Page 134 of Shâhzâdeh

“Do for loveby Phyllis Hyman. Many people tell my mozer zhat she looks like her, which she takes as a great compliment of course. But zhis is our song for a different reason.” We continued to sway and I felt confident dancing in front of all these people because of the practice we’d been doing at home and because of the man leading me.

“Why is that?”

“Because zhere is nothing I wouldn’t do for you in zhe name of love. Zhe original is by a man named Bobby Caldwell. He sounds like a Black man but was one of zhe blue-eyed soul singers. Voices, like faces, can be very deceiving.” He motioned to his face, which made me grin as he pulled me closer to him. I felt like a princess, gliding around on this dance floor with a man too beautiful for words who didn’t value me only for my looks or my labor. He wanted me. Quirky Vanya Kennedy in all her forms. To be desired without having to strive for perfection or prove myself worthy was something I never knew I needed as badly as being around Xerxes showed me I did.

“I meant everything I said. In our vows.” And I did. Xerxes was the hope for a new day. Of erasing the life that I’d been forced into and getting back on the timeline that I’d dreamed about as a little girl. I hated the idea of peace coming through suffering but I was glad all that suffering hadn’t been for nothing.

Xerxes leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose, something he did often. “I know you did, ziba. Zhat is why I am more zhan happy to stand here wiz you, twirling about in front of people I don’t like when I want nozing more zhan to send almost all of zhem away.”

I poked my lip out, and he grinned. “Why can’t we?”

“Spoken like a true princess.”

“I’m not all that.”

His eyes flickered to the top of my head as he smirked. “I think zhat crown on your head begs to differ. You’re always a princess to me, crown or not. Tell me zhe direction in which you want life to take us and I will ensure zhat we arrive zhere safely.”

“You say that with such ease.”

“zhat is how I want you to always view it. As zhough your desires are easy to me because no matter what steps zhat need to be taken to achieve zhem, you are never a burden.”

“How would you—”

“You think too much. If I tell you that I will do whatever it takes, I mean it.” His tone was serious and I had to fold my lips to not say something that would annoy him.

“That’s clear.”

“It should be, however you will vorry zhat the process might be too much and you will lessen your wants. Don’t ever do zhat. Any man who hears his wife’s wildest dreams and doesn’t do whatever he needs to ensure zhey become a reality isn’t a man.” His face was so serious I knew he wouldn’t hear of me saying anything else, but I still needled him a little.

“But you have to say that some women have pretty outlandish desires.”

“But zhe burden is still on zhe man. If he reached for a woman who he could not provide for in zhe capacity she desired, he is still at fault. Men will seek a star only to bring her down to earth. It is vhy I love zhat Liam calls Frankie his star. He sees her in all her glory and only vants to maintain zhe pedestal on which she belongs. Never zhink your desires are too much for me, Vanya. If anything, I want you to dream bigger because zhe vorld is not your limit. Zhe galaxies and zhe stars are your playground. Reach for zhem and I promise I will build you the rocket ship necessary for you to get zhere.”

“You make my son extremely happy.”

I smiled at Baba Bijan as we twirled around the room. I had to admit I was getting okay with this dancing thing as long as I had someone I was comfortable around. Xerxes had finished his dance with his mother and now we were dancing as guests mingled around the room. Dinner had been consumed and I felt like I might burst out of my dress. I was so full. From gumbo and fried fish to chelow kabab and saffron rice, I’d eaten a little of everything. Blending the food from two cultures that loved to eat seemed almost a no brainer. The halal caterer for the Persian dishes had almost passed out when they realized who they would be cooking for. They’d offered to provide the traditional sweets to us as a wedding gift, but Mr. Bijan wouldn’t let them. Xerxes’ and Mr. Bijan’s chefs had been in the kitchen ensuring that no forbidden ingredients were used in any of the food. With the additional pressure on both caterers, the last thing we were going to do was accept a discount.

“He makes me happy.” I smiled for what seemed like the billionth time today and I couldn’t remember the last time I had truly felt this type of joy.

“But he vas a little escary at first?”

I shrugged as Mr. Bijan laughed like he knew his son wasn’t wrapped too tight. It only made me wonder what type of antics he’d gotten up to behind Maman Babette.

“Not scary, intense. But I see that’s a family trait so I can’t expect him to be anything but. And now it’s comforting.”

He smiled so broadly, I could see the features he’d gifted to the man I adored. “I am very glad to hear. Zhe situation wiz zhe monarch, I hope it does not worry you.” He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze and I could tell that like his son, he wanted me to be completely at ease.

“Look around, bâbâ. There are dozens of people here who would rather burn this building down than let those people cause a stir. Extreme, but apparently I’m a girl that likes extremes now.” I hadn’t bothered to keep eyes on the Mahdavis because I was that confident that they wouldn’t get close enough to harm me..

“Velcome to zhe family.”

“Thank you, bâbâ.”

“You have called me zhat twice now. Is it on purpose?”

“Well, you have been more of a father figure than the person who raised me. Your protection hasn’t been conditional and I appreciate that. I would never call you a name that I called him, but bâbâ has special meaning to me. Like you do.”

He got teary-eyed, which got me choked up. “Zhat makes my heart very glad zhis day, Vanya.”

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