“And an excellent mother,” he agreed. “And we both know how important an heir is to the country.”
“It’s strange to speak so dispassionately of a child, isn’t it? I mean, you are talking about something joyous and miraculous as though it is simply another chore to be accomplished.”
His smile was grim. “I’m sure there is joy in it too.”
“Ki,” Lilah shook her head, her expression was rich with concern. “Are you happy?”
“Happy?” He blinked, as though such an emotion had never occurred to him. “Melania is a perfect bride. She will be an excellent mother, wife, princess. All of these things. Now why are you asking me these questions, sister?”
She shook her head to clear any thoughts of Will and smiled up at him. “You and I are family. We’re all we have. Isn’t it my job to be sure you’re making the right decision?”
There had never really been a decision to make. The path had been laid before him, and he’d simply taken step after step until he’d walked it to the end.
He turned to face his sister fully but his eyes caught over her head.
“Will.”
Lilah’s heart began to accelerate madly in her chest as a broad smile of welcome spread across her brother’s face.
“I am pleased to see you,” he said with a lower volume, indicating to Lilah that Will was now just behind her. Perhaps it wasn’t Will Wright. There was a tiny chance, wasn’t there, that it was another guest? One with the same name and whom her brother knew well enough to address so casually?
She turned slowly, and had to utilize every single piece of will-power to stop from reacting visibly. The room was a hive of activity, with beautiful traditional music, canapés being handed around on shining platters, and candles flickering against the golden walls.
But when her eyes clashed with his, all was silent.
It was the two of them, in the forest, with the smell of pine needles and the trickle of the waterfall. Goosebumps spread over her body and her stomach lurched painfully with longing.
“Lilah? You remember Will Wright?” Kiral put a hand in the small of his sister’s back, his gaze dropping to her face for a moment.
She nodded, but it was a jerky action, and she swallowed too, trying to get some moisture back into her parched mouth.
“Of course,” she nodded again, her words just a croak. “The journalist.”
“Yes,” his smile was beautiful, but she could see the antipathy in it. “The one who made you climb out of a highrise.”
“The one who saved my life, as I remember.” She murmured, hoping Kiral couldn’t hear her heart hammering against her ribcage.
“And for that he has the eternal gratitude of our country, our people, and most of all, your brother.”
Lilah’s smile was weak. If Kiral only knew how unnecessary that gratitude was. How unfounded, and how it would be rescinded if he learned the truth of how they’d spent their time in the cabin.
“I did what any man in my position would have done.” The words were innocent enough, but Lilah detected the insult in them. She had begged him to make love to her. What man would have turned up such a desperate, determined woman?
Kiral smiled good-naturedly. “You did it better than I could have imagined.”
Lilah’s cheeks flamed. “Excuse me,” she said softly, aiming a vague expression of apology at the two men. “I told Melania I’d go over some details with her.”
“It can wait until tomorrow,” Kiral demurred in their own language. “I invited Will to the palace to thank him for his efforts. I had hoped you would be kind enough to spend time with him.”
Both Lilah and Kiral knew it was more than a request; Kiral was acting in a formal capacity, and Lilah was expected to obey.
“I’m sure Will would have more fun …”
“Lilah,” Kiral interrupted softly, speaking quietly so only she could hear. “This man saved your life. Don’t you think you owe him the courtesy of one night of your time?”
She swallowed past the objections that were clashing in her mind. “Of course.”
“How is the article, Will?”