Page 31 of Tragic Empire

I must have misheard him.

Cassio takes a single step forward, erasing most of the distance between us. We stand mere inches apart now.

“Expect more from me, Ana. This marriage is arranged, but it is very much real. Expect me to act as a husband should. I should have made time to come and see you sooner. I’m going to do better, and you should feel comfortable calling me out if I don’t.”

I don’t think I breathe the entire time he speaks, feeling more and more shocked with each word that passes his lips.

“Is that what you came here to say?” I ask, forcing my voice to remain steady.

“It’s part of it,” he confirms.

“But not all?”

“No.” Reaching into his back pocket, he retrieves a small black box. Startled by the implication, I stare at his hand as nerves rush through me.

“I wanted to give you this,” Cassio continues. He cracks open the jewelry case, revealing a sparkling ring. It’s a silver band with a square blue stone cushioned in the center with small diamonds surrounding the edges.

My hand flies up, covering my mouth before a gasp can escape.

“It’s a Moretti family heirloom,” he says, plucking the gorgeous piece between two fingers. I find my left hand captured and don’t flinch at the touch, reveling in how secure I feel in his presence. “My great-grandfather mined the stone himself, on a small island off the coast of Italy. He and his brother found a small deposit near this cave they used to explore as boys. It’s a blue diamond, and my great grandmother asked for it to be made into her engagement ring, since it reminded her of his eyes.”

Bloody hell.

“Cassio, that’s…” I breathe out, trying to find the right words. “This ring must mean so much to your family. How can I possibly accept this? “

The man doesn’t listen to my protest, choosing to slip the ring onto my left finger instead. It glides on without struggle; somehow the fit is flawless.

“Seems as if it were made for you,” he notes, nodding to my hand as he releases it. “The ringdoesmean a lot to our family. And that’s exactly why I’m giving it to you.”

It’s undeniably beautiful, and I don’t want to take it off.

“Are you sure?” Gulping, I wiggle my fingers to watch the gemstones shine. “It wasn’t hers, was it?”

As soon as the question comes from my mouth I want to shove it back in. I would never want to share a ring with another woman, especially one that my husband-to-be loved, but that was horribly insensitive.

“I amsosorry,” I blurt out quickly. His body has gone stiff, and I immediately feel terrible. “I don’t know why I just said that. You’re being so kind to me, and I never meant?—”

“It wasn’t.” He cuts off my rambled apology. “Isobel was buried with her ring, it was her mother’s.”

“Please don’t feel like you need to explain yourself.” I wring my hands and wince. I cannot believe I’m already making a mess of things with Cassio and we haven’t even been married yet. “I’m all out of sorts, I don’t normally behave this way, I promise.”

“You’re allowed to ask,” he offers, posture softening once again. “We’ll get to know each other and questions like these won’t feel like an invasion after a while. Communication is how we develop, Ana.”

“You’re being too nice to me.”

“It’s not difficult, I assure you.” He offers a small, heartening smile. “Since we’re running out of time, we should get to the crux of why I’m here.”

My throat constricts with nerves. “There’s more?”

He’s already checked on my health and given me a family heirloom that is probably worth more money than a car. It appears my groom is more intense than I expected.

“Indeed,” Cassio tells me with a nod. “I have a proposal for you.”

“We’re already getting married,” I attempt to joke, cringing at the lame reply.

“We are.” He offers a smile. “But I wondered, perhaps, if you would be interested in adjusting the type of marriage we are about to enter?”

Frowning slightly, I ask, “Is something wrong with the contract?”