THE ROYAL PALACE of Isole dei Re impressed Kiki, but it was the royal family, gathered en masse in their private reception room, that intimidated her.
There were a lot more of them than in her family, and not one person looked particularly welcoming. The prevailing emotion didn’t seem to be anger so much as utter shock. Apparently Mich was the responsible one, the guy everyone counted on to do the right thing.
He hadn’t left her side though, not even to greet his parents, making it clear where his loyalty lay.
Her own parents and their top two security men flanked them.
King Claudio looked a lot like his son, except for the gray at his temples and the chill in his dark eyes as they took Kiki in.
“So, you are the woman who has convinced my son to disregard his training and obligation to marry you in some elopement.” He made their beach wedding sound so sordid.
“She is the woman I love,” Mich replied, ungiving steel in his tone.
Whoa. That was not a voice she’d want directed at her.
“You love her so much, you did not think enough of her to introduce us?” the queen asked, sounding more upset and confused than angry, her lovely Italian features wreathed with concern.
Mich’s arms tightened around Kiki as if he was worried she’d take his mother’s words as truth. “I had every intention of introducing you when the time came.”
If anything, King Claudio’s expression grew darker. “The time would have been before you asked her to marry you.”
“Because you think you should have a say in who I marry?” Mich demanded, sounding every inch the prince she now knew he was.
“Your wife has an important role to play in this country. An inappropriate match could do damage to our political and economic standing.”
Kiki almost snorted. She didn’t think Mich marrying the daughter of Miguel Menendez was such a hardship for Isole dei Re. Her father’s voice said almost those exact words in a frigid tone she’d heard very rarely in her life.
The king looked nonplussed for a moment, though nowhere near cowed.
Queen Therese interjected calmly, “The point is, we were not given the opportunity to know her before the deed was done.”
“The deed can be undone easily enough.” The king glared at both Kiki and Mich. “But not without scandal.”
“No one is undoing my marriage,” Kiki said with deadly calm.
King Claudio shook his head. “You did not marry merely a man, young lady. You married a future monarch.”
“She married me,” Mich argued. “If Kiki is deemed unsuited for the role of queen, or if she ultimately refuses the role, I will abdicate in favor of Adamo.”
Mich should have sounded overwrought to say something like that, but he didn’t. He sounded absolutely sure of himself.
The entire room erupted into arguments and exclamations, but Kiki didn’t care how anyone else was taking that announcement.
She turned and looked up at the man who had married her and claimed their child without hesitation. “You would do that for me?”
“Sì. T’amu. I love you. That means your happiness is paramount.”
“Are you sure you are not using my daughter to justify abdicating responsibilities you do not want yourself?” her dad demanded.
Kiki wanted to kick him. Her mother’s furious admonishment was even better. Especially when she stepped away from her husband and moved to Mich’s other side.
The look on her dad’s face was worth admission. The expression on the king’s, not so much.
“You will apologize, Miguel,” Kiki’s mom demanded.
“It is a legitimate question,” the king said before her dad could decide whether to risk defying the love of his life.
Kiki giggled. Maybe it was hysterical laugher, but really? The whole situation was taking on farcical proportions. If it were not for the pained expression on her love’s face, she would have burst into real laughter.
“Invece?” Mich asked.
Unexpected exhaustion washed over her, but she grinned up at him tiredly. “Our dads are like two peas in a pod. It’s almost scary. Bet you want to kick yours, too.”
He didn’t share her amusement, his own expression turning concerned. “You look pale, Kiki. Are you all right?”
“Maybe a little tired.” She leaned heavily into him, suddenly not so steady on her feet.
“Take Kiki someplace where she can rest,” her mom instructed Mich.
“We are not finished with this discussion,” the king said.
“Can you not see the girl needs a break?” Mich’s grandfather admonished.
Mich had told her on the plane that the former king had abdicated in favor of his eldest son for the sake of his health several years ago.
“What do you call an ex-king?” Kiki wondered aloud, things going a little sparkly at the edges.
“Micheli!” Queen Therese barked at Kiki’s husband, sounding very different than the calm woman she’d been only moments before. “Now.”
“Excuse me—” King Claudio started, only to be interrupted by Amber Menendez.
“Excuse me, Your Highness, but my daughter is carrying your first grandchild, and she has had a very stressful few days between graduating university, telling the father of her baby about their coming joy and flying off to marry him on a Caribbean beach, and then being summarily summoned to a palace she didn’t even know was in her future this morning. You will save the rest of your questions, harangue and attitude for later.”
Oh, man, her mom could do icy disdain with the best of them.
Even her dad knew to back down when Mom got this angry. Apparently the King of Isole dei Re wasn’t a complete idiot either, because he kept his mouth shut.
Mich showed he knew when to take an order too, lifting Kiki into his arms and carrying her from the room.
His mother and Amber Menendez followed them, giving advice, expressing concern and watching over them all the way down the long corridors, up marble steps and down another plush hallway until Mich stopped outside a set of double doors.
The queen gracefully moved around him to open both doors into what turned out to be a luxurious suite done in masculine tones. Mich carried Kiki inside, crossing the outer room without pausing and going directly into the bedroom, where he laid her down after her mother pulled back the bedding.
Mich tucked Kiki in and then poured her a glass of water from the carafe by the bed. “Drink this, invece.”
Still feeling ridiculously light-headed, she didn’t argue and took several sips before resting against the pillows. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Stress. It can be debilitating in early pregnancy,” the queen said softly.
“Mama, you have to talk to him. I don’t care if he wants to yell at me, but he’ll treat Kiki with tender care, or I’ll take her away.”
Queen Therese nodded. “I will speak with him, but I’m confident Signora Menendez’s announcement will have already gone a long way toward bringing your father back from his anger and his confusion. He is only hurt, you understand? That you did not introduce us to the woman you love. He thinks you are ashamed of us.”
Mich