Page 54 of Forbidden Noble
Then he tugged her closer and claimed her lips. She didn’t mind. This was everything she ever wanted. She loved him and he loved her--and his kiss made her forget everything else.
Chapter 19
Astorre stared out at the palace ballroom to watch his bride, radiant in her white wedding dress. She was talking and laughing with her friend as the room sparkled in white marble walls and blue and olive green tapestries, a way to tie in Avce’s royal colors with Montelino Bay’s history.
The ballroom had white round tables, where dignitaries sipping cocktails gossiped, and a string band quartet played for background noise.
While he'd never wanted a wedding, this was pretty spectacular.
And unlike his home, there wasn’t a cloud in sight. Bright blue skies during the day had transformed to less bright and deeper blue skies of the early night that allowed small glimpses of stars.
Not that he needed a star. Clara shone as a princess today with her hair up and small ringlets at the top of the sweep.
Astorre stayed near the grand staircase to wait for his sister, who had a meeting downstairs with the royal matchmaker.
Finally Olivia appeared in a green gown that went to her knees. He stood taller as he hovered until she joined him. She fixed her dress on the top step and he asked, “How did the meeting with Cassidy go?”
Olivia took his arm like they’d go back into the ballroom together, but shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’m not getting married. You are.”
Instead of joining the others, he led her to a small balcony to continue the conversation, but where he could see Clara laughing at her table in the ballroom too. “Technically I’m already married. This is a reception.”
Olivia pointed to Clara who currently hugged Cassidy as she came in the door, which meant his wife knew the appointment was over. Olivia said, “Where your bride gets to wear a white dress so it’s the closest you'll get to wedding photos to show your children later.”
His chest felt hollow at the thought. Children didn’t need to be in the cards. Just being with Clara was a reward. He fixed his black tuxedo jacket. “Yeah, I’m good with giving Sophia the castle one day.”
Olivia shook her head like she didn’t believe a word. “In time you and your wife will change your minds.”
He playfully elbowed his sister. “Maybe. So what did Cassidy say?”
Olivia didn’t blink as she glanced up at him and said, “I told her to keep her name as I didn’t need to know.”
While he enjoyed having his sister around, she deserved to be happy. And love didn’t turn anyone crazy. He raised his eyebrow. “So she had a name?”
Olivia’s nose wrinkled like she didn’t want to deal with this as she massaged the bridge of her nose. “She said I knew the guy but that’s impossible. If I knew my true love, we’d be together. Otherwise it’s just a name that will meddle with my mental state.”
She pressed her lips together but he asked anyhow, “Who?”
Olivia gently nudged him toward the door. “I don’t know and don’t want to know, which is what I said to her and now to you. I’m happy to be sending you into your bride now.”
He held out his arm to lead her into the party as he said, “Love is hard sometimes but it’s worth it.”
He held the door for his sister but the moment his gaze met Clara’s in the center of the room, his heart lifted a little higher. Olivia said, “I have enough love in my life. I have Sophia. Now go already.”
His sister waved him off and he couldn’t help but gravitate toward Clara. The crowd parted like waves at the shore that allowed him to easily get to Clara’s side. She looped her arm through his and asked as she glanced over his shoulder, “Why isn’t Olivia joining us?”
He pointed toward the center of the ballroom where no one was dancing yet. “She wants us to get a photo like the one of your parents.”
She squeezed his biceps. “That’s sweet. I want her to sit and eat with us.”
He hadn’t wanted to push Olivia more than he had, so he shrugged. “You’ll have to talk to her about that.”
Someone tapped him on the back and he turned around to see more smiling people. He hugged his friend though he first addressed his wife. “Rossie. Stephano.”
Stephano laughed and handed them champagne flutes from a passing waiter. “I never thought I’d see the day my friend Astorre happy and in love.”
Honestly, he hadn’t either, not before Clara. She'd changed everything in his life. “Is it that hard to believe?”
Stephano glanced at their mutual friend, Matteo, at a nearby table, seated with his wife, Sheena, and then back at him. “I generally think you’re the worst of us all.”
