Sovalon Royals: The Complete Series Read online

  “Can everyone please take their seats?” he asked. “We’re about to get started.”

  Piper, still feeling the aftershocks of Aldon’s presence, let herself drop into an empty chair.

  The person beside her spoke up.

  “I knew he wouldn’t let us down.”

  Piper turned to see Mrs. Loveland, an elderly woman who’d been at Nadia’s Café a few nights ago. She’d spoken to Aldon then.

  “He said he’d do something for Thistledown Valley, and here he is,” she continued.

  A sense of guilt washed over Piper for a moment. Her faith in Aldon hadn’t been quite so strong. She patted Mrs. Loveland’s leg.

  “He did say that, didn’t he?” she said and smiled at the old woman.

  “You’re a lucky young lady,” Mrs. Loveland said. “That prince has eyes for only you, my dear.”

  Before Piper could respond, Aldon spoke into the microphone.

  “First, I would like to apologize for missing the meeting last night,” he said then looked straight at Piper. “I’d like to especially apologize to Piper Mackenzie for not making the choice to make a stand with her, to be with her from the get-go. But Piper, I can assure you, standing with you is exactly what I plan to do now.”

  Piper’s cheeks burned, and her heart raced as Aldon spoke, addressing the townspeople once again.

  “At first I was torn between my ambassadorial duties as a royal and wanting to stay here and help all of you, but I’m happy to announce that I’ve officially resigned from my role as ambassador.”

  He did what? Piper nearly choked on her spit at this announcement. She couldn’t believe it!

  “Starting now, I plan to work as an advocate for Thistledown Valley and all the small communities of Sovalon. I can use my expertise in economics to ensure that Thistledown Valley and all the other towns like it have what they need to boost their economy and build up everything that’s falling apart.”

  Piper sat stunned as the people around her cheered and talked in excited voices. Once again, Aldon stared directly at her and spoke into the mic.

  “Piper, I hope that you will agree to spearhead this undertaking with me,” he said and began to descend the stairs from the stage into the audience. Slowly he walked toward her. “I also ask that you’ll come back to the castle—but not as an employee. I want you, Willa and me to be a family.”

  Piper couldn’t believe her ears. She jumped from her seat and ran to embrace him.

  “Of course I’ll join you,” she whispered. “I can’t imagine anything better.”

  As she hugged him, she became aware of the loud applause of the townspeople.

  “Okay, now I’m embarrassed,” she said and leaned into Aldon’s chest. “But I kinda don’t care.”

  “I don’t care either. The only thing that matters to me now is that we are together,” he said. “You make me so happy, Piper, and I’m realizing how precious that is—to be with a person who brings you joy.”

  Piper looked into his eyes, feeling amazed that he’d chosen her. He was a good man, a man who didn’t disappoint but followed through. Her mom was right—good men did exist. And Aldon was one of them.

  “Aldon, I’m sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain yesterday,” she said. “I shouldn’t have stormed away from you. I should have heard you out.”

  With no worry over the crowd surrounding them, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his face down to meet hers. She planted her lips on his and kissed him in front of all of Thistledown Valley.

  “Hey, Piper,” he whispered into her ear. “A little birdie leaked an interesting story to the press this morning.”

  Piper narrowed her eyes at him. “What story?” she asked.

  “Oh, the one about what happened between Carrie and me—the true story. The whole world will soon know that we are not reuniting.”

  Piper grinned as Aldon called the room to order once again. She watched him walk calmly back up to the podium and address the audience.

  “Now, let’s put our heads together and come up with a solution to help Thistledown Valley,” he said. “Who’s with me?”

  The town cheered.

  Back at the castle, Aldon carried Piper’s bags inside, this time placing her suitcases in his master bedroom upstairs. He wasn’t planning to let her out of his bed now.

  “I can’t believe you were going to move in with your mom,” he said to Piper.

  “I just couldn’t bear to be here without you,” she said. “Our lives here have always been wonderful. I’ve enjoyed caring for the house, the grounds, the gardens, you know that. It’s been home to us for so long. But then you came and made everything brighter and bigger and even more wonderful. I just couldn’t go back to what it was before. Thistledown Valley wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  He took her into his arms and kissed her passionately, letting his lips trail along her neck and shoulders before he looked into her eyes.

  “And Thistledown isn’t home for me without you, Piper,” he said.

  She nuzzled into him, and he kissed her again, this time with hunger. He pulled her down onto the bed and was about to do things to her he’d been dreaming about when the doorbell rang.

  Piper groaned. “Who on earth?” she said. “Maybe Willa locked herself out.”

  She stood up and dusted the wrinkles out of her T-shirt then walked out of the bedroom. Aldon followed her only to find his father on the castle’s doorstep.

  “Oh, boy.” As usual, just the sight of his father was enough for dread to crawl over his shoulders and leave him with a sour taste in his mouth, but Aldon swallowed it down and stood straight.

  “Aldon, I’m going to head out to the garden to check on Willa,” Piper said. “I’ll let you talk to your father alone.”

  Aldon kissed Piper’s head and watched her walk away. Then, bracing himself for the worst and ready to fight, he turned to the still-open front door.

  “Hello, son,” King Hansen said. “I’d like to talk.”

  “Come in, Father,” he said and opened the door wide. “Why don’t we have a seat in the salon.” He wasn’t entirely sure what his father wanted to say, but he had the feeling he should put his own thoughts out first.

  “Before you start in on me, I want you to know that I’ve made my decision, and I’m not going to be talked out of it. I’m—”

  “Aldon, please,” the king said. He held a hand out for Aldon to stop talking and sighed. “I come here in peace. I’m not going to try to talk you out of anything, and I’m here to give you my blessing.”

  Aldon couldn’t believe it. Who was this man standing in front of him? Surely not the man he knew to be his father.

  “Really?” he asked. “You’re giving me your blessing?”

  “Well, mostly,” his father said then laughed quietly. “Listen, after talking with your mother, I’ve come to see that perhaps I’ve been letting my own fears stand in the way of my sons becoming the men they’re meant to be—men our kingdom is lucky to have, along with the women you’ve chosen to be with.”

  “So you’re comfortable with my choosing Piper?” Aldon asked. He couldn’t help but doubt his father’s sincerity.

  “Well, no, not really,” King Hansen said.

  Aldon threw up his hands. “I knew it.” His father was here to try to keep him from being with Piper. Well, it wasn’t going to work this time.

  “Aldon, please just listen. I’m trying to be honest with you. I’m still not fully comfortable with all of the decisions you’ve made,” he said. “Nor am I comfortable with all of your brothers’ choices, but I promise I’m going to work on accepting them.”

  He couldn’t imagine this, but he stayed quiet and waited for the king to continue.

  “After all, one day I won’t be calling the shots anymore. It will be up to you three to run things,” he said. “I’m not very good at relinquishing power, but I’m trying.”

  Aldon couldn’t be sure how much of this was his fat
her trying of his own free will and how much was his mother pushing the king to try… but Aldon realized he was in no position to judge. He was trying, too. He had been trying his whole life. Trying to please his father. Trying to be useful. Trying to make right choices. Trying to find happiness.

  Well, now he’d found it in a life of purpose with a woman he truly cared for. And maybe, if he was lucky, he could begin to develop a healthy relationship with his father. Was it possible? He had to take a chance.

  “Father, would you like to officially meet Piper and her daughter, Willa?”

  King Hansen wrung his hands together and looked Aldon in the eyes. “I would love to,” he said.

  “Follow me,” he said and led the way through the house, out the back door and into the garden, where Piper and Willa were blowing bubbles next to Piper’s favorite yellow rosebush.

  “Piper, I’d like you to formally meet my father, King Hansen,” Aldon said.

  Piper stood up and smiled, then curtsied for the king. Aldon could see that his father was charmed, almost in spite of himself.

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Piper said.

  “Likewise.”

  Willa’s shot forward for her own chance to meet Edward’s father.

  To Aldon’s great surprise, his father got down to one knee. “And who are you, my dear?” the king asked. Aldon hadn’t seen his father interact much with children—at least, not since he and his brothers had been children themselves—but he seemed to be trying to get down to Willa’s level.

  “I’m Willa,” she said. “And you’re not dressed anything like a king.”

  Piper’s face fell. “Willa!” she scolded.

  Aldon didn’t know what to expect his father’s reaction to be, but the king just laughed.

  “Whatever do you mean by that, Willa?” the king asked.

  “Well,” she answered, and placed her pinky finger on her chin, “I thought kings were supposed to wear robes and crowns. You wear a crown in your picture that’s on the money.”

  “Willa, that’s enough,” Piper whispered, but Aldon’s father shushed her, grinning.

  “And you don’t think I look kingly enough without my crown?” he asked.

  Willa shook her head. “Nope,” she said. “I think you look like a grandpa.”

  Aldon looked at Piper, and he could tell she was trying her best to hold in her laughter. Finally, King Hansen burst out laughing again, and Aldon and Piper followed suit.

  “I’m sorry, King Hansen,” Piper said, still a bit out of breath from laughing.

  “Please don’t apologize, dear,” he said. “Willa is quite charming.”

  “Well, thanks,” Willa said.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Piper asked? “I have some sweet tea and scones inside.”

  Aldon and his father followed Piper inside where, with Willa’s help, she prepared a tray of sweets for the king.

  “So, tell me about your family, Piper,” Aldon’s father said.

  “Well, I was raised mostly by my mother. She and my aunt own a tree farm that’s not far from here.”

  “So that’s where you learned about botany?”

  “Exactly,” Piper said and handed him a glass of iced tea. “I’ve loved working here at Thistledown, taking care of the house and most especially working on the grounds.”

  Aldon felt a surge of warmth, listening to Piper talk with his father.

  “You’ve done a fine job here, my dear,” the king said. “The gardens are lovely, especially those yellow roses.”

  Piper blushed.

  “They’re Mom’s favorite!” Willa cried.

  “And what about you, Willa?” King Hansen asked. “What’s your favorite?”

  Willa shrugged and grabbed a scone. “I like sweets better than flowers,” she said.

  “Me too.” The king grinned and dug into an orange scone. “Delicious,” he said.

  Aldon sat back in his chair and took it all in. He could hardly believe it, but it seemed that his father was actually enjoying talking with Piper and Willa. The man seemed genuine in his interest, even if he was a little awkward. As he’d promised, he was definitely trying.

  “Momma, I want to go outside and chase the butterflies,” Willa said after she’d finished her scone.

  “Go, Willa,” Piper told her. “I’ll call you in when it’s time for supper.

  “So, Aldon and Piper,” the king began. “Now that we’re alone, I want to know what your intentions are.”

  Piper looked at Aldon, worry in her eyes, but Aldon took her hand in his.

  “Father, Piper and I plan on living here at the castle, together, as a family.”

  Surprisingly, Aldon felt no discomfort or fear in saying the words.

  “I’ve never loved any woman the way I do Piper,” he said. “She makes me incredibly happy.”

  His father nodded, looking from Aldon to Piper and back.

  “Well, you have my blessing – both of you.”

  A sense of peace washed over Aldon at his father’s words. “I realize now how wrong I’ve been,” his father said. “I’ve been under so much stress, trying to present the image of the kingdom I thought the world needed to see.” He shook his head and patted Aldon on the back. “My fears have been keeping me from accepting the men my sons have become. But I’m ready to set those fears aside.”

  Aldon’s heart grew inside his chest.

  “Thank you, Father,” he said. Something broke free inside him then. For so many years, he’d practically killed himself to gain his father’s approval. Finally, his father was recognizing him, validating him. It felt amazing. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

  “To both of us,” Piper broke in. She squeezed Aldon’s hand.

  “I mean it,” King Hansen said. “Sovalon is lucky to have you both.”

  Epilogue

  Several Months Later

  It was a perfect day at Thistledown Castle.

  The sky was peacock blue, streaked with wispy clouds dancing across the sun. Guests were dressed to the nines, seated on folding chairs in the courtyard, waiting for the ceremony to begin as a flautist played. It was a scene out of a fairy tale.

  “What if she doesn’t show up?” Aldon asked his brother Edward.

  “She’ll be here,” Edward answered.

  Edward sounded so sure, but as Aldon looked out over the castle grounds—decorated with every flower species known to man, he just couldn’t find his confidence. Carrie had let him down, leaving him practically at the altar. What if Piper did the same?

  He scanned the crowd and saw his parents’ faces—both beaming with celebratory pride. His father bounced his granddaughter—Marcus’s daughter—on his lap, and the little girl squealed with delight. She kicked her chubby legs and cooed, and the king seemed to melt. Suddenly King Hansen’s eyes met Aldon’s. He nodded at his son and smiled. Aldon could feel his father’s approval, but it only made him more nervous.

  What if Piper had changed her mind?

  Just then, the pianist began to play the wedding march. Clementine appeared at the end of the aisle, holding a bouquet of yellow roses. She was glowing with the radiance of motherhood, five months pregnant with a son whom Edward had already promised to call Hansen after their father. When she was halfway down the aisle, Kyra appeared, her curly dark hair pulled up in a messy bun atop her head. She looked so regal, Aldon thought, her dark skin contrasting perfectly with the pale-yellow dress that Piper had chosen for her bridesmaids.

  Next came Willa, adorable as always in a white taffeta gown. She carried a basket of flowers, and Aldon couldn’t help but smile at the pride she took in tossing them about. Willa was the perfect flower girl.

  Finally Piper emerged, as radiant as dawn. Dressed in a simple white gown that was embroidered with wildflowers, she was the picture of joy and grace. She walked down the aisle, her eyes never leaving Aldon’s. When she reached him, she took his hand.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he sai
d to her. “I was afraid you’d gotten cold feet.”

  “Never.” She grinned and squeezed his hand. “After today you’re stuck with me forever.”

  “I can handle that.”

  They turned their attention to the pastor who spoke of love being patient, kind and never-failing. They each said their vows and sealed them with a sweet kiss as the crowd cheered.

  Later that evening, King Hansen held his champagne flute high in a toast.

  Aldon cringed and looked at Piper for support. “I’m nervous about what he might say,” he admitted to his new wife.

  “Give your father some credit,” she said. “He’s come a long way.”

  Aldon had to give it to her—she was right. King Hansen had done as he’d promised in trying to ease up on him and his brothers and letting them live their own lives. He listened as his father began speaking.

  “You know, I’ve always been a bit controlling,” the king said.

  “A bit?” called Queen Therese from her seat.

  The entire room burst into laughter.

  “Well, maybe more than a bit,” he admitted, grinning. “But no matter how I tried to control my sons, they each found their own path.”

  Aldon saw his father’s gaze roam and land on Edward.

  “You, Edward, our oldest, chose to challenge my vision for our kingdom. You joined forces with the amazing spitfire Clementine and have made life both interesting and exciting for me and for all our citizens ever since. Sovalon is immeasurably more with yours and Clementine’s vision. I’m grateful to you both for stretching me in this way.”

  Next, the king looked to Marcus, the youngest and former playboy prince. “Marcus, you always kept us on our toes.”

  Marcus laughed and raised his champagne flute to the king. Kyra leaned in and kissed her husband’s cheek.

  “I tried to tame you by putting you to work on a project, but you came away from it caught up in what I thought would be another scandal,” he said. “Turned out, it wasn’t a scandal at all but the best gift you could ever have given us—a granddaughter.”

  The audience oohed and ahhed as Kyra held up their daughter.