Chapter 19
Sonance
He lit the candles as the same scents of food and color of drink were placed before them. The balcony was lit by the stars already, but the moon was shrouded this time. He was trying again as he had that night to win back her trust.
When the servants had gone, he finally spoke. "Jasmine, I want to start over. I know it seems impossible, but you and I have a history of going beyond what's possible."
He reached for her hand, as expected. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything you're going through and what I've put you through. I don't think apologies can do much of anything, but maybe if I say it again and we're alone here like this, I might just have a chance of saving what we're losing."
He clasped her hand more tightly, knuckles brushing against a glass of wine. "We've lost enough, haven't we? Neither of us is to blame, but we do have to take responsibility and move forward, not turn back." He looked encouragingly into her eyes. "We can start again, Jasmine, if we still trust each other. I don't want to lose you."
Words were words, she knew well enough from all her listless writing. She looked at him levelly as she spoke. "What exactly are you saying? What does it mean to start over?"
He was caught off guard, just as expected. He should have known that she had no patience for implications and vague promises. She had only accepted them lately out of shock and helplessness. But there was a limit to how much she would take, and he was retreading the line into uselessness now that she was awake.
"We're not talking about possibility, Aladdin," she said, and discovered her voice had been there all along. "This is reality."
She led him into their room, leaving the elaborate table and stars behind, untouched.
"Show me what you mean," she said once she stood bare before him. He stared speechless as she drew him down on her with insistence and heat that did not touch her eyes. The question of her value to him stood clear in her challenge.
"Show me," she gritted out.