31

"It-it is not complete," Tarquin wet his tongue and continued as if it pained him, "It does not go both ways. I pledged to her my life force, not the other way around. She is free to marry whoever she pleases. It is only I that is bound to her for as long as I live."

"You lied to me when you said he bond doesn't effect you. I could have ended my life to kill you," Jza asked, eyes blazing with emotion. She did not know whether she regretted not knowing.

"Of course, I am not an imbecile to reveal all my weaknesses. It is true one of us dies when the other does just not the way you expected it. If you die then it is I who will lose my life. I stopped my mother from binding herself to Ivan that day. He only married her the Somerlian way. He would have been a fool to tie up his life to hers so completely."

"Why? Why did you save my life. I have yet to comprehend your intentions," Jza asked frantically.

"Comprehend my intentions? I sometimed wonder if you were dropped om the head multiple times as a babe. Perhaps Hyacinth was as ruthless raising you as she looks," Tarquin snorted, deflecting unsuccessfully.

"Why would a man with every advantage pledge his life to a woman whose name he did not know. Logic confounds me!" The Princess exclaimed.

"Delicate feelings are not dictated by logic," The man replied stiffly. His hands clenched and unclenched several times betraying his internal thoughts.

"You have had your eyes on me. I am no naive fool that I do not feel the burn fixed on my form. I assumed it but lust addling you brain," The brown hair girl pointed a finger at her prisoner who was avoiding her gaze.

King Samuel cleared his throat to ensure that conversation remained palatable for his ears but the young pair had forgotten he was even present. He helplessly watched the scene unravel in front of him.

"Do not insult me with your incorrect assumptions. I desire not just your body but your heart and soul. That need to always remain close to you crippled my senses so long ago I do not even know when I drowned in your brown eyes," Tarquin shouted, looking like he was ready for battle not making a declaration of love.

"I really don't think..." King Samuel tried to interject but his pleas were falling on deaf ears.

"You have been the source of my greatest torment..."

Jza spoke with immense fragility, remembering the pain and humiliation in his captivity. She closed her eyes in despair not because of his words but because they evoked emotions she wished to suppress completely. She was no better than her sisters.

"And you have been mine but I understand it does not compare, mila moy," The lord's voice had calmed down. It seemed like his hands too itched to bring her close but feared the consequences.

"I hardly think calling a girl affectionate pet names is the thing to do in front of her father," The Goridian King could not stay unheard any longer.

"Affectionate pet names? You truly do not curse me behind my back," The girl asked very quietly.

"I would rather plunge my hand in my chest and pluck out my dying heart than give you anything but honour," Tarquin stated so softly Jza could barely hear him over her heartbeat. She looked down at her two feet feeling like she was on the verge of tears.

"Your talk of honour increases my wish to see this matter settled," The Goridian King said with a grim expression," I may be going senile at my young age I cannot say but I will not leave my Jza without protection even if it is yours. I will not be able to tolerate if even one word is said against my beautiful and courteous daughter who won the war for us."

"Leave us? I assumed once you understood the truth you would have no qualms about my beheading," The former enemy asked.

The King sighed, "I have formally declared, despite my advisors protests, that beheadings are for all those who did not lay down arms in defeat although the job was nearly done when we arrived. We have already sent the Somerlian womanfolk back although the men have been detained for questioning. The carnage your men left behind nearly rendered the castle unlivable I must say."

"Women. It was women who were responsible for the destruction," Jza added. She could not let the Harem's bravery to their cause be left unnamed.

"Of course. I should have known. The rule of women is upon us," King Samuel gave a brief grin, "You are my daughter's prisoner, not mine. She is to decide your fate. But she is also my daughter and her fate I worry about. I cannot take the Lord Tarquin back for now unless I want a revolution but to leave her alone with you..."

"And why would she stay. I am only her tormenter, a beast. You should have swept her to the castle by now. I should not be into consideration."

"My father knows me too well. I am not ready to go back to the castle. I need time. It was my prison even before the war. They will take a look at my war torn face and make the worst possible assumptions. I have no interest to counter the rumours, the innuendos, the politics. Maybe at a later date, one day... But for now my mind needs the rest. I have no energy left. None," The Princess breathed as her father placed a hand over her shoulder understandingly.

"I still worry. Lord Tarquin you must give her the protection of your name," King Samuel sounded as if he were handing over a death sentence.

"Father, he never made any attempts at seducing me. Besides, you promised you would never force marriage on anyone," Jza protested.

Tarquin laughed aggressively, "Now you wound me. Half the time in your presence I tried my level best to divert you with my charms but obviously I was off the mark if you do not even count them as seductions."

"Then the harem has taught you very poorly. A missish schoolboy would have better sense to attract a lady with such childishness," Jza snorted at his admission.

King Samuel closed his eyes and shook his head as if his brain was well and truly addled.

"I also do not wish to burden her with me. I will not make a single move without her consent. I want her to want me as much as I crave her," Tarquin spoke to the King although his gaze was fixed on the girl.

"Oh dear, I sounded like my mother just then forcing marriage willy nilly. It would be most unfair to force either of you upon one another," The King admitted defeat, "Just remember to not overstep your boundaries. I beg of you."

"Father!" The Princess exclaimed.

"I do not wish to partake in this conversation any longer. I understood as a father of thirteen daughters I must contend with many love stricken beaus fighting for their hands but this talk of passion is giving me gout," King Samuel raised his hand firmly. He turned to give Tarquin a speculative stare, "Your sisters will be jealous. You have taken the handsomest of the lot."

"If I do not give you any favour then what do you propose to do. Will you finally head back to your wayward county?" Jza said as she ignored her father.

"I informed you earlier I had a new goal. I intend to wait for an eternity if I have to," Was the man's reply. Suddenly the girl understood his meaning when he talked of the new goal.

"Even if I chose another man," Jza asked gently.

Tarquin looked away, "So be it."