“You could argue those were just reckless choices I made because I wanted to,” I inform him.

“True. But you that’s not why you made them.”

“No, it’s not,” I confirm softly.

“So…are we really good on this now, or are you going to say we’re good again and actually keep worrying about it?” Jace asks with an endearing smirk.

I laugh. “We’re really good.” I promise. “I think I’ve given you enough outs by now.”

“You didn’t need to give me any outs,” Jace responds. “But I know why you tried to, and I love you for it. Just let me do this, okay? Let me choose you, Viv.”

I study him for a moment. The gray eyes, the sharp cheekbones, the stubbled jaw, the dark hair just visible under the sides of his baseball cap.

“Okay,” I whisper. “Choose me.”

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

JACE

It’s late when we arrive at the palace. I walk inside the imposing entryway with fresh eyes. I live here now.

It’s a bizarre thought, to say the least.

For some reason, I expected the palace to be quiet and empty at this hour. Instead, there’s plenty of staff bustling around. Two butlers descend upon us, picking up the luggage agents have already unloaded from the cars and carrying it upstairs. Most surprising? The queen and king are standing in the same spot as they were the first time I visited. The only difference from that arrival is that Vivienne is leaning against me, wearing my ring on her finger. Her feet drag as I walk us over to her parents.

“Hi Mother, Papa,” she greets them, yawning widely. She raises her left hand to cover her mouth, and I watch as both of her parents spot the diamond she’s now wearing.

Her mother is the first to react. “You’re engaged?” she gasps.

Viv nods, glancing up at me and smiling. Her parents seem genuine in their excitement over our engagement, and I’m relieved. I left on good terms with them both, but I wasn’t sure if that would transfer over now that Viv and I are a reality rather than an unlikely possibility.

After her parents finish congratulating us, we say good night. I surreptitiously pass Robert a piece of paper as we head toward the sweeping staircase. He seems to realize what it is, giving me a smile that has an additional tinge of respect. I’m glad he’s not offended.

I have to haul Viv up the stairs, and I’m tempted to pick her up just to speed things along.

Halfway up the staircase, she asks, “What did you give my father?”

“Interesting how you were alert enough to notice that, but I’m supporting all your weight right now.”

Viv smiles. “I like that I can lean on you,” she replies simply.

I smile back.

“So?”

I sigh. “It was a check for five million dollars.”

“What?”

“He sent it to me so I could buy out my contract. But I wanted to do it myself.”