‘And what did he say?’ Kalila could not even imagine the king’s reaction.
Aarif smiled wryly. ‘He was shocked, to be sure. But then he laughed, and told me he could tell that I loved you, for he’d never seen me so happy before, and who was he to stand in the way of such love.’
Kalila shook her head in amazement. ‘He is indeed a good man.’
‘Yes, he is,’ Aarif agreed. ‘And so is your father. Zakari called him out of the ceremony to explain the situation, and he didn’t even look flustered, or very surprised. He graciously agreed, saying that the alliance between our countries would still stand.’
‘He told me he wanted my happiness.’
‘And does he have it?’ Aarif asked. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her fingers. ‘You’re happy with this slowwitted husband of yours, who wasn’t able to understand his own nature until his wife told him?’
‘Very happy,’ Kalila whispered, and Aarif kissed her again.
A knock sounded on the door, and Kalila heard a rueful voice exclaim, ‘Enough already! The reception—and all your guests—are waiting!’
Laughing, Aarif led her from the chamber to another of the palace’s great halls, where guests circulated amidst servants bearing trays of champagne.
As they entered the room a spontaneous round of applause burst forth, and Kalila flushed in both embarrassment and pride. Granted, she thought, it was a bit unusual to have a change of grooms on the day of the wedding, but she was too happy to care if anyone was shocked, and from the looks on people’s faces they only wished her and Aarif every joy.
After a round of toasts, Zakari approached them, smiling wryly. ‘May I offer my felicitations to the bride?’ he said, sketching a slight bow before them.
‘Yes, of course, thank you,’ Kalila murmured. She glanced up at him, saw that he was as handsome and charming as she’d remembered as a girl, and yet he wasn’t Aarif.
‘Kalila, you must be an extraordinary woman indeed to have brought my brother to his senses at last. I have never seen him so carefree, so happy.’
‘She is extraordinary,’ Aarif murmured, his arm around Kalila’s waist, drawing her close. ‘I am most blessed.’
‘I hope one day to be similarly blessed,’ Zakari said, and then added with a devilish grin, ‘although not today it seems. Brother, a moment of your time before you retire with your bride?’ Zakari raised his eyebrows, and with a little nod of assent Kalila watched them draw aside.
‘I meant what I said,’ Zakari said in a low voice, his hand heavy on Aarif’s shoulder. ‘I am happy for you both, and I wish you every blessing.’
‘Thank you,’ Aarif said, his own voice choked, for his brother’s blessing made his cup wondrously overflow. ‘You are a good man, Zakari.’
‘And so are you, brother,’ Zakari returned, ‘though you have not always thought you are.’ Aarif nodded, and found himself overcome with emotion. He was grateful when Zakari switched the conversation to business.
‘It is just as well things have happened as they did, for I must leave again tonight. I have heard a rumour that King Aegeus had an affair with a palace maid—years ago, you understand, but there might be something in it.’
‘A clue to the missing diamond?’ Aarif asked, and Zakari nodded.
‘Yes.’ Zakari’s voice hardened. ‘I will find that diamond, Aarif. No matter what happens.’ Aarif nodded. He’d never understood the driving determination his brother had to find the diamond, yet he accepted it. Everyone had their own memories, shadows, and ghosts.
Yet thanks to Kalila, his had been released. ‘God be with you in your journey.’ He clapped his brother’s shoulder and Zakari returned the gesture.
‘Now you should steal your bride away while there is time. Otherwise you’ll be carousing with your guests all evening, and that is no way to spend a wedding night.’
‘No indeed.’ Aarif grinned, and, taking leave of his brother, he turned back to Kalila.
Kalila suddenly found her mouth was dry, her mind uncertain. She wanted nothing more than to be alone with Aarif, yet now that the moment had come she found herself strangely nervous.
‘Come,’ Aarif murmured, and he drew her away from the crowd. He led her upstairs, not to his bedroom, but to another room, in its own wing, separate from the rest of the palace.
‘Consider this the Calistan honeymoon suite,’ he said as he threw open the door. Kalila stepped inside, her surprised gaze taking in the huge bedroom with its lavish four-poster bed piled high with pillows, the wide windows thrown open to the night. Someone had come before them and lit candles, so the room was full of soft, flickering shadows. She saw champagne chilling in a bucket, two fluted glasses waiting to be filled.
It was, she thought, like something out of a fantasy or a fairy tale, something she would have dreamed as a girl.
Yet it was real. The fairy tale was real.
‘This is a bit different from a tent in the desert,’ she managed, and Aarif smiled, drawing her to him.
‘Yes…and I’m not sure which I prefer.’
‘This is more comfortable at least,’ Kalila joked, and Aarif touched his finger to her chin, tilting her head so she met his eyes.
‘Ayni, are you afraid?’ he asked.
‘Not afraid,’ Kalila said a bit shakily. ‘Just…uncertain. It’s hard to believe this is real. That it’s…all right.’
Aarif laughed softly. ‘It is a miracle, is it not? There is no shame here, no secrecy or fear. There is only you and me…and our love.’
He drew her into his arms, his kiss soft yet filled with promise, and Kalila felt her fears melt away. Aarif loved her, and she loved him; it was real. Not a fairy tale, but something much better.
She had found herself in love; they had found each other. Smiling, the candlelight creating dancing shadows around them, she reached for Aarif and led him to their marriage bed.