Page 132 of Deadly Betrayal

Kaden’s eyes, warm and loving, were locked onher as she approached. An incredible sense of belonging filled heras she floated over to him. “You look absolutely stunning,” hesaid.

Heat flushed her cheeks. “It is because ofthe dress.” Her eyes flicked to Nic, and she bowed her head inthanks. He grinned proudly. Jake winked, then turned a smug look onNic.

Ah… so that was how Nic had known that herdress should be green; Jake had told him. The man probably knewmore about Afghan society than she did.

Kaden laughed. “Honey, you could be wearing agarbage bag, and you’d still be beautiful.”

The way he was looking at her made the flushspread from her cheeks to her chest. His eyes glowed with love and…sexual interest, an interest she returned.

An older Afghan man with a long beard, whocould only be themullah, signaled to Kaden. Kaden smiled ather. “Ready?”

She swallowed and took a big breath. “Iam.”

Themullahand two men Azita did notknow stood at the front of the chapel. She supposed they werewitnesses to legitimize the Nikah, the religious part of theceremony. Eyes downcast, she stood rooted in place. How were theyto proceed? Wedding traditions varied from region to region. Evenso, whatever they did would be highly irregular. She did not evenhave a man to represent her.

Together, they walked between the rows ofchairs. Laila followed with Jake and Nic. She could hear Jakespeaking to her in Dari, asking her how she liked her dress. Lailasurprised her by chatting with the man as though she’d always knownhim. When they stopped in front of themullah, the clericnodded his head. “Salaam alaikum, agha,khanom.”

“Walaikum assalaam, Mullah,” sheresponded softly, keeping her eyes low.

“Do you have someone to negotiate the Nikahfor you?”

“I do not,” she said, quaking inside. Wouldhe refuse to marry them?

“Is that a problem, Mullah?” Kaden asked, hisvoice betraying his nervousness. At least they were one on thatpoint.

Themullahshook his head. “You areboth mature, and as such, you can perform your own Nikah, if thatis your choice.”

Azita glanced at Kaden. “It is.”

“Very well. It is customary for the groom orhis family to offer ameherto the bride or her family. Itis to be retained by the bride in case of divorce or the earlydemise of the groom. Has the bride-price been agreed upon?”

Azita froze. In the excitement of Kaden’sproposal, she’d forgotten to mention the tradition. Would he beangry? She knew that in his own culture, when a payment was made atall, it was usually a dowry from the bride’s family to the groom.If he expected one from her, what would she do? She hadnothing.

Nic, who had been listening to Jake’stranslation of the discussion, raised his hand. “As a member of thegroom’s family, I am giving the bride five hundred thousandAmerican dollars to be placed in a trust for her personal use. I amalso giving the same amount to her daughter, Laila.”

Azita’s hand flew to her mouth. “That is muchtoo generous an offer, Agha Nic.”

“She’s right, Nic,” Kaden said, lookingshocked.

Nic’s features softened. “With this money, Iwill know you are with Kaden because you love him and you want tobe together.” He focused on her. “Not because you are afraid ofleaving. Do you understand?”

Once again, Azita was overwhelmed by theman’s generosity and his uncanny ability to discern a woman’sfears. Lauren was one lucky woman. “Thank you,” she said, bowingher head.

Themullahnodded. “Good. Now let’sbegin.” He beckoned forward the two local men who’d accompaniedhim. “We have two Muslim male witnesses in accordance with Islamiclaw.”

“Thank you, gentlemen,” Kaden said, whileAzita kept her gaze averted. In a normal wedding, she would noteven be present for this part of the ceremony. She certainlywouldn’t be standing right next to her groom. Out of the corner ofher eye, she watched Kaden. How odd this must seem to him. Hecaught her look and grinned. Suddenly, she was very happy to behere beside him. They were an unconventional couple. Little wondertheir wedding was as well.

“Kaden Christiansen, do you accept the termsof the marriage as discussed today?” themullahaskedformally.

“I do, Mullah,” Kaden replied in Dari. Hisaccent had thickened as his nervousness had increased. Azita wantedto squeeze his hand, but knew that would not be acceptable in frontof these men. She could push their tolerance only so far.

The cleric arched a brow. “You must use theword ‘accept’ in your response.”

Kaden’s cheeks colored, making him look evenmore charming than usual. “I accept the terms, Mullah,” hesaid.

Themullahturned to Azita. “Azitakhanom, do you accept this marriage?”

“I accept,” she replied. Per custom, he askedher the same question two more times, to which she repeated heracceptance.