LITMIR.BIZ

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long hair fell about her shoulders. Her oddly shaped traditional dress didn’t hold together well without the sash. Those big eyes still brimmed with tears that glittered in her thick lashes. He fought a powerful urge to take her in his arms and comfort her.

      Was he angry with her or at the unfortunate effect she had on him? She was just trying to do what everyone wanted of her. Tradition had shoved her between a rock and a hard place and he couldn’t help wondering which one he was. “I am glad you told me.”

      “I couldn’t have lived with myself if I didn’t.” She held her neat chin high.

      “Why would you put up with marrying a stranger in the first place? “

      She looked away for a moment. “For Rahiri.” She looked back at him, expression serious. “And for your mom. You can see how happy everyone is to have you back.”

      He shoved a hand through his hair and let out a bitter laugh. “So you have every reason to marry me except… me.”

      Her cheeks darkened. “I’d have been proud to have you as my husband.”

      AJ shook his head. “Proud. I’m not sure that’s entirely the sentiment I’d hope for in my wife, but it’s an interesting one.”

      Lani swallowed, obviously embarrassed by her unsatisfactory response. “I am attracted to you.” Her shy whisper made a chuckle rise in his throat, and sent a jolt of lust to his groin.

      “I’m grateful for that, at least.” He cocked his head. “I wouldn’t want to marry a woman who finds me repugnant.” He crossed his arms, trying to not be seduced by the rather dazed expression on her too-beautiful face. “So you were prepared to put up with me for the sake of Rahiri.”

      She shrugged, and for the first time a sparkle of humor lit her eyes. “I figured I could handle it.”

      “Your willingness to do your patriotic duty is impressive.” He couldn’t stop a smile hovering at the corners of his mouth. Then he remembered she’d intended to pretend her child was his. Her traditional dress concealed her shape. “How far along are you? “

      Her face tightened. “Almost two months.”

      “You conceived right before Vanu disappeared?”

      She nodded. “That’s why I didn’t know I was pregnant.

      When I felt ill, or tired, I just thought it was stress.”

      “Vanu never knew about the baby.”

      “No.” She held his gaze a little too boldly, as if she expected him to read something into that.

      He wasn’t sure what to think. They’d been married for nearly five years, so why did she only become pregnant now? It was odd, unsettling. Too… convenient, somehow. “No one would have ever known it wasn’t my baby if you hadn’t told me.”

      “I would have known.” Something glittered in her eyes. Determination, perhaps, or some of that steely strength hidden under her pretty exterior. Desire rose again inside him, a simmering flash of heat that warred with his anger at the deception.

      “I appreciate your honesty.” He hesitated, thoughts weaving themselves in his brain even as warmth rose through his body. When he’d stated his intent to become king, he’d meant it. Tradition and honor now pumped through his heart along with his red blood cells. Suddenly it had seemed as if his whole life had led up to this night, when he assumed the responsibilities of leadership. He’d marshaled casts of hundreds, managed budgets and planned for contingencies. He knew how to deal with crises and manage difficult people and situations. The result, so far, had been about ninety minutes of entertainment for anyone who cared to watch, but as king of Rahiri he’d have the power to shape lives through investment in education and infrastructure.

      Lani wasn’t the only reason he’d decided to stay. And now she wouldn’t be the reason he’d leave. “Maybe your little revelation doesn’t have to ruin everything.”

      She blinked. “No?”

      “Don’t play the innocent, now.” He laughed. “You know what I mean. We could still get married.”

      Her cheeks reddened. “Even now that you know?”

      “It’s a baby.” He shrugged. He could raise a child. What did it matter if it was his biological child or not? He’d never given much thought to family life, but the prospect held some appeal.

      And he couldn’t deny that Lani held considerable appeal, too. Brave as well as beautiful, she’d risked everything to tell him the truth. Surely he could take a risk on a woman like that if it meant fulfilling the role everyone seemed so desperate for him to take on.

      “I’m excited about having a baby.” Her face brightened. “I’ve been longing for one for years. It’s like a dream come true.” Her lips faltered. “Just at the wrong time.”

      He wanted to ask why it had taken so long to conceive, but he held his tongue. Instead he said, “I’m not afraid of raising my brother’s baby.”

      A dark shard of worry sliced into his mind. What if Vanu’s baby was like Vanu? He fought off the nasty thought.

      AJ flexed the muscles in his back. They suddenly felt tight, maybe under the weight of so many expectations. “So the child would never know?”

      “Things could get complicated because of royal succession.”

      “I suppose we could tell him when he came of age, but I can see how it makes more sense to keep it quiet. When we decide it’s time for him to become king, I can quietly step aside.”

      “Yes, then there’s no real need for him or anyone else to know.”

      “And he won’t be traumatized by finding out as an adult. It does make more sense.” AJ rubbed his temples, which throbbed slightly. In one evening he’d decided to change his whole life and embrace a new one—now suddenly he’d taken on fatherhood, too. A curse fell from his lips.

      “What?” Lani looked alarmed.

      “I’m suddenly on the brink of being a father, and I never even got to enjoy your naked body. That seems a real shame.”

      Lani blushed. “Sorry I ruined everything.”

      “You did the right thing. There’ll be plenty of time to catch up later—with no tears, I hope.” He paused and studied her face. “If we do get married, that is.”

      Doubt still swirled in his mind and heart. Everything had happened so quickly, and with such deadly finality. Each decision he made seemed a matter of life and death.

      “I’m not going to pressure you into anything.” Lani spoke softly, gazing off to one side. “I never wanted to. It’s your decision, and now you have all the facts.”

      AJ took in a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “I committed myself to Rahiri tonight, and to you, and I stand by my decision.” Conviction filled his heart. “Your courage in choosing to tell the truth gives me every reason to trust you as my wife.”

      Lani blinked, obviously embarrassed by his words. Her cheeks still shone like roses.

      “But you really are far too beautiful for your own good.” He managed a snarl as he said it.

      Lani shrugged and shot him a wry smile. “That’s what my aunt Freda used to say. She said girls like me end up in trouble.”

      “And you did.” She looked startled, eyes suddenly wider. “By joining the Rahiian royal family, I mean. Life in the palace isn’t all eating bonbons and being fanned by faithful servants.”

      “No, there are the big parties, the long banquets. It’s exhausting.” A smile brightened her eyes for the first time since her revelation.

      “Lucky thing we’re both young and strong enough to handle it.” AJ found his hands once again itching to reach

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