he’d take her on a tour after they married. She sucked in her breath and openedthedoor.
Everyone stood from their seats at a huge dining room that was clearly being used as a conference room. At least ten men and women in suits stood next to Renee and the queen, who was the only one seated. The queen turned her head and said, "Kristin, glad you could join us,comein."
Her skin prickled like she was a young girl caught by the teacher for some mistake on a test and expected to be corrected. She lowered her head. "Am I late to ameeting?"
"I let you sleep in as my son hadn't left your room until three hours ago." The queen waved her forward to the seat next to hers. Once Kristin stood at her place at the table, everyone waited for hertosit.
This was her life now. Kristin nodded, though her cheeks were hot, and sat. "Yes, er,thankyou."
The queen then asked politely, "So you worked out theproblem?"
"There was a problem?" Renee asked and her eyes grew wide likesaucers.
She hadn't been the best friend, Kristin noted, confiding everything about the contract. It seemed too personal to share so being upset over it wasn't something she could tell Renee. Kristin tugged her ear. "It's fine now, Renee. Antonio and I made plans to see each othertonight."
Queen Anna Camilla told the group, "He has already informed me that he will not be available for tonight's foreign affairsdinner."
"Ohh." Kristin turned toward everyone and asked the queen, "Are these your foreign affairsguests?"
"No." The queen waved her hand. "These are designers and they wish to know your taste in clothes. Some have samplesforyou."
Kristin stared at all of them. Designers? Seriously, the queen thought about clothes, all the time, but Kristin kept that to herself. "I thought we were here to discuss the wedding? The ceremony?Expectations."
Everyone else took theirseats.
Renee said, "Valentino's a top designer, next to me here, and a few other brands we both know. Queen Anna Camilla said they want you in press conferences and out in public wearing their line of clothes. You're to always look fabulous!” Renee laughed. “But yes, the primary purpose today is to find out what kind of dress you want to getmarriedin."
Her jeans were Banana Republic which she had stashed away the extra money to get on sale, so she had no idea about Valentino other than the designer was out of her price range. She blinked and then folded her hands together on the empty table. It seemed no one had touched the buffet behind her, though the smell of bacon lingered in the air. "The truth is I never thought about getting married to have a dress picked out. So I'd like to try on a few different styles to really see which oneIlike."
Renee laughed and sat further back in her chair. "This sounds awesome—and whatever you don't want, I'llhappilytake."
The queen nodded her regal head. "The next room is already set up for you to try things on. Right now we'll just choose from different whites and basic bodytypes."
Renee smiled. "Try the mermaid on first, Kristin. You have the perfect figureforit."
Kristin took a deep breath. At least Antonio had warned her about what was necessary for today. Also, Sophia wasn't here. Nothing could go wrong. She let out a soft sigh as she imagined her wedding. "Glad you're here,Renee."
The group all stood once she did. She'd eat after she tried on a few dresses. Renee linked her arm with hers as they proceeded through the door to the next room. "Once the wedding is over, I'll go back to my normal life but you'll start living in this world forever. I'm excitedforyou."
Inside the room she saw enough clothes to open her own shop, and these were just samples. Kristin passed a rack of Balenciaga designs and kept the question to herself on who they were. She walked straight for the wedding dresses and let Renee hand her one. She hugged it to her waist and blinked. "Renee, I'mhappy..."
The main door of the room opened as light grew brighter between the racks. Kristin pressed her lips together and let the shiver of cold sharpen herspine.
The queen then said, "Sophia, we discussed that you would not cometoday."
Kristin walked closer to the main roomtosee.
