Page 129 of Shâhzâdeh

And he was right. We entwined our fingers and went looking through all the design elements for the day. Poppyseeds were culturally an item that would protect someone from witchcraft so there was a basket of poppyseed rolls at almost every table. The few that weren’t placed there were the tables meant for his father’s people and I didn’t bother to ask questions about that. Each table held the custom dyed tablecloth that had been coined asCannon Blue. It was a dusty light blue color that felt luxurious and serene. Linens for the house had already been ordered in the color because I loved it so much. The draping that was mounted over our headboard was being switched out for this fabric as well.

The gold chivari chairs balanced with the gold and cream dishes and gold rimmed crystal water glasses. Even the flatware was gold and I was terrified to ask if it was real. Even if it was only plated gold it had to cost a fortune. Apparently the expense was one that would be written off as business because the items were going to be used for Consortium gatherings in the future. The centerpieces were low to the table, blush, cream and mauve flowers with sprays of pastel greenery filled each of the long, golden, rectangular vases that were in the center of the table. The head table was enormous, each side of the table being used so that we were surrounded by everyone we loved. The large mirror that stood at the altar had been moved to the wall near our seats so we could see almost everyone in the room.

“It is a dream.”

“It isroyâyi ke be haghighat peyvast: a dream come true. Many dreams have become reality today, ziba.”

I stopped walking and turned so he could see my eyes. The affection between us was only going to increase from now on. “Not just today. All year it seems. Since I met you. You are a magician.”

“I’m a simple man who longed for a woman who is now my wife. Zhe magic is in your agreement. I have to remind you zhat I will never stop. Flattering you. Showing you how much I adore you. My heart beats only for you, Vanya Mahdavi Cannon.”

I happily pulled him closer to me the intimacy between us natural and no longer needing to be held back. His arms wrapped lazily around my back as I pressed my body close to him on purpose. The feel of his hardness was so enticing and had me thinking about what was to come.

“My loves, I hate to interrupt, but trouble has decided it wanted to come out and play.” We turned and saw the apologetic but pleased look on Ms. Babette’s face. We both looked behind her and saw Mr. Bijan and the rest of the Mahdavis gathered at the entrance of the ballroom.

Xerxes moved me so that I was to his right side before wrapping my arm around his.

“I will be less eager to attack if I know I risk hurting you in doing so.” He’d answered my unspoken question but I knew it had to be something along those lines. My eyes traveled over Mr. Bijan’s face, which was thoroughly irritated by his proximity to his birth family.

I giggled and squeezed his arm lovingly. “Not even going to give me a chance to wonder?”

“It is pointless, zhis must be done and zhe less time I have to spend around zhem zhe better.”

He extended his bent elbow toward his mother who took it with a smile. “Come, my loves. Before Bijan commits patricide and dinner is delayed because we have to clean the floors.”

We strolled over as casually as we could be while also trying to ensure that all hell didn’t break loose. When we were within arm’s reach of Mr. Bijan he held out his right elbow without looking at his wife and she wrapped her arm around him. The gentle nuzzle she gave the side of his neck relaxed his posture, but by the way one man in the king’s entourage was watching Maman Babette, Mr. Bijan was gonna get active shortly.

“Ziba, my grandfather, Shah Mohammed of zhe house of Mahdavi.”

I did exactly as maman told me to do and only lowered myself a fraction. I’d noticed that Xerxes hadn’t bowed to him at all and I could see the angry tension-filled looks on the faces of the people with him. Knowing that they didn’t get along made me feel as though my lack of respect wasn’t disrespectful, but it was clear the king expected me to give him his due.

Not if you’re over here making shit hard for my husband.

My husband sounded wild but also so perfect.

“Is zhat zhe most you’ve taught her about our culture?” His dislike at my slight was displayed in his furrowed brow and his attempts to intimidate. But I knew that look and had witnessed it plenty of times in temple. When men were supposed to look away but were too intrigued to really be put off. I had kept my dress as demure as I could stand and didn’t feel bad about not being completely covered up.

“According to you, I do not share culture with you. Isn’t zhat what you told me a few hours ago?” Xerxes hand was still pressed against his stomach with mine wrapped around his forearm, but I could feel the muscles tense the more he spoke with his grandfather. I didn’t want this man to linger, but I also wanted to have a wedding I actually enjoyed for once. Today had been so perfect, I wasn’t about to let these people ruin the memory.

With a smile on my face, I shifted slightly, allowing the embroidery to catch the light and garner everyone’s attention.

“He has taught me many things, Shah Mohammad.Az jnkeh ma ra ba hozur khod dar jashen arusi tajlil kardid moteshakram.” I lowered my head again after thanking him for honoring us with his presence at our wedding

“Very pretty words, dear, but even a parrot can be taught to mimic. Was there no time for a conversion because she is already pregnant? I can only assume that this was the reason for the haste. It is not as though she is a virgin since she has already been married once.”

Well, so much for me trying to be cordial.

“You insult my daughter and my son vith zhis question. I do not care vho you are, but zhat is never something I vill tolerate.” Mr. Bijan had stepped forward but Maman Babette’s staying hand kept him from crossing the invisible line that had been drawn between our two groups. Despite not wanting to fight, these men would’ve been greatly outnumbered because I had no doubt that Midas, Sho, Quentin and everyone else were somewhere lurking and on standby.

“Vhy? Ve all know she’s not chaste, since she was anozer man’s wife before. Zhere vere no annulments on zhe grounds of impotence, just a simple divorce. It even said she ran away from her family so of course I question a bride such as zhis. Esurely she cannot be as innocent as she eseems.”

My hand tightened on Xerxes arm as I felt him flex to reach for something. I hadn’t even thought he would be armed on today but I thoroughly underestimated my husband.

“It is because of my vife’s presence zhat you can still speak zhose words no matter how vile. But it is alright. One zhing my father always taught me to do vas to ensure I fulfilled my promises.” Didn’t think my husband would be threatening a king, butConsortiumweddings always had stuff going on. Nyima told me that a bomb had gone off at hers.

“And zhat is the promise that you made to your wife?”

“Quiconque tente de la déshonorer, je lui couperai la tête.”I didn’t know a lick of French and Xerxes face was a mask of calm. But that was the problem. I knew he wouldn’t be calm in a situation like this and I wondered if we were about to set off an international incident. I didn’t know how many friends his extended family had with their surrounding countries, but I didn’t want to find out.

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