n

n

nELIA

nShe sighed.

"You know that makes no sense, right?

" she said. When he opened his mouth to argue, she shook her head.

"No, I'm serious, Reth. I'm not looking for reassurance here. I believe you. And I love it. I love that you act like I'm… precious. But you must know, from my perspective, it makes no sense. You have more strength and power. You have more knowledge. You're older than me—and more beautiful. We are… unequally matched. I don't doubt that you care. I just don't understand why.

"

nHe stared down at her, using one finger to press a thin strand of hair back behind her ear as he spoke, his voice little more what a whisper.

n

"When I was a cub—a child—I was very sure of myself,

" he said carefully.

"I'd always been treated as if I was more valuable than everyone else. When that happens and you're young, you just believe it. It's simply the way the world is.

"

nShe nodded—and didn't say that those children usually ended up complete brats.

n

"But when I was taken to your world,

" he said tightly,

"I was suddenly nothing. Not in my home, obviously. My guardians knew who I was and how I should be cared for. But the world… the world didn't see a future King. They didn't even see a normal person. They saw a troubled child and… they had no time for him. I only lasted at school for six weeks before my guardians pulled me out since the human education had really only been part of our cover anyway.

"

n

"I don't remember you at school!

"

nHe shook his head.

"I was miserable. I stayed miserable until I met you,

" he said and held her gaze again, his brown eyes warm, yet troubled.

"I was so angry. And so scared, though I wouldn't admit it. I'd never before in my life felt like I was… less than others. It was terrifying. Being away from my family and my Pride, being in a world that was so different, and so unforgiving. And being friendless… I was desperately unhappy. Then you walked over to me that day as if I was someone and you started talking to me about Tigers, do you remember that?

"

nShe smiled.

"Barely. I just remember seeing you standing in the driveway of your house, looking angry.

"

n

"I was trying to learn to ride a bicycle. It wasn't going well,

" he muttered, and she grinned at the obvious discomfort he had in admitting that.

"When you started talking to me, I almost snapped at you. I assumed as soon as I spoke you'd decide I was scary, or weird, the way everyone else had and I'd be alone again, and I was already feeling bad about myself.

"

n

"I always found you fascinating,

" she said, shrugging.

"Back then, I could never figure out why other people were so wary of you.

"

nHe nodded.

"You see… your heart. You never judged me as others did. Even back then. And later, when we were friends and I did strange things, you always just acted like they were normal—or laughed, like they didn't matter.

"

n

"They didn't.

"

n

"That's what makes you special, Elia,

" he said, and there was a tightness in his voice that matched the intensity in his eyes.

"I thought the others here, my people, weren't seeing you as I do. But I see: You don't see yourself that way, either. You have no idea how precious you are.

"

nShe shook her head and looked away, but he brought her chin back and made her face him.

"Elia, do you really think that I chose you in the Rite, that I married you in the ceremony—brought you here to my people out of what…?

"

n

"Pity,

" she said immediately.

"I know you like me, Reth—I know you're attracted to me. But you choosing me for this? To be a Queen? That has to be because you felt bad that they brought me here.

"

nHe snarled and his hand curled at her back.

"I wouldn't let others speak of you that way, so I won't allow you to do it either,

" he snapped.

"I told you that pity does not drive me—

"

n

"I know, I know—

"

n

"Apparently, you don't.

"

n

"I just… if you were in my world, Reth… the words they'd use are

"out of my league.

" That's what people would say about you—they'd say that you were too good for me. And in my world, they'd be right.

"

n

"Just further evidence that you were meant to be here,

" he growled, fire in his eyes.

"I see why the Creator brought you.

"

nElia smiled softly.

"Do me a favor,

" she said after a moment.

n

"Anything.

"

n

"Don't ever change, Reth. Don't ever stop thinking the way you think. These people adore you, and so do I. And it's because you're good.

"

nHe blinked and his chest swelled. He looked for a moment like he might argue with her, but instead he took her face in his hands and kissed her slowly, softly. Then he whispered,

"It takes one to know one,

" and pulled her against his chest with a happy sigh.

nThey clung to each other, and continued to sway. They kissed and continued to sway. Reth pulled away, staring into her eyes and Elia's heart beat faster. As the emotion of the moment weighed on her, so did the growing heat in his eyes.

nThe iron strength of him under her hands made Elia's mouth go dry and wish they were alone. The lights in the market dimmed. The sound of the crowd around them faded. And Elia's heart began to race when his breathing deepened and his hand slid low on her back. Then his chest brushed her breasts softly, teasing, bringing her nipples to peaks under the light fabric of the dress. His eyes widened, and he manfully dragged them back up to meet hers.

nThe music slowed even more, and he pulled her in closer, pulling both her hands up to his neck and urging her to clasp them behind him, he let his hands slide down her sides to hold her at the hips as the music changed, began to pulse.

nAnd the beat of the drums became the new rhythm of her body—her breathing, the rolling of her hips, the touch of his cheek on hers, the shuffle of their feet.

nEverything became tied together where their bodies met in the middle, and her skin prickled in anticipation as one of his hands lifted to find hers behind his neck, then trailed down, down, down her arm, to her side—his thumb finding the side of her breast as he passed—then to her ribs, her waist, and lower.

nElia was beginning to pant.

nReth's eyes never left hers.

n