He looked at her, as if he was drinking her in; as if it had been years rather than days since he’d seen her. The same way she was looking at him.

  She was too frightened to move in case the action jolted her out of this hallucination she must be having. What was he doing here?

  ‘Rohan,’ she said, when she finally managed to find her voice. ‘I didn’t know you were coming. Did Mr Agrawal tell you there’s been a development here too?’ She gestured at the megalith. ‘I can’t find anything wrong. I don’t think there’s a problem.’

  Rohan had been looking so serious, nervous almost, but when she mentioned Mr Agrawal his face broke into a wide grin.

  Her heart jolted. Priya couldn’t help feeling there was something more behind his smile than relief at hearing there were no problems with the megalith, which was confirmed when Rohan said, ‘I know.’

  ‘What do you mean, you know.’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong here. I asked Agrawal to get you to come here.’

  She furrowed her brow. ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘I wanted to speak to you.’

  ‘Why here? I could have come to your study.’

  Rohan’s cheeks turned rosy. He looked at the ground then swallowed before saying, ‘I never gave you a response the other day.’

  Priya shook her head. ‘It’s all right. I should never have asked you. You were always honest with me about your situation. I should never have tried to ask you for more than you could give. I’m sorry I put you in that position.’

  He didn’t reply immediately. Instead he walked over to the front of the megalith next to one of the stone tigers guarding the palace.

  ‘I was standing here when you hurled yourself at me to save me from the debris.’

  As if she could forget.

  ‘That was the start of everything,’ he continued. The intensity of his gaze made Priya’s mouth go dry. She started to shake—something she didn’t understand was happening, but it was something big.

  ‘I bet you sometimes wish I hadn’t,’ she said trying to diffuse the tension. ‘Then we wouldn’t be in this situation.’

  ‘I think we would have ended up exactly where we are, somehow. It was fate.’

  Priya couldn’t suppress a slight anger towards a fate that let her fall in love with a man she could never be with.

  ‘And I don’t ever wish that moment didn’t happen,’ he continued. ‘It was the moment I began falling in love with you.’

  Hundreds of conflicting moods and emotions rushed through her. He loved her. She was ecstatic. He loved her and she loved him and it was the greatest gift.

  He was still the crown prince. It didn’t change anything in the long run. Despair overpowered her. Why did he have to tell her he loved her? It made everything worse.

  Unless he was trying to say he was prepared to have a real relationship with her. That he was delaying his duty to find a bride for a few more months with her.

  ‘You’re choosing me?’ she said, holding her breath as she waited for his response.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied with the cheeky smile she loved so much.

  Letting out a yelp of joy she ran into his arms. He picked her up and twirled her around. Both of them laughing from giddy happiness. Lowering her back to the ground, he ran his fingers through her hair, moving to her nape and drawing her closer for a kiss.

  ‘We should get back to the palace,’ Rohan suggested.

  Priya nodded. Their passion, as always, threatened to overwhelm them. She wanted to get somewhere private. Where they could talk. There was still a lot for them to discuss. Eager as she was to make love with Rohan soon, it was sensible to make sure everything was out in the open.

  He’d chosen her. She couldn’t believe it was real.

  The journey back to the palace was torture. Rohan had sent her driver away so they both went in his limo. They had the privacy screen up but after a few minutes on Rohan’s lap, the bumpy road dictated safety came first and he moved her off him and ensured her seat belt was fastened.

  As if by unspoken agreement, once they reached the palace they walked round the grounds towards Rohan’s garden.

  She was vaguely aware of the curious glances from people they passed. She and Rohan weren’t touching but she was sure the tension in her body from the anticipation of soon being in his arms was radiating from her.

  They barely stepped into the garden before turning to each other.

  ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ Rohan said.

  Conversation seemed impossible when the urgency to kiss was so strong.

  She’d missed him too. She had been trying to reconcile herself to never being with Rohan like this again. He’d really chosen her.

  ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ she asked, finally managing to break apart and putting an arm’s length distance between them.

  ‘Of course I’m sure,’ he replied as he drew her to him again.

  She pushed him away. ‘No, I don’t mean that! Are you sure about your decision? You’ve chosen to be with me?’

  Rohan laughed as he adjusted his clothing and took a few minutes to compose himself. He stared directly in her eyes and said, ‘Yes, Priya Sen, I choose you.’

  Tear’s pricked Priya’s eyes. The simplicity of his words made their truth undeniable.

  ‘And your family won’t mind you’re not getting married yet,’ she asked.

  ‘What?’ Rohan raised his eyebrows. ‘Of course, I’m getting married.’

  His admission was like a knife to her heart.

  * * *

  The glow on Priya’s face faded. Rohan inwardly cursed himself for making such a pig’s ear of everything. When he’d planned this day out, it seemed so romantic—arranging to meet in the place they first kissed.

  He hadn’t counted on how good it would feel to have Priya back in his arms, back where she belonged. He hadn’t factored in how interminable the car ride back to the palace would be.

  He’d initially thought when they arrived at the palace he would take her to the ballroom balcony to stand next to the pillar where they first met, but the need to be alone with Priya, where they wouldn’t be interrupted was paramount so they came to his garden.

  Once there, a conversation should have been their priority, but having the chance to draw Priya to him was too irresistible and from the moment he held her, he needed to kiss her like a thirsty plant needs water. Which was why he was in this mess, blurting things out without thinking.

  ‘I’m sorry, I can’t do that, Rohan,’ Priya said moving away from him and wrapping her arms around herself. ‘I’m sorry. I love you but I won’t be your other woman for a few months while you’re courting your future wife.’

  The blood ran from his face as he realised how she’d interpreted his comments about getting married.

  ‘No, Priya, no,’ he said quickly. ‘It’s not what I meant. I don’t want a relationship with you for a few more months.’

  He couldn’t mistake her hurt expression. Why was everything he said coming out wrong? Perhaps actions were louder than words in this scenario. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

  Priya took a step away when he presented it to her.

  ‘Rohan?’ she said, shakily.

  He opened the box displaying a kundan ring in a floral design with diamond petals around a central emerald.

  ‘This is a family heirloom,’ he explained. ‘Each man presents it to his chosen bride and she holds on to it until it’s ready to be passed on to the next generation. I asked my mother for it.’

  Priya blinked, looking confused. He still wasn’t doing this right. Smiling nervously as he looked directly into her eyes, Rohan bent onto one knee.

  ‘Rohan,’ Priya said, clutching her hands to her heart.

  ‘Priya Sen. You are the love of my life. You’re the reason I wake up in the morning and my last thought before I go to sleep. Please do me the greatest honour and make me the happiest man in the world. Will you marry me?’ It wasn’t the most eloquent proposal, but it was heartfelt. He held his breath.

  She stared at him, as if making sure he was serious.

  ‘Please,’ he added.

  Her lips lifted in an uncertain smile, then straightened again. She made a small sound, like a laugh of disbelief. Then as he continued to look at her, trying to convince her of his sincerity and silently begging her to say yes, her smile grew stronger.

  She bit her lip, then nodded slowly at first, then faster as tears started to pour. ‘Yes, Rohan. I’ll marry you.’

  He almost tripped in his haste to stand and embrace her.

  A long while later they sat on the bench, Priya on his lap, gentle touches and kisses replacing the frantic passion of earlier.

  ‘You’ll need to think about who you want to invite to the wedding,’ Rohan said.

  ‘It’s a bit soon for that isn’t it?’

  ‘Are you kidding? My mother’s going to summon the pandit and the wedding coordinator as soon as we tell her we’re getting married.’

  Priya tensed next to him.

  ‘I haven’t met your parents yet. I can’t meet them for the first time and tell them I’m marrying their son.’

  ‘There’s nothing to worry about. They’re going to love you. I haven’t met your father either,’ Rohan pointed out. ‘I’m just as nervous to see him to ask for his blessing to marry his beautiful, amazing daughter.’

  She shrugged. ‘Hopefully one day you will.’

  ‘Are you thinking of inviting him to the wedding?’

  ‘Of course I’ll invite him. He is my father. I don’t know if he’ll attend—it’ll probably depend on how busy he is. I don’t need his attention or his approval. If he doesn’t come, it will be his loss.’

  Rohan wanted to cheer. ‘Exactly. And what about your dadu and didima?’ he asked, slowly.

  Her smile was sad. ‘I told you I don’t know where they are. I don’t know if they’re alive.’

  He expelled a breath. ‘I do. I found them. They want to get back in touch with you desperately. It sounds like a lot of things happened in the background which they should tell you about. But they never wanted to break contact with you. I can bring them here if you want to see them.’

  Priya hid her face against his chest. He could feel the dampness in his shirt.

  ‘Thank you,’ she mumbled. ‘I can’t believe you did that for me.’ She lifted her head. ‘No I can. It’s just who you are as a person. No wonder I love you.’

  ‘And I love you,’ he said, kissing the tip of her nose. ‘And your grandparents love you, and my parents will love you too.’

  Priya gave a scared laugh. ‘Your parents are the Maharaja and Maharani of Adysara. Oh, my goodness. This is so much to take in.’ She bent forward holding her head in her hands. He could hear her trying to regulate her breathing.

  ‘Everything okay?’ he asked, gently moving her hair so he could see her profile. ‘You’re not thinking of changing your mind are you?’

  ‘Maybe. No.’ She sat up and stared intently at him. ‘How are you going to tell your parents you want to marry me. A nobody. I don’t bring anything with me.’

  ‘You are enough.’

  * * *

  Priya convulsed with emotion. All her life she’d wanted to hear those words, never truly believing they would be true. But sitting on the bench, sitting in Rohan’s embrace, she knew for Rohan it was true—she was enough.

  ‘I already told my parents,’ Rohan continued. ‘They know I was planning to propose.’

  ‘And they didn’t try to talk you out of it?’ She was still trying to wrap her head around the idea of marrying into the royal family of Adysara. ‘Oh, Rohan. What about your duty and your family’s expectations? I can’t ask you to sacrifice everything you are for me.’

  ‘There’s no sacrifice. I have a duty to my people, but I also have a duty to myself. If I carried on searching for an advantageous match I would have been acting dishonourably because you’re the only one I want as my wife. If I had to give up being yuvaraja I would because it would mean more to me to be your husband.’

  He was turning her into a leaky tap.

  ‘You’re not being asked to give up your position?’ Priya asked anxiously.

  ‘I’m not. I’m still Yuvaraja, in line to become the next Maharaja of Adysara which I will reign over with my maharani.’ He paused. ‘Unless you want me to give it up. We can live a quiet life in England if that’s what you prefer.’

  Priya shook her head, staggered by the lengths Rohan was prepared to go to put what she wanted first. He’d contacted her grandparents—she never thought she’d see them again. But he made it happen because he thought about what would make her happy.

  But her happiness was entwined with his.

  She smiled. ‘There’s still a lot of the islands I haven’t seen yet. And there’s the murals and caves to preserve.’

  Rohan laced his fingers through hers. ‘My father said it’s what you’ll bring to the country—your skills in conservation which will help the regeneration and bring greater prosperity to us.’

  Priya’s laughter pealed out. It wasn’t close to what the royal family must consider a real advantageous marriage, but it warmed her to know Rohan’s parents were prepared to accept her as part of his life.

  She bit her lip. ‘Would it be appropriate for me to lead the work though, if I’m part of the royal family. It could be awkward for my team members to treat me the same as before.’

  Rohan chuckled. ‘You know we can sort through this kind of thing later. The only thing that matters is you love me and I love you and we’re getting married. The rest can wait.’

  She was about to relax back into Rohan’s arms, but she said, ‘Are you sure this is what you want?’

  ‘I have never been more certain of anything.’

  Priya didn’t know when, if ever, she had felt so at peace, completely enveloped in love.

  They sat in each other’s arms in blissful peace until Rohan said, ‘We should make some decisions before we tell my parents. Would you like to get married in England or here?’ he asked. ‘It’s probably the first thing they’ll need to know.’

  It still sounded surreal to think about wedding details.

  ‘We can get married in a register office, it it’s what you want,’ he continued.

  ‘Oh, you’re embarrassed to be seen with me, then,’ she replied with a twinkle.

  ‘What? Of course not. But I thought you wouldn’t want the pomp and circumstance of an Adysarian royal wedding.’

  ‘Well, it wouldn’t be my first choice. If it was up to me we would elope tomorrow.’

  He laughed. ‘I’m open to that idea.’

  Priya had no doubt Rohan would begin to arrange an elopement immediately if he thought it was what she really wanted.

  ‘I love you. You are Yuvaraja of Adysara. Your people have been waiting for your wedding since you were born. As soon as the gala was over, it was all they talked about. The circumstances of our wedding wouldn’t normally be important to me, but they’re important to your people, which makes it important to you, which makes it important to me after all.’ She grinned. ‘I’m happy to get married here, with all the traditions and spectacle that involves. All that matters is I get to be your wife.’

  ‘I love you for offering, but I know how you don’t like being the centre of attention.’

  She swallowed. ‘I never felt I was worth being the centre of attention. I worried having the limelight on me would show everyone how underserving I really was. You helped me see that I have worth. You’ve given me the confidence to take my day in the sun. I would be proud to stand next to you in front of all your people and become your wife.’

  He kissed her deeply, making any further conversation difficult and unnecessary.

  EPILOGUE

  Five years later

  ‘AND THIS SECTION here required a special paste, which we had to mix ourselves, to stabilise the area before the conservation team could start work on it,’ Priya said, indicating part of a recently restored mural in the grand dining room. ‘Do you want to know what we used in the paste?’

  ‘A little young to be your apprentice, isn’t he?’ Rohan’s voice came from the doorway.

  ‘Dada!’ From her arms, her two-year-old stretched towards his father.

  ‘Never too early to start an appreciation of the arts,’ Priya said, lifting her face to Rohan’s for his kiss as she transferred their son over to him.

  ‘We should head back. Your dadu and didima are in our quarters waiting for this little man,’ Rohan said as he nuzzled his son.

  Priya’s heart warmed, as it always did at the mention of her grandparents, not just because they were part of her life now, but their reappearance was a constant reminder of Rohan’s love for her. Because he knew how much they meant to her, he’d gone to huge efforts to find them and then brought them to the island. Amidst many hugs and tears, they’d become reacquainted and Priya now completely understood why they’d fallen out of touch, but instead of dwelling on the past she wanted to concentrate on spending more time with them in the future. And shortly after their reunion, her dadu and didima had moved to Adysara permanently. Even though Priya’s father had attended her wedding to Rohan four years ago, it was her grandparents who’d accompanied her down the aisle.

  As they made their way back to their quarters, she watched Rohan and their son blow raspberries on each other’s cheeks as they recited nursery rhymes. They looked like any happy father and child. But in two days they would be the Maharaja and Yuvaraja of Adysara.

  ‘How did your meetings go?’ she asked, once they’d left their son with her grandparents and were making their way to their private garden.

 

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