Courted: Gowns & Crowns, Book 1 (34 page)

“Not even remotely.” Kristos looked at Em. “Unless you would like to start a new series? She’s right. It could be a windfall for Garronia.”

At Em’s scowl, Kristos’s laughter rang out over the open air, which seemed to be some sort of signal. “Em!” Nicki came bursting down the path still in her running gear, Lauren and Frannie right behind her. They enveloped her in a monster group hug. “Oh my God, girl! What is going on?”

“You’re getting married!” Lauren’s eyes were wide, her brows climbing up her forehead. “How is it I didn’t know this!”

“I didn’t know it either!” Em gasped, as Frannie shook her head.

“Well,
I
knew it. You people are idiots.”

“Shut up!” Nicki pounded Fran’s shoulder, then they all seemed to turn as one to Kristos. Em immediately saw the problem.

“But what does this mean? Our trip, our plans—”

“It would give me the greatest honor if you would—all of you—agree to remain in Garronia as our honored guests for at least one more week.” Kristos looked at Lauren. “I know you were planning on a European tour on your own, but we would be delighted to take you anywhere you would like to go while Emmaline and I ah…see where this road might take us. We can show you places that I guarantee are like nothing you’ve ever experienced.”

Lauren looked at him with narrowed eyes for a moment before she nodded, unable to stifle her grin. “Deal. But this better be good.”

“It will be.” Kristos laughed. “I stake my reputation and my country’s honor on it.”

Laughter rose up all around them, and Em found herself watching the scene as if it really was a fairy tale, and she—finally—was seeing it all the way to its perfect ending. The friends she loved so dearly, the brilliant sunlight of a city that seemed created to make dreams come true…and the man who even now was turning toward her, his eyes intent upon her, a smile on his lips, holding his hand out as if to welcome her into a future that was filled with hope, with possibility—and with love.

Princess Emmaline Aurora Grace placed her fingers into the outstretched palm of the prince of the magical kingdom…and stepped into her life.

A Note from Jennifer Chance…

If you enjoyed Emmaline’s story, please consider leaving a review to help more readers discover these books! I’m also delighted to share that the next book in the Gowns & Crowns series is Lauren’s tale, CAPTURED—about a headstrong socialite threatened by the dark side of fame, and the bodyguard determined to keep her safe from everyone… except himself. 

CAPTURED
Launching January, 2016!

Lauren Grant is a hard-partying celebutante dedicated to avoiding anything that might tie her down. Dimitri Korba, the impossibly arrogant, impossibly gorgeous captain of the GNSF – 
and
 her unwanted bodyguard – just might change her mind. 

Which makes him the most dangerous man she’s ever met. 

Learn more, sign up for my newsletter, and read about the rest of the books in the Gowns & Crowns series at
http://www.jenniferchance.com/
!

Acknowledgments

The Gowns & Crowns series would not have been possible without both my friends and fellow authors (who are often one and the same!) Special thanks to my editor, Linda Ingmanson, who took on this romantic tale with enthusiasm and immense skill, and Toni Lee, who is a ninja proofreader. To Liz Bemis of Bemis Promotions, huge thanks for creating a lovely set of covers and your endless patience and skills in helping my books look their best. You deserve every good thing. To Kristine Krantz, thank you for your ideas, insights, and invaluable critiques…even when you didn’t realize it, I was storing up your every comment. To Danielle Barclay and Cameron Yeager of Barclay Publicity, thank you for continuing this crazy journey with me! To Cathy, Laurie, Fran and Sandy… thank you for the laughter and your friendship (and for being great romance heroine models!)

And to every reader who thought—just maybe—that ridiculously romantic dream might somehow come true… keep believing. Sooner or later, in ways you can’t now imagine, it will.

About Jennifer Chance

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the new adult Rule Breakers series. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio.

You can find her online at
http://www.jenniferchance.com/
, on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/authorJenniferChance
and on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/Jenn_Chance
.