“It hasn’t been three days.”

“Yeah it has.” She puts her hands on her hips, adopting her know-it-all face.

I think on it. We have eaten several meals, made love dozens of times, and even taken a few showers and baths together. The room has been locked up tight. Only a few random knocks on the door when someone would leave food. The window curtains have all been closed. The drapes are so heavy no light filters through.

Then I know why. Roman. I’ve been so lost in him. I’m hopelessly in love with him, and the last few days have been the best of my life.

“You’re in love,” my sister says when I don’t respond She knows I’ve gotten lost in thoughts of Roman, just as I’d gotten lost in him over the past few days, it seems. “I can practically see the hearts in your eyes.”

“I am,” I admit easily. “So in love. He’s nothing like I thought he’d be. I know it’s fast, but—”

“Trust me, you don’t have to explain it to me. I see it on your face. And well…” She holds up her hand and I see a giant rock on her finger.

“Oh my God.” I jump on her, and we both tumble to the ground. A fit of giggles bursts from us.

I roll over to look at her after our laughter finally dies down. I grab her finger and look at the ring. It’s simple and beautiful. The band is studded with diamonds, and smaller gems surround the larger central stone.

“Did he pick this out?” I ask, and she nods. “It’s so you.”

“Just like yours,” she says, looking at mine.

Roman gave me my wedding ring during the ceremony, and it’s absolutely perfect. It’s an opal surrounded by diamonds. It’s been in his family for centuries. I felt so honored when he put it on my finger, and I wanted to make him proud of me while wearing it.

Tabby seems flashy and likes to dress up, but deep down she wants a simple life—a house filled with kids while she runs around after them. I might not be into jewelry, but family is the most important thing to me. And my ring is a symbol of that.

“I’m in love, too,” she admits, shrugging one shoulder.

“You’re leaving?” I say, having mixed feelings about it. I would leave with Roman, too, if I had to.

She grabs my hand and links her fingers with mine. “I’m not going far. His house is about a mile from here. Our house,” she corrects herself, a smile lighting up her face.

“Who would have thought a week ago this would be us?”

“I know, Al, it’s crazy!” Tabby says excitedly.

“Alena!” I hear my name bellowed from outside the room, and then I hear doors in the hallway being thrown open. We start laughing again because we know it’s Roman on a mad search for me.

“I gave my man the slip, too. Should we hide and make it harder on him?” Tabby asks, making me laugh harder, which I’m sure gives away our location.

The doors to the library fly open, and Roman fills the space. He doesn’t say anything, only strides toward me and lifts me off the floor. Then he throws me over his shoulder.

“You ruined my surprise,” he says, almost like he’s pouting.

“How did you know—” I try to ask, but he cuts me off.

“I know everything about you.” He stalks out of the room, leaving my sister behind us, laughing.

“Tabitha, if I were you I’d move my ass. Vlad is searching for you and doesn’t seem too happy.”

“Oh shit,” I hear her exclaim as the door to our bedroom closes and Roman tosses me onto the bed. He comes down over me, surrounding me with his big body.

“I love the library. It’s perfect.” I reach up, grabbing a handful of his thick black hair.

“You left our bed.” He narrows his eyes.

“I believe you left first.” I smirk at him, pulling his hair a little.

“Seems Vlad wants to get married as soon as possible, and his bride wouldn’t do a wedding without you. He got sick of us not leaving my room for the past few days. He came banging on my door.”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“I believe I’d worn you out.”

My cheeks warm. I’m still a little shy, but not like I was days ago. I shift my hips, trying to roll him over, but he doesn’t move. I narrow my eyes at him, and finally he rolls over onto his back.

“As my queens wishes,” he says as I crawl on top of him.

I straddle his waist but lean down so we are face to face. “I love the library, and most importantly, I love you.”

I’m immediately on my back again as a giggle escapes.

“Well, that didn’t last long,” I say, reaching up and touching his cheek.

He leans down, taking my mouth in a sweet kiss that goes on and on. I wrap myself around him, enjoying the tenderness this giant of a man can give me. Who would have thought he could be this way? He rolls us so I’m over him once again.

He lets his arms fall wide open, and I sit up, looking down at my king.

“My love, my queen. I’m yours to command.”

“And if I command you to pleasure me?” I say, raising an eyebrow in challenge.

Before I can blink, his hands are on my hips and he’s pulling my heated center up to his face. As I sit atop his mouth, the feel and sounds of his tongue pleasuring me surrounding me, I begin to understand that my king will do anything I wish. And for that, I’ll always be his princess.

Epilogue