Page 118 of Daniil
I rest my head against his shoulder.“Thank you for being my prince,” I whisper.
“Thank you for agreeing to be my princess.For the rest of eternity.”
Tomboy Courtney Grimshaw is going to be a princess.
That’s pretty fucking cool.
Epilogue
DANIIL
Four months later
My wedding day.
It’s a strange feeling because legally, I’m already married.
Courtney and I eloped the day after we got back together in Vegas.Quick, easy, and no fanfare.It was exactly what I wanted.
Today she’s getting whatshewants.
And a little something she didn’t know she wanted.
Instead of the black tuxedo with tails that I’m wearing for the wedding itself, I’m currently in my formal military uniform, the one with all the bells and whistles indicating that I’m a prince as well as an officer in the Limaji Army.
“You ready?”Sandor meets my eye in the mirror as I adjust my collar.
“I am.”
He smiles, holding out the velvet cape we wear to formal royal ceremonies.
I pull it over my shoulders and take a breath.
We’ve already had all the conversations about whether or not I’m sure, and I am.The step I’m taking today will solidify the plans Courtney and I are making.At least, one of them.She doesn’t know anything about this part of our day, and I’ve somehow managed to keep this extra ceremony a surprise.
Only immediate family knows what’s going on—and the Royal Protectors.
I reach for the ornate box containing the ceremonial sword that I received when I took the oath to be a Royal Protector.It’s gorgeous, the handle covered in rubies and emeralds, the blade gleaming in the light.
Today I’m giving it back.
Sliding it into the scabbard at my hip, I turn and walk out of the ante room toward the small chapel where official ceremonies take place.I’ve only been in here to be sworn in and watch others be sworn in as Royal Protectors.
Today will be a first.
Probably for all of us.
I catch Courtney’s eye and she looks confused when she sees me.All I told her was that it was a private ceremony that’s tradition in our family and that only a handful of people would be attending.She looks a little uncertain, so I wink before walking to the front of the room where Erik is standing.He’s also dressed in his military and ceremonial finery, which makes this more emotional than I thought it would be.
“Good morning.”Erik looks around.The room is full, but guests are very specific: Sandor, Lennox, Xander, Cooper, Natalia, Marcus, Joe, Axel, Solange, Jonas, Dax, and Ace.And Courtney.Because this was all for her.
“Let the ceremony begin.”Erik nods at me.
I walk forward and slowly and deliberately drop to one knee.
“Your Majesty.”I pull the sword from its sheath and hold it out, bowing my head.I take a deep breath but don’t hesitate.“Today I ask to be released from my oath as Royal Protector to the King of Limaj and the royal family.”
“State your reasons.”
