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‘Where are you going?’
‘To get it.’
‘But you’re my present.’
He grinned at her over his shoulder. ‘No, I’m not.’
She stamped her foot. ‘I knew I should have brought the shotgun.’
Retrieving a large box from the corner of the room, he placed it on the bed. ‘This is your present.’
Her eyes widened. ‘You actually got me something.’
‘Uh-huh.’
She seemed floored. ‘Oh.’
‘Want to open it?’
‘I don’t know. I’m really nervous.’
So am I. His heart was thumping faster and faster in his chest. What if she doesn’t like it?
‘But what if I don’t like it?’
He huffed. ‘Okay, how about this? If you don’t, then you can do whatever you want to me.’
Her eyes flicked to where his cock was tenting the towel. ‘And if I do like it?’
He held her gaze. ‘Then I can do whatever I want to you.’
She swallowed. ‘Deal.’
Estelle moved towards the box slowly, as if it were a bomb she had to defuse. It was plain black, with Chinese symbols in red on the top. Flicking the catches on the side open, she lifted the lid.
‘Oh!’ She glanced at him, then back to what he’d bought her. ‘Oh, my god, James!’
His soul sang. He’d made the right choice.
Taking the unstrung bow from the case, she ran her fingers over the laminated wood. ‘I’ve never come across anything quite like this before,’ she whispered. ‘I think it’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen.’
‘It’s called the “Nökhör”. The word is Mongolian for comrade, companion or friend. Genghis Khan gave the title to soldiers who devoted themselves exclusively to their leader—the ones who were the most valiant and loyal warriors.’
She gave him a look. ‘And who am I devoting myself to?’
‘Everyone. It’s what you’ve been doing all your life. But I hope in the future you’ll give a little more of that devotion to yourself. Using the bow should be a reminder to put yourself first.’
She didn’t answer—her gaze falling to the mother-of-pearl stars he’d requested be inlaid into the bow.
‘There are thirty-one of them. For each year of your life so far.’
Running her finger across them, her lower lip wobbled. She clamped it between her teeth as if to keep it still.
‘There’s also a specialist quiver for horse archery, arrows, and a few other bits and bobs. I told the makers your height and showed them a video I took of you practising, so it should all be suitable.’
She still didn’t speak.
‘Do you like it?’
