As Callie procured Roman’s final gift of the morning, she was beaming. His approval meant more to her than she had words to express, which was saying a lot for a writer. “Okay..” She chirped softly, “..keep them closed..”
From a box that looked like a garment bag, Callie removed a more ornate piece of jewelry than any store front had ever seen. A bauble fit for a king, because it was made for one some five and a half centuries ago. It was heavy but she handled the livery collar with great care. One, solid piece of gold adorned in rubies as red as blood and sapphires almost the same shade of sparkling blue as Roman’s eyes. It fit across his broad frame like it was made for him, although Callie had to stand on her toes to get the piece over his head.
Before she let Roman open his eyes Callie took a step back, taking a moment to eye him for herself. He truly looked a sight in his fur, fox coat and gold collar sparkling with jewels. She wasn’t sure how he wasn’t real life royalty and found herself so distracted she almost stepped on presents. In her defense the boxes were buried beneath a pile of shredding wrapping paper, and she managed to procure them both before doing any damage. As she began to peel the first of her last two boxes open Callie finally relented, “You can open your eyes.”
Callie had planned to tell Roman all about his livery collar and how it had belonged to King Edward IV, the ruler of England during his human life. And how now it belonged to him because he was king; king of an empire more vast and wealthy than any mortal ruler could fathom. Her little speech was all planned out, even the part of how she’d paid and not compelled the item into her possession, but when she opened the box of deeds she could no longer form words. The kingdom he possessed was also hers.
Shaky fingers thumbed through the documents. Some of assets and properties Callie wasn’t even aware Roman had. She swallowed, a hard lump in her throat, entirely overwhelmed by the generosity of his gift. Over the years he had spoiled her rotten and almost desensitized her to receiving expensive things, but what was inside the box was more than a gift of monetary value. Money meant more than anything to Roman, Callie had always known that, however now..
There was another gift to unwrap, Callie was aware, but her dead heart felt like it might beat right out of her chest if she moved. So in a soft and gracious voice, all she did was whisper, “Thank you.”
Roman stood with his eyes closed, waiting. He felt something heavy placed over his shoulders and chest. He smiled, already able to smell the gold. When he was told to open his eyes, he did, looking down at the piece. “Oh, Callie,” he breathed. He crossed to a decorative mirror on the wall, taking in the livery collar, the exquisite jewels, the intricate work that was done to make it so. They didn’t make them like this anymore, telling him just how old this was.
He turned to ask where she had got it, but he paused, seeing that she had opened one of the final gifts, the paperwork with her name on everything. He smiled at her thanks. “You’re very welcome,” he said softly. “I meant it when I said everything I have is yours.”
