As soon as Aurora fell asleep the night before, Phillip tucked her in beneath the covers and went to find Alfred and Chandler. He wanted to lie with her the entire night, but there was too much to do.
His friends gathered a few trusted servants and together they worked through the night. Growing up, the palace had been like a family. People worked their entire lives for the royal family, bringing their children and grandchildren to work there as well.
And they all loved their prince.
Phillip went about his tasks, finding more and more to do to keep from remembering what tomorrow held. This was about today.
He should have been tired after not sleeping all night, but he felt more energized than ever.
Taking in the room before him, Phillip smiled. It was perfect. He’d wanted to have the wedding in his mother’s garden to allow Aurora to feel at home, but Chandler convinced him it was too cold. The old chapel would do. It hadn’t been in use since his parents’ wedding, but they’d kept it in working order to honor their own marriage.
White lilies littered the floor, Aurora’s favorite. She’d kept a garden of them at her cottage. Pale pink silk draped across the chairs and silver balls hung from it. Green garland stretched across the ceiling to give the space an outdoorsy feel.
Chandler stepped up beside Phillip, rubbing his eyes. He yawned. “You really love this girl, don’t you?”
Phillip turned to clap his friend on the back. “More than you could ever know.”
“Then why did we rush to do a wedding in a day?”
“It means a lot to have your help with this.”
Chandler crossed his arms. “That’s not an answer.”
Phillip met his friend’s eyes, knowing his mistake immediately. His joy evaporated, leaving behind only an emptiness as though the curse stripped everything from him. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
“Phil.” Chandler gripped his shoulder and steered him from the bustling chapel to the unused chaplain’s office. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Phillip sat on the corner of the desk and clasped his hands together, hoping his friend couldn’t see them shaking. He’d always told Chandler everything. Ever since they were boys, they’d confided in each other. He sucked in a breath and began the story.
He told him of meeting La Dame and learning about Aurora’s curse.
When he was finished, Chandler released a series of curses. “Why hasn’t someone dealt with La Dame by now?”
Phillip shook his head. “We don’t know if even the Basile power is a match for hers. It could mean an end of Bela if either she or the Basile heir is destroyed. It’s a risk we have not been willing to take.” He wiped a hand across his face, thankful his friend acted as if he didn’t notice his tears.
With Aurora, Phillip had to remain strong. He had to joke and make plans and act like everything was normal between them, like he wasn’t terrified of each passing moment.
“I’m sorry, Phil.” Chandler hung his head. “I wish there was a way we could help.”
“I thought if I brought her here, the Basile power could do something. At least, that’s what I told myself. I think I just wanted her here when it happens. When she falls asleep for the last time. I won’t let La Dame have her.”
Chandler pressed his lips together. “One hundred years, Phillip. You’ll be long gone. You can’t keep her in the palace that long. What happens after you’re gone?”
“I don’t have to figure out everything today,” he barked.
Chandler held up his hands in front of his chest, but before he could respond, the queen poked her head into the room.
She smiled when her eyes rested on her son. “Phillip. I was just informed of the wedding my staff spent all night preparing for.”
He hadn’t wanted to wake his parents until it was time for the ceremony. Part of him had been afraid they’d try to stop him. He waited for her chastisement, but it never came. Instead, she gestured him into the hall.
Two maids stood carrying a long white dress with intricate beading and lace spanning the surface.
“Mother.” He glanced from the dress to her in question.
“I only hope it fits her.”
Phillip pulled his mother into a hug. She let out a grunt of surprise. “Thank you.”
“I want you to be happy, son. Even if it’s just for a day.”
They all kept saying that as if the marriage would no longer matter once Aurora was no longer with them. They didn’t understand. She would be his wife until he took his last breath. But he didn’t tell them that, and he didn’t dare voice it to Aurora. She wanted him to move on, but there was no moving on from her. She was a part of him now, deep in his soul. He couldn’t imagine a life with anyone else by his side.
Just the thought of it brought tears to his eyes. He’d never let go of the hope he could one day break her curse.
He took the dress from his mother and left to go wake his sleeping beauty.
Aurora was still fast asleep when he entered the room. Her wild blond hair lay draped over the pillow, and the blanket tangled in her legs. Noble ladies even took classes on how to sleep properly to avoid snoring or improper sprawl.
He’d never been more glad Aurora was no noble. She snored softly and even that was adorable. He didn’t think there was anything she could do that would make him think less of her. He stood there watching her until finally draping the dress over a chair and approaching the bed.
Sitting on the edge, he brushed the hair from her face. “Aurora.” He bent so his lips grazed her cheek as he spoke. “Wake up, love.”
She grumbled something unintelligible, and her leg kicked out instinctively as if trying to knock him from the bed. She rolled away from him.
He grinned as he lowered himself beside her, her back to his front, and wrapped an arm over her waist. Pushing her hair aside, he kissed the back of her neck.
She hummed low in her throat. “Do that again.”
He kissed her just below her ear.
If their fates were different, he’d have enjoyed waking her up every morning for the rest of their lives.
She turned in his arms, still not opening her eyes. “Where did you go last night?”
“That is a secret.” He kissed her nose. “Come on. We have to get you ready.”
Someone knocked on the door. Right on time. Phillip rolled off the bed to go let in the two maids who’d help Aurora prepare.
Aurora sat up in a daze. “What’s going on?”
One of the maids dipped into a curtsy. “We’re here to prepare you for your wedding, miss.”
As if she’d forgotten what the day held, Aurora’s eyes widened. She looked to Phillip, pleading for help, but he only winked and sauntered from the room.
In only a short time, he’d be married to the love of his life. Phillip grinned as he rejoined Alfred and Chandler.
They both gave him sad looks, and he put a hand on each of their backs. “Don’t do that. Please. I need today to be about everything I’ve gained, not everything I’m about to lose.”
To their credit, both men instantly wiped the sadness from their faces.
Phillip laughed. “That’s more like it. Let’s get ready. I’m getting married today.”