Page 63 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

“I can’t say that I never had the chance to tell him how I felt, because I had plenty of chances. And after that, I convinced myself that the hurt I felt was just another example of why I needed to keep people at arm’s length, when in reality, I had sentenced myself to that kind of pain.” I lean down, lay my forehead against hers. “I don’t want to make that mistake again. Especially not with the woman I’ve fallen in love with.”

The smile she gives me is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “You love me.”

“Deeply and completely. I think I first started to fall in love with you when I walked into the room and you gave me that haughty glance.”

She grins at me. “I thought you were the sexiest man I’d ever seen. I admired you. Respected you, even though you infuriated me every time you stood up to me. You treated me from the beginning like a woman, an individual. You saw past the crown before I even saw myself.”

I give into desire, lower my head and kiss her again. “I meant what I said at the press conference. I told myself that I knew what I was getting into. But I need you to know it’s not a matter of putting up with the spotlight or enduring it for your sake or the sake of our child.” I thread my fingers through her hair, savor the soft silk against my skin. “I choose this life with you because I can’t imagine a life without you in it. And if that means reporters, balls and galas and charity events, and even a meeting with the Minister of the Interior, then I will do it all. Not because I have to, but because I want to.”

Tears glimmer in her eyes. “I thought I had to do it alone. I didn’t want to cause a scene, wanted to stay true to my duty. But not setting boundaries, not even attempting to reach out to others, soured me on being a royal. All I could see was the bad. But you reminded me of the good. No, I may never get to be a doctor or a nurse. But there’s still so much that I can do. Not just for myself, but for this country. And I want to do that with you by my side.”

“Well then.”

I kneel, savor the widening of her eyes. “Your Royal Highness, Crown Princess Sophaya of Siravelle, will you do me the honor of remaining my wife?”

She laughs even as tears spill down her cheeks. “Yes.”

“Then will you accept this ring?”

She glances down, her mouth dropping open as I hold up her engagement ring. “How did you…?” She stares down at her ring finger. “How did you do that?”

“I may or may not retain some skills from my earlier days.”

She throws back her head and laughs as I slide the ring back onto her finger. “Okay, you have to teach me how to do that.”

Laughing, I stand and sweep her into my arms, sealing my new future with the woman I love.

Epilogue

Dominic

Five months later

A sharp cry pierces the hospital room as our child comes into the world. Sophaya’s hand is clamped down on mine, hair plastered to her forehead as she releases a shuddering breath.

“Is it a son?” she asks between deep, wrenching breaths. “A daughter?”

The doctor holds up the squalling baby.

A smile splits my face. “We have a daughter, darling.”

Sophaya smiles. “Amarisse.”

The doctor brings the baby over and gently lays her down on Sophaya’s chest before draping a blanket over her. Amarisse’s wailing quiets, a shuddering sigh escaping her tiny body as she relaxes into the warmth of her mother’s body.

Sophaya releases my hand as she cradles our daughter against her chest. I slowly reach out and lay a hand on Amarisse’s back.

“She’s here,” I murmur.

Sophaya looks up at me and gifts me with the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. “We did it.”

I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat as I lean down and kiss my wife.

The last few months have flown by. Sophaya accompanied me to the autumn gala in New York. After that, we stayed in Siravelle for the rest of her pregnancy. She wanted to be prepared for assuming the crown, wanted the people and the government to see her dedication to her upcoming role.

Pride surges through me. They took notice. Her approval ratings soared before she was officially crowned in early February. She was very visibly pregnant by then, but polls showed most people didn’t care about the timing. They loved their crown princess, and oddly enough, they liked me, too. Even the members of Parliament have overwhelmingly supported her involvement.

But as I rub small circles on my daughter’s back, I’m immensely grateful that we’ll get a few weeks off.