“We did, but we still need to discuss the details of the wedding and then release anofficialstatement to the press.” I emphasize official, and I see her cheeks turn pink.
This time, we need to deliver a proper, public statement to a reputable outlet, not a gossip site like Jazmina impulsively chose.
“Before anything else, I must speak to my brother and also to my father,” she says, with a calmness that surprises me.
“Let’s go to my apartment. From there, we’ll video-call him.”
“I think it’s better if I talk to him alone first.”
“No. We’ll face everything together.”
“And what are we supposed to say?” she asks when we reach my office.
“Children, you don’t need me right now, so I’ll leave you two alone,” Athol says.
In silence, we head to the terrace, where the helicopter is waiting.
I help her climb in and fasten her seatbelt. “We’ll be alone in my apartment. Any issue with that?”
“Are we really engaged?”
“Yes. You can’t back out anymore.” I have no idea why I said that, but when I glance at her, I catch the slightest curve at the corner of her mouth, as if she liked hearing it.
“Why would I back out? I’m getting everything I want,” she says, though she avoids my eyes.
I spend the rest of the flight trying to figure out whether that“everything she wants”refers to her long-dreamed-of freedom . . .or whether I happen to be part of that equation.
Ten minutes later, the helicopter lands on my building’s rooftop.
“I really should talk to my brother alone first. Explain the situation,” she insists.
“I already said that’s not happening, Jazmina. We’ll face Kaled together.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want you two fighting because of me.”
Something inside me responds to that. The fact that she’s trying to defend me even though she’s terrified of confronting her brother.
“We’re a couple now, princess. What’s he going to do? You’re an adult woman. As for me, don’t worry, it wouldn’t be the first time we disagreed.”
“I am an adult. And I’m engaged,” she says, and now I’m certain that half-smile is real.
I don’t know why that pleases me so much, but it does.
She has this ability to trigger a territorial instinct in me I’ve never felt for any other woman.
“Yes, you’re engaged. You’re mine now.”
And in my own ears, that primal claim sounds like music.
“Which one of you is going to explain what’s going on?”
“What started as one of Jazmina’s pranks is now real,” I say simply.
“You and my sister? Engaged? Absolutely not!” he shouts. “You never even thought about getting married, except to keep your duke title and fulfill your grandfather’s wishes, and I know the kind of marriage you want, Rodrick. But not with my sister!”
His face starts to turn purplish, and under the table, maybe without realizing it, Jazmina slips her hand into mine. Hers is cold and sweaty. She’s trembling, which awakens every protective instinct I have.
“Out of respect for our friendship, and because we’re talking about your sister, I’ll ignore the tone you just used with me, Kaled. But don’t think this will become a habit.”