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Soht years earlier

A soft chuckle shook his lean fraize for her i back here but not torn A woman, and one not connected to the royal faed the Crown Prince But she was not the average Dahaaran woood to see you, Ayaan”

He nodded, his gaze studying her with unhidden thoroughness “You, too, Nikhat”

He led her to the sitting area, where a silver tea service waited Settling down opposite him, Nikhat shook her head when he inquired if she wanted so

The Ayaan that she had known had always had a twinkle in his eyes, a core made of pure joy The Crown Prince that looked at her now had the rief in those eyes of his, a hardness that had found a permanent place in his features

She had been back in the capital city of Dahaara hardly a day before she had been su she could have actually refused, even if she had wanted to “How did you knoas back in Dahaara?” she said, getting straight to the point

He shrugged and crossed his legs Hesitation danced in his eyes before he said, “I have an offer for you”

Nikhat frowned After eight years with no word from her father, she had been beyond thrilled to hear his voice But now… “You ordered my father to call me home,” she said, the unease she had felt the“You kne eager I would be to see hness”

Ayaan rubbed his brow, no hint of guilt in his steady gaze “It’s the price I have to pay for that title, Nikhat”

His words were siht of responsibility behind theer, she remained seated “Fine, you have enie to autorant your wish”

A sudden s into his eyes And the flash of another face, s like that, similar yet different, rose in front of her eyes

Her chest felt incredibly tight and she forced herself to breathe through it There were going to be reminders of Azeez everywhere in Dahaar And she refused to spiral into an emotional mess every time she came across one

She had done that long enough when she had left eight years ago

“I see that you have not changed at all Which is good for me”