Maria glanced back at him with that same bossy confidence.
"Come on, keep up."
Cassius bounded forward like an obedient dog, gesturing grandly toward the throne with the flourish of a perfect valet.
"This way. Your throne is right here, my lady."
Even as Maria found herself amused by the absurdity of being carried on a throne like some ancient empress—concern gnawed at the edges of her excitement.
"Cassius, can you really carry me?"
She hesitated, her cheeks warming as she continued.
"Honestly, after everything you said and everything you did..."
She trailed off, thinking of how he had worshiped her belly, how he had looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world and said in a fluster,
"I really can't say anything bad about my body anymore. Not after all that."
Cassius's face lit up with such genuine happiness that Maria felt her heart flutter. She was finally accepting herself. Finally seeing what he saw.
