Lina smiled. “You could never refuse me, As’ad. Just as I could never send you away.”

He held in a groan. So his aunt had taken sides. Why was he not surprised? She had always been soft-hearted and loving-something he had appreciated after the death of his own mother. But now, he found the trait inconvenient.

“Tahir is powerful. To offend him over this makes no sense,” he said.

Lina surprised him by saying, “I agree.”

Kayleen shrieked. “Princess Lina, no! You know these girls. They deserve more.”

Lina touched her arm. “They shall have more. As’ad is right. Tahir should not leave feeling as if his generous offer has been snubbed. Kayleen, you may not agree with what he’s trying to do, but believe me, his motives are pure.”

Kayleen looked anything but convinced, yet she nodded slowly.

Lina turned to As’ad. “The only way Tahir can save face in this is to have the children taken by someone more powerful who is willing to raise them and honor the memory of their father.”

“Agreed,” As’ad said absently. “But who would-”

“You.”

He stared at his aunt. “You would have me take three orphan girls as my own?” It was unbelievable. It was impossible. It was just like Lina.

“As’ad, the palace has hundreds of rooms. What would it matter if three girls occupied a suite? You wouldn’t have to deal with them. They would have your protection as they grew. If nothing else, the king might be momentarily distracted by the presence of three almost-grandchildren.”

The idea had merit, As’ad thought. His father’s attempts to marry off his sons had become unbearable. There were constant parades of eligible young women. An excuse to avoid the events was worth much.

As’ad knew it was his duty to marry and produce heirs, yet he had always resisted any emotional involvement. Perhaps because he knew emotion made a man weak. His father had told him as much the night the queen had died. When As’ad had asked why the king did not cry, his father explained that to give in to feelings was to be less of a man.