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"Marry me."
Miyana didn't believe she correctly heard him and raised her head from Karim's broad chest. He was still as gentle as he'd been during their lovemaking as a hand raked through her curls. He was always gentle, even with his face between her thighs or his fingers deep within her. A man, a Crown Prince no less, like that was hard to come by.
Karim wasn't one for sweet words or little whispered nothings—he treated his love for her like precious gold, only to be displayed when the time called for it— and spoke even less when in bed. Especially after nights like this.
When his request registered, Miyana could do nothing but laugh in answer. Karim furrowed his brows, sitting up and resting against the headboard of his bed. "I'm serious, Miyana." He twined their fingers, bringing them to his lips and kissing the back of hers.
Her mouth hung open for a moment, twitching between a reflexive grin and a shocked frown. "You know that's not possible." She traced absent patterns across the soft planes of his stomach, burning amber eyes following her finger's motions.
"It could be." He suggested. It would be a marriage out of political gain for him, but all Miyana needed to think was that it would be out of mutual love, a love she so deeply believed to be undying. He sensed her conflict. "Do you trust me, Miyana?"
Anxiously, Miyana gnawed on her bottom lip. She nodded after a moment. "You know I do." Cupping his cheek, she drew him into a chaste kiss and didn't resist when he tugged her into a second, more firm one. With her lips a breath from his when she pulled away, Miyana sighed, hot air fanning against Karim's mouth. "But it does not work like that. You and I both know that. Karim, I've wanted to marry you for nearly a year."
That seemed to catch Karim off guard. His face hardened and his eyes narrowed. "So why didn't you speak with me about it then?" Why was she only mentioning it after he did? She'd had all year. Did she not love him like he thought she did? Had he overestimated her affections?
"Karim…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry. There are too many factors that would be our downfall."
"Downfall? Are you mental?" Karim snarled, every word dripping with thick gouts of venom.
"Our relationship itself is very much illegal. I am a position of power involved both romantically and sexually with a position of higher power." Miyana straightened her spine, raising to be straddling his thighs. She braced her hands on his torso. "Karim, think about this." Despite her disagreeance, her voice was calm as morning waves.
Shaking his head vigorously, Karim lifted her off him and onto the mussed-up blankets beside him. He stood, searching for his clothes. Miyana watched him like a pup kicked and thrown onto the streets. She knew he would do exactly this, so why was she hurt? It was Karim after all; he'd burst at any minor inconvenience that hindered something he'd set his mind to. She was both warmed and annoyed that he was so intent on marrying her to the point of anger when that desire was challenged.
Letting out a breath, Miyana spoke softly to him. "I know you're upset," She began, waiting until he finished fixing his belt. "But I need you to stop and collect yourself. I'm not talking to you if all you're going to do is yell at me."
Karim clenched his fists over and over as if working out cramps before his hands fell still by his sides. He ran a hand through his maroon hair with a sharp exhale. Didn't she understand? Marrying would give them any and all chances to consummate and produce heirs without secrecy or threat of the public discovering the illegality of it. No one had to know it was he who convinced her into this relationship.
"Breathe, my love," Miyana held her arms out welcomingly. She didn't shift from where she was on the bed. She let him come to her, and he did. She wrapped her arms 'round him protectively and laid a kiss upon his left horn. He shivered, eyes closing. "Just breathe and then when you're calm, I'll be willing to discuss this with you. If you're ready."
He wanted to, oh, he wanted to badly, but her kindness was too strong for any of his upset to linger too long. Sinking into her warmth, Karim relaxed completely. He shook his head.
Miyana slowly moved to lay down, hands winding around his sides to rest against his chest from behind. She offered a litany of kisses to the nape of his neck, relishing in the feeling of him falling limp in her hold.
"I love you." she whispered.
Though he only hummed in reply, she knew he did too. Maybe she could marry him, in a life not this one.