Epilogue

December 26

“I can’t believe I pulled it off.” Brodie said, smug, from his seat next to me in coach class. Nothing pretentious about my prince. We’d taken the two bulkhead seats to give him more legroom. Of course, the flight attendant made sure we knew we were responsible for opening the emergency exit and helping passengers in case of trouble, but Brodie promised he knew just what to do. Fortunately, despite my family history, I’d never had a fear of flying.

We’d started our descent into Dornfeld’s Asmund International Airport. Excitement burst through me at approaching Brodie’s homeland for the first time, but all I saw was clumpy clouds. Freddi, no doubt as familiar with the view as his own face, snoozed across the aisle from us.

“And I can’t believe my parents agreed to such a scheme.” I punched Brodie’s arm lightly like I’d seen between him and Nate. “Or that my big dork of a brother could keep such a secret.

Brodie smirked and crinkled his nose like a kid. “That’s because I extended him an invitation to the royal wedding if he promised to clam up.” He whispered close to my ear. “I explained there’ll be many beautiful bridesmaids, ladies-in-waiting, and distant cousins. As for your parents,”—He kissed my cheek, quickly— “why wouldn’t they? They want you to be happy. I assured them my intentions are pure and honorable.”

He sounded so serious, a gentle finger tracing the pearl snowflake on my shoulder. And no matter how thick my sweater, Brodie warmed me through even better.

I had relaxed after the meal service since I hadn’t spilled anything. “But you didn’t know then, about the succession changes.”

He shrugged “That didn’t affect me too much. Ilka would probably have had a little heir or two before I ever got married. Besides, I’d give up anything for you.” He batted his eyelashes quickly at me, but I believed him anyway and my heart jiggled. “Besides, that corner has been turned regarding Ilka and me, by our own parents. I just can’t believe you didn’t get my hint. That Dornfeld and England are not that far apart.”

“I’m going to England to study, goofball.” But I knew many weekend visits lay ahead.

Quick, because smartphone cameras were everywhere even on a plane in coach class, he snatched another kiss. “But not for two weeks. You still have to endure celebrating Twelve Days of Christmas and the New Year with me.”

And that’s exactly what he’d been discussing with my parents that handbell afternoon…hence their thrown kisses and thumbs up. Oh, Brodie hadn’t been asking for my hand or anything. Not yet. Just getting my parents’ permission for a Christmas visit in Dornfeld before my study abroad and well, preliminary permission for a future. The enhanced plane ticket had been their Christmas gift to me.

I kind of lost interest in my brother’s love life, bridesmaids, ladies-in-waiting, and distant cousins, so enraptured as I was with my own. In the past few days, the new royal succession proclamation had made headlines around the world. Ilka’s formal betrothal ceremony would take place on the last of the twelve days of Christmas in the Dornfield National Cathedral, followed by a shenanigan at the palace nearly as vast as the upcoming wedding. And I would be among the “most honored” guests.

With nothing suitable to wear. I kind of wish we had a stopover in Paris.

“Brodie,” I said suddenly, “I’m sorry you had to miss Christmas dinner with your parents.”

“No worries. It wasn’t the first time. And probably won’t be the last.” He grinned. “Ilka let me off the hook anyway.

I grinned back. The princess royal had already been committed to a major yule log lighting event with Sebestyen’s family. Who, by the way, had all welcomed Olwer to their chalet with open arms and much fanfare.

Brodie snuggled his shoulder against mine. “Besides, I wouldn’t have missed my first Christmas at Hearts Crossing Ranch for anything.”

“I hope it’s the not the last one,” I mumbled.

“It won’t be, I promise.” Then his grin left, and he got solemn. “I don’t know exactly what our entire future holds, Adds,” Brodie said using my brother’s nickname for my already-nickname from Adelaide. “But I do see us helping people. Any which way we can. Together.”

“I think I see it, too.” And I did. “And I’m thinking maybe I should get contact lenses, thinking of photo ops.”

His guffaw was loud. “I love you as you are. I thought I’d already told you.” He peered close at me, cheeks turning a manly purple before he rushed ahead. “And glasses work for you. Today your gold jingle bell earrings totally match the gold frames.”

“Thanks, I tried.” I accepted at the compliment, but mostly I heard this word.

Love? Hmm.

Brodie cleared his throat. “And you never know. Nate and Randi…I think they might make a pretty fine couple.”

All right. Things had gotten non-serious quick. I rolled my eyes. “Oh, playing royal matchmaker already, hmmmm?”

“Just saying. There’s something about those folks of Hearts Crossing Ranch.” He leaned in. My heart jumped.

“Can I still call you Brodie? Or…is it something like Most Opulent Highness Prince Anders?”

Prince Anders of Dornfeld laughed hard again. “Brodie is perfect.”

“I’ll say!” I agreed, although I think my meaning was a little different than his.

The wheels touched down on the tarmac. Outside, treeless hills glistened with snow, and an inlet of the North Sea gleamed the same silver-grey as the clouds. I laughed along with him before we shared a mighty, yet sweet kiss, full of promises yet to come. Someone’s smartphone took a flash picture of us.

It had begun.