"𝖅ee, darling. Come to me," the voice was fully audible now, raspy, full and thick. There was almost like an echo as it reverberated through the forest. Somewhere beyond the trees the sun was sinking, early twilight falling in the forest. The shadows deepened, a purplish cast tinting the snow. The birds quieted. Even if it seemed impossible, I was not going to let anything and anyone stand in my way. My pulse accelerated as strength flowed through my limbs and I forced my feet to move.

I hit the ground. My head connecting with a sharp rock, the pain immediate, as was the blurring of my vision and the loss of my consciousness.

My limbs were sluggish as I dragged myself towards his voice.

"Asfand, is that you?"

"It's okay, I'm here Zee," he called out, the voice unmistakably his. I would recognize it anywhere.

Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes as I hurried forward.

For a second, I simply took him in, drank in the sight of him and basked in the sheer magnetism of his presence. A few feet apart and I still felt it - the way the air crackled around us, the atmosphere heavier than it had ever been.

His eyes slowly moved over my form, blinking as he swallowed hard, a torrent of longing written on his face. My breath hitched as our gazes connected, an invisible tether irrevocably tying us together.

In that moment I knew.

I simply knew that this was what I'd been searching for my entire life. His absence was the reason for that restlessness that simmered in my blood for so long. And his presence...

His presence made my essence sing.

Without him, I was lost. With him, I was found again.
Instinct took over as I moved.

"It's really you," I whispered, true joy overtaking me. "I knew it was you," my lips tipped up in a smile as I heard him calling for me. My mouth was dry and parched.

I barely had any strength left.

"I'm here," he whispered, his voice deeply anguished.
So much so, it pulled at my soul, a melody that called to something deep within me. "And I'm not leaving. Ever."

He was there, then - my prince, pushing his way toward me. His face was stormy - anger, desperation and concern - warring for dominance over his features.

I knew exactly how he felt.

"You came, you're safe," the whisper made it past my lips, my lids heavy as I opened them and saw him in front of me - with his dark hair, brown eyes and lush lips. Were those bruises on his face? "Who did that to you..."

"I've got you darling, I have you," he rasped, bringing me to his body. "You're going to be safe. I'm taking you away from here," his words were spoken harshly against my hair.

I was fully on his lap now, nestled against his chest. I wanted to swim in the cool lake of his arms, to slip beneath the facade and into the darkness that lurked beneath.

His hands cupped my cheeks as he slowly drew back, his gaze searching my languid, barely present one. His body was a pillar of strength, his touch as comforting as it was invigorating. The only person whose embrace had ever felt like... home. Like true belonging.

"Tell me you're safe. Tell me they didn't do anything to you."

"They can't do anything to me," he growled before his lips were fitted to mine - his air traveling into my battered lungs and giving me a new chance of life. "Come on babe... just a few more steps."

My awareness was slowly slipping from me, and with no energy left, I slumped against him. "How are... guards... estate..."

Asfand's shoulders sagged. The anger that was visibly building in him fell away when he looked at me.

"Found a back road. Apparently something your brother used."

"Go..od."

"A few more steps sweetheart," he said. "Just hang on for a few more minutes."

For the first time, I noted the signs of weariness on his face. If until now he'd seem entirely jovial and charming, bent on teasing me at every turn, now he looked almost...hurt. Fatigued. In anguish.

"Asfand, I-"

His eyes snapped up to meet mine, and a world of hurt existed within his gaze. He looked tortured beyond belief when he said. "I'm getting you out of here, then we'll talk."

༻❂༺

My eyes fluttered open, uncertainty filling me to the brim as I struggled to take in my surroundings. A sense of comfort washed over me as I snuggled deeper into the clean sheets. Brief flashes of my memory helped me piece last night's events.

Mughal House.

Taimoor. Taimoor had stepped in.

I knew where I was. I knew who I was. I rolled onto my side and tucked my knees into my chest, silently sobbing as everything came back to me.

"Zee, are you up?" the soft sound of Asfand's voice made me tremble. Oh god. I couldn't face him. Not like this. "Zeenia?"

I was the worst human being alive. I buried my face into the soft sheets of the bed. "Yeah, come in."

Turning, I watched him enter - there wasn't one hint of shock at seeing him, though there was plenty of longing. For all this time, he'd been haunting my dreams and every waking moment.

"Sshhhh... it's okay," the bed groaned as he climbed up onto the mattress behind me. Deftly, he slid his arms around me and then gently held me to him. His whispers into my hair, his breath skimming the back of my neck. "Everything's fine. You're safe here."

"Taimoor... is he-"

After a long second, he shook his head and placed a glass of water in my hands, urging me to drink. "He's mad at your family. He tries to hide it, but I've seen him pacing the floor waiting for you to wake up. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

I spun around in his arms, needing to see him, the empty glass falling to the carpeted floor. My heart shattered into a million pieces when I laid my eyes on him; with his bloodshot eyes, the massive bruise on his face, and the deathly pallor of his skin, he looked like he'd been through hell and back.

"What did they do to you? Tell me. I'll rip him-" I didn't get a chance to finish. Asfand cut me off with his mouth, kissing my words away. His grip was gentle, handling me as if I might break. And there was a good chance I might. I felt like hammered shit. My head had never hurt this badly before, and my body felt so unbelievably weak, but with Asfand kissing me in his arms again, I'd never felt more invincible.

"Later."

"But-"

"You have to eat. Mrs. Khan cooked up a storm and I brought you a little of everything," Asfand announced, his lips flattened in discomfort just as his hands came atop of mine, stopping my fretting.

"You're-"

"I've got soup, some sandwiches, a selection of cookies, and some hot tea," he pointed at every little item. "So, what would you like first?"

"The soup. I'm very hungry," no need tell him about my hunger strike.

"The soup it is then," he said just as he propped the breakfast table on top of my legs. Before I could help myself to the food, he was ahead of me, grabbing the spoon and trying the temperature of the soup.

When he was satisfied, he nodded, but he didn't give me back the spoon.

Instead, he proceeded to feed me with it.

"I'm not an invalid, you know..." I muttered.

"Do you have to be for me to care for you?" he arched a brow. "Can't I enjoy pampering you?"

"No," I said softly. "You came."

"And you doubted that?" his brows went up in question.

"I doubted your tower climbing skills," I teased.

"I could climb a tower," he huffed. "Just had to find a way to keep all of the security distracted," he grumbled, eliciting a soft laugh from me.

Frustration gnawed at me the more I ruminated about this. I still had a lot of questions. Questions pertaining to how he'd managed to get me out, who'd had helped him. Who'd dared to go against my grandfather. But all of that could wait.

Wait till I was ready to fully accept the steps my brother had taken against me.

He continued to feed me the soup, making small talk every now and then. When I was finished with the bowl, I eyed the sandwiches next - which he didn't let me eat by myself either.

Asfand sliced the sandwiches in small bits, feeding me one at a time. Shaking my head at him, I accepted the offering, my stomach finally calming down now that it was full.

"I'm happy to see you eat," he stroked my hand lightly. He swirled his thumbs over my skin - slow languorous movements that made me want to purr out loud. "Now you need to rest."

"Do you think..." I bit my lip, not wanting to bring his name up but the mark around his eyes had to be addressed. "What did you he do to you? Do you think he knows? Do you think he'll come after you? Your family?"

His lips flattened in a thin line.

"He knows," he stated firmly. "And no, he can not harm me or my family. I think it's time you started thinking about yourself - I'm so sorry, we should not have left you alone. Fuck!"

"You and I both did what we thought was best at the time," I sighed. "There was no way to know he would react that way, not against me. I didn't expect him to become a neanderthal. My Harvard educated brother decided to follow my deeply misguided grandfather to satisfy his ego," I shrugged, trying to keep the pain from my voice. "He's going to get what he deserves. Both of them are going to regret this."

"Zeenia..." he stopped, turning towards me with an inscrutable expression on his face. "None of this is going to end well. Whatever you're planning, let it go. We've got each other, and believe me, we'll make them pay, just not right now," he asked, in a low voice.

"Don't worry, I won't jeopardise our safety. It's... I felt guilty about taking what's mine before, not anymore. They started a war, I'll be the one to finish it."

"What did they do to you?"

"It doesn't matter," just as he rose to take away the tray, I grabbed his arm. "Where's Taimoor?"

"Out. That's all I know."

"Let me know when he's back?"

He didn't reply for a moment before he nodded.

"Mrs. Khan has prepared some clothes for you. So feel free to take a shower and get some rest."

༻❂༺

There were only the two of us in the library tonight, but the very stacks themselves seemed to hold their breath when we faced each other.

"If I'm me, and you're you, just as we are right now, we're doomed," Taimoor calmly stated, his eyes on the papers on his desk. "There's no way to win this."

"Sure there is. You'll have to finally admit who and what you are. And I'll have to break a few rules."

"I don't want to be the villain here," he said firmly.

"Yet we are. We were born to a villainous house, with a villain for a father and a worse grandfather. It's bred into the marrow of our bones. And you know what I've learned Taimoor? Heroes don't win. Heroes are kind, too gentle and soft to sacrifice the people they love. Villains sacrifice everything to win. So even if you don't want to be one, if you want to beat one, then..." I trailed off.

"If I do that, we'll win? Then life will be good, then they'll leave me alone?"

"Do you want them to leave you alone?" I struggled to keep my voice even, to prevent it from faltering. "We don't do well dealing with tears of self pity in this family."

"Don't remind me," he said, deep in thought. "The only way to get rid of him...would be to get the majority vote of the board. Those corrupt fuckers are in too deep to let him go."

"It doesn't have to happen today."

Biting my lip, I regarded him for the longest time before I tipped my head in a hesitant nod. "It won't."

"Do you have a better idea?"

He stared up at the ceiling. "Leave this be. Don't ruin your life running after this."

"Hello, pot meet kettle," he simply shrugged. "I don't see you denying it."

"Exactly," my lip twitched in displeasure but he continued. "You've managed to do something for yourself. You've carved a path out of that hellhole...why do you want to go back?"

I blinked repeatedly. I didn't think I'd heard him right.

"How are not on my side here? You know what they've done. You know what he did to me. To you. To him. You know who put that mark on his face. How are you okay with that? How are you not blowing a gasket?"

"I've known him far longer than you have," he glared at me as he jerked his head and scanned the room."And believe me, I want to do something, more than something, but he won't let me! He's better than that. Better than us."

"I didn't know you cared."

"You wouldn't be here if I didn't care."

"I didn't peg you out to be a romantic."

"And I didn't peg you to be a martyr," he said, indignant.

"What does that mean?" even as my lips formed the words, I wanted to punch myself for asking.

"Why didn't you tell them about me? That I'd planned this? Why lie to protect me?" his eyes were wide and wary.

Immediately, my eyes widened as I leaned back, assessing him with cautious eyes. "Because."

"That's what I thought," he grunted. "You tried to protect me, tried to take all the blame. Heed my advice, going down this road... it's going to be difficult."

My gaze softened as I looked at him.

"When have we ever taken the easy way?"

"He'll do whatever you ask him to. Whatever you do will affect his life, his family. Could even hurt him. Make sure you consider that in the looming bloodbath."

The mere suggestion that anyone might harm Asfand hit me like a bullet to the chest, a deep chasm opening inside my heart.

The pain was sharp and continuous as anger mounted inside of me.

Did I still have a lot of unanswered questions? Yes. But what I did not know, I felt.

Everyone who'd ever had a hand in hurting Asfand would pay. They needed to suffer just as much as he had, wither in the same timeless torment that he had.

"What happened with Asfand's family Taimoor? Why did they leave?"

"They were banished by our grandfather. Blacklisted and bad mouthed. They didn't just get up and leave," his eyes darkened just as his lips hardened into a flat line. "He pressured the party to cut off all their ties with Asfand's father, had grandmother exile his mother from all of the social events. They were forced to leave and they couldn't come back because of his closeness to the two of us."

Squeezing my eyes shut against that sensation, I tried to pay attention to what Taimoor had said. That explained their surprise when I'd met them weeks ago. But I'd invited them to the Gala, Asfand had worked for Mughal Co.

"That can't-" I barely got the words out before realization dawned on me. Yet as I slowly ruminated over this piece of information, I wondered if Daada Jaan could have done that.

I swallowed hard, feeling as if I was munching on sharp glass.

I knew exactly what Asfand must have felt - that feeling of being powerless to save the people you loved, the torment of not knowing what was happening. The regret and despair when you failed. A small tremor went down my body.

"Is that why he came back?"

"You'll have to ask him."

Fingers twisting in my lap, I stared my brother down, annoyance slithering against my skin. "Can you be more cryptic?"

"Can you be more annoying?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" he raised a questioning eyebrow. "Why didn't you tell me about him? About his mother?"

"I didn't think you would have liked to know."

"Taimoor."

He released a loud sigh. "Zeenia."

"Was it-"

"I'm done with this conversation, so I'm going to wrap it up. Daada Jaan isn't going to stop. If you poke that bear, which you already have, he's going to come back harder-"

"I know and don't worry, I won't put Asfand or his family in danger," seemed only fair that I got a chance to make this right. Despite the ever constant fear of what I would encounter with my family, it was something I needed to do - I needed to push my own limits. For him. For me. For us. "But, there is something we can do to keep them safe. To give him that leverage."

༻❂༺

Asfand had been out of the house for a couple of days. Taimoor had been incredibly cryptic about his whereabouts which meant that I spent the time overthinking and going over all of the information that had been dumped over me days ago. Though I'd pondered many things during his absence, I couldn't help but develop doubts that this could be too good to be true.

This was not merely something that started a decade ago. It seemed as if Daada Jaan had a silly vendetta against him for far too long, and the thought that anyone would harm my Asfand tore at my insides.

Despite all my best efforts to control myself, it was in vain. Conflicting emotions - love, fear, disappointment - converged inside my heart, making me reel with the magnitude of my feelings.

Why would someone like him suddenly develop an interest for someone like me? Why give up his life and comfort for a chance to know me? He must have known that my family would have never approved. What could have prompted him to say those words...to come after me?

Akbar placed the food in front of me with a gentle smile, his kind eyes shining with untold pride. I nodded my thanks and took a careful bite, saying nothing, as the combination of semi-crisp tortilla, lobster, and guacamole worked its magic. Though my appetite hadn't magically returned, I did my best to eat a little more each day. I didn't really care much for food, except when Mrs. Khan was doing the cooking. And I was applauded for it.

Both Mrs. Khan and Akbar had taken to giving me small desserts or looks of pride to show their support. Their efforts were soon visible in the new fullness of my cheeks and my figure. My hair too, slowly regained its previous luster. And with a perpetual smile on my face, things started looking up, my hope for the future growing daily.

A muted shuffle wrenched me out of my thoughts and I got up to peer outside the door.

"Hello?" I whispered out, in no mood to draw anyone from the staff to me.

"Hey."

In a baby blue button-down shirt and light gray slacks, Asfand was so striking that I couldn't help my own lips from emulating his smile.

"Thought you'd left."

"Nope, just had to run a few errands."

"Hungry?"

"I asked Mrs. Khan to have food brought to your rooms. Didn't know you'd eaten already."

"The tortillas are to die for. You'll like them, but first, let's go upstairs."

Letting myself be led by pure instinct, I opened the door, stepping into the hallway and heading towards the suite. He stared in confusion and I gestured for him to follow me as I walked into my bedroom. We heard one of the servants comment something about the thunder that was rumbling outside, but I didn't slow.

I heard the door click shut.

"What's going on Zee? Is there a reason we've marched down to here?"

His hands settled on my waist and my body immediately reacted at his nearness. There was something impossibly irresistible about him, yet I could not say what. I only knew that when he was near, I seemed to give in to my baser instincts, craving touch so ardently for the first time in my life. It felt like I was caught up in the pages of a strange fairy tale, and I shouldn't be foolish but shrewd, preparing for something horrible to thwart me.

Because good things never lasted for long in my life.

"Could you... would you tell me something?" I started, leaning back, gauging his reaction.

"Always," he nodded, but I inwardly braced myself.

"Why did you come back?"

His features tensed and strained as he squeezed his eyes shut. "He told you."

"I need to hear it from you."

"Zee, I," he stood before me, eyes wide, features gaunt and filled with pain.

My heart hammered in my chest.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

The sound would be deafening if not for the loudness of my thoughts - the way my entire being was screaming in the silence.

"It's not what you think it is. It's not a revenge scheme."

"That never crossed my mind," I swallowed hard, certainty washing over me as I said the words.

I hadn't even considered that because I was absolutely sure of it. More than I'd ever been about anything in my life. Asfand would never hurt me.

"And I never imagined that we'd... that I'd have a chance with you," tentatively, his hands reached for my cheeks, cradling my face between his big palms. The urge to choke out a laugh wobbled in my throat. "I came back because I hoped. I dared to hope that maybe things might be different this time."

I gulped down against a wave of nausea that threatened to overtake me.

"And they're not. Daada Jaan might have forgiven your friendship with Taimoor, encouraged it even, but with me? Well look at where it got us."

My fingers fluttered over the fading bruise on his cheek. Everyone sought to hurt him and take advantage of me at every turn. He'd been alone for almost a decade and a half, unwaveringly waiting for me. And for twenty-six years I'd lived in blissful ignorance while his loneliness and problems increased one day at a time.

"What are you talking about?" his hands tightened over my own.

"Maybe this isn't worth it Asfand. Maybe we're being reckless. We've only known each other for a few months-"

"Stop it," he immediately said. "Stop this immediately."

"I cannot have you sacrificing your peace and your family for a life with me!" I let out a sound that wasn't quite a laugh or a sob. "Life with me will not be easy. People will question you. They will question me. You don't know how vile those tongues can get-"

"Zeenia, love, what has brought this on? What did Taimoor say to you?"

"He didn't say anything I wasn't aware of. Just filled in the gaps."

"Zeenia-"

"Why were you so interested in me, Asfand? Why did you come back? How do you not resent us? Resent me? After what we did to you," I asked him as I brought my gaze to his. "Why are you here? What did you think was going to happen?"

"You think I could ever look beyond you? You think I could resent you?" the pause in his words carried a laborious heartbeat that smothered my own, as I watched the slightest tremor play on his lips. A beat of hesitation. "You are me. You're everything I love, everything I care about! Resenting you would be resenting me."

"But why? I'm not the most beautiful woman in the world. We've only met after thirteen years. We only know each other superficially. There's a connection there but-"

"You're wrong," he said quietly. "To me you're the most beautiful woman in the entire world - in the entire universe. And believe me, I've lived seen enough and travelled far enough to know it."

Biting my lip, I averted my gaze.

"Don't flatter me."

"I'm not," he murmured as he grasped my chin between his fingers, making me face him.

"Does that make you hate me? What he did to you and your family?" I asked tentatively, remembering the state I'd found him in. He'd been hurt, and badly. Just a little higher, and that bruise could have damaged his eye sight.

My chest ached. It did every time I remembered the way he called my name like a broken prayer in the forest.

"I could never hate you."

My lips trembled as I forced myself to return his regard.

"Why?"

"Because you are my one true love. The forgotten princess locked in a tower. And I was the prince who was going to rescue you," he murmured as he cupped my cheeks, resting his forehead on top of mine.

"Asfand be serious."

"You don't believe me."

"I didn't say that- Asfand!" wheezing, I swept a panicked glance over my surroundings. He was running out towards the rain soaked balcony, a hairs breadth  away from the railing that separated the standing from the raging darkness below. The only thing stopping him from falling into the abyss was my hand grasping his.

"Asfand!" by his blank expression, I didn't think he could hear me over the wind, so I screamed it louder. My stomach jumped to my throat when he took a step backward, pressing his drenched forehead against mine.

"I don't know how to prove this to you, tell me how to make you believe you," this small moment of clarity, that small pinch of realization. This was a crack in his facade. "You have no idea how I've survived all those days without knowing if you were okay. When Akbar let us know how they were keeping you? Fuck Zeenia, I thought I'd never get my sanity back."

"Akbar was involved?"

"Akbar, your mother, Taimoor... we couldn't let him keep you there."

This didn't feel real. The way he was looking at me, holding my hand. Those words coming out of his mouth. This must be a dream on the verge of dashing. "I didn't imagine-"

"You probably think I'm a mad man. Hell, maybe I am mad. Logic could never explain this."

A cold despair stirred in my chest. "Explain what?"

"I've loved you since we were kids Zee. I loved you when Taimoor broke your paintbrushes and threw them into the fireplace. I loved you when in retaliation you splattered red paint all over his bedroom walls because you couldn't let him get away with it."

I was so cold I felt sick.

"I loved you when you secretly gave out money to kids that were on scholarships in our school. I loved you even when you never thought to reach out, all those years when I desperately waited to hear from you. Even when I knew you had no idea that Taimoor was in touch."

His hand slipped around to the nape of my neck. I arched my back and pressed my body into his, feeling his hot, bitter laugh skitter down my throat.

"I loved you even when I knew your world didn't revolve around me even if mine did. I desperately loved you when I saw your running out of the ballroom that night, dressed like a dream," he muttered, looking like a man who held my entire life in his hands. "I also loved you when you got jealous and just wouldn't admit it..." numbness seeped into my skin and then froze everything underneath it. My heartbeat threatened to crack my ribs. "It was never supposed to be like this. I know. It was never supposed to happen this way. But I couldn't help it."

"Please," I whispered against his forehead. "Come with me. It's cold out here. We can talk about this inside. We can-"

He pulled back so suddenly my life flashed before my eyes. I grabbed onto his slippery bicep, my stomach muscles aching from where I was trying to keep myself upright. His breathing slowed, his eyes sharpening with lucidity. I took advantage of it, putting my hand around his waist dragging him to my side.

"I need to say something to you," Asfand said, tracing my knuckles with his thumb. "I am not an insecure man who couldn't handle a woman's career or her natural charisma. You'd think I'd be that petty? That small? Fuck, I can't live like this. You've got no idea what I've done to get here. I broke my promise to my mother, quit my job, and travelled hundreds of kilometres to be with you, Zeenia."

Shivering, we stared at each other, both of us soaking wet and cold. We looked nothing like the happy couple we were weeks ago. We were just two fucking idiots in the rain.

"Are you..." I began, blinking. "Are you saying you want a life with me?"

"Yes," he said.

And because my heart was melting, I smiled and teased. "Is this a confession?"

He continued to hold my stare, deadly serious. "What do you think?"

I was quiet, but my mind was racing full of golden thoughts.

Once, not long ago, in my life before him, I would have thought this was ridiculous. I would have said no, that I had other plans for my life. But that was before, a time that was gilded by a different slant of light, and this present moment was now limned in the blue tinge of after.

I had seen the fragility of life. I had run through the smoke and the fire and the agony of watching my family turn on me. We had both tasted deception, brushed shoulders with it. We had scars on our skin and on our souls from that fractured moment, and now I saw more than I had before. I saw the light, but I also saw the shadows.

Time was precious here.

"I was always yours Zee. As a boy then, and as a man now. It was always you for me. You might not want to accept that or I don't know, even want me, but it wouldn't change the fact that I've been in love with you ever since the day you decided to share your lunch with me when we were three."

I swallowed the thickness in my throat and whispered my truth.

"All I can think about is you. You're like a well and I've fallen in, and I can't find a way out," my hands were almost shaking. Wanting something I couldn't ever have was a recipe for madness. Now I was finally tasting it... even if I had to bend decades of old rules to make it happen.

"Do you want out?" his tone was even, but I could sense his worry.

"No," it was true. I didn't. I wanted to stay with him for always, until even the stars burned out. After all, love was the strongest element in the universe. "If you go, I'm going with you. If you burn, I'm burning too."

He made a noise of anger. Grabbed a fistful of my sopping ponytail. His mouth pressed against mine, hot and desperate. His fingers slid down my nape and gripped me there. Not only was I in his arms, everything in me was pulled taut, he wouldn't let me move an inch. He stepped between my thighs when I attempted to twist my head from his grip. As he scraped his teeth over my bottom lip, his stare clashed with mine through the sheet of rain.

A pool of brown, as angry and as reckless as his kiss.

"I never doubted you by the way."

"I know you didn't," he whispered as he brought my hand to his mouth, skimming his lips over my knuckles and kissing each in turn.

"Now that we've cleared all of that out, maybe we should move out of the rain?"

He had a sweet smile on his face that transformed his entire visage, making him more charming - more attractive. "I like seeing you wet."

How he could be both cute and seductive at the same time, I did not know - yet he nailed both.

My lashes fluttered and a blush coloured my cheeks. "Asfand."

"No more backing out? Okay?"

Slowly, I tipped my head in a tentative nod.

"No more backing out."

"I can imagine that was devastating," he said, at which I playfully batted him.

"Don't make fun of me, Asfand."

"I'm not, love," he effortlessly caught my hand in his, and we both came to a halt in the middle of the room. "I still have that thing to ask."

"What?" I breathed, and while my hand felt hot, I didn't pull away from him. "If we continue on with this today, you'll grow tired of me."

"Impossible," he whispered.

Relieved that our argument seemed to have passed, I didn't even consider refusing to be near him - my blood was calling for him like a siren. I rose and walked over to the couch, aware of every step. He broke our kiss, his eyes glazed as they briefly met mine and then he pressed his mouth to my neck, as if drinking in the scent of my skin. His fingers were splayed over my back, holding me close against him, and his breath was warm on my throat.

I felt the shyness creeping over me again. What was happening right now, and why did it feel like wings were beating in my stomach?

"Marry me, Zeenia Mughal," Asfand whispered, drawing back to look at me. "I want to spend all my days and all my nights with you. Marry me."

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly," he knelt on one knee, our hands clasped together and he looked up at me, his face my whole world. "I know this is not what you imagined, but with what's happening right now, I couldn't wait. It's not much, since I couldn't go outside the country and anything commissioned would take weeks, but this-"

Out of nowhere, he produced a small black velvet box and flicked it open. I stared at the engagement ring, eyes hazing with tears. An enormous ruby stone flanked by diamonds, the gold that formed the band twisted, vine-like.

Our ring was forged in fire, a blood-colored stone held in place by golden thorns.

It suited me, suited him.

It was perfect.

"It's beautiful."

"Is that a yes?"

I blushed as the corners of my mouth trembled in their upwards movement. I could neither resist it nor refuse it, and long before I said the words, I knew I was wholly his. I took a deep breath, trying to find my courage. "Yes. It will always be a yes."

With a gentle tug, Asfand pulled me down into his lap. We didn't speak as he took my hand and then kissed it. I tried to ignore the answering pulse of lust and failed as our lips met, gently at first, and then with increased urgency.

"You're mine, and I'm yours. Yesterday, today, and forever," he spoke the promise, the one we hoped to repeat in front of our family and friends. The smooth cadence of his voice held an alluring fluency that left me both intrigued and wanting more.

We were alone, but that only made it more real.

"What are we going to do now?" I asked.

"Slow down. Celebrate. We're engaged," he kissed my neck, his breath cool against my heated skin. Slowly, he took my finger and twisted the ring, making it glint
under the light. "You're going to be my wife."

Heart full of fire, I framed his face with my hands. I'd never been this close to someone, but I felt safe with Asfand. And I had not felt such safety in a long time.

"I bet you hadn't planned this to turn out the way it did."

He blinked, and for the first time I noted he was flustered, a fact that only made him more endearing.

"I've been planning for quite some time. First when
we were six," I let out a peel of laughter and he smiled. "Then when I was about to leave..." at thirteen. "And then when you wouldn't take your eyes off that toy elephant in Cannes."

Rising from my very comfortable spot, I brought myself into a sitting position, sliding next to him as I cupped both his cheeks with my hands.

"You were jealous of a stuffed toy?"

"No, I was envious of the smile that stuffed toy put on your face."

"You were the reason I got that toy in the first place!"

He grumbled something under his breath, looking away as he realised how this all sounded. I giggled. Tugging me to his chest, he rocked softly with me almost as if he didn't dare let me go for fear that this was all a dream.

"Know that I worship you, Zeenia. I always have."

"Is that so?" I put my hand over Asfand's heart and felt it beat against my palm. He put his own hand over mine and pressed it tight.

"When you walk in the room it beats faster. Every single time."

I kept my hand over his heart while I kissed him. It throbbed like it wanted to escape - like it would fly to me. My eyes answered him, even if my words couldn't.

Thank you, I said to his soul. Thank you for loving me.

I couldn't explain how much it meant; to know that someone, someone had worried about me and cared. There was such permanence in his presence, in his expression. It reassured me. This was someone I could throw my entire self at, even the jagged, angry parts, red and raw, and he wouldn't flinch. I knew he'd do whatever I wanted. He'd do whatever he could to make me happy.

My heart felt impossibly heavy, filled to overflowing. Sometimes, it hardly seemed real. Instead it was a dream, silver-edged, and the taste and weight of him seeped into me. Sometimes the greedy, red-hazed fury was absent, replaced by a stunning tenderness.

We could hide, we could go where no one would see, back to the shadows where we belonged. Or we could stay, in the light, instead of the dark.

Hey everyone! I didn't have time to edit this, so apologies for any confusion or mistakes 😃
How'd you like the proposal? Are we happy? Sad? Thoughts?
Second last chapter. February 11th.

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