He loves me! I love him. Isn’t life wonderful?
Karma studied her dozing husband, her chest swelling with happiness and contentment. Words shouldn’t matter—deeds counted more than words—but a girl still liked to hear them. Perhaps hearing him sayI love youmattered because of their rocky start and her history of broken relationships. She’d just needed a little reassurance. And she’d gotten it.
Insecurities had been put to rest. Her husband loved her. Their marriage was rock solid. Nothing would come between them. The vile things that Soton had said—that Falkor would grow tired of her—were merely the rantings of a bitter, jealous man. From here on out, they had a clear, unobstructed path to a happy, harmonious life. She was as certain about that as shewas that they’d conceived a baby. She pressed a palm against her stomach.Welcome to Kaldor, little one. Your mommy and daddy will love you so much.
Her lips twitched. He didn’t believe her yet, but once the physical signs of pregnancy became apparent, he’d see. He’d learn to trust her hunches and premonitions.
The instant she’d laid eyes on Soton, she’d recognized bad news. Thank the Goddess, Falkor believed her without questions about what happened at the café. She had no proof. Her sister had been there—but Soton had not said anything suggestive in her presence. Her husband’s faith in her was another example of how much he loved her.
She was so relieved he would consider extricating himself from the partnership. There might be some fallout—Soton might not adhere to the NDA he’d signed. She would hate for Falkor to incur the king’s wrath and the business to suffer.
But the important things were secure. She eyed her dozing husband. They loved each other and had started a family. What else mattered?
Happy and secure in the knowledge of being loved, she closed her eyes and joined her husband in slumber.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later
“Pardon, Your Highness, but there’s a delivery for you.” Tontu held out a small metal cube.
Yes!Falkor broke into an unrestrained grin. “You didn’t happen to see my wife on the way, did you?” Karma had gone to visit Kismet and could return at any moment.
“No, Your Highness. Should I look for her?”
“No, I was just asking. Carry on.”
The servant left.
There wasn’t much time. Quickly, he popped open the metal cube. A silver-gold orb sealed with a tiny latch nestled in the fluffy packing material. He opened it to reveal a glowing blue Kaldorite stone set in a woven Celestium band.It’s better than I anticipated.
He’d described his idea to the jeweler who’d designed and fabricated it. His people didn’t wear wedding rings, but, according to Kismet, humans did, and an “engagement ring” was quite important to human females. Kismet helped him get the right size, lending him one of her rings to show the jeweler.
After dinner, he would ask Karma to marry him again. They’d wed under duress the first time; he wanted her to know he wished to marry her by choice. He felt certain he could get his monarch father to perform the ceremony.
He replaced the ring in the orb, slipped the sphere into his pocket, and disposed of the metal cube.I can’t wait! Why ask her after dinner? Maybe I should ask her as soon as she gets back?He sat on the sofa to wait for her then popped up to pace, too excited to sit.
A chime sounded throughout the suite. His father’s page stood in the hall. “His Majesty orders you to appear before him immediately.”
Attendance before the king was never voluntary; however, there were invitations, and there were orders. One wasinvitedto attend dinner with Their Majesties. One wasorderedto appear when one had displeased the king. He couldn’t imagine what he’d done this time. Getting chewed out by his father was the last thing he needed when he had such big plans!
“Please inform His Majesty I will be there shortly.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and fingered the orb containing the ring.I hope this doesn’t take long.
“My apologies, Your Highness, but I cannot leave without you. I must escort you.”
Falkor’s neck started to itch.
* * * *
“I will inform His Majesty you’ve arrived.” The page deposited him at the king’s library door and departed.
To his surprise, he found Karma inside.
“I’m so glad it’s not just me!” she said. “I’d left Kismet’s when the page intercepted me. What is this about?”
“No idea. Hopefully nothing.” It was nevernothingwith the king, but while his father often found fault with him, his wife couldn’t have done anything wrong. He gave her a hug. “Whatever it is, I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry.” He’d do the worrying for both of them.
Facing an angry king was never pleasant, and he hoped the confrontation wouldn’t mar his special plans. If his father was mad at him, he couldn’t very well request a favor.
