Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7) (19 page)

“It was kept quiet,” Ethan said. “The media knew he was deployed and agreed to keep silent, to protect him and his squad. We couldn’t keep the attack quiet – not when Vallerian lives were lost – but Alex somehow managed to keep Lorenzo’s name out of it.”

“I think Lorenzo’s doing fine since that movie starlet just arrived,” Carolina said. “He’s already flirting with her! And in front of her husband, too. He looks like he could kick Lorenzo’s ass.”

“Since her husband is a world-renowned athlete, I’m sure he could,” Ethan added.

“They got tickets to one of the world’s most exclusive events. I’m sure they don’t mind the attention that much. Arianna, didn’t we watch her in a movie last year, after Cat convinced us? The one that was making the rounds at all the movie festivals? What was the name of it?”

They all turned to Arianna, only to find her eyes closed and her body unmoving, yet breathing.

Something wasn’t right.

Ethan pressed the call button repeatedly to summon the doctor and Finn rushed to her side. “Arianna? Wake up, baby.”

“Her heart is beating a little more slowly, but the baby’s still has a fairly steady rhythm,” Ethan said as he watched the monitors and took her pulse manually. “She’s been exhausted; it’s possible she just fell asleep.”

Finn saw the readout of her contractions; if that was true, she’d slept through two of them.

Icy shards of fear jabbed at Finn’s heart.

Finn pointed to the readout. “Should she be able to sleep through two contractions?”

Ethan’s brows furrowed. “No. No, she shouldn’t.”

The doctor rushed in along with two nurses. The nurses checked her vitals while the doctor did an exam. His face was stony and all business when he turned to Finn after it was complete. “We’re going to have to do a C-section. I wouldn’t recommend it unless it was a last resort. However, I think we’re there.”

A vise clamped around Finn’s chest. “What’s wrong?”

“She started bleeding out again and now she’s lost consciousness.”

Finn squeezed Arianna’s limp hand. “Oh God. The baby?”

“Still steady, which is why I don’t want to wait. We’re going to prep her now.”

“I’m going with you.”

“Your Highness–”

“Non-negotiable.”

“I’ll be there, too,” Ethan said, looking just as firm as Finn did.

The doctor shook his head. “I don’t have time to argue with you. One of the nurses can show you where to scrub in.” The doctor turned to Ethan. “You’re allowed only as an observer. You don’t have a license to practice in Brazenbourg.”

Ethan crossed his arms over his chest. “I do, actually.”

“You do?” Finn asked while Carolina gaped at him.

“When you and Arianna got together, thought it might come in handy. I’ll still attend as an observer – obstetrics isn’t my specialty – but I’m there if you need me.”

The doctor nodded and signaled one of the nurses, then strode out. The room emptied within seconds, Arianna wheeled away, the men running down the hall with a nurse, and Carolina sending an update to the family on her way to the waiting room.

No one noticed the television remained on, nor the sounds of the crowd cheering as more guests arrived for the wedding of the century.

H
ardly anyone slept
, least of all Alex. He’d thought knowing he was already married – a secret no one would ever know but the family – might make the larger ceremony easier and more relaxing.

He couldn’t have been more wrong.

If anything, Alex was more anxious. Anxious for his father. Anxious to see his wife and finally call her that in public. Anxious to see the whole messy thing over with.

Not that he’d ever tell anyone that, least of all Rebecca.

When his phone buzzed in his pocket, he withdrew it quickly; he’d been messaging with Rebecca all morning. Since he was in a side room, away from the alter and the two thousand people filtering in for the wedding, he risked taking his phone out.

Lorenzo tugged at the collar of his uniform again. “You know, you could try giving your wife some breathing room. She’s already got you by your balls.”

“My balls are in no better hands than hers.” The men chuckled. “Besides, this message isn’t from my wife; it’s from Carolina. Damn it! Arianna’s been rushed to surgery.”

Everyone whipped out their phones and saw the message she’d sent everyone. “Ethan’s in surgery with them,” Lorenzo said. “They’ll be okay.”

“We don’t know that,” Nate said as he raked a hand through his chin-length hair. Nate had dealt with his own share of loss in the past; he knew not everyone lived after a traumatic event.

“No, but we can hope for it,” Lorenzo said, tugging at this sleeves this time. Nate nodded.

Both Edward and Marcello pressed a hand to their ears, where an earpiece connected them to the security teams in and around the building. “Security let me know Mama’s car will be here in a few minutes,” Marcello said. “Do you want me to escort her in?”

Alex let out a long breath. “No, I’ll do it. It should be me since Papa’s not here.”

“Should we tell Papa about Arianna?” Nate asked.

“Let me see if Mama spoke with him first,” Alex said as he stood and brushed the wrinkles out of his dress uniform. He attached his saber to the saber chain and guard on his uniform, and picked up his dress cap and gloves. “Lorenzo? Why don’t you walk with me?”

Lorenzo blinked, but followed Alex from the room. “How are you doing, Lorenzo?”

He cleared his throat and pasted his typical devilish smile on his face. “Just fine, and you?”

Alex kept a grin on his face while he nodded to people he recognized. “You can’t fool me, brother.”

Lorenzo’s smile faltered, but his stride remained steady. “Well, I don’t think now is the time to bring it up.”

“I wanted to apologize.”

“For what?”

“I know it’s not easy for you to wear the uniform. I know you feel conflicted about it. It wasn’t my choice, just so you know, nor was it Rebecca’s.”

“It wasn’t?”

Alex shook his head. “Papa wanted to see us in our dress uniforms, all of us, alongside him in his.”

“He knows–”

“He does know what you’ve been through. He knows how you feel. He wasn’t trying to insult you or be careless with your feelings.”

“I know that.”

“Are you sure? Will you make it through the ceremony?”

“Of course I will. It’s just. . .”

“Just what?” Alex asked when Lorenzo slowed down and peered into the crowd. “You see someone you need to speak to?”

“Hmm? Oh, no. I guess not. I thought I saw her, but I must have been mistaken.”

“Her?”

“It’s not important.”

“I beg to differ. I think she is important.”

Lorenzo gave Alex a bland look. “Matchmaking? You’ll soon be as bad as Mama. She’s trying to convince Nate to propose to Charlie.”

Alex huffed a laugh. “Good luck to her with that. They’ll get married on their own schedule, not hers. Just a second.” Alex took a few moments to greet some world leaders, and accept their well wishes for his father, before he returned to Lorenzo. “Listen, I just wanted to check on you. Why don’t you head back and tell our brothers to start taking their places? There are some other people we need to greet before Mama takes her seat.”

Lorenzo nodded and clapped a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Will do. And Alex? Thanks.”

Alex clapped a hand on Lorenzo’s shoulder in return. “Anytime, brother. I mean it.”

Lorenzo clapped once more and strode back down the aisle.

Alex watched him go for a moment, before he continued walking up the aisle towards the church entrance, and waited, per protocol, just inside the door.

The sleek black sedan stopped at the foot of a bold, Vallerian purple carpet, and his mother stepped out.

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Genevieve gave them a regal wave. William led her to the door, where Alex bowed – more formality and protocol, which was required since they were in public – then rose and his mother took his arm.

“Did you hear about Arianna?” Alex asked, both of them speaking through smiles.

“Yes. I called your father on the drive here. I think the press got a shot of me on the phone, but there’s nothing to do about it now.”

“It doesn’t matter. You can answer honestly that you were speaking with Papa.”

People rose, then bowed or curtsied as they walked by.

“I know. He’s fine after hearing the news; I’m not concerned about that. He said he wants to come out on the balcony with you both later this morning.”

“Mama.”

She squeezed his arm. “I know. That is something I’m worried about. We’ll see how he feels when we arrive. There’s still another two hours until then, at least. If he comes out, we’ll keep it short.”

Alex nodded; now was not the time to argue about it. “You look lovely, by the way.”

“Thank you, Alexander. You’re looking quite the dashing groom. Rebecca looks better, however.”

Alex barely restrained the growl that wanted to break free. “I’m sure she will, Mama. As I wasn’t allowed to see my bride last night, I couldn’t say.”

Genevieve laughed. “Poor Alexander. You only need to wait a little longer.”

“Far too long, in my opinion. You’ve seen how long this aisle is. It’ll take her an hour just to walk down it. And still, I’m not allowed to see her until she reaches the end of it.”

“You’ll make it. You always do.”

Alex nodded. He kissed his mother’s cheek, then took her to seat. As she sat, so did the crowd.

His brothers and Edward exited the side room and came to greet their mother before taking a spot at the altar besides him. An empty chair symbolized their father’s place; they’d chosen to keep it there rather than remove it.

It was the right thing to do.

The loudest cheer of the morning resounded outside.
Rebecca
. She must have arrived. Alex nodded to Rebecca’s grandmothers, who he’d greeted earlier, and then took his place at the altar.

It was time.

* * *

T
he cheers were almost deafening
to Rebecca. Thousands of cameras watched her smiling brightly as she carefully exited the car, her father assisting her first, then her mother.

Rebecca walked a few steps onto the Vallerian purple carpet, just long enough for Cat – who’d arrived in a second car – to adjust her train.

She’d wondered how people would react to her dress. It wasn’t new. It wasn’t made by a famous designer. Yet, it was hers.

Since the famous – now infamous – Vallerian designer Alberto Bocci had ripped her original dress to shreds only a few months before the wedding, her mother had suggested using her wedding dress, a family heirloom that brides had worn for generations. Cat had declared the dress acceptable for a royal wedding with some minor alterations and, since it miraculously fit Rebecca, she was wearing it now.

It was perfect.

Though the white silk gown originated from a Vallerian designer in the early nineteen hundreds, it had been updated over the years. She wore a modern corset under her dress – rather than the original S-shaped corset – that pushed up her breasts and pressed in her stomach. The original gigot sleeves had been replaced with silk lace sleeves, which extended over her shoulders and covered the rounded neck of the bodice, replacing the original high collar. The long train was original, though now it contained an embroidered version of the Vallerian Royal Crest. A Vallerian purple sash had also been added to the waist.

Instead of the original veiled hat, a new, long, shimmering veil took its place, also vintage. The veil was attached to the tiara that Genevieve had lent her, which matched the earrings she wore, another loan from the royal jewels. Her torturous purple shoes completed her outfit.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something purple.

Perfect.

Cat and the other women – Grace, Charlie, and Sarah – helped her get in position. Sarah handed her the bouquet. Edward’s two eldest nieces, Marina and Samantha, were flower girls and were lined up behind Rebecca, as it was decided no one should precede Rebecca down the aisle. Cat and the other women lined up behind the girls, to help them down the aisle, if needed.

They all gave another wave to the crowd, which erupted.

They walked inside the church and, away from the crowds and cameras, Francine arranged the veil over her face.

Her father signaled to someone in the church.

It was time.

The music bloomed, filling the cavernous halls.

And they stepped forward.

In the bright light of morning, knowing she was already tied to her husband, Rebecca was relaxed on her way down the aisle.

Her smile wasn’t forced.

Her steps were sure and graceful.

She didn’t think of her shoes, not once.

And the walk down the aisle seemed the shortest walk of her life.

Her father squeezed her arm, and she remembered to curtsy to Genevieve.

Then she was ten feet away from him, ten feet from the love of her life, and her heart began thumping furiously.

Nate touched Alex’s elbow, and Alex finally turned. His body stilled as he took her in.

Hers stilled as it took him in.

She’d never seen him in his full dress uniform before; he’d never worn it in public before they became a couple, and he’d had no need to wear it after that until today.

She had one hot, handsome husband.

Her face split into a broad grin, and his lips did, too.

She disengaged from her parents, and Alex stepped forward.

Electricity seemed to spark when their hands touched. Did he feel it, too? Was it just her?

They stepped forward, and stopped in front of William. Cat took her bouquet, and her bridesmaids and flower girls took their places as well.

William began his speech, a fuller version of the one he’d done in their private ceremony.

He asked if anyone objected to the union. If they did, it would be too late.

No one did.

He asked who stood with the bride.

Her parents answered, then took their seat.

Music swelled once more.

Alex turned and lifted her veil. Forgetting there were almost two thousand people in the church, forgetting everything but each other, he leaned forward, and cupped her cheek.

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life. And you make quite the ravishing bride.”

Rebecca held back a giggle. “You’re looking quite dapper yourself.”

“Allow me, my bride.” Alex helped her up the few steps to the altar, and the ceremony began.

As soon as they’d said their ‘I wills’ and their vows – the classic ones without the personal touches they’d used last time – they were escorted to a side room, where the marriage documents were located. Tavin and Mara were there waiting.

Tavin bowed. “Congratulations, Your Highnesses.” Mara curtsied, then congratulated them as well.

Rebecca pressed a hand to her stomach.

“What is it, darling?” Alex asked with furrowed brows. Usually a hand to her stomach meant stress and agitation.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s something. What is it?”

“I’m a ‘Highness’ now. I knew it was coming, I knew what marrying you meant, but now it real. It’s really real.”

“Darling.”

“I’m okay. It’s just going to take getting used to, that’s all.”

Alex cupped her face. “You’re still you. I’m still me. We’re still us.”

“I know. I know.”

The door opened and in walked Genevieve, along with Rebecca’s parents. “Have you signed?” Genevieve asked.

Alex shook his head as his hands dropped from Rebecca’s face. “We were waiting for you.”

“Then let’s get started. I’m going to call and check on Arianna before we head back out to the altar.”

“Arianna?” Rebecca asked. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Alex updated her on Arianna’s C-section. “Did no one tell you?”

“There’s no place to carry my phone with this dress. I didn’t know. Oh my God.”

Alex drew her into his arms. “Let’s not worry about it right now, okay? We still have to get through the rest of the ceremony, and the carriage ride back to the palace. Let the family worry about it until then.”

Rebecca pursed her lips, but nodded. “It doesn’t feel right to do it, but I understand.”

“Alex is right,” Genevieve said. “You’ll only have this one wedding day, and the whole world is watching. Be happy, and show the world how happy you are with each other.”