Celestial Love by Juli Blood Read Free Book Online Page A

Nor did she notice the servant that came to call her to the evening meal, only to back out of the room quietly, thinking the princess was asleep.
    ~
    Hours ago the moon had risen slowly over the distant horizon at the far end of the valley.  Its soft luminescent light caressed the landscape as it chased away the deeper shades of black and gray.  Dim lights could be seen far below, but the stars outshone them.  All was quiet and still.
    Bryan watched it all from his bedchamber.  Leaning against the corner window frame with his head resting against his raised forearm, he turned slightly as he closed his eyes.
    “Lord…a lot of prayer and thought went into this decision.  Not just my prayers , but also those of my family and Nate.  We all thought this was Your will.  Were we wrong?  Do we both truly know You?  Or have they just told us what we wanted to hear so that we would agree to the arrangement?”  Disgusted with that idea, he pushed off from the wall and started to pace the room.
    “That’s ridiculous, because we need the arrangement more than they do.  We are the ones who denied Your laws and ruined our world.  Yes, they will get additional defenses but they could get them almost anywhere or improve their own given time.”  With a sigh he stopped pacing and walked slowly back to the window.  Hands in his pocket, shoulders tense he lifted his gaze to the heavens and said, “Lord, if this is truly Your will, please give me peace.” Silently he listened with his heart. 
    Slowly, ever so slowly, the stress of the last week slipped from his heart and mind.  He could feel it leave as his shoulder and back muscles relaxed.  The thoughts that he had forced silent as he listened fi nally ceased.
    Peace.
    Nodding, Bryan turned and walked over to the bed.  With a gentle sigh he sat and removed his shoes, and got comfortable, resting his head on the pillow.
    “Thank You Lord.  May Thy will be done.” Bryan prayed as he drifted off to sleep.

4
     
    Alexis was up before the sun.  She roused much of the palace staff as she worked to make this day perfect for Princess Kalea and Crown Prince Bryan.
    “Randy Darling,” Alexis called when she spotted her husband trying to sneak out of the palace.  “Would you be so kind as to check and see if Gilbert and Rose Lynn are ready for breakfast?  You know we are all joining Mother and Father in welcoming Crown Prince Bryan to the family this morning.”
    “Good morning, Dear,” Randolph replied with a quick kiss, secretly disgusted with himself that she had caught him again.  His plans for a quick morning walk and a slightly late arrival to breakfast were shot down and she knew it.  “Has Edward mentioned whether Crown Prince Bryan is even up yet?”
    Alexis seemed somewhat surprised by the question.  “Actually, I haven’t asked him.  Why don’t you go find Gilbert and Rose Lynn and I will check with Edward?”
    “All right, but will you please let me know if the there is a delay?  I have a few things I need to check on this morning that are not wedding related.”  Randolph hoped that Prince Bryan liked to sleep in because it was far too early to eat.  With a quick nod from Alexis, Randolph was off.  Using the closest lift, he was knocking on Gilbert’s door in less than two minutes.
    “What !?”  Gilbert asked as he yanked open the door.  The scowl on his whiskery face would scare children and staff alike.
    “Morning!”  Randolph answered cheerfully.  “Alexis wanted me to remind you that we have breakfast with Crown Prince Bryan and the folks this morning.  Did you remember?”  Innocence oozing from him.
    Gilbert mumbled a few sounds that may or may not have actually been words as he ran his hand through his unruly hair.  “I remember.  What time is breakfast?” he asked in a voice that sounded like it hadn’t been used in weeks instead of hours.
    “We’re not sure.  Alexis was chec king with Edward to see if the prince is