Page 27 of Pregnant at the Palace Altar

This was personal. His mother’spersonalengagement ring. His mother, whom he’d lost so tragically. And Katerina knew, because of all the things he never said, that he must have loved his mother very much. So all her anger and frustration with him leaked out of her in one go.

He was getting his way, steamrolling her into this life she had not wanted. He was demanding and commanding and antagonistic.

And yet so many things she knew he didn’t deal with were wrapped up in this marriage—memories and family. She had seen him fall apart over getting his sister back after years of seeing him only as a lonely, stoic figure. That had been a shock.Thathad been the moment she’d realized there was a beating heart underneath all that ice.

He preferred the ice, and he would fight tooth and nail to keep it. But when so much pain was underneath, how could she not understand that? How could she not empathize with him?

He still held her hand in his though the ring was long since settled on her finger. He stared at it, a very perplexed expression on his face she did not fully understand. It didn’t appear as simple as regret, but she wondered if he did wish he could take it back now that it was on her finger.

“Are you sure this is the ring you wish me to have?” she asked gently.

He kept his gaze on the ring, then slowly released her hand. He stepped back, clasped his hands behind his back, and looked at her with vague detachment.

“My mother would have liked you. Very much.”

The compliment had the strength to make tears threaten. Queen Agathe had been a beloved figure in Kalyva, so it would have been a compliment no matter what. But to have Diamandis say it to her meant something deeper. The heart she was trying so hard to protect felt bruised.

And ached for him. “Why?”

“You are practical and reasonable and kind. All things she was and which she valued.”

“Diamandis...”

“Come, we are already late, and this is not a good look.” He turned abruptly and opened the door. He held it open and did not look back at her as he waited for her to exit.

And Katerina had no words, no way to articulate all she felt, all she wanted for him and from him. So she said nothing, and walked out the door.

CHAPTER NINE

DIAMANDISDREAMEDOFhis mother. It was an excruciating pain he hadn’t suffered in years. One he thought he’d eradicated after that first year following her death, when she’d appeared in his dreams, just out of reach, every night.

He had learned to push his body and mind to the brink of exhaustion every day, and sleep had been mostly dreamless since.

Mostly.

It was not the best way to begin his wedding day, which would be a lengthy process that involved much smiling and bowing and performing for the people. It would at least be mentally exhausting in all the ways that would help him sleep tonight.

His wedding night.

He was getting married today. To Katerina. He would be a father in a few short months. Everything from this moment on was an irrevocable change, and he had no choice but to accept and handle them all.

He was the King of Kalyva. He had a kingdom to run and the Agonas legacy to protect. Everything else was secondary to duty. Everything else would be kept in its careful compartment.

He got out of bed and let the staff in with breakfast, messages, and all the accoutrements involved in dressing the king for his royal wedding. There would be the wedding, the procession, the royal dinner.

Then they could leave on their honeymoon. Diamandis did not let his mind drift to Katerina being there too. He pictured himself alone in the old, isolated castle on the other side of Kalyva. It would a period of respite that he rarely allowed himself.

And she would be with him, and for the aesthetics of it all, they would need to share a room.

Katerina would not like this. If she continued in her hands-off nonsense, neither would he.

But it would be done.Likesandwantsdid not signify, as per usual.

When Lysias arrived, dressed and pressed in a uniform befitting the husband of the princess, Diamandis excused his staff. He and Lysias could make the procession to the chapel alone. Diamandis needed some moments free of fluttering staff. He’d excuse Lysias as well if he could get away with it, but this was not custom. He would arrive at the chapel with his best man and the wedding would begin.

He only prayed that Lysias did not bring up anything significant. “I know you have said it is no great hardship, but I appreciate the swap all the same,” Diamandis said, hoping to keep the conversation light.

“I’m certain I can find a way for you to pay me back,” Lysias said, flashing his careless grin. Much like Zandra, the Lysias that Diamandis had been friends with as a boy, and the man he knew now, seemed like two different people.

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