Before She Ruled (Before Series, Book 1)

Bonus Chapter

Addie laid on her back, staring up at the sea of blue. Small strips of white clouds moved along through the sky like white caps on an ocean. In the distance, she could hear the sound of the actual waves crashing upon the rocky shore.

She was surrounded by vastness everywhere.

England was only a small spot on the map.

But it was her favorite spot.

Summer came quickly this year, and Addie had been eager to escape London, if only for a short while. Soon, she would be traveling to the continent with a long list of monarchical duties. But for now, the southern coast of England called her name.

"Adelaide," Theo murmured.

She felt his fingers brush through her hair, letting the wind run through her strands as he did. His head popped into her vision, blocking her view of the sky. She nearly scowled, but then realized that this sight was much better.

Theo's lips were curved up in a contented little smile, his bronze hair reflecting the sun as it fell in his face. Somehow his eyes perfectly matched the green garden growing around them. He was perfect.

"Yes, Your Grace?" she asked with a teasing glance.

Her pillow—Theo's lap—instantly vanished from beneath, her head falling into the bed of grass with a thud. Jerking upright, Addie glowered at her husband, who was now standing in front of her.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, Your Majesty," Theo said, rocking back on his heels in amusement. "You know that I do not abide being called Your Grace. Not by you."

Picking a green thread from her hair, Addie stood. She ignored the little trickles of sweat that rolled down her back as she faced him. "What if there'd been a rock in the ground and my head had hit it? I should have you imprisoned for conspiring to injure your queen." She threw him a challenging little smirk.

Theo pursed his lips, considering that. He wore only simple black breeches and a white muslin shirt that billowed in the breeze. It was undoubtedly improper, but they were the only ones around. "Where would my queen imprison me?" he asked thoughtfully.

Addie simply lifted a brow in response.

"You see, there are certain places that I wouldn't mind being imprisoned," Theo continued, taking a step toward her. Long grasses rustled as his boots cut through them.

"Is that so?" Addie folded her arms across her simple, rose-colored day dress. It was the most casual gown she had worn in many months. "Such as?"

"I shall tell you only if you call me by my correct name," Theo said, stepping close enough that Addie could see the fine dusting of freckles that had appeared on this sunny day.

Addie tilted her face up, smiling in the warm, summer wind. "All right, Kingfield."

Theo wrinkled his nose. Sliding one hand upward, he cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb lightly across her lips. "The other one."

Addie caught his thumb between her teeth, and Theo's eyes glittered in the shine of the sun, watching her mouth intently. He extracted his finger slowly, letting it slide between her lips. "Theo," she murmured finally.

An appreciative moan released from Theo. "Much better."

"I've been calling you Theo for many years now," Addie pointed out with a smile, appreciating her husband's whims. "It isn't as though you never hear me say your name."

"Oh, Addie," Theo said, mimicking her grin. "No sound is as sweet as my name on your lips. It reminds me that you're mine, and I'm yours."

"Even when I am scolding you? Like when you allowed Victoria to ride a horse before she was barely even able to walk?"