Page 118 of Shâhzâdeh

“‘E shuid ken what ‘ate-like resembles. The way ‘e ‘ate-loved Francesca, ‘e shuid write the book on the subject.” Bhal didn’t miss a chance to tease his cousin and I knew Liam wanted to pop him the same way I wanted to pop Midas.

“Yoo get a lass to marry yoo in less ‘an t’ree weeks and suddenly yoo ken everythin’ about romance.”

“Apparently I do, since she’s got two of my ‘alfrican babies growin’ in ‘er belly.” Bhal proudly held up two fingers and his damn chest was puffed out.

“That’s still my sister-in-law.” Yacouba was frowned up but he couldn’t say anything.

“Aye, but she is my life. My wife. Yoo ken she is more ‘an adored by me.”

Yacouba could only nod his agreement before turning to Ori. “What’s the deal?”

Ori’s hair was pulled back the curls contained so he looked even more serious than normal. “Nothing. Just finding our way. It ain’t gone look shit like what y’all went through, though. Even Li had a background of love to work with. We don’t have that. We have mutual respect and are doing what needs to be done. How that will make a marriage work—” Ori’s broad shoulders shrugged and I could see the conflict in his eyes.

“Respect is far more zhan many had,habibi. Which you lived first hand wiz your parents. Your parents did not have zhat. They were built on lies and broken promises. I think it is fortuitous that honesty is the basis of what you’re building. Many a great marriages have been built on that.”

“To Xerx and Vanya and to Ori and Asha: may the circumstances of yoor marriages become the stepping stone to the greatness we ken yoo all will achieve.” Bhal raised his glass and everyone followed suit. I raised my water bottle in toast as Elijah moved on to the art I wanted on my finger. This would be quick, which meant that we’d be on our way soon. Hopefully, the anxiety would ebb and I’d be able to get good sleep tonight.

“How are you handling the ability to do a multi-religious wedding tomorrow, P?” Midas’ question was one I hadn’t even thought about. I was adamant that no one would bless my marriage other than my brother.

“I’m presiding as a friend tomorrow, not a thing more. This whole ceremony is nondenominational and parts of it are going to be in Farsi for his people.”

“Speaking of, what’s the likelihood of me needing a holster under my brocade shit?” Couba spoke up again and I grinned and folded my arms over my stomach.

“Roughly sixty-two percent.”

“For or against.”

My grin deepened. “For needing it.”

Ori grunted before his voice boomed with aggravation. “They have a problem with Vanya?”

I looked at my friends so they understood the gravity of the situation. “Zhey have a great many problems wiz a great many zhings. My mother always being at zhe forefront and now zhey see—”

“You marrying someone who looks like her and they got a problem?” Priest nodded his understanding having been through it in a way himself.

I nodded and laughed despite nothing being humorous. “And she’s American. Divorced. Not Muslim. Doesn’t have their approval. Hasn’t jumped through the hoops they expect her to. The list is long and I would rather burn it and them to the ground before I paid it any attention.”

“Man said he’d burn down an entire monarchy behind his girl.” Yacouba was laughing but he would stand beside me and hold another flamethrower to increase the destruction.

“Regimes are toppled everyday my friend.”

He nodded his head toward me proving my point. “I feel like that likelihood went up to seventy-eight percent.”

I chuckled and closed my eyes again. “Probably ninety.”

“Sweets got the bridal party covered. That is, if your mama ain’t taken them all out yet, if they step out of line.” Smoke was back at the door still not joining in but chiming in.

“Zhe last zhing she is going to want to worry about is getting someone’s blood on her shoes. I’m sure zhey feel as zhough tomorrow will be zhe day they can act in a disrespectful manner and zhere is nothing I can do about it. Zhat couldn’t be zhe furzest zhing from the truz. After zhe stunt they pulled in Texas, zhere is very little zhat I’m willing to overlook and plans have come togezer for a permanent solution for them. But I know zhey aren’t going to stop until zhey feel as zhough zhey’ve insulted my bride and humbled me. Somezing zhat will definitely lead to zheir demise happening far sooner zhan I planned.”

“Have you warned her?”

I took no offense to Ori’s question and appreciated him looking out for her. “She knows. She knows zhat zhey are zhe ones who led us here so I’m sure she’s wondering why zhey’re coming at all.”

“Can’t lie. I’m in the same school of thought as Vanya on that one.” I looked over to Priest and he was rubbing his chin in thought.

“It’s necessary to show respect even vhen it is not shown to you. Zhere are so many zhings zhat would allow for zhem to play zhe victim to zhe media back home and zhat would turn zhe tide in zheir favor. But when everyzing is observed as it should be, zhen zhey have no hand to play.”

“Always remaining in control of the board I see.” Ori raised his bottle of water in salute.

---