Page 80 of The Reluctant Queen
“As well aswho?” she shot back, twisting out from beneath his arm and piercing him with a saucy look.
Ehmet stood and pulled her up to join him. She thanked the gods for his assistance as trembling anticipation took hold of her. With her hands shaking, mouth refusing to close, and eyes unable to so much as blink, she simply stared.
He dropped down to one knee.
She forgot how to breathe.
When he produced a dainty golden ring from within his pocket, Hevva was fairly certain her heart abandoned its duties as well. The world froze.
“Lady Hevva Tilevir, Countess of Kabuvirib, also known as Miss Saka of Rohilavol, also known as the love of my life...Will you do the great honor of becoming my wife?”
The fates sat poised, needle in hand, awaiting instructions on their next stitch.
“Yes!” A smile split her face as her knees gave out and she dropped to the floor before Ehmet.
He pulled her into a scorching kiss before locating her hand, on his arse, and moving it back between their bodies. Their eyes never left one another as he slid the golden band onto her finger.
“Is this one real?” she quipped.
Full of mirth, he said, “It is. Although, the cottage is not. And I have a sneaking suspicion my concentration won’t be enough to keep it standing—and us protected—while we celebrate our engagement.”
“Have you spoken with my parents already?”
“I have not.” He grimaced. “But I’m the king. What are they going to do, shout at me?”
She grinned. “Absolutely not. I think they will be quite pleased.”
“Good. Isupposewe can invite them to our handfasting.”
“I think we should have two. Don't you? One for the king and queen, in Serkath. One for Saka and Berim, in Rohilavol.”
“Oh, most certainly.”
Hevva bounced to her feet. Ehmet stood before her and opened his arms, but a joyous energy thrummed through her, so she leapt into his embrace, wrapping her long legs clear around his broad waist. Her skirts bunched high above her knees as she locked her bare ankles around his back, peppering kisses down the length of his jawline.
“You’re insane, woman.”
“Bring me inside. I’ll tell you where to go.”
They departed the cottage on one set of feet. As the happy pair crossed the lawn, a littlepopindicated the dwelling had vanished from existence.
“There is a real cottage, by the way.”
“Where?” she asked into his throat before licking the length of it from hollow to ear.
He shivered delightfully and palmed her round bottom. “Stop that. Not yet.”
She did it again.
He gave her a pinch, and she squealed as he carried her up the stairs.
“The cottage is on the grounds of Kirce. It’s yours—ours—Saka and Berim’s.”
“I want to go there right now.” She clenched her legs around him as he fumbled with the handle to her room.
“Soon. But for now—” He pushed into the chamber and slammed the door behind them. “Get on that bed.”
thirty
