The Hidden Princess: Kingdom's Fate (book three)

Chapter Twenty-Three: Of Course I Still Love You

Rolling over, I pulled the blankets a little tighter around me. "Good morning," I whispered as Nikolai's eyes fluttered open beside me.

His yawn was replaced by a smile as he reached out his arms and pulled me close. "Good morning," he whispered in my ear.

Sighing in contentment, I leaned back against him. My eyes traveled to the large window overlooking the ocean. We had spent the past week celebrating our union at a villa in Ocean Edge that I had not known belonged to me until we were in the carriage the day after our wedding. After a few minutes, I felt Nikolai start to move and soon the warmth his body provided left. Groaning, I rolled over to find him sitting up and stretching. "Can't we stay just a little longer?" I asked.

He shook his head as he slid from the bed. "I would love to. However, if we don't return home on time I was informed that the Dragons would be sent to retrieve you... I on the other hand may or may not be making the return trip if that is the case," he said. I laughed and then my eyes grew wide as he jumped back onto the bed reaching out, grabbing me with one arm, and tickling me with the other. "You find my possible death humorous?" he asked as he continued to tickle me.

I shrieked as he hit a more sensitive spot. "No! Not your death!" I said wiggling free. "Just that after all these years you are still afraid of my brothers," I said, leaping from the bed as he came after me again.

"If anything they have become more frightening the more I get to know them and see their true strength," he said, staying on his hands and knees as he watched me walk around the bed.

I smirked, walking over, placing my hands on the bed and leaning towards him. "I promise to protect you from the big bad dragons," I said, leaning in and kissing him softly. "Let's get dressed and have one more walk along the ocean before making the return trip," I requested, turning away from my husband and preparing for the day.

"For how much you complained about not wanting to leave you sure are antsy to be home," Nikolai said as I watched out the carriage window.

I turned to him with a smile on my face. "While in Ocean Edge it was just you and I and I could have lived with that. However, we have been traveling for a few days now. It's given me time to be excited to be back home," I said, sliding my hand into his. "To start our life in Jarrow together!" I whispered, leaning in and kissing his cheek.

"Well, we still have a few more hours until we arrive," he said, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close.

In the comfort of his arms I fell asleep. It wasn't until the carriage came to a stop that I slowly woke. "We're home?" I asked. Nikolai nodded. I sat up and looked out the window, slight confusion crossing my face. "This is the compound," I said. My eyes grew wide as it hit. "We're staying here until I'm done?" I asked. He nodded again and I threw my arms around him. "Thank you!" I said. It had been hard to give up living at the compound. I had settled on the idea that when we arrived back home that we would be at the castle. Little did I know that Nikolai had been talking with a few behind my back.

"Now, let's get out of this carriage. I've had enough of it," he said, quickly exiting the carriage and helping me down.

"They're home!" a voice rang out. Within moments we were swarmed by my dragon brothers.

"Move aside! Favorite brother coming through," Alakay's voice called from the back of the crowd. Soon he, and the rest of my brothers, were standing in front of us. A grin on Alakay's face. "I am your favorite aren't I?" he asked.

Smiling, I shook my head. "How could I make that decision when I have so many great brothers?" I asked.

"It's simple. They all voted to let you get married, but keep Nik at the castle until after your apprenticeship. I, however, fought for you to be together," he said.