His Royal Princess Read online

  Drake hung his head.

  She squeezed his fingers. "I'm so sorry."

  "Shh. No, it was my fault. They told me Natalia is your mother, and I promised to keep it a secret until she could tell you herself. I never planned to fall in love with you. When I did, I went to them the morning after spending the night making love to you and demanded they tell you the truth."

  "Oh, Drake, I love you. I've been miserable without you."

  Drake stood and leaned over Celina, careful not to hurt her more. She closed her eyes and let herself melt under his kisses.

  He brushed his lips beside her ear, and whispered, "Celina, would you marry me?"

  She smiled. Happy tears came to the corners of her eyes. This wasn't a dream she'd escaped to, but reality.

  "You want to marry me?" She raised her brows.

  "Absolutely. I knew I wanted you for my wife when you walked into the party my father gave you, and my heart hit the floor. I want you by my side for the rest of my life."

  "Oh, Drake, yes. Yes." She raised her chin and reached for his lips again. She couldn't wait to recuperate and wrap herself up in his arms.

  "It looks like we got here just in time." Charles stood in the doorway with his arm around Natalia. "Nat wouldn't rest until she'd seen her daughter with her own eyes and knew she lived."

  "Mama..." Celina shed fresh tears. Natalia limped across the room to sit in the chair Drake scooted close to the bed for her.

  She laid her hand on Celina's forehead. "Are you okay?"

  "I am now. Promise you will never leave me again?" Celina clung to Natalia's hand.

  Natalia nodded, tears filling her eyes. "You hid me perfectly. Charles found me and carried me here." She reached over and pulled Charles closer to the bed. "From now on, we all stick together. Love each other. I've lost so many years to act like a mother. I want to make it up to you."

  Charles laid his arm around Natalia's shoulder. "She's never stopped loving you, Celina. You're all she ever thought about."

  "Thank you. Thank you for bringing my mother to me." Her mother. The name slid off her tongue and tasted sweet. They'd talk more later. Right now...being together would satisfy her.

  "Has Prince Joqua come back yet?" Charles asked Drake.

  "Not yet."

  "Papa is missing too?" Celina tried to sit up and grimaced.

  "No. He's overseeing the man who helped Shanna." Drake walked around to the other side of the bed and sat on the edge. Celina reached for his hand and pulled him closer.

  She turned her head. "Tell them. We all need something to look forward to, don't you think?"

  Drake lifted her hand and kissed it. "Dad. Natalia. I asked Celina to marry me, and she said yes."

  Natalia tilted her head and winked at Charles. "We have news of our own to share. I'm going to marry Charles when we get back to the States."

  Celina laughed. All of their lives had changed; she'd gained a fiancé and a mother in the same day.

  "I need to tell Papa still." She wanted Drake to understand her desire to marry on the island. More than anything, she wanted an Antakian marriage celebration. She'd make sure she did whatever it took for Prince Joqua to give them his approval.

  She would also tell her papa she wanted to live in America with Drake. The freedom found there pleased her, and she wanted to live closer to her mother. She bit down on her lip. Before that could happen, she wanted a wedding that took place on her father's island, under his laws, in front of her siblings, and with her father walking her down the aisle.

  "Would you like to be married here, before we go home?" Drake asked.

  She nodded and looked to her mother. "Will you both stay?"

  Chapter Twenty-One

  All of Celina's family and friends sat in the courtyard in front of the palace and waited for the bride to walk toward the groom. Drake stood in front of her sisters by the fire pit in the center. Celina inhaled. Her heart burst with happiness.

  The night Papa came back from trying to capture Shanna and confessed the hunt turned up unsuccessful left Charles and Drake ready to fly off the island to deliver her mother and her to the safety of America. Celina promised she would never let herself be alone, even in the palace, if Drake let her stay for the wedding. During the day, she tagged around with her sisters, but from today on, she would follow Drake to the ends of the earth.

  "Are you ready?" Her mother put her arm around Celina's waist and pulled her tight against her.

  Celina nodded. In an exquisite gown of baby blue flowing around her delicate frame, Natalia looked beautiful. She'd recovered from the trauma last week and had joined the other women in constructing her wedding clothes.

  "Yes. I'm ready." She nodded again.

  "That is what any father wants to hear on the day of his daughter's wedding." Prince Joqua walked over to Celina.

  Papa captured her face with his hands and kissed both her cheeks. She sighed, and her parents smiled. She'd never believed the love of both her parents meant so much to her, until she had them with her together. To have them walk her down the path to her soon-to-be husband filled the empty spot within her heart. Now her life overflowed with love from so many people, it often overwhelmed her with pleasure.

  "This is the last chance you have to change your mind, Celina." Prince Joqua studied his daughter.

  She shook her head. She wouldn't change her mind. This was the only thing she'd wanted since the day she'd arrived in America and met Drake Randall. A single touch of his hand sent her blood pulsing through her veins and brought her to life.

  "No, Papa. I'm not going to change my mind. I love him."

  "And he loves you. I'm proud of you, my daughter. You make a beautiful and perfect Antakian bride, any man would be proud to claim." Prince Joqua picked up the sheer, lightweight veil and placed it over Celina's head.

  She dressed in Antakian fashion for her wedding, although her marriage would not follow the laws of Antaka. She'd learned enough about America that she looked forward to an equal relationship with Drake.

  Over the years, Celina enjoyed the wedding ceremonies she'd often attended. The dress, the festivities, and the promise to love one another, always had her dreaming of the time she'd have the opportunity to do the same. She deeply inhaled, a mix of anticipation and contentment settling over her. Having Drake join her in her desire to wed in the country she loved pleased her more than he'd ever realize.

  Sandwiched between her parents, Celina initiated the long walk down the stone path to her future husband. She knew the moment he caught sight of her outfit, and smiled beneath the veil.

  The halter-top, woven from the finest silks Papa managed to hunt up on the island, barely contained her breasts. Strategically-placed emeralds allowed her soon-to-be-husband a glimpse of what lay underneath. By the way he lowered his gaze and drank up the rest of her, he seemed to approve of her attire.

  The matching silk wrap lay low on her hips, left her belly bare, and flowed gently above her ankles. She walked and took pride in the material so light it floated. Unencumbered from the torturous bra and uncomfortable panties from American, she preferred to go natural, uninhibited.

  As she drew closer to Drake, a light film of perspiration coated his forehead. She used her trained stomach muscles to wave in classic belly dancing style. Laughter bubbled up inside of her when the dimple on the left side of his face peeked out on his adorable face.

  The jewel placed in her belly button twinkled off the sun over the horizon. Her siblings wished her luck and threw rose petals in her path on the way to Drake's side. Finally, she belonged. With her parents beside her, her siblings encouraging her along the path to Drake, and the love of her man waiting for her, she had everything she'd ever dreamed about on her wedding.

  Drake bowed to her papa and waited for Prince Joqua to remove her veil.

  "Thank you, Papa."

  "I love you, my first-born daughter." He gave her kisses, and then she turned to receive kisses from her mama.

>   Her parents took their seat behind her, and she kneeled on the cushion placed in front of Drake. She bowed her head.

  The priest dedicated Celina's life to Drake Randall. Celina stayed on her knees, her eyes closed. In a sign of respect to her new husband, she remained on the ground, and the priest asked for the exchange of gifts. Her father handed over the family offerings he wished Celina to have in her marriage, and Drake gave Prince Joqua the bride gift. She'd explained to Drake earlier about the customs, and he came prepared.

  In true Antakian fashion, she had no idea what was in included in the exchange.

  The cushion she kneeled on shifted, and she opened her eyes in surprise. Drake had joined her down on the ground in front of the priest. Her eyebrows shot up. He wasn't supposed to lower himself during the ceremony.

  The crowd gasped in shock, and Drake gathered Celina's hands into his and pulled her back up to a standing position. She stood next to him barely breathing. The behavior he displayed remained taboo of an Antakian groom.

  "What are you doing?" she whispered. "This isn't allowed."

  Drake gave her hands a squeeze before turning to the wedding guests. He raised a hand to quiet the shocked murmurs going throughout the crowd.

  Celina couldn't bring herself to glance at the prince. Without a doubt, Drake had insulted him. Oh, Drake, what have you done?

  A hush fell over the crowd, and every citizen of Antaka looked to Drake for answers. He cleared his throat.

  "As all of you know, Celina is an Antakian. From the deepest recesses of her heart she has believed in the prince, followed the laws set forth, and tried her hardest to train herself into an Antakian woman." He nodded at Prince Joqua. "I respect her way of uniting us in marriage, but I also believe in the way I, as an American, take a wife."

  Celina's heart beat wildly, and she glanced at the prince. Papa winked. Her head followed the line of chairs her brothers and sisters sat in. Each one smiled at her as if knowing a deep dark secret.

  "Celina...From this day forward, you will be my equal. Where you go, I go. When you lay your head on the pillow each night to dream of the life ahead for us, I'll be beside you, joining in that same dream too. You are the only wife for me. My only love. Until death takes us apart, I'll honor you. I love you."

  The tears fell freely. She lifted her face. Her lips trembled with emotion.

  "Drake...I want to be your wife more than I want to take my next breath. I'll love you for the rest of my life. You have given me everything I ever hoped for, and more. I-I will spend every day we have together loving only you."

  The priest concluded with a prayer, and Drake gathered her in his arms and kissed her.

  "I love you." Drake deepened the kiss. She snaked her arms around his neck and opened her mouth for him. The crowd cheered. She ducked her head and giggled.

  "My husband. I love you."

  Prince Joqua congratulated the couple first. Celina hugged him and stepped back. "Oh, thank you Papa. For everything you've always done for me."

  "Prince Joqua, I would like to gift you with this, not as a token for your daughter, but as a sign of respect. You and yours are always welcome in our home in America." Drake held out his hand.

  Prince Joqua's eyebrows shot up, and he fiddled with the key Drake handed over. Drake had told her earlier what he'd planned, and she loved the idea her papa might visit her whenever he wanted, or whenever she needed him. Her husband brought out the good in others. Husband. The word rolled off her tongue nicely.

  It took hours into the evening to get through the many congratulations from Celina's siblings and friends. A night of dancing and eating lay ahead, and all Drake could think about was getting Celina back to the suite the prince gave them for the night. The last week had crawled at a snail's pace, and he only wanted to get his bride back to America.

  He caught sight of his dad and Natalia sitting at the edge of the crowd, their hands linked together. Finally, they'd planned the marriage he knew his father had wanted for years. Natalia had pushed him away and stalled for too long, unable to move forward without going back and fixing her relationship with her daughter. Now she could, and Drake couldn't be happier for them.

  "It's almost time for my wedding dance." Celina set down her plate of food.

  "Wedding dance?"

  She nodded. "All wives must dance before the fire for their new husbands. Each dance is special and unique to each woman who performs it."

  "And you have learned to do this for me?" His brain slowed to a crawl at the mere idea. "What about the laws?"

  She nodded and giggled behind her hand. "A wedding is special for everyone—for the bride, for the guests, and especially for the man. It's the one and only day others will be part of this special moment. All future displays of my love will be for you to enjoy privately."

  He growled low in his throat. Desire for his wife had all the blood rushing south, leaving him aware that after tonight he could have her anytime he wanted. The whole week they remained separated during the preparations for the wedding, and he received nary a kiss from her. Now she would dance for him in front of everyone to show them the kind of woman he received. He'd never survive such temptation. He wanted her now. Alone.

  "I must go and prepare." She planted a chaste kiss on his lips and ran off down the path to the palace.

  Celina's sisters left their seats to join her. Drake rose and strolled uncomfortably over to join his dad and Natalia. Aroused and impatient, he tried to will himself to hold on a little longer.

  "Some wedding huh, son?" Charles shook his hand.

  Drake grinned and clapped his dad on the shoulder. "It's rather long. Don't you think it's a long wedding?"

  Charles threw back his head, laughed, and only quieted after Natalia elbowed him in the ribs, grinning at her fiancé.

  "Where did Celina run off to?" Charles asked.

  "She mentioned something about preparing for a wedding dance. I'm not sure what is planned." He cocked an eyebrow at Natalia. She knew the ins and outs on Antaka.

  "I'll just tell you it is a special dance. One you will likely never forget." Natalia laid her head on Charles' shoulder.

  Celina's sisters ran back toward him, their hands fluttering for him to follow them. He trailed behind, amused at how animated they seemed tonight. No sign of the shy obedient young ladies he'd witnessed at dinner.

  After placing a chair in the middle of the courtyard, Celina's sisters returned to the crowd and left him alone in front of the fire pit. He looked around, but no one informed him of what he should do.

  Even though the moon sat high in the sky, the warmth from the fire blazing behind him threw enough heat out that he wanted to throw off his coat. Unaware of the next step in the ceremony and what he should do, he sat down on the chair.

  The soft tinkling of bells drew his attention from the fire to the shadows where the guests circled around him. Beyond the darkness, and behind the people, he listened to the soft chimes ringing through the night. Peacefulness settled in his chest.

  The first glimpse of Celina forced him to sit straighter in the chair. The cymbals in between Celina's thumbs and fingers kept a steady beat, while the tiny little bells lying around her hips moved in such a way that the hypnotic melody kept his gaze on the directions her hips swayed.

  Like an enchanter coming to steal his soul, Celina moved and swayed around him. He swallowed over the lump in his throat. He longed to reach out and touch her, but he found he had lost the ability to make his arms move.

  She weaved her arms above her head in a sultry dance and clicked her fingers at the same time. Coming closer, she gazed down over her breasts and winked at him. The little minx was teasing him in front of everyone.

  The tempo of the bells sped up, and Celina turned and presented her back to Drake. He sucked in air. His chest expanded. She shook her ass faster than he'd even dreamed about.

  Faster.

  Faster.

  She backed up and placed her derriere over his la
p, close enough to touch. The bells she played matched the beats of his heart. She twirled around his chair, brushing his arms with her body. His jaw tightened, and the fire behind him added to the flames building inside him. He was burning to get his wife alone.

  Celina tossed the cymbals into the fire without missing a move with her hips. Without the louder cymbals, only the tinkling of the bells around her hips filled the night air. Save me, Celina, I'm dying here.

  She stood behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders. He let his head fall back and closed his eyes. She caressed his shoulder, chest, and worked magic into his body. She returned to the front of him, and he opened his eyes. The rhythm of the music she produced reached its peak.

  With her head thrown back and her arms spread wide, she offered herself to him. He realized, through her dance, she'd just announced to everyone that she surrendered herself to her husband. Knowing she trusted him with complete unabridged love shook him to the core.

  Drake stood, and the chair went flying backward. He swung Celina around, picked her up, and carried his precious package back to their arranged room.

  "I want you," his voice raspy with emotion.

  "I'll always want you." She curled into his arms and held on.

  Drake held Celina tight to him until he made it back to the suite Prince Joqua had given them, and deposited her on the bed in the middle of the room. He captured her mouth and absorbed the tantalizing taste only she possessed. He forgot he was staying on Antaka, forgot the people still at the party, and concentrated on finally having his wife in his bed.

  He pulled her body closer and lingered on her mouth. He explored the rich fullness of her bottom lip. His fingers slid over her shoulders, stroking the warm tender flesh before moving down to her collarbone. She trembled underneath him.

  "You're so warm," he whispered against her mouth. He leaned back to gaze at her laying underneath him, smoldering for his touch.

  He lowered himself again, kissing her gently, slowly building the pressure until she parted her lips and he heard the soft moan coming from her. He placed her hands on the side of her above her head. Her breasts lightly brushed the front of his shirt.