She was going to ask why he could not use his magic to mend it when she felt his knuckles brush against her skin. She shut her mouth, letting him work, wanting this time with him to stretch like taffy.
He moved slowly, and she recalled how his hands had moved across her legs when he had put her stockings on before Ximena’s wedding. Desire stirred low in her belly at the memories, not helped by the fact that they were in a secluded garden, just as they had been when they had shared their first kiss.
Her vision blurred. She felt unsteady, the heat making sweat prickle on her skin.
He finished the stitch and brought his mouth forward to cut the thread. As he did, his cheek brushed against the bare sliver of skin above her stockings and beneath her drawers.
He stilled, noticing. She held her breath, wondering if he would withdraw. Instead, he turned his face and, ever so gently, pressed a kiss to her inner thigh. Her body ached.
She made an involuntary sound, and he looked up at her. When he did, she felt like Sonya again, just Sonya, and he was her Azam.Relief poured through her, and she swayed, her hands falling to his shoulders for support.
He dropped the dress, then lifted one of her hands, fingers gentle. He kissed the inside of her wrist, still holding her hand as he stood, and then it was her turn to look up at him.
‘Sonya,’ he whispered, voice rasping. His mouth hovered close to hers, and her pulse spiked dangerously.
It was two weeks until her wedding. She could not be doing this, but she knew that even now, she would choose Azam, she would choose him in a heartbeat, without needing to think it over for even a second.
She loved him.
She tilted her face towards his, but he only leaned his forehead against hers, his breathing heavy. Her entire body was pulled taut.
Then, after a few painful moments, he pulled away.
Azam bowed his head. ‘Your Royal Highness,’ he said, voice low. He was treating her like a princess again, and she couldn’t bear it.
It was too hot, much too hot. Sonya fainted.
28
Sonya was sick. Everything was canceled and a team of doctors was called in. She was fussed over and fed lots of soup, but her condition did not improve for the entire day. If anything, it seemed to get worse.
She thought of the last time she was sick, at the cottage, how Azam had fretted over her, bringing pillows and blankets. Dania sitting with her by the fire. Kiri bringing tea. Winnie with her mother’s dumpling soup and a Mirabel Summer book.
She missed all of them in a way that physically hurt. She missed Caden and Butterscotch and Enzo, too, and every other person she had met in the Outskirts.
She flitted in and out of sleep, feverish and tired.
Elspeth stayed with her that night. On hearing a noise outsideher door, Elspeth went to see what it was. A moment later, she was by her side again.
‘There’s somebody here to see you,’ Elspeth whispered.
When Sonya opened her eyes, Azam was there. He had his sketchbook.
Elspeth left them alone, clearing out the other maids as well. Sonya was too tired to move. She could barely keep her eyes open, though she was desperate to see him.
‘Am I dreaming?’ she asked.
‘No, chanda,’ he replied, taking her hand. Her eyes widened at the term of endearment, at the softness in his eyes as he sat down beside her.
‘The dress was only an excuse,’ he told her, voice quiet. ‘Really, I just wanted to see you. Are you feeling any better?’
She shook her head. He touched a hand to her forehead, frowning. Her hair was matted with sweat, but she was so cold.
‘Will you tell me a story?’ she asked. She thought of the story he had told her in Oakdale, the one she had fallen asleep to before hearing the ending.
Azam looked sad. ‘I don’t know any stories,’ he replied. She closed her eyes, her lower lip trembling. ‘But I can read you one.’ He stood and went to her bookshelves. ‘Mirabel Summer is your favorite, isn’t she?’
Sonya nodded, and he came back to sit by her legs. He read aloud to her, and she listened, comforted by the familiar story and the sound of his voice. She never wanted to stop hearing his voice. She had longed for it all these days, when he hadn’t been speaking to her. She couldn’t tell which scenario was worse. Either way, it hurt.
