His arms grew tighter when he told her, “Your father was a friend to my people.”
He body went rock-solid before she turned in his arms and tipped her face up to look at him.
“What?” she whispered but he saw her face was filled with wonder.
Callum could do nothing but stare.
Fuck, she was pretty but looking like that…
Unbelievable.
He lifted a hand to trail the backs of his fingers against the soft skin of her cheek which she allowed, fortunately, while he answered, “Senator Arlington was a friend to our people. He was a liaison between the cultures. He was a good man. A respected man. And he was a friend of my father’s.”
“Really?” she breathed.
“Really, baby doll,” he replied gently.
Heavy artillery was a good call apparently as she didn’t pull away. Her body had relaxed into his and her face was still filled with wonder.
He shifted her thick hair away from her temple and tucked it behind her ear before he continued, “My father was king for many years. Five years ago, he was killed in battle.” His eyes caught hers as she gasped and he finished, “Now, I’m king.”
Her lips parted but she remained silent.
Callum went on, “The evening the future king is born, at midnight, the oracles speak. Just by speaking, they herald the future king but mostly they talk of his bride.”
“Let’s go back to your father,” she said quietly.
“This is an important part, little one,” he told her.
She ignored him and asked, “Were you close?”
He nodded.
“Very?” she enquired.
Callum continued to nod.
The wonder slid from her features as they grew soft with unconcealed compassion.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I know how that feels.”
All right.
To pretty, fiery and spirited, he could add sweet.
Sonia Arlington could be incredibly sweet.
In order not to give into his sudden, forceful urge to take her to his bed and discover just how sweet she could be, he shifted some of her hair over her shoulder. He ran his fingers through it, never taking his eyes from hers while he said, “I know you do. Senator Arlington was a fine man and my father told me he loved you very much.”
Pain sliced through her eyes briefly and his arms gave her a squeeze.
She took in a soft breath and stated, “So you think I’m your bride.”
He grinned and replied, “You are my bride. The oracles foretold you.”
She nodded and went on, “And your people think I’m your queen.”
He felt his grin widen to a smile as he declared, “You are my queen.”