Page 100 of Bride By Coronation

I bark, "Don't look away from the queen! Show some respect!"

He jerks his gaze back to her.

"Well?" she asks.

Zara steps forward and puts her hand on Fiona's arm. "We're working on the best way to tell her. I promise."

Fiona sighs and shakes her head. She turns toward me. "How long do we have to stay here?"

"We don't. Are you ready to go?" I ask.

"Yes."

I don't hesitate. I slide my arm around her waist, telling them, "Have a good trip back."

"Thank you," Zara replies.

Sean's scowl returns.

Fiona points, snapping, "Don't look at the king like that!"

I still, pleasantly surprised by her defending me.

"Seriously?" Sean mutters.

Her voice turns sterner. "Yes, I'm serious. You will show respect toward him not just because he's king but because he's now my husband. And don't make me warn you again, Sean."

He forces himself to put on a neutral expression.

"Apologize," she demands.

Sean shifts on his feet. He takes a deep breath and locks eyes with me. "I didn't mean to be disrespectful. My apologies."

Fiona needs us to get along.

I fight my urge to gloat and quickly reply, "We're good." I refocus on my bride. "Are you ready?"

She smiles, making the blood in my veins heat again. "Yes."

Zara interjects, "Can I at least give you a hug?"

Fiona tenses, then steps forward.

"Can I say congratulations?" Zara asks, hugging her hard.

Fiona retreats. "Yes. Thank you."

Zara pins her smile on me. "And congratulations to you too. We have a wedding gift. Can you wait a moment while I retrieve it?"

"You do?" Fiona asks, shock and excitement in her voice.

Zara beams. "Of course."

"We can wait," I state, happy to see Fiona's expression.

"Just a minute," Zara says, disappearing out of the suite.

Tension builds in the air.

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