Page 8 of Bride of the King
Zander returned with a tray of food, a question in his gray eyes.I sat across from him and took a breath, recalling his words from yesterday. Free to leave if I completed our bargain. “What would you like to do today, Nesrin?” he asked.
My cheeks curved up into a smile, I could get used to this. Instead of shouting I was served a meal and asked what I wanted to do. It felt good, as though a token of power had been passed to me, and he’d do anything, everything in his power to make me happy. To ensure I stayed. And if it was because of what I could give, then I would.
“I need to gather herbs,” I explained. “Roots, mainly, they grow in the thick shade of woods, I thought I saw a likely spot yesterday.”
“In the enchanted wildwood?” He raised an eyebrow but the way his lips curled up told me he was teasing.
“No.” I bit into a hunk of bread. “Not there, plenty of herbs and roots grow outside its boundaries, although I assume the herbs within likely carry properties I am unsure how to use. And. . .” I trailed off, wondering if I should tell him about the book I needed to retrieve from my father’s house. I had no desire to break the spell of happiness that had been cast upon me and return to that house, see my step-mother, and be reminded of what had happened there. Since I was only beginning to get to know Zander, I didn’t want him to see the house, to see my old room and the cloud of shame that hung over that place.
His warm hand on mine jerked me out of my thoughts. “What is it, my lady?”
“Nothing.” I tugged my thoughts back to the present. “It’s just, you spent the day with me yesterday. I don’t want to take up all of your time.”
Placing his head on his heart, he leaned forward, his tone soft. “It is by choice, Nesrin. I am king here. I choose how to spend my days, and if it is with you, my lovely new wife, then so be it. Never worry about taking up my time, if an urgent need arises, my men will tell me. Right now, my duty is to you. I want you to feel welcome, comfortable here. Besides, I’ve admired you from afar, now I’d like to admire you right next me.”
My fingers squeezed his hand as tears sprung to my eyes. The way he spoke chased away my remaining worries. He was real and honest and true, and sitting before me. I didn’t want to wait until the river goddess summoned me with a dire consequence. No, I wanted to enjoy my life, no matter how long or short time might be. The time of waiting, and hanging back, and staying quiet, and letting things happen to me was over.
“Zander?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You don’t know what those words mean to me, so thank you.”
Lifting my hand to his lips, he kissed it. “Let’s go see Naomi, she will have whatever is needed for herb gathering.”
Hand in hand we strode through the camp which swayed with its own rhythm. Once again, I was surprised at how happy, and peaceful it seemed. “It is always like this?”
“More or less.” Zander shrugged. “The people are content, happy for now and looking forward to the first harvest. Afterward, we’ll move to another village where we can sell our wares or trade for supplies we need for the impending winter. Then we’ll travel south, where the winters are less harsh and return here again when the spring comes.”
I’d never traveled, and the thought of it sounded both intimidating and exciting. “Do you like it? Always traveling, with no place to call home?”
“Home,” he mused. “What is home to you?”
I shrugged. “The house that I live in.”
“But a house is only wood and stone. It is a structure, and one can be built anywhere. For me, the world is my home and while I enjoy living under open skies, it is the people that truly make a home, and home is wherever my people are happy. That is what home is to me, and so no, I don’t mind traveling. In fact, I look forward to it. What upsets me the most is those who hunt down my people, who make us feel as though this is not our home. I hope to change all of that. To make us untouchable.”
His words sent an ache through my heart, and I thought I detected an edge of sadness in his tone. A sadness that reminded me I did not know all about my golden king. But before I could ask more, we reached Naomi’s tent and turned to the task of gathering herbs.
* * *
On the seventh morning,Zander awoke me with a light kiss on my cheek. I’d grown used to his familiar caress although he did not attempt to take me. Yet his bright eyes glazed over, darkened sometimes when he looked at me. I understood he waited for my word, and yet his patience might be wearing. I wondered how long he would keep his distance. Seven days and I already longed for his embrace, looked forward to his kisses and what words he’d use to tease me.
“Nesrin,” he whispered, his voice husky with sleep.
My eyelids fluttered, and I smiled at him, reaching over to take his hand in mine. I liked the weight of it, the feel of his warm body in the bed next to mine. The moment was so pure, so far from what my life had been a week ago, that I wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms, in his bed.
I turned my face toward his, words thick in my throat. I did not know him well, but everything he’d said and done in the short time we’d been married, made me determined to stay. If he wished it.
“Did you mean it?” I asked. “When you said I can leave, if I want to?”
His eyes darkened, and he pulled away. I watched him frown as he struggled to control himself. And then, “Aye. I am a man of my word. If you wish it. . .”
“I don’t,” I faltered, the confession burning on my lips.
“You don’t,” he confirmed, drawing me into his arms.
So far, I’d stayed burrowed on one side of the bed, hiding under the covers in my thin, sleeveless nightgown. The nights were warm, but I liked to sleep under the blankets and hoped my presence did not disturb Zander. Each morning and evening I dressed behind a screen, and Zander let me have my privacy. But now, one arm tucked over my body, he hovered over me, using his free hand to smooth my wild hair back from my face and cup my cheek. He smiled, but his eyes were dark as he lowered his face over mine, his gaze flickering to my lips. Dully I thought of morning breath and wild, unbrushed hair, but Zander did not seem to care. “Your words give me hope,” he admitted. “Hope that you will not change your mind.
