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"About what?"
Her eyes narrowed. "About us." Her voice was weak, even tentative.
Kadeem paused, listening to the soft sound of the water spilling from the central form of the fountain.
Eliana glanced away from him, as if she didn't want to say anything more. But he knew that wouldn't be enough for him. He'd seen the look in Azem's eyes. He knew something had been said. Something that didn't bode well for himself and Eliana.
"I met him on the way here," Kadeem admitted.
Her eyes widened. She looked suddenly pale. "You did? What did he say?"
Kadeem shook his head. "Only that he'd been here. But, I got the impression there's more going on than I know about."
Eliana nodded. "There is."
Kadeem leaned closer. "What's this about, Eliana?"
She thought for a few moments. "He doesn't think you're worthy to be my husband."
Kadeem straightened. "I know that, already."
She frowned. "You do? How?"
Kadeem peered at her. "He told me in no uncertain terms this morning. Before the reception."
"What did he say?" Eliana asked urgently.
"Just that he would do anything to make sure that you would never become my wife."
Her mouth opened in shock. "He said that?"
Kadeem nodded. "And he had some pretty clear ideas about why I'm not good enough for you. In fact, he considers that my entire family aren't good enough to even think about marrying into yours."
"How can he say that?" Eliana declared. "Doesn't he see everything around him. Yours is one of the most influential families in Qazhar."
"Maybe he hasn't been here long enough to get to know Qazhar," Kadeem suggested. "Or maybe he's just prejudiced against my people."
Eliana shook her head. "That's not true. He's not that kind of person."
"Then why would he say those things to me?" Kadeem asked.
Eliana sighed. "Maybe he's frightened."
Kadeem looked incredulously at Eliana. "Your father? Frightened? I find that hard to believe."
"I don't mean it like that," Eliana said. "Perhaps he's scared of losing me."
"Doesn't he realize you're old enough to make your own choices?"
Eliana shook her head. "He's always been protective toward me. I'm his only daughter, after all."
Kadeem frowned. "He's too protective, if you ask me. He doesn't have the right to stand in our way. We both want the same thing."
Kadeem saw Eliana's eyes narrow slightly.
"I am right, aren't I?" he said. "We both want this don't we?" He sensed a sudden urgency in the conversation.
To his shock, Eliana didn't reply immediately. Kadeem took Eliana gently by the shoulders. She looked into his eyes. He saw doubt there.
