The reluctant vow

ken words, wounded pride, and burning disappointment all wrapped into one. Zara had barely slept the night befo

ried the promise of freedom, of escape. A chance to start fresh, to step into the world she had dreamt of sin

polished tiles, followed by the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Zara slo

aked open wi

the doorway. Her tone was calm, too calm, like someo

owed. "Why

ing your father

readable expression etched into his face. A second later, she noticed the two men seated across from him-one older, distinguished in agbada

areem a

feet

kicked int

e they d

red his throat

arest armchair, her eyes flicking briefly toward Regan

ained standing

her said. "The engagemen

breath

rted, but n

she said finally, her vo

cted of you," her mother adde

her expression unreadable. "A

kay or not, Zara. This marriage-this alliance-was pl

t. His posture was s

entment. "So that's it, then

d. "You will marry Regan K

d. "Not unless i

urned to l

aised a bro

Regan. But only for a year. One year. If after that, we don't f

t was as though the air had

linked slowly,

eyes and looked directly

dable in his gaze-curiosi

ook, but Chief Kareem held up a

Chief Kareem said calmly,

d snapped to th

ren decide the

other stared at her like s

n simply

" he said.