Innocent - Roe Horvat Page 0,2
a word. If only he’d been allowed to talk to Navid alone. The boy fascinated him. Timid but wise for his age, much brighter than his loud, obnoxious brothers yet so careful to voice his opinion.
Bijan and the no-name cousin didn’t pay any attention to Navid.
“There was this restaurant in Berlin—”
Zana ignored them and focused his gaze on the boy. “How do you think one can get to know a country and a nation, Navid?”
Navid blinked, seemingly surprised to be addressed directly.
“I think…” He swallowed. “You need to spend more time there, talk to the local people, and even learn the language. Read their literature, listen to their music. Maybe then you can make conclusions. And even so, every person you’ll meet will be different, won’t they?”
“They will.” Zana smiled. “You’re right.”
“Navid’s never been anywhere,” Bijan said, sounding annoyed.
“I’ve lived in Dalton City for years, and I’m still learning,” Zana said, his eyes only on Navid.
“Where else have you lived?” Navid asked. His curiosity must have overshadowed his shyness for a moment.
“I studied in London, and then I spent some time in Copenhagen for business. Now I mostly stay in Dalton City.”
“You’ve lived on three different continents, then.”
“Yes.”
“Do you miss home?”
“I think of my house in Dalton City as my home. But I miss my parents and brothers who’ve stayed here.”
“So, you prefer living in America?”
“Some things are easier there, yes. And some are harder. I never thought of it as a choice I’ve made consciously. I never twirled a globe and decided where I was going to live. I ended up in Dalton City because of business, and then I got used to it.”
“It must be so different.”
“It is. Millions of people from all around the world. The cultures are mixing in the streets. It’s fascinating. But tell me, Navid. How come you know more about the world than your brothers and cousins who’ve traveled?”
Navid bent his head, smiling softly at the compliment. “I like to read and watch documentaries when I’m allowed.”
“And you think about what you read.” It was a statement, not a question.
“But there’s only so much you can learn from books.”
“You’re still young. With an open mind, you’ll learn as much as you want. But be careful. The more you’ll know, the less you’ll feel you understand.” Zana winked, and Navid blushed.
“I’ve heard that before.”
Zana chuckled. “Of course you have. It’s hard to impress an astute mind, isn’t it?”
And just like that, Zana lost him. Navid looked at his lap. Anytime Zana tried to banter or even flirt a little, the boy withdrew. “I wouldn’t know, Your Excellency.”
The honorific signified Zana’s superiority in their conversation and put a clear boundary between them. Even though Navid’s blood was an even richer shade of blue than Zana’s, he was an omega and more than ten years Zana’s junior. The same honorific was what Zana had to call Navid’s alpha father. Hearing it from Navid’s lips hurt, and by this point, Zana knew very well why he felt it like that.
He was in love.
“Why don’t you call me Zana? We’re friends.”
“It wouldn’t be appropriate, Your Excellency.” After a breath, he added, “I’m sorry.”
“Maybe one day, then.”
Navid’s cheeks bloomed a darker shade of red, and he said nothing, but a slight smile curved his lips. Or was Zana imagining things? Lately, when he’d visited, he’d sensed the boy liked his attention. A hint of excitement showed in Navid’s eyes, and he blushed more often in Zana’s presence. He always listened carefully to whatever Zana was saying and seemed to remember every word they’d exchanged since they’d met.
Zana would have to steal a moment alone with the shy boy. If Navid liked him at least a little, Zana was ready to do anything. He could wait for his prize, but he couldn’t fly back to the States without a promise. That meant talking to Navid and then demanding assurance from His Excellency Sajid. He cringed at the thought of trying to negotiate a long engagement with Navid’s father. Yet he’d met much more difficult adversaries in his career, and he’d always won—every single time.
An hour later, the party moved to the garden. Zana stood on the patio, following Navid with his gaze like a sunflower follows the sun. He was lost already, wasn’t he? Hopelessly. The boy had Zana wrapped around his little finger, and he didn’t have a clue.
The pristine white shirt shone in the daylight, creating a glow around Navid that was so bright it hurt Zana’s eyes.