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Malek let out an ugly laugh “Offering Janaan luxury is like offering a perfect falcon extra wings And hoill I honor her without proclai her mine to the world?”
Jay couldn’t hear more Shouldn’t have heard it at all, hadn’t meant to hear it She just couldn’t s to move but she stumbled, bumped into a pillar with an urn on top of it The crash sent her collapsing on the nearest divan, broughtin from every direction She only saw Malek, sa his face contorted the moment he saw her
With one fierce order, he cleared the room Then, wordlessly, he scooped her up in his arms, took her to the stateroom, closed the door securely behind them He lowered her onto another divan, ca her hands, his face clenched in agitation and entreaty
Before he could say anything, she rasped out weakly, “Your probledom—they’re all over me, aren’t they?”
“No, no” He rose, kissed her all over her face “I promised I’ll take care of it, and I will”
She shook her head and he brought an urgent hand to her face A cry of horror tore out of her She groped for his hand, slid shaking fingers over his swollen, discolored knuckles
His irreplaceable hands, his surgeon’s miraculous tools, injured in her defense He could have impaired them forever What more injuries and losses must he endure on her account?
“What I would give for you not to have heard that, ya habibati” He kissed her hand, a knuckle at a time
“I didn’t mean to, but I did, and I need you to please tellto inflict ned
“There’s no dispute that the house of Munsoor Aal-Hahtful one But there are other branches of the Aal-Hamdaan family, as well as ancient tribes who have always had a part of the rule through e into Munsoor’s line I told the elders of the candidate houses that I won’t have sons of their blood, that when I’m dead they should decide ill rule after me”
“Th-that has only ht now, threatening a civil war” He acknowledged the accuracy of her conclusion with a curt nod, his color now deep copper “What is the solution?”
He gritted his teeth “They suggest I first take a wife the kingdoion perht to take you as my second wife”
“And this is the only way, isn’t it?”
This was a rhetorical question He still answered it, vehement, final “No, it isn’t I haven’t accepted their solution And I won’t I will find another way”