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 life feeling as though something was missing.” He caught her hand and placed it over his heart. “Keeping my sisters alive. Escaping our captivity. That kept me alive, gave me purpose. When they were both settled, I was happy for them but still empty inside. I thought coming here and fulfilling my debt to the king of Gravas and confronting my past would give me peace.”
“And did it.”
He shook his head. “No.”
Her brow furrowed with worry.
He stroked his fingers over the lines. “You gave me peace.” Her lips curved up in a smile that brightened her entire face. She really was the most beautiful woman he’d ever set eyes on.
“I’m glad.” Her simple words sank into his soul. She’d asked him for nothing, other than making sure her brother was safe. No amount of money or jewels or power would bind her to him. Only one thing would.
Zaxe took a deep breath. “My name is Navar Zaxurus, ruler of the Northern Territory of Zaxus. Will you marry me? Will you be mine?”
“You’re my Zaxe. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Something inside him clicked into place. All doubt fled, leaving only certainty in its wake.
“You won’t regret it.”
“I know.” Her easy acceptance made him grin. “I hope you won’t have regrets.”
“Never.” He took her mouth, savoring the softness of it, the puff of breath as her lips parted in welcome. He could do without a kingdom, but he would not live without his Jamaeh.
She tugged at his shirt, pulling it up and pressing her hands against him. Her growl of frustration made him laugh. “That battlesuit is in the way,” she protested.
“So it is.” He reared back, yanked off the shirt, and peeled down the protective suit.
The purring hum she gave made his cock swell. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” She ran her hands over his abs and up his chest, scraping her nails lightly over his skin.
“Your tunic is in the way.” When he tugged it up, she raised her hands over her head. The heavy band wrapped around her breasts. He pulled her into a sitting position and began to unwind it, exposing her full breasts with their dark nipples. “So perfect.” He leaned down and took one pert bud between his lips and sucked.
She gasped and speared her fingers through his hair. “Does it bother you I’m not wearing a dress or skirt?” The worry in her voice broke through the sensual haze enveloping him.
“I don’t care what you wear as long as you’re comfortable.”
“It’s not traditional.” The frown was back on her face. He pressed kisses over her cheeks and chin before planting one on her lips.
“I’m not exactly a traditional sort of man. The people accept us as we are or they don’t. We don’t change for them.” He stroked his fingers down her slender neck and along her collarbone before dipping between her breasts. “If you want to wear a dress, I’ll buy you dozens. If you want pants and tunics, I’ll buy you the same.”