Page 8 of The Prince's Wife

Relanya returned the smile full measure, and Aradishir's heart gave another stupid, traitorous lurch.

He couldn't do this. Hecouldn't. Becoming smitten with his brother's future wife was quite literally the stupidest fucking thing he could ever do, and he wasn't going to sink that low.

Except he was pretty certain he was already halfway there.

After they left the library, he showed her the rest of the palace. They were in one of the small dining rooms when the door opened behind them, and a harried-looking Danial slipped inside and closed the door behind him.

Aradishir laughed. "Who is haranguing you today?"

Danial opened his eyes, then relaxed and smiled. "Who isn't? I just want to sit with Jahanara and lend what comfort I can. What are you doing in here?"

"Showing Princess Relanya around. Your Highness, I make you known to Prince Danial, my sister's husband. Danial, Princess Relanya, Bakhtiar's betrothed and our future queen."

Relanya flushed slightly at the words, but swept Danial a bow. "How is Princess Jahanara? The first child is always the most nerve-wracking."

"She is definitely not going to permit a second child," Danial said with a laugh. "An honor to meet you, Your Highness. Jahanara would love to meet you later, if you are inclined. I'm sure it would bring her comfort to speak with another woman who has already been through what she'll be facing quite soon. Even sooner than we expect, if the child is a girl as stubborn and determined as her predecessors," he added dryly.

Aradishir snickered.

Relanya gave them an amused look, but only said, "I would be honored to lend what comfort I may to Her Highness. I fear we're busy today with the touring and banquet, but I can visit tomorrow? Morning? Afternoon?"

"Morning, I'll let you know the best time precisely once I know it," Danial replied with a warm smile. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Scoffing, Relanya said, "We are all to be family, are we not? Sisters look out for each other."

"Mother and Nara will certainly adore having another woman about the place, that is true," Aradishir said. "Also more children." He rolled his eyes. "Shall we continue, Your Highness? We can get changed and head into the city, perhaps find lunch there. I'll send the guards ahead to secure a location."

"That sounds lovely," Relanya said. "We'll go change at once."

Aradishir and Danial bowed as she left the room. The moment the door was closed, Danial turned to Aradishir. "That'sBakhti's princess? I have loved him as my brother all my life, but I don't see those two getting along."

"Why is that?" Aradishir asked, even though he'd been thinking the same thing.

Danial frowned, then said pensively, "They don't have the same sort of spark. You know? Nara and I spark the same, even if we're completely opposite on so many things. You and your harem…everyone and their harems…all share sparks. Maybe I'm just looking for trouble. Bakhtiar is a brat, but he's always taken being crown prince seriously."

Aradishir snorted.

"All right,recentlyhe's been taking it more seriously. I still don't know how he turned out the way he did when Their Majesties are hardly the type to spoil and coddle."

"I have no idea," Aradishir said. "He has a good heart, though, and I've faith he'll grow into the role. Perhaps Princess Relanya will help with that. She is very much calm waters to his stormy ones." Calm wasn't the right word, though. She was more like the butterfly garden she'd loved so much: vibrant and alive,bringing joy but also a feeling of calm and safety. Whereas his dumbass brother was the sand and scorching sun.

"Perhaps. Come on, I must find a way to get back to my wife, and you must get changed, and alas, there's no access to the passages from this room."

Aradishir laughed and led the way out. "Just walk with me. We'll go quickly, scowling the whole way, like something is amiss. No one will bother us."

"Brilliant, thank you," Danial said, and they proceeded to do precisely that.

A short time later, freshly cleaned and dressed for traipsing about the city, Aradishir and his harem met Relanya and her companions in the main courtyard, where an open carriage waited to take them around the city. Nearby stood a handful of servants holding large baskets, each one filled to the brim with little linen drawstring bags.

"What is this?" Relanya asked. She wore a peacock blue headwrap that did amazing things to her gray eyes.

Swallowing, Aradishir stared hard at the baskets. "For the children. Whenever they see my carriage, they come running, with gifts and for gifts. I'm sure with the knowledge I'll be escorting you around, even more people than usual will come."

Relanya broke into a smile that completely melted any hope Aradishir had of not falling utterly besotted with his brother's future wife. "I always wanted to do something like that back home, but my parents forbade it." Her face clouded briefly, but in the next moment she was smiling again, if not as brilliantly as before. "Shall we be off? I really can't wait to see the famous market."

The guards were as implacable as ever, but if there was one thing they hated, it was the royal family going anywhere near the security nightmare that was the Great Market. The looks they exchanged said nothing to the casual observer, butAradishir could read the stress, the silent conversations about steps that would need to be taken—especially since Relanya was foreign and not used to the way Tavamarans did things. Many countries would call Tavamara rigid, but Relanya's homeland would likely describe them as entirely too free.

Aradishir offered a hand to help Relanya into the carriage, tingling at the soft, warm touch of her skin. He climbed in after her, followed by his harem, who thankfully made certain there was plenty of space between him and the woman he could never have.

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