I close the distance between us, taking the paper from his hand. It’s a single page.
To have and to hold, to love and honour, for as long as we both shall live.
He’s added his signature to the bottom. Tears well in my eyes. “That’s kind of cheesy, you know,” I tease.
“Does that make it less true?”
“No.” I run my finger over his signature. “It’s true, and I’ll hold you to it.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
* * *
“I have a present for you.”
Three months after returning to palace, and I don’t know if I’ve stopped smiling since.
“A present, hmm?” Zahir stands from behind his desk, lifting his brows. “What is it?”
“You’ll have to come with me to see.”
“I think I like the sound of that.”
“Oh, you have no idea.”
I take his hand, drawing him with me, out of the office and into the corridor. Guards stand to attention but I understand now what I didn’t when I first came to Qabid. They are here ceremonially, their placement a tribute to the kingdom and the ancient heritage, not because there’s a looming threat. We walk past them, hand in hand. At the end of the corridor, I turn us to the right, then out a large set of doors that lead to a garden.
“Out here?”
I can tell I’ve surprised him. “Uh huh.” I stop. “Now, close your eyes.”
“Seriously?”
“Uh huh.”
I wait until his eyes are firmly shut. “No peeking, mister.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He teases by slanting a quick glance at me.
“Hey, I’m serious.”
“Okay, okay,” he laughs, then clamps his eyes shut again. I move away from him, opening the cage and pulling out what I’m looking for, clasping it in both hands – which is not, I have to say, that easy.
“Put your hands out.”
He does so without opening eyes. I move forward, delivering the gift right into the palms of his hands.
He makes a rumbling noise of amusement and looks down. “A chicken?”
“Uh huh.”
“I see. Is this a pet, or dinner?”
“Neither!” I reach out and stroke the chicken’s head. “It’s a reminder.”
“Of what?”
“Of the eggs.” I move closer to him. “So we can have all the eggs we want in our marriage.”