Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(63)

“Brayden.”

He’s immediately at my side, pulling me into his arms. “I’m here, Cat, I’m here. Come inside.”

I hold tight to his hand as we enter the ballroom. There are men and women at the door, handing out plastic crowns. I reach for one, but Brayden tells me I’ll get my crown later. I look around as I walk in, and see all of the elderly people, and those who appear to be their caretakers, wearing their crowns. There are also local celebrities and heavy hitters. They’re proudly wearing theirs, too. And then I see my mother. She looks so happy as she sits with Noah and Steven at a table in the front. She’s got her tiara on, and she’s wearing a beautiful gown.

“You did this for me.”

“I did.”

“Thank you.”

“This is only the beginning, Cat. You haven’t seen anything yet.”

He leads me to our table and I smile at the men as they stand. My mother remembers me tonight, and she hugs me warmly. I hug Noah and Steven before taking my seat as Brayden heads to the stage.

“Thank you everyone for coming here tonight. For those of you who don’t know me, I am King Brayden of Cyndryann. It’s a small country that most of you have probably not heard of before, and honestly, I’m giving up the throne in a week, so please just call me Brayden.

“A few of the people in the room know that this is more than just a fundraiser for Lou Ruvo Center. This is my grand gesture to show the woman I love how much she means to me. She thinks I did that when I gave up my throne for her, but tonight is where the real romance is happening. I have a story to tell, one I had forgotten about until my uncle recently reminded me of it. So, I’m going to take you back to the beginning.

“When I was five, my father told me that we were going on a trip to America. He and my uncle wanted to visit their best friend and his family. I was just happy to be going somewhere new and exciting. When we got to his friend’s house, I remember thinking it was small—I’d been living in castle all my life, so most any house would’ve looked small—and that I loved it. It felt like a home should feel. Full of love and great food. There was a little girl who lived in that house, and her name was Darcy.”

Oh my God. I remember. I remember Brayden…and what happened next, too.

“She was really pretty, and kind of obsessed with me being a prince. I had fun playing with her. She climbed trees and played hide and seek. The girls I usually had visit me at the castle would never do those things. At the end of the week, she demanded that I marry her so she could be a princess. How could I refuse? I mean, she climbed trees. And she said she’s steal my crown if I didn’t give her one of her own. I was a little in love with her by the time we had to leave.”

Everyone laughs, including me. I totally threatened to steal his crown.

“My uncle has graciously given me some pictures and videotapes from our wedding so I can share them with you.”

He clicks a button, and there we are. I have on one of my mom’s fancy lace shirts that I’m wearing as a dress. It’s the same color blue as the dress I’m wearing now, and it drags on the ground as my father walks me over to Brayden and gives him my hand. Jen is there as my maid of honor, Noah’s in my dad’s arms, and Steven is the best man. Brayden’s dad performs the ceremony, and then, after a short kiss, I got my crown. A crown made of cardboard, tin foil, and glitter that Brayden spent a few hours making for me with my mom’s help.

“You’ll notice the ring pop I gave her. Her only complaint was that it was only one color. She wanted something prettier, but she said it was okay for then. Ten years later, I had a glimpse of a girl who immediately captivated me. I didn’t realize it was her. I also didn’t realize it was her when we met again, yet another ten years later. And yet, I fell in love with her all over again. I have a new crown for her,” he says, reaching into the podium to pull out a new glitter covered cardboard crown for me.

He walks to me, placing the crown on my head as he drops to one knee in front of me. “And a more colorful ring,” he says, pulling out one of those plastic flashing rings like they have at raves or kids’ parties. It has a graphic of a black cat wearing a gold crown. I immediately hold out my hand for him. “I don’t even have to ask?”

“Nope. It’s a yes, Crown. It’ll always be a yes.”

“I had a whole speech about how we should get married again,” he grumbles as he slides the ring on.

“Just kiss me.”

“That works, too.”

The crowd erupts as we kiss. I want to kiss him forever, but we have a ball to host. We visit every table and compliment every person on how royal they look. The caregivers thank us, and I try but fail at holding back the tears as we leave each table. Next thing you know, I’ll be crying at Hallmark movies. What is the world coming to?

* * *

Brayden

The past week has been what can only be described as Heaven. I’ve moved into Darcy’s place, and I get to wake up to her every morning. Today, we are going back to my country so I can officially pass on my crown to my uncle. We’re on a Corrigan jet with all of her friends, although we’re acting like we’re alone.

“We should head into the bedroom. It’ll be the only chance I have to Mile High it with a king.”

“Twenty years later, and you still only want my crown.”