Page 38 of Shâhzâdeh

“Vanya?” More of Xerxes body came into the open door of the car. Brooding, concerned eyes raked over my face and I gathered myself together because I didn’t even know how to explain what happened. Not without outting my feelings and inflating his ego.

“I’m okay. Must’ve been a chill. Come on, let’s look at your new home.”

I gave him a bright smile but he almost looked like he didn’t believe me. He acted as though he wanted to press, but I gave his hand a squeeze and scooted to the edge of the seat, forcing him to brace me and help me out. The door shut behind me and flanked by Xerxes, Quentin and Shoaib, I got ready to sell.

“So, what part of this palace would you like to see first?”

XERXES

SHE WAS BREATHTAKING to watch. And it wasn’t just the way her features were fit together or the way nature had blessed her with an hourglass form, an elegant neck or the crown of hair on her head that would always capture anyone’s attention.

The joy for me came from watching her walk into the house. The way her heels had clicked a staccato cadence on the limestone that comprised the front steps. Those heels had promptly been exchanged for the slippers she’d brought for all of us. It made me wonder if this was a realtor thing, if she’d done research on Persian culture, or if she was part of the subset of southerners who didn’t allow shoes in the house. Either way, I appreciated it and I didn’t even own this house yet.

Her voice echoing throughout the marble-floored halls made me feel like this place was more home than any place I had ever lived once I left my parents. It was the way her face lit up as she pointed out each feature that would delight her once she lived here permanently. It was refreshing to see joy on someone’s face. The type that didn’t come from greed or money but from deriving a simple pleasure in taking pride in what they did. Of what they were viewing. Seeing something and being able to marvel over it. Like a child, unabashedly staring at a toy with their face pressed against the window of the shops. Longing for something they weren’t guaranteed to get. It was just beyond their reach protected by the glass. Their only hope was Santa. And they would make their lists and send it to him, hoping their behavior would secure them their heart’s desire. That the gift would be under the tree.

I would happily be the Santa clause in Vanya’s life if it meant that she would smile with this same type of delight every time she walked into this house. I could not wait to gift it to her. I was happy she was going to be the recipient of the deed and the commission for this place. Having both would bring her double the joy.

“This is probably the best part of the house.”

I knew she felt that way because of how her face lit up. The way her voice elevated with glee. Even her hair seemed to be a brighter shade of red against her vanilla-ice cream-colored skin.

“Is it a vault?”

Her steps faltered slightly and she turned, looking like she’d made a mistake.

“Um, there actually is one in the basement. Would you prefer to see that first? I’m sorry, I was caught up in showing you the things I liked. I apologize for my lapse in professionalism—” She was retreating into her place of rigidity. One where progress between us on a personal level wasn’t allowed to flourish. The peaceful space between the two of us becoming disturbed yet again.

“Ziba, I want to see zhis house zhough your eyes. Zhe appreciation zhat you have for it, zhe dedication zhat you took to find somezing zhat could embrace every aspect of my cultures, I have cleared zhe next two days to explore it at lengz.”

“Two days? You think it’s necessary?” She looked truly shocked that I wanted to spend that type of time with her. I’d drag this process out as long as I could and purchase land I didn’t currently have a use for, if it meant spending time with her.

I shrugged because we’d already been through the upper level and were making our way through the main. Quentin and Shoaib were doing their sweep to ensure all was well. Despite wearing a thobe today, it had a discreet slit in the side that would allow me to reach the gun that was at the small of my back. I was not helpless and would never be unarmed when I was without them. Especially not when my heart was here with me.

“If not, I am sure you and I can find somezing far more interesting to do. Shopping at zhe little mall on Sharon Road, perhaps. Or sustenance is always a necessity. Zhere is still zhe business of zhe land we discussed. I am well at my leisure and at your disposal.”

“As long as you don’t mind me being detailed, we could be here all day.” She laughed like she was making a joke sending her freckles dancing across her cheeks, but what she was saying was music to my heart.

“Again, tell me everyzing. I want you to be zhorough. Where are we going?”

“Check this out.” She turned to me smiling over her shoulder as she stood in front of two large paneled doors. She swung them open flooding the hallway with the light of the window and pushed each door back until they were secured into a niche in the wall. My brows rose at that feature loving how the door incorporated into the design of the arched entrance of the room but was functional at keeping it private as well.

We walked into the large two-story library that was off of the main office. It was paneled in what looked like African Blackwood. I’d become familiar with the wood because of my cousin when he had it imported for his office in Vegas. He’d ordered an entire wall of the wood and then purchased land to regrow more to make up for what he’d used. Given the amount used in this office, I would have to do the same to combat how many had been cut down. The rich tones of the ebony wood heightened the luxurious feeling of the room. The marble floors continued into this room only through the entrance and then lighter wood floors with an emblem balanced the darkness of the panels. The wood was used to build the library shelves that lined the walls upstairs and downstairs as well. The space was wide enough to hold a meeting and deep enough to have multiple zones of interest including a deep window seat where I could envision myself finding Vanya curled up with a book this winter.

“Zhis is a lot of shelves to fill. How big is zhe library?”

“The landing upstairs will hold just under six hundred books. There are formal library ladders with enough clearance for it to not be a hazard. The library can open to the upstairs hallway but the door is currently locked from the library side.”

My eyes went back up noting the coffered ceiling was also done in African Blackwood. “I didn’t see anything when we were up t’ere.”

“It is a hidden panel in the hallway, just like down here. I thought it would be a pleasant surprise to see it from the ground level first.”

“You were right. It makes zhis place seem ozerworldly to view from zhis angle. I’m sure it is just as magnificent from zhat angle as well. You truly are gifted at showcasing a home’s features.”

Color infused her cheeks and she smiled before she went back into professional mode. “There’s enough space for you and Sho and Quentin to work within these two rooms without bumping into one another. I measured after we spoke and you could fit up to five workstations within this space even with you having an executive sized desk.” She was pointing through to the connected door that would give access to the office from the library.

Since Quentin and Sho would rather walk over hot coals or swallow glass than sit behind desks, this office would be exclusively for her to use.

“You zhink I would need such a grand desk?”

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