“...What?”
“I said he–”
“No, I heard you.” I pondered it. “That was more of a… a ‘why' question. Sorry,” I said. “W-What happened?”
“You,” he said.
“Me?”I touched his arm; its muscles tensed. “No, I did not. I have no interest in Sameer,” I said. “That kiss meant nothing.”
“You kissed him?” he asked.
“No! He kissed me! While you were unconscious,” I added. “And it meant nothing. It doesn’t matter. I slapped him. I don’t want him.”
“I know you don't,” he said. He ran his hands over his face. “I do. Iknowthat, but… Svana, you’re marrying him. In weeks.”
“I know that but–”
“It’s just….”
“What are you suggesting?” I asked.
He shrugged. “It was one thing when Sameer was disinterested in you; his focus was on another woman. Now it’s not. Now he’s kissing you right in front of me.”
“Once! Unprovoked! And again, I did slap him. That affects us, how?” I asked. “I am not romantically involved with the Prince. I have no interest in being romantically involved with him. I haven’t even seen the man in so long. He– Just because he’s no longer with Lady Agatha does not mean that he is interested in me. He–”
“He asked me how to speak to you,” he said. “He asked me how to apologize before. He’s… He’s interested in you, Svana. I know him. I do. I dread what he’ll ask me next.”
“You also know that I despise him,” I said.
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. Do not tell me how I feel,” I told him. “I know my heart.”
“I just-”
“I’m sorry for your friend,” I said. “I’m sorry he’s sad because of the failure of his relationship, but I had nothing to do with it and I am not its replacement. I do not love him. I never will.”
“In time you might,” he said.
“No, I will not. I willneverlove him. Go ahead. You can promise him that on my behalf.”
“You don't know what the future holds,” he said. “But you will be married. Not courted. Married. And, because of who you are and who he is, you will produce an heir for him, which means you will have sex with him, and sex leads to feelings. Feelings lead to more sex outside of children.”
“Are you joking?” I asked.
He went on. “You’ll take his name. You will spend all your time with him now that he has nowhere else to be, and Sam? Sam is a sort. He will charm you. He will love you. You will become his personality. He will not want you to spend your days with me. He will be jealous. Possessive. He will be at your side forever. You and I will grow apart.”
“I don’t love him,” I said sternly.
“You might in time,” he said.
“And I alsomightcasually fall off a cliff to avoid him at all costs! You’re right, the future is rather unpredictable, isn’t it, Mr. Evergreen?” I asked.
“Svana.” His face darkened.
“I don’t love Sameer. I willneverlove him. I can’t. I–” My teeth made a click. I stole his hand and placed it to my heart.“I love you,”I said.
“You will bear his children, and I- I’m not sure that I can watch that.”
