And for the dog.”
“The . . .” He glanced around the room. Sure enough, one of the guard dogs lay on a fine rug in the corner, its breathing heavy. He assumed it was the unfortunate beast given some of her food. “You bother your God with concern for a dog?”
“I could not stand the thought of it dying in my stead. I think it will recover, though, it only had a bite.”
Xerxes shook his head. “What a strange creature I have fallen in love with.”
She stretched up and bestowed a sweet kiss upon his lips. “You ought to get to your new bride. She will be anxious.”
Was there a more bizarre woman in the world? One more baffling? More perfect? He cradled her head and gazed deep into her eyes. “Given the events still unfolding, it would be fairer to see her first another night. I will send her my apologies and make sure the situation is explained.”
“Xerxes . . .”
He silenced her with a kiss. Then pulled off the torc he had slipped on and held it between them. “I believe this is yours.”
She stared at it. “I cannot. It was a gift to you.”
“And so I ought not to have given it away two weeks ago. I would have apologized for forgetting its source, had she approached me privately. Things have changed. It is yours.” He slid it up her arm, as he had done at the river. Now, as then, desire filled her eyes. Desire that had nothing to do with the silver. “You will come with me, my love, lest treachery visit this room again. I will see with my own eyes that you remain safe until the viper is out of my house.”
Kasia nodded and tucked herself against his side.
Why could the rest of the world not agree with his will so readily?
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