“Proposal?”
Zephael’s heart thundered within his chest painfully. He had been so engrossed in the conversation and letting Tahla down softly, that he completely let his guard down. He hadn't even smelled Malik, but now that the man was standing near, his scent was evident and not hidden like that of their warriors. He took a jagged step forward.
“Malik, I–”
“You are going to marry one another?” Malik looked, for lack of better words that Zephael could not find, devastated. Or at least that was what his eyes told Zephael. Malik’s exterior showed no particular emotion.
“No… I turned it down, brother. We are not to be married.” He reached out and touched Malik’s shoulder in a gentle gesture to assure him nothing of the sort would entail.
“Zephael.” Both men turned to face Tahla who ha
