"I will let it get to my head, Noura. And to my heart as well."
Noura shifts her attention back to him. He takes a bite of the bread himself before putting more honey on it and extending it towards her. She takes another bite, unable to look away. Adam smiles again.
"Careful, lest you want to see me blushing. Those eyes of yours have something different today," he remarks.
She sucks in her cheeks to keep herself from laughing, feigning to be surprised. "A man like you can blush?"
"I'm a man of shame."
"Who is hardly ever shy of me."
"I might be if you continue doing this."
"Doing what?"
"Gaze at me with that look in your eyes."
"What look?"
"Of love." He leans forward until they are an inch apart, smirking slyly-- teasingly. "You love me. And I'm letting it get to my head."
She grazes his cheekbone in a feather touch, whispering in a hushed voice, "You already knew that I do. You've known since a long time ago."
"It's different," he repeats, growing serious. "It has the fear of loss in it, but also the power to destroy to save our love. It reminds me of the time when you learnt the truth about me, that I was Al Shafay, and the fear to lose you and to destroy for you could overpower me. It's a kind of desperation where you can no more imagine a life without another-- where the world comes to an end. It can be dangerous, zawjati (my wife)."
Noura tilts her head inquisitively. "Then what do you suggest, my Ameer?"
"The world does not end when a life ends, hayati. Never let desperation overpower you. Love me, but never let this love destroy you. For it isn't only I who needs you. And it isn't only I you live for."
He kisses her forehead and brings his hand to her belly, rubbing it affectionately. She smiles and places her hand atop his, and the corners of his mouth curve up once more.
"If God blesses us with a son, we will name him Harun."
Noura nods in agreement, clearly understanding his choice of name after reading his mother's letter.
"God willing," she adds.
He pulls back and picks up a glass of milk from the breakfast table, holding it out for her.
"Now drink it. Eat well so your wound may heal quickly," he says, gesturing towards her shoulder. "Or I'll keep burning every time I look at it."
She chuckles and takes the glass from him. For the rest of the breakfast, she keeps stealing subtle glances at him. She has really missed him. She feels as if she has been reunited with him after a lifetime. But only if he knew.
"Divunatam (I'm crazy about you)," she mumbles to herself.
But when she notices the quirking of his lips, she knows he has heard her.
"Me too," he mumbles back.
Later that day when her husband has left the palace, she meets Daryush to update herself of the things at the court. With the events happening at the palace, a meeting couldn't be called. But the time of the truce is to come to an end and very soon the council will have to make a decision regarding the throne and it's caliph.
"I've kept my part of the deal, syed Daryush. It's time that you keep yours."
Daryush gives her a crooked smile and tips his head. "The council will have its first meeting tomorrow, my Amira. I assure you, you will not be disappointed."