Page 8 of Lies That Blemish
I shrugged. “I mean, it kind of is.”
I regretted the words the second they left my lips.
Hurt crossed his face. He nodded, swallowing hard. “It may not be a love marriage, but our union will put faith into the hearts of the Amersean people that your reign will be long and full of heirs.”
He was right. I needed to take this more seriously.
“Okay, what do you want to do? Pull up the wedding date?” I asked. I had learned Alek didn’t bring up a problem without a solution. Something I really enjoyed about him.
He shook his head, taking a step closer to me. “No, we just need to act like we’re in love.”
It dawned on me then what he was suggesting. A kiss? A public kiss?
“My people know I’m cold and private, which is how a war leader should be. I’m not going to tongue kiss you in front of the entire country, Alek.” Holding hands was enough to make me squirm. It was so showy.
Again, I couldn’t help but notice the hurt that crossed his face, and my heart sank. He liked me. A lot. And I didn’t feel the same. Which sucked harder than I thought it would.
“I would never suggest a crass tongue kiss, Aisling. I’m talking about something softer.” He stepped closer again, and my heart began to race.
“With your permission, of course, I think once they announce us, we walk out holding hands and then… kiss. A small, delicate kiss that shows people we’re in love. Even if we aren’t.”
He said that last part with a sorrowful tone, and it broke me.
I reached for his hand, pulling it into mine. “Alek, you can back out, you know. Find someone who adores you. You shouldn’t have to be tied to me, knowing it’s just an arrangement for the betterment of our country.”
His eyes burned with passion then. “Even if this is the only way I can have you, as some arrangement, without your love, I’ll take it, Aisling. For my country and for the small hope that maybe a decade in the future, you might soften towards me and reciprocate my love.”
Love. He saidlove. His words had emotion clogging my throat. It was the sweetest thing he’d ever said to me, and I was painfully aware that we were still holding hands.
“Alek, what if I never feel the same? What if you spend your whole life just being… my friend?” Because I honestly wasn’t sure I would ever love again.
He nodded. “You’re worth the risk. And I’ll have the adoration of whatever children we produce, that I’m sure of.”
That made me smile. “Oh, you think our future children will love you more than me?”
He dropped my hand, nodding. “Of course. I’m the fun one, and you’re the strict one. You say no to a second cookie, and the second you leave the room, I’m giving it to them.”
“Alek!” I slapped his arm, laughing.
Stars, he was so easy to get along with. If someone could be trapped in a loveless marriage, it should at least be to their best friend.
“I do love you, you know?” I said, feeling bold.
He froze.
“As afriend. But… I do. I trust you, Alek, and I can count on one hand how many people I can say that about.”
He nodded. “I appreciate that, and I intend toneverbetray that trust.”
I just wished I could believe him. But Kohen had ruined that for me. Still, he was right. We needed to make the people believe our love was real.
“Yes, to the kiss when they announce us,” I told him, and he swallowed hard.
“Okay. Should we practice before so it’s not awkward?
“Are you an awkward kisser?” I asked in a teasing tone.
“No!” he scoffed. “I’m just saying it will be the first time we kiss. What if we bump noses and start laughing?”
