you really mean it,” Chanel reminded him. “You can say it now, Demyan. I will treasure your love forever, too.”
“But...”
“You love me.”
“I do?”
“That stuff you were saying earlier, about missing me, being afraid to lose me, even the way you changed the prenuptial agreement, it all means one thing.”
“It does?” Comprehension and acceptance dawned over his features, making him smile with heartbreaking happiness. “It does. I love you, Chanel, more than my life as a prince. More than anything.”
More tears filled her eyes, but these didn’t burn or hurt her heart. “I love you, too.”
“I mean it.”
“I know.”
“No, I mean...we don’t have to live with the whole royalty thing. I know it’s not the life you want. I can abdicate my role.”
It wasn’t an empty promise and it would not come without significant cost to this amazing man. Especially after finally acknowledging his true role as son of Oxana and Fedir, but Demyan was entirely sincere in his offer.
“No. I love you, Demyan. Ruthless prince. Corporate king and shark. All of you.”
“I love you for all that you are, too, Chanel, and that includes the woman who has never aspired to be a socialite.”
“I’m not going to be one now, either.”
“My uncle...father is not going to know what to do with you.”
“He’ll probably call me princess just to annoy me.”
Demyan laughed, the sound freer and filled with more joy than she’d ever heard from him. “You may well be right.”
“So long as you call me love.”
“Koxána moja,” he said, calling her his love in Ukrainian. “Always and forever. You are the very heart that beats inside my chest.”
And then he took her back to the rooms they would share whenever staying at the palace for the years to come and made tender, night-long love to her, using those words and so many others to tell Chanel that this man truly loved her and always would.
Later she snuggled into his body and yawned as she said, “I guess it’s a good thing you’ve got a sneaky, underhanded side.”
“Is it?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“We never would have gotten together otherwise. You snuck past all my barriers.”
“It is only fair, since you destroyed mine.”
Two broken people who had not even realized they were broken had been made whole by love.
Yes, Chanel thought, that was exactly right and fair.
“Love you, Demyan.”
“I love you.”
“Always.”
“For the rest of our lives.”
“And beyond.” Eternity would not end a love so strong.
“And beyond.”
OXANA CUDDLED HER latest grandchild. The tiny infant was only three days old, but he was so alert that the queen could not help smiling into soft gray eyes so like his mother’s.
Little Damon was her fourth grandchild and she had no doubts he would bring her every bit as much joy as the other three she’d been gifted by her sons and their wives.
The oldest, Mikael, was five and the only child Gillian and Maksim had conceived. Their youngest was adopted, a beautiful little girl who had both her besotted parents wrapped around her dainty little fingers.
Demyan and Chanel’s oldest had turned two, four months before the birth of her little brother. Both children were cosseted and adored by parents who showed a decided ruthlessness when it came to putting their family first.
Oxana could not be more pleased. She’d given up a lifetime of love and found little personal happiness in order to give her sons the best chance at a better life. One would be king, the other would continue to oversee their business interests, but both were blissfully happy.
And Oxana thought that a more-than-fair compensation for the sacrifices she’d made. After all, she had her grandchildren around her now. They called her Nana, not Your Majesty, and didn’t hesitate to muss her designer couture with messy fingers.
How incredibly blessed she was, but her sons had received the true gift beyond measure.
A lifetime love with women who not only knew but accepted both men for who and what they were.
Fedir often didn’t know what to make of his independent-minded daughters by marriage, but he loved being a grandfather and already had grand plans for the children.
Oxana didn’t tell him, but she had plans, too, and she knew exactly what each grandchild needed for the future. Love.
Just as she had done her best to make sure both her sons realized their loves, she would do whatever it took to ensure each of her grandchildren knew true love, as well.
Fedir could plan all the machinations he wanted, but in the end? Love would triumph.
Just as it had for her children.
* * * * *
Royals: A Dutiful Princess
His Forbidden Diamond
Susan Stephens
Expectant Princess, Unexpected Affair
Michelle Celmer
Royal Holiday Baby
Leanne Banks
Susan Stephens
SUSAN STEPHENS was a professional singer before meeting her husband on the Mediterranean island of Malta. In true Modern Romance style they met on Monday, became engaged on Friday and married three months later. Susan enjoys entertaining, travel and going to the theatre. To relax she reads, cooks and plays the piano, and when she’s had enough of relaxing she throws herself off mountains on skis, or gallops through the countryside singing loudly.
For Laurie, who, like all the best heroines, is smart and fun, with an unshakeable determination to get the very best out of me.
TYR SKAVANGA IS HOME!
THE HEADLINE BLARED at him. His sister Britt had placed the newspaper on her desk, where she knew he couldn’t