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‘It’s probably very normal for you,’ she murmured. ‘But this is a big deal for me.’
He put his arm along the back of the chair, his fingertips casually brushing her shoulder. ‘Try to enjoy the experience.’
As it turned out, her nerves settled as the helicopter lifted into the air. Or perhaps they just became focussed on another element of the night. His fingers moved softly over her skin, sending little sparks and shock waves through her, so that within moments she’d forgotten that they were in the air in a machine that could hardly be described as aerodynamic. A moment later, the view drew her attention, so she shifted, closer to the window, her eyes chasing the incredibly beautiful city, so that Khalil stared at her, his eyes observing every shift on her face, all the fascination and wonder dancing in her features.
The helicopter ride took twenty minutes. They passed the city and tacked further south, before moving inland, covering a vast expanse of desert that finally gave way to a gentle mountain range.
The helicopter set down at the foot of it, and then the doors were opened.
‘This is...the middle of nowhere,’ she said with an uneven laugh.
‘Not quite.’
‘Where is it, then?’
‘The Athani Mountains.’
She blinked, excitement bursting through her. ‘The fireflies?’
‘Astrid suggested it.’
India grinned. ‘I’ve never seen them before.’
‘She said that too. I thought a new chapter in our relationship required a new experience.’
‘Two,’ she corrected. ‘The helicopter and the fireflies.’
‘Even better.’ He kissed the back of her hand, his eyes holding hers. ‘I want to make this work, India.’
Her heart pounded hard against her ribs, and she nodded. ‘I know that.’ A sigh whooshed through her, as finally she reconciled herself to this decision. ‘I do too.’
It felt more meaningful than when she’d agreed to marry him. That had been logistical, this was more. It was a statement of intent, a promise to make this work, to be good to one another, to find a way to parent their children together that didn’t involve navigating a warzone; to be a family.
She slipped her shoes off as she exited the helicopter, transferring them to her other hand, so that it was easier to walk across the cool desert sand. Khalil did likewise, catching her hand in his, lacing their fingers together. She blinked up at him then wished she hadn’t, because the moon was shining on him like a spotlight, making him appear larger, and like the only person in her world.
A new start was good, but it was a mistake to get too carried away. This was still essentially a business arrangement. He needed a wife, he needed heirs, and she was pregnant with his twins. She wanted her children to grow up in a family, she wanted his support, and, yes, she needed his financial help. There were reasons for them to enter into this marriage—a marriage neither would even be contemplating if it weren’t for the unique circumstances that were playing out.
This wasn’t love.
It wasn’t special.
It was—
‘Oh, wow.’ She stopped walking about twenty yards from the entrance to the caves. A swarm of fireflies danced past them, their delicate, ethereal beauty shimmering in the night sky, their little bodies aglow with what looked like embers. ‘They’re—incredible.’
‘Wait for it,’ he said, squeezing her hand and drawing her with him, nearer to the caves. Once inside, she saw what he meant. Here, they were everywhere, flying through the tunnels, creating enough light to easily see by. They ignored India and Khalil, exploring the ancient cave walls instead.
‘They are spread throughout the kingdom, but this is the most numerous collection. It’s the perfect environment for them, the right climate and light, the best food source.’ He hadn’t relinquished her hand. ‘When I was a young boy, it was my favourite thing to do with Astrid. We would come to these caves whenever we could, and watch them fly around. I would try to catch them, but as soon as I did their lights would go dim, as though they were hiding from me. I found it hard to reckon with that, at the time. Admiring them so much I wanted to grab some, to take home with me, but realising that if I did so, I would lose what I had loved.’
‘A predicament,’ she murmured, imagining him as a child. ‘Was there no way to bring some to the palace?’
‘Perhaps, but my parents did not encourage it. They reminded me that everything has a place and theirs was here.’
‘Your parents sound very wise.’
‘They are.’
‘You didn’t answer me, the other night. I asked how often you see your parents. Are you close to them?’
