Theo thought he might be accustomed to palaces and castles by now, but he still looked around in awe as he and James walked with Alex through his part of Kensington Palace. High vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and centuries-old paintings accompanied them wherever they went. It was strangely quiet.

Theo realised he would have to get used to this as much as he could. Being with James would mean going to all kinds of fancy places. He would need to work on reminding himself that he wasn’t out of place, because he was with James. James had deemed him worthy, so that meant he was good enough for anywhere.

Fuck, what was all that business about being sixth or seventh in line to the throne? Theo planned on having a stern word with James later and reminding him about the whole being honest and not bottling stuff up thing. It was obviously his natural reaction. But Theo might have liked to have known what exactly James had been willing to go through for him.

It was frightening to think that just because of the person he had fallen in love with, people around the world would know Theo’s name. Would hate him. But if James now being seventh in line meant the Queen wouldn’t have to get into any thorny territory, at least officially, he was glad. James certainly was. There was a spring in his step that made Theo smile.

He looked lighter. It couldn’t be clearer he had no interest in ascending to the throne. He just wanted to live a normal life.

With Theo.

Never before had Theo imagined the future ahead in a relationship. He hadn’t really ever had a relationship. But he’d been with guys who had promised to go on holiday with him or asked what he’d wanted for his birthday, only to have them bugger off after a couple of weeks.

It was so completely different with James.

They had only been together a week and yet here Theo was making an enormous decision to change his life. Possibly forever. It didn’t feel scary, however. It just felt right.

He could sense James’s tension reappear as they approached a closed door at the end of the corridor. Theo squeezed his hand, causing James to look down at him. “It’s going to be okay,” Theo whispered. “I’ve got you.”

James’s shoulders dropped fractionally and he smiled for Theo. “I know,” he said. “But thank you.”

Alex glanced back over his shoulder as he reached the double doors ahead of them. Theo guessed this was the drawing room. “Ready?” Alex asked.

James nodded. Theo leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Keep calm and carry on,” he said with a wink. “Then, when it’s all over, we can go celebrate. In private.”

James’s eyes went wide. Theo bit his lip and grinned. That would distract James from his worries nicely.

But then Theo had his own worries to contend with as Alex opened the doors for them.

The first thing that struck Theo about this room was how warm and welcoming it felt. There were several lamps, all with cream shades, placed on various sideboards and coffee tables. The cream carpet and sofas made the space feel light and airy. The enormous, dark paintings of horses hanging on the walls could have made it oppressive. The floral designs on the rug under the two sofas and throw pillows gave it a more feminine feel. There was a bowl of wrapped toffees in the middle of the octagonal table between the sofas and several vases of fresh-cut flowers were placed about the room.

Theo immediately felt an air of calmness despite the three people who rose to greet them.

He wasn’t so intimidated by James’s sister, Olivia. She seemed really nice from what little they’d spoken. But Theo was instantly wary of the Princess of Wales and the Private Secretary as they fixed their gazes on the point where James and Theo’s hands were linked.

Luckily, there were also five fluffy friends to greet them as well. Theo looked down and smiled gratefully as the Yorkies sprinted from all across the room to come sniff their trousers, wagging their tails happily. As usual when she was excited, Bonney began yowling, earning an automatic chorus of “Oh, do shut up, Bonney,” from around the room. Theo smiled and scratched behind her ears.

“Mother,” James said once the dogs had calmed down. Theo could tell he was doing his best to be cheerful, but he was clearly apprehensive. “I apologise for dashing off last night. I trust the rest of the ball went well?”

His mum pulled her eyes away from their hands. “Oh, yes,” she said distractedly. She smoothed down her powder-blue pencil dress and matching jacket. “Perfectly fine. Shall we sit?”

“We have much to discuss,” Iggy said, already flicking the button on his black suit jacket open and dropping to the sofa. He was wearing a slightly different suit to last night, but he still looked like an undertaker. Theo resisted the urge to snarl at him. What a fucking liar.

“It seems like we do,” James’s mum agreed, shaking her head.

Theo felt his heart flutter with nerves, but James stood tall, his hand gripping Theo’s tightly. “Mother, Olivia,” he said formally. “I would like to introduce you to Theo again. This time as my boyfriend.”

He hardly tripped on the word at all. Theo was so unbelievably proud of him.

Olivia, who was dressed in black trousers and a pale pink cashmere jumper, bounced over to stick her hand out for Theo to take. Far less formal than their meeting the night before. “I’m utterly charmed to meet you,” she declared.

James’s mum huffed and sat beside Iggy. Alex took one of the armchairs as did Olivia, leaving Theo and James to sit on the remaining sofa. “James,” his mum began. “Have you thought this through?” She obviously had some idea her son was bi or that there was something between the two of them. She wasn’t exactly acting surprised.

James rolled his eyes. “No,” he said. “I thought it would be good for a laugh.”

“This is not amusing,” Iggy said. He sat up straight and glared at them both. “What if people have already seen you walking about like that?” He flicked a hand disdainfully at Theo and James’s interlocked fingers. “That kind of optic can’t be undone.”

“What kind of optic?” Olivia snapped. “Two people in love?”

“James, darling,” his mother said in exasperation. “I understand you’re going through some sort of phase, but-”

Both James and Theo flinched. Theo loathed when bisexual people were told it was just a phase. Obviously, James had strong feelings on the matter as well.

“This isn’t a phase,” he said firmly, looking between her and Iggy. “I was born this way. I’m sorry if that’s inconvenient for your traditions, but queer people have always existed and I refuse to hide who I am anymore.” He rolled his shoulders and frowned. “And, yes, actually. We are in love. I’ve never met anyone like Theo and I simply will not be ashamed of him.”

“Here, here!” Alex cried. Bertie and Blenheim barked in appreciation, too. Theo’s heart swelled.

“You’re in love?” James’s mum said, blinking.

Theo looked at James, who nodded. “I know it’s fast-” he began.

But his mother waved an elegant hand, the enormous diamond on her engagement ring sparkling in the sunlight through the window. “Oh, that’s not the issue,” she said testily. “I knew I was going to marry your father within an hour of meeting him. But, James. Are you serious? You’re gay?”

“Bi,” said James firmly. “I am attracted to men and women, but, well, more men, if I’m honest.”

He went pink. Theo sympathised. Coming out was so hard, no matter how many times you did it. Theo rubbed his back and leaned in closer. He caught Iggy flinching out of the corner of his eye.

“It’s okay,” he told James. He was doing so well.

James smiled at him, then looked at his mum. “I’ve, um, had relationships with other men. But no one like Theo. I wouldn’t commit to this if I didn’t think we were in it for the long run.”

“Yeah, same,” Theo agreed, trying not to get tongue-tied or swear. But it was difficult when he was nervous. “I care about your son so much, Ma’am. I tried to break up with him because I thought it would hurt him if he got found out. He’s adamant he wants to come out, though, and I support him.” He looked at his boyfriend. “With all my heart.”

James’s mum frowned. “Really?” she said, glancing at Olivia. James’s sister perked up and nodded emphatically. James had mentioned how close he and Livy were.

“You could have told us, Jimmy,” Alex said sympathetically. The brothers smiled at each other. “Livy explained how you’ve been suffering in silence for years.”

“It seemed like the right thing to do,” James said quietly.

“To suffer?” his mum said sharply. Then she shook her head. “What about Klara?” she asked. “I thought you two really hit it off this week. What was all that business about being a lesbian?”

“There’s not much more to it than that,” James said. “She has a girlfriend and wants to come out, too.” Theo thought that was brilliant they could both come out together. “It seems you matched us well together, Mother,” he said. “Just not for the reasons you thought.”

“Oh, she never said a word!” his mum cried.

“No, she didn’t,” James agreed with a wry smile.

“Well, it’s not like I actually thought you would get married,” she said haughtily, like it was a ridiculous idea.

“Yeah, it’s funny,” said Theo, looking directly at Iggy. “But they were never planning on getting engaged. Dunno where you got that idea from. Good job it didn’t really do any harm.”

Iggy stared daggers at him. But Theo wasn’t going to let him off that easy for trying to destroy what he and James had built.

James’s mum looked between them with a look of confusion. “Ignatius, what’s this?”

“A misunderstanding, Ma’am,” he said stiffly.

James scoffed. “Bollocks,” he said.

“James!” his mother cried. But James shook his head.

“Ignatius stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong and caused a lot of upset. I am less than impressed with your conduct,” he added directly to him.

“My conduct?” Iggy spluttered in outrage. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing,” he snarled. “You are being reckless. This could have disastrous consequences for the family and the country. Yet you sit here like love-struck teenagers without a care in the world.”

“Do you think this is easy for us?” James snapped, squeezing Theo’s fingers. “We will be exposing ourselves to all manner of ugliness from bigots all across the globe. Not to mention unpleasantness closer to home.” He narrowed his eyes at the secretary. “Theo will be rocketed into the spotlight and will have to suffer the vitriol of the press and public alike. All because he was foolish enough to fall in love with me.”

Theo sighed. “Yeah, well, you shouldn’t be so bloody lovable, should you? Shit – sorry, Ma’am,” he hissed. He cringed. He’d been doing so well keeping control of his mouth.

The Princess of Wales shook her head. “And you would be willing to put yourself in line for all this trouble, James?” she asked. “Why couldn’t you find a nice girl if you like them, too?”

James sighed fondly. “Because I found Theo already,” he said. Beanie headbutted his leg in what Theo took to be a sign of support.

Iggy appeared disgusted on many levels. His lip was curled, making the moustache look like a skinny caterpillar. “This is all beside the point,” he sneered. “Her Majesty cannot endorse this, you must know that. Would you go against the explicit wishes of the Sovereign?”

“You don’t know Grandma wouldn’t approve,” Olivia said hotly.

James’s mum sighed. “But she can’t,” she said to James. “It’s too radical. Half the Commonwealth would revolt if she officially endorsed you.”

Alex looked positively gleeful as he bounced his knee up and down. “Oh, didn’t I mention?” he said, winking at his brother. “Laura and I are delighted to announce we’re expecting again. James just got bumped down the list to seventh.”

Olivia cried out and clapped her hands over her face. Bonney predictably yowled at the noise. James’s mum dropped her jaw in shock while Iggy continued to glower.

“Darling,” said the Princess of Wales. “Is this true? Are you having another baby?”

Alex nodded, his expression proper chuffed. Theo could tell he was over the moon. Those kids were lucky to have such a caring dad. It made his chest hurt.

James’s mum rose and wrapped her arms around her eldest child. “Sweetheart, I am simply thrilled for you.”

“Be that as it may,” Iggy continued in the same snippy tone, “this family has standards to maintain.”

“This family isn’t actually your family,” Livy grumbled, crossing her arms.

Iggy ignored her. Theo was starting to suspect a large part of his attitude problem and belligerent protectiveness of the Royal Family was his intense desire to be a true part of it. It probably killed him that someone like Theo was on the inside in a way Iggy never would be.

“Your Highness,” Iggy said to James as if Livy hadn’t spoken. “You cannot expect the people to support a relationship with someone so wholly inappropriate.”

“Hey!” Theo cried. Olivia also made a loud noise of indignation. James’s face darkened and Theo heard him actually growl.

“Oh, do shut up, Iggy,” the Princess of Wales said. Bonney looked up in confusion. She wasn’t the only one.

Was James’s mum defending Theo?

Iggy suddenly looked wary as he glanced at her. “Ma’am?”

She waved a hand and placed the other on Alex’s back. “There is nothing more important to me than my children,” she said firmly. “And I had no idea one of them had been in so much pain. Perhaps if he had felt more supported, he wouldn’t have been so apprehensive.”

“Mother,” James said reproachfully. “I know this isn’t good for the family. Despite evidence to the contrary, I’m not a complete idiot.”

Theo flinched, wishing he had never used that word about James. But James squeezed his hand and smiled at him. Theo needed to trust that James knew he hadn’t meant it that way when he’d been arguing with his stepfather.

“Don’t speak that way about yourself,” James’s mother snipped. “It’s vulgar.”

“Ma’am,” said Iggy. His tone suggested he was trying to be more tactful. “The Royal Family has certain…expectations when they select who they marry.”

“Whoa, hang on,” Theo spluttered. “It’s been a week, mate. Damn, you guys are obsessed with marrying each other off at the drop of a hat.”

“Exactly,” said James’s mum. “We have plenty of time to assess how the public will respond to this. Besides, James may have selected someone a little…unconventional. But he has excellent potential.” She patted Alex on the back, then marched over to sit beside Theo on the sofa. He did his utmost not to gulp as she studied him. “So long as you’re both serious about this?” she demanded.

“Absolutely,” James said with conviction.

“Oh, yes, Ma’am,” Theo stammered.

“Wonderful,” she said, then grabbed Theo’s chin between a cold finger and thumb. “You are remarkably pretty, aren’t you?” She nodded to herself, then released him. “We can work with that. Before we make any announcements, we can appoint you a stylist and update your wardrobe. Am I correct you work in the charity sector already?” Theo nodded. “Perfect. We’ll get you both out somewhere digging a well and promoting the deactivating of landmines. You’ll only need to do that every so often, the rest of the time you can do whatever you like here. James, do you want to continue fundraising like you did last night?” James nodded. “Fabulous. You can do that together. We’ll pitch you as a humanitarian power couple, out to save the world.”

“T-that would be incredible, Ma’am,” Theo said, unable to believe what he was hearing.

Deactivating landmines? After what had happened to his dad? Theo did his best not to well up he was so emotional. Yes, she was treating his life like a PR stunt, but she was supporting them. She was giving Theo his dream job on a plate.

She was allowing him to be with James.

“Ma’am,” Iggy spluttered, all pretence of diplomacy gone. “You cannot possibly be serious. The world will not accept this. We have a responsibility to uphold tradition!”

“This is Great Britain, Ignatius,” James’s mum snapped back. She looked pretty pissed off. “We may be but little, but we are fierce. We make the traditions.” She waved her fingers in James’s direction while still staring Iggy down. “I have just been informed that my son has been malcontent most of his life and I will not stand for it. Any plebeian can see how happy this young man makes James. So we will find a way to make this work. Is that understood?”

Iggy blinked. Theo held his breath. He could feel James’s hand gripping his own even tighter. Bouncer snored at their feet, her four paws up in the air.

Iggy dropped his head. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said. “Of course.”

Theo released the breath he’d been holding. James’s grip on his hand slackened slightly.

“You’re really supporting us?” he asked his mother.

She turned back to smile at him. “Darling,” she said, a slight irritation to her tone. “What do you think I am, some sort of monster?”

“Nooo,” all three of her children replied very quickly.

“Thank you,” said James sincerely before his mum could react. “We honestly don’t want to cause trouble. We just want to date. Like regular people.”

His mum scoffed. “Oh, darling,” she said, getting to her feet. The rest of the room automatically stood up, too. “You’ll never be like regular people.” She was obviously horrified by the idea. Theo sighed inwardly. “But you deserve to be happy. Now, we have a lot of work to do. I suggest we reconvene for lunch at two and come up with a plan of action. Olivia, Alexander, will you be joining us?”

“Sadly, I have to return to my wife and her morning sickness,” Alex said with a grin. “But I’m sure whatever you decide will be marvellous.” He made a special point of coming over to shake Theo’s hand first. “Good job, old chap,” he said warmly. “I shall see you shortly, no doubt.”

Theo nodded. “Yeah, thanks,” he said faintly.

“I’m staying,” Olivia announced, positively bouncing on her toes. The Yorkies were circling excitedly around their feet, aside from Bouncer who wobbled sleepily on her paws and bumped into the table leg. “Shall we meet at The Orangery? I have a few things to take care of before then.”

“Absolutely, darling,” James’s mother said, already walking towards the door. “Ignatius, I don’t believe we’ll need you for the rest of the day. But do inform Her Majesty of the new developments.” She stopped at the door and turned back to Theo, giving him a small smile. “I’m sure James’s grandmother will be most keen to meet you,” she said before sweeping out the door.

Iggy looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. He said nothing as he rebuttoned his jacket and walked briskly from the room. Theo knew it was petty, but he couldn’t help but feel victorious.

As a child, he had been powerless to stand up to his bullying stepdad and stepbrothers. He’d never quite let go of the hurt they had caused when they had been clearly delighted to get him out of the house at thirteen. Theo knew his nan loved him, as did Sal, but Theo never thought he would be allowed to fall in love like the characters did in stories.

Iggy had tried to stop him and James from being together. But also like in the stories, the heroes had won. The dragon was slain, and now Theo and James were free to live their happy ever after.

Olivia and Alex took their time to hug their brother and then Theo goodbye. Olivia was already planning lunch, checking with Theo if there was anything he didn’t eat and musing about wines. Alex promised he and his wife, Laura, would pop along later if she was feeling better. They left the room with the pack of Yorkies trotting happily by their feet.

And then Theo and James were alone in the drawing room at Kensington Palace. There was a sentence Theo never imagined he’d think. Theo stood in front of James and looked up at him. “Did that really just happen?” he asked.

James ran his hands down Theo’s arms, then took his hands in his own. “Dear lord,” he said with a laugh. “I can’t believe it.”

Theo shook his head. “Me neither,” he agreed. “I guess there’s no going back now.”

James shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to. Would you?”

Theo grinned and stood on his tiptoes to kiss James softly. “Hell, no,” he said firmly. “This is just the beginning. It’s gonna be amazing.”

With a laugh, James wrapped his arms around Theo and hugged him tightly. “It is,” he promised. “I can’t wait.”

Neither could Theo.