Separate Crowns of One Heart

Thırty-Fıvė

My heart begins fluttering once again when I hear the shower turn off. I stay seated, my back facing him as he walks out of the bathroom. "Heavens. It just keeps on going." I smile nervously to myself. "I don't know what's going on but when I get dressed, I need you to tell me exactly what it is."

"I will." I look over my shoulder at him, making sure to keep my eyes off his wet body. "Hurry."

Shaking his head, he goes into his wardrobe. While he dresses, I quadruple-check everything so that... just because I'm nervous and need something to do with my hands. I move my chair so that instead of being across from him, only the corner of the table separates us. This is good.

The Prince comes out, dressed in a pitch black fitted suit and a dazzling smile plastered on his face. "This is the fastest you've ever dressed."

"Well, of course!" He waved his hands around the candle-lit suite. "You did all this. I was not going to take my sweet time."

"Well then..." I gesture to his seat with drama and flare. "Would you do me the honors of joining me, Your Highness?"

"Gods," He laughs, pulling out his chair to sit. "I'm scared but so excited. Are you about to propose to me?"

That makes me laugh too because what? I hold up my hand with the onyx ring. "We're already married? Or did you forget?"

"Right."

I uncover the dome of the plates, revealing the still-hot underneath. My smile sneaks out when I notice his eyes quickly find the plate of jabati with its accompanying dip of spiced beans and diced meat. Rows of deep-fried sambuus glisten beneath the candlelight on a rectangular plate next to a fruit salad and honeyed papaya.

I move aside the bowl of wigele, the delicious egg-stuffed spiced potato dish to set the water closer to him. His eyes drill holes in the side of my face as I pour nectar into tall glasses for us. Sitting back down, I place his glass in front of him and smile. "Eat."

"Cyrah—"

"Eat."

Eyes still on me, he reaches for the jabati and tears off a piece to dip into the sauce. I join him and the next few minutes go by in silence as we enjoy the food. The way his leg is bouncing nonstop and his eyes keep flicking in my direction, I can tell his anxiety is rising.

"How was your stay at the Castle?"

"Hmm? Oh." He sips his nectar before answering. "It was alright. I can think of other places that would have been more enjoyable. Perhaps if I was there in better circumstances and with better company... How were things here?"

"Alright. The company was... not quite what it could have been, but I survived." He nods, stabbing his fork into a piece of fruit, waiting for me to continue. "You look very very handsome in that suit, you know."

His eyebrows come together, creasing his forehead. "D-did you hit your head? Should I call for the medic?"

I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. "Stop it. I am trying to be sweet."

Reaching over, he lifts my hand out of my lap and holds it in his own. "Thank you, my princess. I seriously needed that boost of confidence."

I return to the food, rehearsing in my head what I'm going to say. We're nearly done eating so I have to do it soon. Gods, I just wish this wasn't so nerve-wracking.

Still holding my hand, he squeezes it. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Now I'm looking at him funny, surprised by the question. "Thank you for asking."