Xerxes watched realization light Kasia’s face and thoughts roll through her eyes. She was as beautiful as he remembered, the changes his custodian made enhancing what
captured him from the start. He evened out his smile and took another step forward. “Haman did not tell you I was the one with him?”
She shook her head, eyes still wide. “He said nothing. And Hegai assumed it was your brother.”
He chuckled—and determined to express his displeasure to Haman. “So you thought that I, as brother to the king, had . . . what? Told this brother of your extraordinary
beauty and relinquished my interest to the crown?”
Kasia eased forward, her gaze on his face. “Something like that.”
“You ascribe to me far too much selflessness. Even were I my brother, I would not have given you up. Not with the way you have been haunting my thoughts.”
She kept moving toward him, albeit slowly. He caught the glimmer of a torc on her arm under the sheer fabric—the torc he had given her. Ah, yes. He had haunted her thoughts
as well. She shook her head, sending glossy dark waves swaying. “I dreamt of you. But I did not realize it was you, the king . . .”
And therein lay her greatest allure. He could not remember ever meeting someone who did not know who he was. But it was evident from their first exchange that she had no
idea about his identity. Her interest was in him. The man, not the king. A distinction he did not realize he wanted until he saw the flame of desire in her eyes unrelated to
his title or wealth.
He smiled at her and held out a hand. Her pace increased from hesitant to eager, though she stopped before him without touching him. In her eyes he saw the same battle waged
ten days ago. Modesty against instinct, curiosity against restraint.
He rested his hand against her cheek and knew the passion would win. She would not understand it enough to curb it. “And what would you have done if I were my brother, and
you met me again after becoming wife to the king?”
Her eyes slid shut. “I would have prayed to God for the strength to resist these things you make me feel.”
Did she know how her words made desire curl up inside him? “And would your God have granted it?”
Her eyes opened again, and now they smiled along with her well-shaped lips. “He would have. My God values covenants—he would have helped me be faithful to my husband.”
“Then let us be grateful I am your husband, so you may be faithful without resisting these things I make you feel.” He returned her smile and then, unable to help himself,
leaned down to brush his lips over hers.
His own reaction he knew and expected. The surge of blood through his veins, the headiness of indulgence. It was hers that interested him more. He felt the quaver that
arched her back and lifted her up onto her toes. When he anchored her with an arm around her waist, she slid one of hers around his neck, rested the other against his chest.
It was an invitation he had no desire to refuse—he deepened the kiss.
She responded with a sweet hesitancy underscored by fire and even made a noise of protest when he pulled away a moment later. He gazed into her eyes, clouded now, and
smiled. “I knew my impatience was well placed. I would not have wanted to wait until after the war to see you again.”
“I am glad you were insistent.” She reached up to trace the contours of his face. Her expression reflected both confusion and contentment. “I could not understand why you
were, though. Even realizing who you are . . . Hegai said it was my beauty, but you have wives already more beautiful. And some of the virgins awaiting their turn with you—
they are stunning.”
A laugh slipped out. “I must say, none of my wives have ever sung the others’ praises.” He kissed her again, softly. “Perhaps, were you simply standing there among them,
I would not call you the most beautiful. But I knew the first moment I saw you that I must have you. You, above anyone else.”
She stroked her fingers over his beard. “Why?”
“Why?” He caught her hand, kissed it. “Because when I followed the sound of your cry and saw you in that river, there was utter rapture on your face. As if you had given
yourself totally to the sensation of cold water, as if that single moment were enough to live for. I want you to feel that for me, to give yourself to me that fully. Will
you do that, lovely Kasia?”
She smiled when he said her name as he had at the river. “I will. I cannot do otherwise.”
Just as he hoped. “Then when you spotted me, you leapt back onto the bank to protect your sister. You made each decision in the next few moments based upon what would
benefit her and keep her safe. I want you to be so devoted, so dedicated to me. Will you promise that, lovely Kasia?”