Aaliya slams her hand on my lips. “Stop it. It wasn’t your fault. None of this is your fault. Please, don’t blame yourself for it. What happened was awful and you cannot change it no matter how much you wish it.”

“That day, when I rejected you, we’d received another note. It said that the next time I wouldn’t be so lucky.”

She stiffens in my arms and pulls back to search my face. “Is that why you pushed me away?”

“Yes. I’d decided in Scotland itself I couldn’t continue with you like this. I couldn’t risk making you a part of my life knowing that you may become a target as well. And then that note came in as a sign and I knew I had to let you go. But I can’t stay away from you. I need you, Aaliya. And I’m scared. I fear I’m being selfish and endangering your life.”

“Oh, Damien! I want to be with you no matter what.”

“I have to protect you. I have to keep you safe. I’ve already instructed Mike to get someone to be with you at all times. Is that okay?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Being with me is not going to be easy, Aaliya. The media’s always dogged my footsteps and now, after I’ve inherited this title and lost my memory, they’re all the more fascinated. The fact that you are an Indian will create a huge uproar. The nobility is quite a closed group and although Americans and Europeans and some others are generally accepted, I’m not certain of how they will receive you. The media will tear your life apart bit by bit. They’ll follow us and hound us ruthlessly. You need to know all this before you decide to be with me.”

She blinks and then raises her chin. “I don’t care, Damien. It may be hard but it definitely isn’t going to be impossible. We can keep our relationship away from the media for a while. We have something special between us. It’s rare and I don’t want to lose it—I don’t want to lose you.”

She sniffs as a tear rolls down her cheek.

“Hey, sweetheart! Don’t cry. I want to be with you as well. Being with you makes me feel complete for the first time in months. You are truly special, Aaliya. I was so afraid to bring you into my life. But now that you’re here with me, I don’t think I can let you go.”

I push her down on the sofa and climb on top of her, kissing the tears from her face before I capture her lips. She gives in to me easily and naturally like she always does. I truly am fortunate I found her.

A door closes loudly and both of us sit up.