Chapter Three

He took her first to the succulent garden, which was Bakhtiar's favorite, probably because he too was prickly and high maintenance. "This is Bakhtiar's favorite of the public gardens. He has an even more impressive private garden that I'm sure he'll delight in showing you."

"They're beautiful. Is it true you can drink from them if you're in the desert?"

Aradishir smiled. "No, I'm afraid. I'm not sure how that rumor spread. If you try to drink the contents of any of these plants, it's likely to hurt and even kill you. Better to make certain you take plenty of water with you, but that is hardly a concern for you, Your Highness." He led her onward, pausing only to introduce her to a handful of the nobles and other visitors they passed. Next up was the rose garden, followed by one filled mostly with orchids. After that a few more general gardens with various plants and trees mixed about before he led her into the gardens accessible only to the royal family and those nobles with special permission.

The first of them included an enormous fishpond, filled with fish of nearly every color, with benches and loungers scattered around the edges for people to watch in comfort. Beyond that was his favorite garden, save for his own private garden. This one had a marble gazebo in the middle, surrounded by water and accessed by arched bridges. From there spilled out a winding walking path, all manner of trees and flowers, cultivated specifically for the butterflies that flew about, in more sizes and colors than could be easily counted.

Relanya and her handmaidens gasped. "This is stunning."

"The butterfly garden, designed by my mother not long after she moved to the palace, and finished right before the wedding. They exchanged their vows right in the gazebo. I'm told it was a beautiful ceremony."

"I would imagine so, given how deeply your parents love each other," Relanya said with a smile tinged in sadness. "My first wedding was very much a matter of state, and… well, the relationship did not end well." She laughed, the sound sad and bitter. In the next moment, though, before he could figure out what to say to comfort her, she smiled brightly. "I can see why visitors always speak so avidly of the royal gardens of Tavamara. The only thing they talk about more is the famous Market. Will we get to see that too?"

"In some measure," Aradishir replied. "My mother would kill me if I let us simply wander about, but I will make certain you see it, never fear."

"Marvelous, thank you."

Once they were back inside, precisely on the side of the palace he'd wanted, Aradishir escorted her to the library, regaling her with its history, how it had once been the concubine hall before the new laws that limited how many concubines each royal could have, the fascinating story of the last Harem Master, King Ihsan, and Queen Euren [1] .

"What a tale, and what an absolute wonder this library is," Relanya said. "The palace as a whole is a work of art, but this library is truly remarkable."

"We are proud of it," Aradishir said with a grin. "Come, come, I'll show you the rare books collection."

Relanya returned the smile full measure, and Aradishir's heart gave another stupid, traitorous lurch.

He couldn't do this. He couldn't . Becoming smitten with his brother's future wife was quite literally the stupidest fucking thing he could ever do, and he wasn't going to sink that low.

Except he was pretty certain he was already halfway there.

After they left the library, he showed her the rest of the palace. They were in one of the small dining rooms when the door opened behind them, and a harried-looking Danial slipped inside and closed the door behind him.

Aradishir laughed. "Who is haranguing you today?"

Danial opened his eyes, then relaxed and smiled. "Who isn't? I just want to sit with Jahanara and lend what comfort I can. What are you doing in here?"

"Showing Princess Relanya around. Your Highness, I make you known to Prince Danial, my sister's husband. Danial, Princess Relanya, Bakhtiar's betrothed and our future queen."

Relanya flushed slightly at the words, but swept Danial a bow. "How is Princess Jahanara? The first child is always the most nerve-wracking."

"She is definitely not going to permit a second child," Danial said with a laugh. "An honor to meet you, Your Highness. Jahanara would love to meet you later, if you are inclined. I'm sure it would bring her comfort to speak with another woman who has already been through what she'll be facing quite soon. Even sooner than we expect, if the child is a girl as stubborn and determined as her predecessors," he added dryly.

Aradishir snickered.

Relanya gave them an amused look, but only said, "I would be honored to lend what comfort I may to Her Highness. I fear we're busy today with the touring and banquet, but I can visit tomorrow? Morning? Afternoon?"

"Morning, I'll let you know the best time precisely once I know it," Danial replied with a warm smile. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Scoffing, Relanya said, "We are all to be family, are we not? Sisters look out for each other."

"Mother and Nara will certainly adore having another woman about the place, that is true," Aradishir said. "Also more children." He rolled his eyes. "Shall we continue, Your Highness? We can get changed and head into the city, perhaps find lunch there. I'll send the guards ahead to secure a location."

"That sounds lovely," Relanya said. "We'll go change at once."

Aradishir and Danial bowed as she left the room. The moment the door was closed, Danial turned to Aradishir. " That's Bakhti's princess? I have loved him as my brother all my life, but I don't see those two getting along."

"Why is that?" Aradishir asked, even though he'd been thinking the same thing.

Danial frowned, then said pensively, "They don't have the same sort of spark. You know? Nara and I spark the same, even if we're completely opposite on so many things. You and your harem…everyone and their harems…all share sparks. Maybe I'm just looking for trouble. Bakhtiar is a brat, but he's always taken being crown prince seriously."

Aradishir snorted.

"All right, recently he's been taking it more seriously. I still don't know how he turned out the way he did when Their Majesties are hardly the type to spoil and coddle."

"I have no idea," Aradishir said. "He has a good heart, though, and I've faith he'll grow into the role. Perhaps Princess Relanya will help with that. She is very much calm waters to his stormy ones." Calm wasn't the right word, though. She was more like the butterfly garden she'd loved so much: vibrant and alive, bringing joy but also a feeling of calm and safety. Whereas his dumbass brother was the sand and scorching sun.

"Perhaps. Come on, I must find a way to get back to my wife, and you must get changed, and alas, there's no access to the passages from this room."

Aradishir laughed and led the way out. "Just walk with me. We'll go quickly, scowling the whole way, like something is amiss. No one will bother us."

"Brilliant, thank you," Danial said, and they proceeded to do precisely that.

A short time later, freshly cleaned and dressed for traipsing about the city, Aradishir and his harem met Relanya and her companions in the main courtyard, where an open carriage waited to take them around the city. Nearby stood a handful of servants holding large baskets, each one filled to the brim with little linen drawstring bags.

"What is this?" Relanya asked. She wore a peacock blue headwrap that did amazing things to her gray eyes.

Swallowing, Aradishir stared hard at the baskets. "For the children. Whenever they see my carriage, they come running, with gifts and for gifts. I'm sure with the knowledge I'll be escorting you around, even more people than usual will come."

Relanya broke into a smile that completely melted any hope Aradishir had of not falling utterly besotted with his brother's future wife. "I always wanted to do something like that back home, but my parents forbade it." Her face clouded briefly, but in the next moment she was smiling again, if not as brilliantly as before. "Shall we be off? I really can't wait to see the famous market."

The guards were as implacable as ever, but if there was one thing they hated, it was the royal family going anywhere near the security nightmare that was the Great Market. The looks they exchanged said nothing to the casual observer, but Aradishir could read the stress, the silent conversations about steps that would need to be taken—especially since Relanya was foreign and not used to the way Tavamarans did things. Many countries would call Tavamara rigid, but Relanya's homeland would likely describe them as entirely too free.

Aradishir offered a hand to help Relanya into the carriage, tingling at the soft, warm touch of her skin. He climbed in after her, followed by his harem, who thankfully made certain there was plenty of space between him and the woman he could never have.

Even if he was an option, why would she choose him over Bakhtiar? The crown prince? Nobody in their right mind chose the youngest and weakest over the oldest and most powerful.

So he smiled and talked about the history of the city, assisted by his beautiful concubines.

Who could read him far too well by the looks they gave him, the looks they exchanged, but that was just one of the many reasons he loved them.

When they passed through the city gates and into the great pavilion, they were immediately overwhelmed by people, especially children. Aradishir came into the city so often for speeches, ceremonies, and more that they knew him well—better than his siblings, whose work mostly kept them in the palace. Broken leg from misadventure notwithstanding.

Aradishir signaled the servants, who immediately left the carriage, climbed up onto stone stands meant for the purpose, and started tossing out the linen bags, which were caught eagerly by young and old alike, though most people had the decency to promptly hand them off to children too little to do any catching themselves. Inside the bags were sweets and a couple of coins.

When the bags were gone and the guards had sufficiently dispersed the crowd, they carried on, wending leisurely through the city as Aradishir and his concubines continued to relate its history.

Eventually, they stopped for lunch at a restaurant he tended to favor whenever he was in the city. It was also one of the few where his guards did not have to drive everyone else out; they merely took over the second floor, and Aradishir's staff assisted the restaurant staff, putting less pressure and strain on them.

They sat at a table near the balcony that spanned the length of the building, all three sets of doors slid open to let in a cool breeze. A server brought them wine, a cool, refreshing pale pink called Gentle Hour, and another brought some foods perfect for nibbling.

Aradishir nodded to Heydar to serve Relanya, leaving Javed to serve him and Merza to attend her companions.

"Tavamara is truly beautiful," Relanya said as she sipped the wine Heydar offered up. "Nothing at all like home. The colors, the air…everything is nearly the exact opposite of home, I love it."

"I'm surprised the heat does not bother you more," Merza said with a laugh. "That is what foreigners struggle with the most when they visit."

Relanya laughed with him. "It's not the extreme I'm used to, but if I can adjust to one, I can adjust to the other." She accepted another sip of wine then asked, "So how do the people know you so well, Your Highness? They seemed very excited it was you who was in the city."

"I come here often, at least compared to the rest of my family, to give speeches and attend events related to my various charity works and such."

Javed chuckled as he offered Aradishir a sip of wine before finishing the rest himself and pouring more. "Yes, that's all it is. Nothing at all to do with how hard you work to fight the human trafficking that is the plague of this country, or the tales of how you rescued me, seduced away the son of the Commander of the Royal and City Guard, were taken in by the wiles of the only thief to successfully break into the royal palace more than once…"

Aradishir's face went hot. "Every last one of those tales has spun wildly out of control. The last I heard, I snuck into a shop where many people were being held prisoner and set them all free after a great fight against several enormous soldiers armed for war—" He threw up his hands. "I'm not even sure how that version ends, I grew so fed up hearing it."

Javed laughed so hard he had to set down the cup of wine he'd just picked up. It was Heydar who said drolly, "I believe my prince was in the process of removing the shackles of the prisoners when his eyes fell upon one in particular and he was instantly entranced, and Javed has not left your side since."

Relanya made no effort to contain or muffle her giggles. "Well, now I must hear the real story."

Before Aradishir could attempt to divert the conversation to something less humiliating, Javed happily launched into the tale, which of course led to stories of how he'd met Heydar and Merza as well.

When the torment finally ended, though, he earned another of those beautiful, heart-stopping smiles that made the rest of the world vanish. His stupid brother would probably never appreciate the beauty of them, how precious they were.

"What charming tales. I can see why everyone regards you so highly, Prince Aradishir," Relanya said. "You're an honor to your family and your people."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Aradishir said, warmth filling him even as his heart cracked. Already she spoke to him like a sister, like a queen. The reminder of the divide between them was sorely needed, but that didn't make it hurt less.

If Bakhtiar so much as looked at her wrong, Aradishir would break his nose, then break it again for good measure.

As the next course was brought out, including a lavender wine Aradishir was fond of called Summer Festival, Relanya said, "So tell me some stories of Prince Bakhtiar. You must have some great ones, and I'd like to learn all I can."

" That would be my pleasure, Your Highness." Taking the sip of wine Merza offered, Aradishir then launched cheerfully into tales of Bakhtiar, interspersing good ones with those that would make Bakhtiar pout or scowl.

Eventually, though, as the second course was taken away and the main course brought out, he let Merza turn the conversation to other topics. "Have you given thought to what colors you'll have for the wedding?"

Relanya frowned slightly, head tilting. "What do you mean?"

"Did my mother not subject you to the wedding details?" Aradishir asked. "The bride chooses the theme and colors for the wedding."

"Oh. Um, no, Her Majesty said we could speak of it after the matter had been settled, that there was no sense in going on about it sooner. I never gave it much thought, assuming one wedding ceremony was much like another. Silly, in retrospect. Why does the bride choose? Surely as the royal family there must be certain requirements."

"I think every region of Tavamara has its own version of the tradition's origin, but the short, simple version is that as it was our Goddess who shaped the world, new beginnings—new worlds, after a fashion—should also be shaped by women. It's a sign of arrogance for a man to shape the wedding, the same way it's not a man's decision how many children his wife will bear."

Relanya looked for a moment like she might cry, but she blinked the almost-tears away and smiled softly instead. "How beautiful. That is not how women are viewed back home, not even close. We do what the men want, when they want, and how they want, and the best women are those who do not argue, but quietly and happily obey."

"Wow, they must have hated my mother," Aradishir said with a laugh. "I wish I could have seen their faces."

"If the court artist could have drawn fast enough to capture them, I would have given her every coin to my name, that's for certain," Relanya said with a grin. "Your mother is wonderful, truly. I could see even before I arrived why they call her the Jewel of Tavamara. From what I've heard, you are her protégé."

Aradishir scoffed. "My sister is like her in every way, or near enough. I just take after my mother in charity pursuits and the like, leaving my siblings to their precious politics." And Bakhtiar to finding all the trouble he possibly could, though in begrudging fairness, Bakhtiar excelled at general audience, which he was doing more and more often. He would likely be the one to train Relanya, as when they were king and queen, it would be one of their many shared duties.

She'd be good at it, listening to petitioners, assisting with their problems, treating everyone fairly and, where suited, generously. Aradishir had done it a couple of times, when the others fell sick, but thankfully he was normally put to work elsewhere. The helping people part he enjoyed, but the sitting still for hours on end he did not.

"This is delicious," Relanya said. "What is it?"

"A specialty of Tavala—we call them kuku sabzi. Herb cake is the most common translation. Sometimes it's also called an herb frittata, though I'll be honest, I've no idea what a frittata is." Aradishir replied. "I especially like it with this cheese, made from sheep's milk and brined."

Relanya smiled. "A local delicacy back home is something called Gruzinchiki, a fish roll fried and served with melted butter. Rich and filling, as all cold weather foods must be."

"That would be fun to try sometime," Aradishir replied, and nearly bit his tongue stopping himself from saying perhaps for one of their private meals sometime. There were no private meals forthcoming. Because she wasn't marrying him. Divine he was stupid. "I'm sure we could find a cook who knows how to make it, or someone with knowledge to share with ours."

"That would be nice to do eventually, but for now, I'm certainly happy learning all I can about my new home, including foods I could never have dreamed up on my own. Thank you," she added as Heydar offered her more wine. "So what are we going to…" The words died off as they watched several servants and guards come rushing in, going straight to the open doors and closing them before pulling down an addition cover.