Page 44 of Crowned for His Son

Sabeen clicked her tongue, then ran her hands up and down Eden’s arms. ‘I’d say you’re more than holding your own, darling. Little birds tell me half the palace is impressed with your feistiness, while the other half are unsure what to make of you.’

Her eyes widened. ‘They are?’

Sabeen smiled. ‘You’re keeping them on their toes, that’s for sure. Including the soon-to-be-King.’

Eden shook her head. ‘I don’t know about that.’

‘Oh, trust me. It’s not every day a future king calls his brother to demand that his bride’s gowns are as perfect as they can be.’

Eden’s eyes goggled. ‘He did?’

‘Yup. Between Teo’s mother demanding changes to her gown on an hourly basis, and Azar demanding updates every morning, it’s a trip to see the unflappable Teo Domene…flapping about!’ she finished, with a sharp relish that said she was enjoying the Playboy Prince’s aggravation.

It made Eden wonder just what the deal was with those two.

‘Azar even suggested the colours,’ Sabeen went on. ‘Your favourite is purple, I believe?’

At Eden’s stunned nod, Sabeen beckoned one of her assistants and the woman pushed forward a clothing rail holding a gown covered by miles of protective netting.

‘Since you’ll be wearing the purple Order of Cartana sash with the diamond and amethyst tiara set, I thought your gown would be perfect with hints of purple too,’ Sabeen said, then produced an exquisite champagne-coloured gown with a princess cut neckline brimming with shimmering purple-hued crystals.

For unknown reasons, staring at it lodged another lump in Eden’s throat.

Azar had commissioned this exquisite gown?

‘Now, I may not be a hopeless romantic, but I think it’s clear your intended cares a great deal for you,’ Sabeen murmured, her eyes on the gown.

‘Does he?’ The question came out breathlessly, even as she shook her head, holding back the swell of dangerous emotion. ‘Of course, I would confirm or deny that if I could remember any of it,’ she added, before she thought better of it.

Even Sabeen’s bewildered frown was gorgeous, and had she not been thoroughly enamoured by her warmth and friendliness, Eden might have hated her a little.

‘You can’t remember…?’ she echoed.

Aware of their audience, Eden pursed her lips.

‘Excuse us for a few minutes, please,’ Sabeen said firmly to her team, then turned back to her the moment they were alone. Concern filmed her beautiful honey-brown eyes.

‘I don’t know if you know the details of how Azar and I met, but… I don’t,’ Eden told her. ‘I’ve lost my memory of the time I spent in Arizona…’

Sabeen’s concern deepened. ‘You poor thing. You remember nothing at all?’

She shook her head. ‘And my doctor has strictly forbidden Azar from telling me anything that might distress me. So I’m sorry if I don’t jump at the idea that my future husband has feelings for me. I don’t have any evidence of it.’

Again, she stopped her words far too late. But, to her surprise, Sabeen nodded briskly without an ounce of judgement.

‘Then play your cards as close to your chest as you wish and reveal them only when you’re ready. It won’t hurt one of the Domene men to take a turn twisting in the wind.’

The flush that followed Sabeen’s grave advice said she hadn’t meant to be so open with her emotions either. For a few frozen seconds they shared a deep, bewildered feeling of kinship.

Then Eden sniffed. ‘Can we talk about something else, please?’

‘Of course,’ Sabeen replied smoothly. ‘Lace is back, and I’ve got a to-die-for gown for your wedding day…’

* * *

‘Dios mio, if you pull on your cuff one more time you’ll ruin it! I made that suit, so I know for a fact there’s no magic wish tucked away anywhere, and definitely not up your sleeve. So stop pulling at it.’

Azar frowned at the ridiculous statement. Then looked down and saw he was doing exactly what Teo was grinningly ribbing him about.

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