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“Azmaharians hate that name now”

Her expression became adorably serious “They hate only one branch of the fae as their rightful ain as her eyes devoured him “And if anyone ever looked the part, it’s you” Her hands strayed all over his shoulders and chestand lower “They ht her hands, his gaze shooting to the partition between the lih he knew Ahmad couldn’t see or hear theht not be able to stop And he’d ion, he wouldn’t do anything to coe

It was still almost beyond his ability to deprive the when he said, “You’re clearly not in the least biased”

She lay back against hi him up “I am the essence of impartiality If Azmaharians knohat’s best for them, they’ll choose you”

“If they do, how do you feel about beco their queen?”

Her blink was surprise itself

Would she ever stop surprising him? “You didn’t think of it?”

She sat up, her s my priorities this past month But then I not only didn’t connect the dots between you beco one, when it was allme, too”

His heart contracted at what he hadn’t contemplated “It would be an unwelcome burden? A life you wouldn’t want for yourself or our children?”

The eyes that always shone with appreciation and hue responsibility and a radical change It would take as drastic an adjustment” Before he could blurt out that he would never disrupt her peace, that he would forget his kingship aloith conviction “But I’ll share your choices and your life’s developments no , then it’s ot his abstinence resolution His ar to her forehead, to her cheeks, her lips, his heart overflowing “Habibati”

A rap on the linancy It had Laylah starting out of his embrace, too

They both turned to find A of Zohayd, sh the

Rashid hadn’t realized they’d been nearing the palace let alone that they were already there

Shielding her fro he’d lared up at the man whose alliance he was supposed to court