One Choice (17 page)
Authors: Ginger Solomon
“My father thinks it would be best if you stayed here. Our marriage has not been announced, and your presence would be suspicious.” Tears burned her eyes before he finished talking. He held her hand. “It's for no more than a couple of days. You would be free to come and go anywhere in the palace you would like, and Anaya will be here. My parents will travel with me.”
She stood, unable to sit any longer, unable to show how hurt this announcement made her feel. He didn't release her hand. “As you wish, my prince,” she mumbled.
He tugged on her hand. “Look at me.” Her gaze didn't quite meet his. When he pulled harder, she sat on the edge of the bed. “It's not what I want, my sweet. I want you with me, but once my father has made a decision, it is difficult to get him to change his mind. I tried, but he would not.
“I will miss you. I feel like we've known each other for much longer than we have. I've watched you through my curtains so many mornings, wanting to walk with you in the garden. With this surgery, I will be able to do so soon.”
“I will miss you too. I will pray for you.”
He pulled her close and gave her a sweet, tender kiss. A quiet knock broke the connection.
“Yes?” Josiah said.
“Breakfast, my prince.” A servant brought in a tray and set it on the table. Cahri fixed Josiah's plate and returned to him.
“I will hold your plate while you eat.” She handed him the fork. He peered at her with a question in his eyes, but put the fork in the food, his hand a bit unsteady. “If I won't be at the hospital to take care of you, then you will have to do it yourself. You may as well start now.” Quiet, yet firm, Cahri managed to keep most of the shakiness out of her voice.
Not long after he finished his breakfast, the doctor came in pushing a wheelchair. “It's time,” he said.
Waseem followed after him and assisted the prince into the chair. Cahri watched from her place by the windows. She thought she saw a look on Waseem's face, but it disappeared before she could identify it.
“Could I have a few more minutes?” Josiah asked the doctor.
The doctor nodded. Waseem followed him out.
“Cahri.”
“Yes, my prince?”
“I am not your prince right now. I am your husband. Come, kiss me goodbye.”
She moved to his side, still hesitant. He took her hand and ran his thumb around in gentle circles over the top. Instead of waiting for him to ask for a kiss, she leaned down and touched her lips to his. “God be with you, my husband,” she breathed before she moved away.
“And with you, my wife.” He stared at her with such intensity, it made her shiver. “I will be back in a few days. The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow, and then they want me to stay one more night after that.” He glanced to their hands, where he had continued to caress hers as he spoke. “I miss your companionship already, and I haven't even left yet. Kiss me again so I might remember while I wait to return to you.”
She complied with eagerness, feeling the now familiar desire rise up within her. A low, guttural moan filled the room, and a deeper one echoed it.
He tightened his hold then released her. “You have given me something to remember and something to look forward to upon my return, wife. Now push me out the door before we forget I'm supposed to be leaving.”
She made sure her hat was in place and pushed him toward the door. She stepped around him to open it and swerved back to push him out, but when she glanced at Josiah, his eyes were on her, and the desire she saw there made her catch her breath. He shuttered his eyes as his gaze moved to someone beyond her.
“Ready?” The doctor's voice held an amused tone. “Somehow I don't think you are, but here we go anyway.”
The doctor pushed him down the hall where Waseem awaited with the king and queen. Cahri stayed by the door.
She fought the tears building behind her eyes. She lost.
****
Josiah twisted in the chair, ignoring the pain in his ribs, to see Cahri wipe tears from her cheeks. His own eyes burned at having to leave his new wife here, alone. He'd begged his father to let her come as his nurse. His father had been adamant. Josiah had become angry and then taken it out on Cahri.
He worried for her. She doubted herself and her place as his wife. He wanted to reassure her, but last night he'd managed to damage what little confidence she had.
The truth of it was written all over her face. Uncertainty and apprehension. He'd hurt her, but she hadn't lashed out at him for it, and he loved her more because of it. He wanted to show her how much he loved her. Before they moved out of sight, he shifted to see her once more.
She waved.
He lifted his hand in farewell, hiding the grimace.
He faced toward the front. It would do no good to fret over her. For the time being, he would figure out what he could do to please her.
The doctor started jabbering about what to expect. Josiah hated hospitals. He'd spent so much time there after the accident that killed his brother. Anaya had been in the car as well, but they'd managed to keep it quiet. It was enough when Jonathan had not survived. The press had been cooperative in keeping Anaya's involvement quiet. Though she'd stayed in a coma for several days, she'd suffered no long-term effects. He'd stayed with her the whole time. Letting someone else tell her about their brother hadn't crossed his mind. She had been close with both of them, but more so with Jonathan and had deserved to hear it from him.
He ran his fingers through his hair. Best not to think about that time. Right after he'd found out about Remalyn's betrayal.
Returning his thoughts to Cahri, he thanked God again for bringing her into his life. Her presence was like a spring rain for his dry and weary heart. It didn't hurt that she was beautiful too.
He shifted his gaze to Waseem. He'd seen the look the man had tried to hide earlier. Something weird was going on. For weeks, since the beginning of the Bridal March, the guard seemed more aloof, almost hateful to everyone around him, but more so when dealing with Anaya or himself, and now Cahri.
Josiah had spoken with Matthias about him. Matthias had agreed and promised to look into the situation. Josiah sighed as he gazed out the window and watched his home grow smaller. The home which now held his wife. The woman he'd fallen in love with.
He laid his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, praying for her to relax. It was important she enjoy being princess because it could get overwhelming at times. His prayers included their relationship. Everything he knew about her, he loved.
Would she come to love him in time? He could tell she cared, but she held back.
Did she love another?
Josiah had counted the hours since he'd left the palace two days ago. His pain level remained about the same as before, except now his mobility had decreased. The large cast had been cumbersome, but the metal splints which kept his leg immobile didn't allow him to wear pants. The contraption would come off in a few days, and he would be clothed and able to use a wheelchair.
His trip home had begun at last. He anticipated being with his new wife again. Her presence soothed him. He'd been hard-pressed to control his tongue in the hospital. All those people trying to make him comfortable, fussing over him as if he were a child. He'd lost his temper and sent three nurses from his room, sniveling.
But Cahri, even in his worst mood, could calm him with a touch. She didn't run when he grew cross.
His beautiful wife. He remembered her goodbye kiss and had to inhale to calm himself. The trip would not be over soon enough.
****
The last forty-eight hours had been more like weeks for Cahri, but Josiah would return today. The king and queen had called yesterday and said he had come out of surgery fine and it had been successful. The cast on his arm had been removed. The hospital made some sort of mistake and his arm wasn't broken, just had some bad bruises. For which Cahri rejoiced. She was anxious for his arrival home, and she could see him for herself. She didn't expect them to return until after lunch, though.
She took a long relaxing bath to kill some time and to be presentable for her husband. It still sounded weird that she had a husband, even more so since they'd spent a total of one-third of their marriage together â a single day.
But it would change.
She danced around the room. In her mind Josiah danced with her. A smile she couldn't control surfaced on her face.
Waseem and another servant had delivered her boxes yesterday, and she'd spent a great deal of time unpacking. It had made the time go faster, but her heart had remained with Josiah at the hospital.
She went to the garden and cut some flowers for their room. If she and Josiah couldn't go to the garden, she would bring the garden to them. She hummed as she cut. Bright red and snow-white roses for one bouquet. Pink and white for another.
A servant came and told her she had a visitor. Who would come see her here? “I'll be right in.”
She took the vases inside and placed them next to the unlit candles, cleaned up, and went to the sitting room where her visitor waited. When she walked in, she stopped, surprised to see the man looking out the window. “Paul?”
He pivoted. “Grace!”
“How⦠why⦠what are you doing here?” She was flabbergasted, unable to move from her spot.
“Can't a guy come see his sister?” His typical sarcasm made her smile. He walked toward her.
“I'm glad to see you. So, what are you doing
here
?”
“I came to make sure you're okay.” He stood in front of her. “You are my sister and I had to come assure myself everything was all right. And I missed you. It's been a long time.”
She grabbed him in a hug. She then gave him a kiss on the cheek. “And I missed you.”
“Well, what have we here? Married just three days and already you're bringing a lover into our rooms, Cahri?”
“Josiah! You're home.” Her heart sped up when she heard his voice. She swiveled toward him with a smile to welcome him home. Then his comment hit her. She sobered and gawked at him. His face was red. “It's not what you think. This is myâ”
“No? I think it's exactly what I think. I come home from two days in the hospital to find
my wife
in the arms of another man, kissing him, declaring how much she's missed him.” His fists were clenched, and the veins in his neck bulged. He faced Waseem, who had pushed him into the room. “Take me to my room, now! I don't want to see her again.” He directed his eyes away from her.
“No!” Her voice came out louder than she'd planned, but she calmed herself by taking a deep breath. “I will take him. Show Paul to a room close by. He'll be staying the night.” She stared at Waseem, daring him to defy her. He stepped away from the wheelchair.
“Cahri.” The one word hung in the tense air. A muscle in Josiah's jaw quivered.
She ignored his protest. This was too important, and she'd rather circumvent his authority than for him to think something untrue.
“Grace, you don't have to do this. We can have the marriage annulled, and you can come home with me,” Paul said.
She knew he wanted to help, but his comment just made it worse.
Josiah's eyes shot flaming arrows in Paul's direction. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, she interrupted.
“Go with Waseem. He will show you where you can rest. We'll talk later.” She bit her tongue to keep from saying more in their presence.
She pushed her furious husband into the other room and closed the door with her foot. A quick check assured her the door to the hall was also closed.
Josiah twisted the wheelchair around and faced her, fire shot from his eyes. “So, I guess you weren't expecting me until much later and felt safe bringing your lover into our rooms. Were you going to bring him to our bed too, or have you already?” His voice dared her to deny his accusations.
“Is that how you see me? An adulteress?” She sagged at his accusation.
“You came to me and became my wife with ease, why shouldn't I see you that way in light of what I just saw in the other room?” He curled his lip as he spat out more accusations. “How many others have there been before him? Before me?”
“How dare you?” Her temper flared to life and she slapped him.
He grabbed her wrist. “Do. Not. Ever. Strike. Me. Again.”
She dropped to her knees beside his wheelchair, disappointed in herself. “I'm sorry, Josiah. Please forgive me.”
“You are forgiven for striking me, but the other is far harder. You have betrayed my trust.”
“But I haven't. You misunderstand. Paul is not my lover. He is myâ”
“I don't want to hear your excuses. I thought I was getting a pure wife. One who was different. I was wrong. You're just like all the others. You just hid your true self behind a proper lady longer. I see it now.” He released her arm with such force she lost her balance and fell.
She stood, trembling. “Will you not listen at all, my husband?”
“Get out. I don't want to see you ever again.”
She reached out to touch him one last time, but he grabbed her wrist. He wrenched her arm away from his face.
“Don't even think about touching me as though you care.” His words cut straight to her heart. He released her wrist and she rubbed it.
“Send in Waseem.”
She stopped at the door but didn't look back. It hurt too much. “As you wish, my prince.”
She left, closing the door with a soft click. Waseem stood down the hall, talking with Anaya and Matthias. She trudged to him. “The prince wishes your assistance.”
He nodded and walked past her to see to the prince.
“Cahri, what's wrong? Waseem tells me your brother has come for a visit. You should be happy.”
“Waseem did not tell you the whole story.” Cahri choked on a sob. Matthias moved away. If only she could leave as easily.
Anaya lifted Cahri's chin and studied her eyes. “What has my brother done?”
Cahri shifted her head away. “I need to see the king,” she murmured.
Anaya questioned her, but Cahri refused to say more. Anaya gave in and showed her to his rooms.
Cahri knocked. The queen answered and ushered her in.
The king stood as she entered. “What is wrong,
benim
kýzým
?”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “My brother came for a visit. Josiah came in as I kissed Paul on the cheek, declaring how much I'd missed him. The prince believes I have taken a lover and refuses to listen to reason. He's unwilling to even consider anything else.” A tear slipped through Cahri's resolve. The queen handed her a tissue. “He says he never wants to see me again. I came to ask you if our marriage can be annulled.”
“I'm sorry, Cahri, but once the two of you signed the marriage certificate, you were married for life. I do not believe in divorce or in this case, annulment,” the king said.
“It is as I expected. I'm sorry I've failed you, Your Highness.” She took off the ring the prince gave her. She handed it to him. “I expect the prince would like to have this back.” Then with as much calm as she could manage, she said, “I believe I will have need of a place to stay. I would prefer it to be on the other side of the palace or a cottage on the grounds somewhere. I do not wish to go against the prince's wishes.” She inhaled, forcing away the pain piercing her whole body. “I will also need someone to retrieve my things from his room.
“I will be in the garden. I find I need some time alone. Please excuse me.” She ran out of the room, past Anaya and down the hall toward the courtyard garden, as far from Josiah as she could get.
All of her life she had worked to protect her reputation. She'd never met a boyfriend at her home or his, except when his parents had been home. No kisses were permitted either. The kiss with Josiah had been her first, and she'd allowed it because she was about to become his bride. Now in one misunderstood moment, her husband thought she'd been promiscuous before she met him and an adulteress since.
How could everything have gone so wrong? Curling up on the bench, she cried because of her failure. The king and queen and Anaya had counted on her to make the prince happy, but it hadn't happened.
Stormy jumped onto the bench beside her. He always knew when she needed him most. She sat up and wiped her face before picking him up and cuddling him. Crying wouldn't help. She needed to make plans, but her brain refused to think of anything but how much her heart hurt.