‘Azam,’ she started.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said at the same time.
He gazed into her eyes and she saw how earnest he was. ‘I’ve been terrible to you, I know I have. It’s why I’m leaving. This was the last dress I’ll make for you.’
She blinked, shocked. ‘You can’t go,’ she said.
He touched her cheek, his touch feather-soft. He looked tortured, but still he gave her a soft smile. ‘Chanda, I must.’
She wouldn’t accept that. ‘Why didn’t you tell me it wasn’t you who led the soldiers to me at Ximena’s wedding?’ He blinked, shocked. ‘Kiri wrote to me, she told me. Why did you let me think it was you?’
His lower lip trembled. ‘I thought it would be easier,’ he said, voice hoarse. ‘I didn’t wish to complicate things. It felt like a dream, the time I had with you. Everything was so perfect, in a way that I didn’t dare let myself hope my life ever would be again. You, the shop…When it all came crashing down, I was reminded of my place, reminded not to dream and reach for things that weren’t meant for me.’
‘Why didn’t you turn me in?’ she asked. ‘You had every opportunity. Why didn’t you?’
‘Because I love you, Sonya,’ he said. Her breathing hitched. ‘I would have never turned you in. I would have kept you with me my entire life, if I could have.’
Tears welled in her eyes. ‘Why don’t you then?’ she asked. ‘You can have me, you can have me forever.’
He shook his head. ‘But I can’t,’ he said. ‘It was why I tried to stay away. You’re a princess, and I’ve watched you with your brothers and your father. You love them. I won’t be the reason you are far from them. I know royals cannot marry commoners, not without giving up their titles, and I won’t make you choose. So I’m taking myself out of the equation.’
‘What about me?’ she asked. ‘What about whatIwant?’
He stilled, not quite believing what she was saying. ‘You don’t mean that,’ he said, with disbelief on his face.
‘But I do,’ she said. ‘I mean it. My title means nothing to me. I don’t want to be a princess, I just want you.’ She let out a teary laugh. ‘Azam,weget to decide our place,’ she said. ‘If you want me, then reach for me. You’ll find me reaching back. I love you, too.’
His eyes filled with tears. ‘I never dared hope…’ He stepped toward her, grasping her hands.
He brought her lips to his and kissed her, and she held on to him, kissing him back. The kiss was desperate and hungry at first to make up for lost time, but then slow and sweet as they realized they had all the time in the world, a whole lifetime full.
Everything was perfect and wonderful.
Until she drew back, catching her breath. ‘Now to tell my father.’
30
‘Baba, I have made my choice,’ Sonya said, voice strong and sure. Her father and brothers were seated for breakfast, and when she made her announcement, they all stopped what they were doing.
‘Well, by all means, do tell!’ the king said, smiling. They were all excited. She knew they only wished to see her happy and settled.
‘I have chosen Azam,’ she said. The dining hall fell into complete silence.
‘The tailor?’ Shahmir sputtered. Irfan only looked amused, while Mustafa was stunned. Her father seemed to be losing his wits.
‘Yes, the tailor,’ Sonya replied. ‘I love him, and he loves me, and we intend to spend the rest of our lives together.’
‘With whose permission?’ the king asked, voice steely as he recollected himself.
‘With my own!’ Sonya cried. ‘All these years, you have kept me locked away to protect me, and I have listened to your every demand, every whim, but no longer. I am grown now, and I can make my decisions for myself—especially one as important as this. I should be given that right.’
‘You have that right, Sonya,’ Shahmir said. ‘Of course you do.’
‘And I choose Azam,’ she said. Her brothers looked at one another, silently communicating. Then, they nodded in agreement. They each sat back.
The king made a sound of protest. ‘A princess cannot marry a commoner!’
‘Then I will cease being a princess,’ she replied.
