She swallowed. “But I’m the Mir-Brennan clan-lady now. Do you want everything that goes along with that?”
His mouth quirked. “I’d put up with it. You can do what society dictates … cast me aside and choose a high-born mate … but never forget that you make the rules now.” He paused then, his gut tightening. “The choice is yours.”
Jenna stared up at Malik, taking in every detail of his face: his straight nose, expressive dark eyebrows, penetrating violet eyes, strong jaw, and sensual mouth. It was a face she never wanted to look away from.
“You make it sound so easy,” she whispered, her voice catching. “But if only it were.”
“What are you afraid of?” he murmured back.
“I don’t know.”
His features tightened, his gaze darkening. “You don’t want me, is that it?”
Her chest ached now, a steady throb in time with the beat of her heart.
Dropping her arms to her sides, she sucked in a shaky breath, just as a soft sob escaped her. “I want you with everything I am, Malik … I love you.” Her voice choked off then.
Anxiety fluttered in her throat, and cold sweat beaded across her skin.
She’d hated being married to Tian, but at least her heart hadn’t been at risk with him. She’d been able to protect herself from hurt, from loss.
Until now.
“I’ve lost everyone I ever cared about.” She broke off then as her throat thickened and her eyes started to burn. “I don’t want to lose you too.”
His mouth curved before he raised a hand, his knuckles gently tracing the line of her jaw. “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”
And with that, he leaned in, his lips brushing across hers.
The kiss was slow and sensual, deepening gradually.
Jenna’s pulse hammered in her ears, and her head swam. Reaching up, she grasped Malik’s shoulders, anchoring herself against him. And when he stepped in, his long body pressing hers up against the glass, she let herself go.
Tears trickled down her face, a sob rising in her chest.
Malik lifted his mouth from hers, his lips skimming over her cheeks, kissing away her tears. “I’m scared too,” he admitted huskily. “And I know what it’s like to feel alone. But I’m not giving this up, givingyouup. No matter what the future holds … we will face it together.”
His words drew her in, wrapped her in warmth and safety.
Sinking against his chest, she let herself cry. Finally, she let go, let grief flow through her. Cathal was gone, and she had to allow herself to feel his loss—the memory of the last time she’d seen him.
The raw despair in his eyes.
“I’m sorry I lashed out at you over leaving Cathal,” she hiccoughed, lifting her head. “It wasn’t your fault.”
Malik looked down at her, his smile tender. “I liked your brother … but he was always one to rush into situations without thinking. I wish he’d hesitated … that he’d told us what he was planning to do.”
Jenna swallowed. “This was never meant to happen … he was supposed to rule our clan, not me.”
“Jidea has decided otherwise,” Malik replied, his expression growing serious. He paused then, his thumb sweeping away the last of her tears. “You were born to rule, Jen. Your brother knew he was leaving the future of the Mir-Brennan clan in safe hands.”
Reaching up, Jenna’s hand closed over his, holding it fast. “So be it,” she replied huskily. “I’ll rule, I’ll take back what we’ve lost … but I want you with me, Malik.”
A smile curved his lips once more, his eyes gleaming with emotion. “Always.”
And with that, he kissed her again, and kept kissing her, until everything else disappeared.
EPILOGUE. YOUR CAUSE IS MY CAUSE
