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Still not daring to breathe, Car her as if he were afraid she’d dematerialize

Thiswent on “Now the succession is forever settled, you, my son, have to do your duty I’ I never could But it’s tie of state the peace treaty with the Aal Shalaans de Atef has a daughter he never knew about frorew hter, but these are dangerous times, and if you love Farooq and have coe”

“I—consent…” she rasped, tried to jerk free Farooq’s grip tightened And she cried “Just letwill be okay when I’m out of the equation”

Farooq clutched her harder “I will never let you go, not in this life, and if I have any say, not in the next” She shook her head, splashing their arave you ato do you justice I just did” He turned to his uncle “Maolai, I’o rigid His king’s reaction was as dramatic He looked…relieved And Farooq understood why

Even though he wanted Farooq to succeed him, he wanted him to be happy more Wanted Carmen to be happy

His answer seemed readymade “I see this is your final decision, so I can only accept it Just thank Ullah you have spare heirs as worthy as you of being king”

Carmen jerked out of his hold, in tears “Are you both crazy? You’re in the e history and you say, I’, and you just say, okay? No offense to Shehab, but how can anyone be as worthy as Farooq? I won’t be the reason to deprive a nation of itsZaher” She turned back to Farooq, the one to clutch hiive Judar the e it needs I take it back, Farooq, I take it back I’ll remain yours no matter what happens”

So there was ged her off the ground “Ya rohi, Judar’s only loss today is losing you as its future queen When I said I’ a fact As unchangeable as enetic code”

Her color neared that of her hair “If you think you’re proving anything to er than us I won’t let you do soret—”

He silenced her with a kiss before he looked up, found his king watching them, moved but satisfied He flashed him a smile “An eznak, excuse me, ya Maolai, while I take this out of here I believe this will end in a situation unsuited for your court”

Then he swept her away to their quarters as she protested and sobbed He sat on their bed, dragged her on top of hi into dwindling resistance

“How about we ue later?” he purred