Azlyn let out a long breath and sank into the nearby seat.She crossed her legs, then folded her arms.“I’ll figure something out.”
“There’s no need to figure anything out alone,” Zayn said quietly.“There are things you could do.Good things.You’re not walking into a life of nothing.”
She gave him a small smile.But the worry in her eyes didn’t fade.
Chapter 24
Zayn watched Azlyn as she smiled graciously at his parents, accepting their congratulations on joining the family.In that ice blue gown, with diamonds woven through her hair and his ring on her finger, she didn’t justlookthe part.Shewasthe part.His wife.His queen.And he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
“Stop ogling your wife,” Laith muttered, smacking Zayn hard on the back.
Rafi appeared on Zayn’s other side, sipping his champagne with a knowing grin.“She’s stunning, Cuz.Honestly, we didn’t think you had it in you to pick someone smart.”
Laith nodded, deadpan.“We were fully braced for a walking disaster.The kind of woman who confuses a toaster for a Wi-Fi router.You surprised us.”
Angela strolled over with her baby balanced effortlessly on her hip.“Congratulations, Dork.”She hugged Zayn with one arm.“She’s wonderful.I fully approve.”
Across the room, Zayn spotted Saif, Nahla, Ramzi, and Rylan standing in a loose huddle.They all were sipping glasses of champagne—except Nahla.She held a flute but hadn’t touched it.His eyes narrowed slightly.Was she okay?Was there something she wasn’t telling them?
Before he could dig into the thought, his parents approached with Azlyn between them.She was smiling, polite as ever.
“Congratulations!”his father boomed, taking Azlyn’s hand while surreptitiously inspecting the diamonds glittering on her ring finger, then nodding his approval.“She’s perfect.”
“Uncle Khal, I think—” Angela started, then paused as Khal raised one brow at her.She grinned.“Never mind.I’ll say it tomorrow.Today’s for celebrating.”
Khal slid his arm around Queen Tasha’s waist, scanning the room.“Where are my brothers?”he asked Laith and Rafi.“Don’t tell me Joran is already in the billiards room again.Carys is going to destroy him.”
Rafi laughed, scanning the space.“Probably.He’s been practicing nonstop, like it’ll actually help.”
“And Raj?”Khal asked.
Aunt Helen appeared, adjusting the baby blanket over Angela’s daughter.“He placed a thousand-dollar bet that Carys wins again.”
Zayn chuckled and pulled Azlyn just a little closer.“He’s made at least a hundred grand betting on her this past year.Not exactly a risky investment.”
Azlyn laughed too, but the sound was too perfect.Too careful.
He noticed.
The tension had been building all month, despite her agreeing to everything.She hadn’t argued once about the wedding dress.She’d been presented with a series of wedding dress options and Azlyn had merely pointed at the ice blue gown like she was checking off a box.When the chef had offered dinner options, she’d smiled, said “Whatever you think is best,” and walked away.
She spent most of her time with Griffin.When Zayn came to hold his son, she’d smile politely, pass the baby to him—avoiding any physical contact—and disappear again.
It was all too polite.Too distant.As if she were showing up for each of life’s events, but not living it.
“I’m going to nurse Griffin,” she murmured, brushing her lips near their son’s ear, then turned and excused herself from the group.
Zayn watched her go, his heart aching.
“She’s miserable,” his mother said flatly, barely waiting until Azlyn was out of earshot.
Zayn was startled to find his mother standing beside him.Not that it should have surprised him.Whenever Azlyn was near, nothing else seemed to matter.Every other detail was ignored as he watched her move, laugh, talk or…whatever.That’s what she did—became his whole world without even trying.
And he’d tried—really tried—to make her happy.
She’d agreed to everything.The wedding.The palace.The title.She hadn’t even blinked at the mountain of crown jewels the stylists had shown her to wear for the wedding ceremony.In fact, Azlyn had just pointed to the smallest tiara like she was choosing a sensible lunch.Any other woman would’ve drooled over the diamonds, emeralds and sapphires.But not Azlyn.
So why did she still look so… hollow?
