“Much. And I promise you all of the same things.”
“No more running away when I’ve gone and made you feel too much?”
She pulled her wide lips into a pucker. “You did not need to be so bold with those words.”
He kissed her on the cheek.
“I shalltrynot to run away when you’ve made me feel too much. I can’t guarantee you won’t find me in some cupboard or pantry...but I won’t flee the kingdom.”
“I accept your offer.”
She curled into his chest.
The lady was thrilled to learn of the “discovery” of the journal that proved Lord Yusuf Hethtar had always been second born. She was perhaps even more thrilled to learn of Lady Tahereh’s compromising situation with Lord Koulos, though she expressed remorse that the lady may be forced into a bond she did not desire. Ehmet produced the note in Lady Tahereh’s hand for Hevva to read on her own. She blew air through her nose at one point, and Ehmet correctly assumed she’d reached the bit about Nekash.
“I’m going to kill him,” she growled.
He bit back a smile, heart soaring. “I’m terribly sorry to break the news to you, but it would not be the best decision for the kingdom if the queen were to kill the prince.”
Hevva sucked in abreath, and the note fell from her hands. “What?” she whispered as the parchment fluttered to the floor and her heart to the ceiling.
“Hevva, it's no secret that I love you dearly. It took me some time to realize the extent of my feelings, but they run deep and shout truths at me that I can no longer ignore. I cannot bear to be away from you for even one more night of my life.” He captured her hands with his own and angled hertoward him.
Hevva looked up at the man to find a shimmer of unshed tears blanketing his deep green eyes. She didn’t have the same level of self-control, and one leaked out, trickling down her cheek.
Ehmet held her hands in one of his own while he reached up to swipe away her tear. “Please, do not be sad. I love you so very much.”
“I’m not sad...anymore. I think this might be all the sadness that was sitting in me beginning to drain away.”
He chuckled, and when he blinked again a tear rolled down his face. “I think I can relate.”
Hevva kissed away his pain.
“I need to explain—why I didn’t believe in love.”
She cocked her head in question. “No, you don’t. I understand your fear, and I’m grateful you somehow pushed through it.”
“I’ll be pushing through it for a long time.”
“And I’ll be learning to use my words instead of running from you. I expect that will take a long time too.”
He pulled her into a passionate embrace. Ehmet’s tongue pressed into her mouth, and hers into his. Their lips met time and again for several enjoyable minutes. Eventually, he pulled away and settled her in beside him, one comfortable arm slung over her shoulder.
“Can you believe a nice, respectable match was all I wanted? Someonebiddable? Maybe friendship? Casual camaraderie? Can you believe I was opposed tothis?”
She snuggled into his chest.
“I didn’t expect to fall in love.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her hair.
Hevva tipped her head to look up, kissing Ehmet’s cheek before tucking herself back in. She could—and would—kiss him for hourslater.Right now, she needed to feel the warm comfort of his embrace and listen to the rapid cadence of his heartbeat.
“I wanted to find a nice common boy.” She shrugged against his side.
“Oh, but you have.”
She could hear the smile in his voice. “How’s that?” She trailed a finger up the length of his big thigh, from kneecap to the point where he snatchedher hand away.
“I believe Saka and Berim are getting engaged as well, haven’t you heard?”
