Page 49 of At the Sheikh's Command
“For you.” He turned to his vizier and the rest of the men assembled there. “This meeting is over. Let it be known that there is nothing that will sway me from my path. I have made my decision, and it will not change. Leonora is the woman I love, and I will let nothing stand in the way of our happiness.”
Leonora felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She couldn’t believe that Darrius was willing to give up his throne for her. She couldn’t believe any of this was happening.
“Come, Leonora, you don’t have to answer to these people, any more than I do.”
With that, he opened the door and indicated she should leave. She didn’t need to be told twice. She couldn’t wait to get out of that room full of suspicion and hate. Besides, she needed answers—answers she could only get from Darrius.
“Darrius?”
“I’ll explain everything shortly.” He looked around at the formal rooms of the palace they were walking through with all their grandeur. “We need to get out of here. Go somewhere quieter where we can talk.”
“Outside,” she suggested, instinctively knowing what he needed. Air and space, and to be removed from the world into which he’d forced himself to fit.
He shot her a grateful smile and nodded.
But neither spoke until they’d entered the large private gardens and were at its very center, far from prying eyes.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“Darrius, what have you done?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Darrius took a deep breath, his eyes softening. “I’ve done what my heart tells me is right. I can’t imagine living without you, Leonora. You are the love of my life.”
It was what she’d imagined hearing a million times but she couldn’t shake the fear that lingered in the back of her mind.
“What about your people, your kingdom?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Darrius took her hand in his, and looked deep into her eyes. “They will understand that my love for you is greater than my duty to the throne.”
“But you’ve been a brilliant king. Everyone says so and the proof is everywhere.”
“I’ve done my duty. Besides, my brother, Zaire, will be better suited to being king.”
“And you’ve already discussed this with him?”
“Yes. He accepts the situation and will do well, I have no doubt. I’ve done my time. I need room to breathe, room to love. And I want to do it with you.”
“But—”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “No more buts. You would never have been accepted as my wife, and that is what I want. You, by my side, always.”
It was nagging at her brain. “But what about me? You haven’t even asked me what I’d like. If I want to marry you.”
“I know and I’m sorry. This constitutional crisis my vizier forced upon me put pay to my proposal plans.”
“But… I have a life I’d have to give up. I have a career. You put steps in place to abdicate without even discussing any of this with me.”
He shrugged. “I understand your career is important. You can continue it, of course.”
“But not in Oxford.”
“No, not in Oxford. I need to be in Sifra to help my brother with this transitional phase and will probably play some role in his government here in Sifra.”
She gave a half-laugh and shrug. “Well, I guess it means my visa will be extended, no problem.”
He smiled. “It does.”
“So I can continue the search for the diamond. I feel I was so close.”
