`Sorry?’ She couldn’t think when he touched her like that.
`That old devil Dawud,’ Rafiq explained. Ì didn’t ask him to get out the Peacock’s Eye today. He took it upon himself. He’d never do that unless he was absolutely sure of my love for you.’
`Does it matter so much?’ she teased.
He shook his head and swept her up for another kiss. All that matters is that you’re mine, of your own free will.’
And when they eventually appeared on the balcony, much, much later, the patient crowd could see beyond question that tradition had been upheld. The Peacock’s Eye had been bestowed upon the woman who held their prince’s heart.