Page 42 of Romancing Rayne

“Go on. Give the crowd a show,” Meghan urged.

“Let this be our wedding present to you,” Harry added.

“Come on, Princess, let’s go see this balcony you like so much.”

“Like? It’s where royal fairytales are sealed with a kiss. I don’t just like it, I love it. It’s every little girl’s fantasy to meet her Prince Charming and live happily ever after.”

“I’m no Prince Charming but I do promise you a happily ever after.” Ghost tugged my hand, pulling me through the doorway onto the stone landing. I sucked in a breath at the enormity of my surroundings. He took another step, leading us closer to the railing that overlooked the courtyard below. The large, golden gates of the palace came into view, the Victoria Statue stood tall and proud beyond the confines of the palace. People were milling about, sightseeing and taking pictures. And I could see St. James Park in the distance.

Ghost took me in his arms and smiled down at me.

“Is it everything you dreamed it would be?”

I took in his face—open and happy. Yes, he was everything I’d hoped he would be. My Prince Charming. He didn’t sweep me off my feet while galloping in on a white horse, instead he rescued me wearing all black, swooping in like an avenging hero in a romance novel. Our fairytale didn’t start with a carriage and courtship; it began with a one-night stand and a C-130 military transport plane.

“No. I could’ve never dreamed up a man as perfect as you in a million years,” I told him.

“To fairytales,” Ghost murmured before he closed the distance and kissed me with a passion I was sure this balcony had never seen. It was far too indecent for royal protocol and more indicative of lust rather than love. However, when he slowed the kiss and swept me back, causing one foot to come off the ground for balance, I felt every bit the princess he called me.

Our lips parted, and I whispered, “To fairytales.”

Ghost set me on my feet and made sure I was settled before stepping back. I knew we didn’t have much time left and there was still something we had to do. “One question before we go in.” I lowered my voice, making sure no one could hear me. “Where are we going to carve our names?”

“Such a rebel.” Ghost feigned shock. “I know just the place.” He tugged my hand and walked around one of the large stone pillars. He stopped and knelt down. To anyone looking it would seem he was tying his boot, however, with his penknife in hand, he quickly carved our mark into the centuries old railing.

P+G

“When did you become such a sap?” I laughed. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Ghost stared at me for a long moment before looking over the railing, then back to me.

“The day this stunning spitfire barged into my life and showed me all the things I’d been missing. Her love and candor opened a world I never knew I could have. A place where fairytales exist, and a beautiful princess named Rayne—with a Y and an E—reigns supreme for all eternity.”

I practically knocked him over when I lunged, wrapping my arms around his neck and burying my face in his chest. His strong heartbeat strummed under my cheek, reminding me all was right in my world. I was back where I belonged.

With Ghost.

Epilogue

Rayne

The last few days had been a whirlwind as we tried to pack in as much as possible before we left. The only hitch had been that any time we left the room, Ghost held my hand so tightly, his knuckles turned white. The first day I’d allowed it. We’d both needed the connection and reassurance the other was near. However, the second day, on the way to breakfast in the hotel lobby, he was even more on edge. His head was on a swivel, scanning the area like we were in a war zone.

I hated it.

I hated that Ghost was so stressed he wasn’t enjoying what was left of our honeymoon. When I wrenched my hand out of his grasp, he looked as though I’d cut his heart from his chest. He didn’t say anything, but I knew I had to put a stop to his worrying.

“I have my cell phone right here.” I held it up to show him. “And I have a hundred pounds tucked in my bra,” I whispered. “Everything’s fine.”

“But—”

“No buts, Ghost. I’m safe. You’re right here. And even if you weren’t, I’d still be fine. You can’t drive yourself crazy like this.”

“If something happens to you—”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me.”

He still hadn’t looked convinced, but he was no longer holding my hand like I was his hostage.