later.”
She nodded, still too numb to speak. She was also grateful for the guards. Not everyone would be pleased by the transition. “Esau?” This affected his life, too. He needed to have a say.
Her brother nodded. “Lead the way.” They followed the guard toward the palace and a new life.
Hours later, nerves danced in her stomach. The palace was massive compared to her home. The rooms were open and airy, the walls the color of the stone they’d been carved from. Acres of tile spread across the floors. Greenery abounded, giving the air a fresh feeling, in spite of the heat. A pool sat in the center of a square courtyard, surrounded by flowering plants that perfumed the air. It was absolutely perfect.
She was totally out of her element. I don’t belong here. Everything was too grand, nothing out of place. Except me. Clean and refreshed from a bath and a light meal, she sat on a stone bench, letting her fingers trail in the water that shimmered like diamonds. She was the only discordant note in the garden. She’d dressed in men’s pants, but wore a vibrant green tunic, having refused the dresses brought to her, much to the chagrin of the maid who’d served her.
“I was told I’d find you here.”
Her heart gave a sharp jump and began to thunder as Zaxe came toward her. He’d bathed, too. No longer covered in dirt and blood, he wore pristine white pants and a shirt, but she caught the edge of his battlesuit beneath and his boots adorned his feet.
“How are you doing?” She held out her hands, putting her own unease aside. This was a huge life change for Zaxe.
He caught her fingers in his and brought them to his lips, pressing a kiss against each knuckle. Her heart banged against her ribcage. The romantic gesture made her want to sigh. “I don’t know.”
Alarmed, she tugged him down beside her. “We can still leave. We don’t have to stay.” She kept her voice low, aware of guards lingering around the entrances.
“You would give this all up?” He gestured to the opulent surroundings.
“Can’t miss what I never had. I don’t need fancy surroundings to be happy, just a home.”
“And someone to share it with?” His eyes were darker than midnight, entrancing her. The deep tones of his voice sank into her bones.
“Yes.”
“Did you mean it when you said you loved me?”
“Yes.” She licked her lips and nodded. “You called me your wife. Did you mean it?”
He smoothed his hand over her braids, pushing them behind her shoulder. “I don’t know what the future will bring, but I want you beside me, sharing it. Will you take me as I am?” He swallowed, his throat rippling.
Nothing scared Zaxe, but he was nervous. Everything inside her calmed. “You are so many things. You’re an assassin.”
His jaw tightened.
“A ruler.”
His lips firmed.
“But most of all you’re a man. My man. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He swept her into his arms and strode across the garden. Laughing, she linked her arms around his neck. “Where are you taking me?” Guards fell into step behind him. It was disconcerting until she noticed several Gravasian soldiers with them.
“To celebrate.” He shouldered his way into a room and kicked the door shut behind him.
“What about your family?” They had to all be waiting for him to make an appearance. “And Esau.” She’d left her brother resting, but she’d been unable to relax.
“They can wait.” He carried her through an exquisite sitting room into a bedroom, taking her down onto the bed with him on top of her. “This can’t.”
He pressed his mouth to hers and stole her breath and her heart.
****
Everything he’d ever wanted was here in his arms. He’d found justice and peace with his past and had a bright future, but all of that paled in comparison to what he felt for Jamaeh. Responsibility waited beyond the door, but this was more important than any kingdom.
She lay beneath him, her red and black braids spread across the pillow, her green eyes glowing with excitement. She loved him. It was too good to be true, yet it was the truth. He closed his eyes and swallowed back the emotion that threatened to choke him.
“Everything will be okay.” Her promise released the tension inside him. The gentle stroke of her fingers down his face anchored him.
He opened his eyes and smiled. “As long as you are beside me.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “I spent my entire