She was deemed…

“What would they want? We already live together. My father already married me to you. What difference does it make if I love you?”

“The difference is safety. Your safety. My safety. If people think this arrangement is dictated by affection rather than obligation.”

“I don’t care what people think.” I stroked his face with my hand, reaching out to touch him. “I care what I feel. And for the first time in my life, I feel love. I feel someone sees me. Really sees me. Not the wheelchair. Not the disability. Not the burden. You see Ellanar. And I see Josiah. Not the slave. Not the brute. The man who reads poetry, creates wonderful things with iron, and treats me with more kindness than any free man has ever had.”

“If your father knew.”

“My father arranged everything. He brought us together. Whatever happens, it’s partly his fault.” I leaned forward. “Josiah, I understand if you don’t feel the same way. I understand it’s complicated and dangerous. Maybe I’m just lonely and confused. But I needed to tell you.”

He was silent for so long. I thought I’d ruined everything. Then: “I’ve loved you since our first real conversation. When you asked me about Shakespeare and actually listened to my answer. When you treated me like my thoughts mattered. I’ve loved you every day since then, Elellanar. I never thought I’d say that.”

“Say it now.”