TableofContents

BadSheikh'sSurrogateMistress

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

ChapterTwelve

ChapterThirteen

ChapterFourteen

ChapterFifteen

Epilogue

ANOTHERSTORYYOUMIGHTLIKE

SharingaSheikh’sBed

ChapterOne

ChapterTwo

ChapterThree

ChapterFour

ChapterFive

ChapterSix

ChapterSeven

ChapterEight

ChapterNine

ChapterTen

ChapterEleven

Epilogue

BadSheikh’sSurrogateMistress

ByEllaBrooke&JessicaBrooke

AllRightsReserved.Copyright2017JessicaBrooke,EllaBrooke.

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ChapterOne

SheikhZahirAhmedstudiedhismother’severymoveasheeasedintoherthroneroom.The

sheikhahadn’tbeeninthemoodtohostanyofherfamousgalassincehisfather’sdeathfouryearsago,yet

Zahirfoundhergoingthroughfabricswatches,consultingwithherfavoritecaterer,andconferringwith

threeofhermosttrusteddesignersandpartyplanners.Herpartiesusedtobethetalkofthekingdomof

JardaniaandwerefamousthroughouttheMiddleEast…somethingbigwasup,andhewasn’tsurehe

likedit.

Clearinghisthroat,hecametostandbeforeherthrone.“Mother,what’sgoingon?Iwasn'taware

wewerehavingaparty.”

Sheansweredhimwithawry,knowinggrin,beforeclappingherhandstodismisstheservantsand

consultantsfromtheroom.Whilehismotherwaspushingseventyandseemedtobegettingalittlestiffer

eachyear,shestillhadalltheenergyofawhirlingdervishandadeviousmindtomatch.Afterhisfather’s

suddenstroke,sheandhisbrotherJaheerwerehisonlyclosekinleft.Well,andAkmul,butthelesssaid

ofhiscousin,thebetter.

Sheheldherhandouttohimnow.Zahirtookitandgentlypulledhertoherfeet.Heneverminded

helpinghismother.Sheledhimoutofthethroneroomandintotheformaldiningroom.

“What’reyoubrewinguphere?IsthisapartyforthecourtbeforesomegoontheHajj?”

“Youwish,myson,”shesaid,walkingtothenearlyendlesstableandleaningagainstit.“I’mfixing

ourproblem,asit’scometomyattentionthatyouaren’tgoingtosolveitonyourown.”

Hearchedaneyebrowather.“Iwasn’tawarewehaveaproblem.Beyondtheusualissuesofstate,

ofcourse.”

Shesighedandsmoothedherimpeccablegreyhair.“Thisismyfault.Youtookyourfather’sdeath

sohard,somuchharderthanevenJaheerandIdid—”

“Fatherwasagoodman.”

AndthetypeofrulerthatZahirfearedhecouldnevergrowtobe.Healwaysseemedsoeven-

keeled,sosensibleandwisewhenitcametometingoutjusticeforhispeople.AsZahirpouredovereach

day’sagendawithhisgeneralsandadvisers,hecouldonlyprayforAllahtogivehimafractionofhis

father’swisdom.Evennow,hefeltasifthatwouldneverhappen,thathewastheultimateimposter.He

wasfranklyjustgladthatinhisfouryearsoffumbling,Zahirhadn’taccidentallyblownhiscountryoffthe

map.

“Hewas,”shesaid,runningherhandoverhischeekgently,agestureshehadn’tmadesincehewas

asmallchild.Somehow,evenafterallthistime,thegesturemanagedtocomforthim.“Butyouhaven’t

followedhispathcompletely.ArulerofJardanianeedsanheirandaqueen.Iwaitedforyoutodomore

thantoywithEuropeanprincessesandHollywoodstarletsorflirtwitholdassociatesfromuniversity,but

youhaven’t.”

“YoumakeitsoundlikeIneedtohaveaball-and-chain,asmyAmericanassociatessay,inthenext

fiveminutes.Marriageisimportant,butI’mnoteventhirty.It’snotasifI’mtoooldtomakeanheir.”

Hismotherfrownedandpulledawayfromhim.“TherearesomelawsthatIdidn’ttellyouabout.I

wasscaredtobefore,buttherearesomeancientprovisionsabouttheinheritanceofyourtitle.Iassumed

thatfiveyearswasenoughtimetofindawife,thatyouwouldn’twasteit.”

Hestilled,notsurewherethiswasgoingbutknowingitwouldn’tbegood.“Whatdoyoumean,

Mother?Stoptalkingincircles.”

“It’sanoldlaw,almostathousandyearsold,frombackwhenthewarsbetweentribesand

sheikdomsweresobrutal.ThereigningsheikhofJardaniamusthaveanheirwithinfiveyearsafter

assumingthetitle,orheforfeitsittotheclosestmalerelativewhodoeshaveanheir.”

Zahir’sjawtightened.“Youcan’tbeserious.Akmulisn’tfittoleadanything.Mycousin’sacruel

manandanidiot.Hewouldn’tbringanythingbutmiserytoJardania.”

“Thenyouunderstandwhyoursituationisdire.YouhadsomuchstressonyouthatIjustdidn’tfeel

Icouldaddmorebyforcingthisdutyonyou.Butthenyoufritteredyourtimeaway,wastinganychance

forarealrelationship!TheonlychoiceIhaveleftistohostaballandhelpyoufindthemosteligible

candidatesfromtheneighboringkingdoms.Therearemanyfinesheikhs’daughtersandprincessesinthe

region.Therearegirlsfromoilfamiliesandoldmoney…girlsfarmoresuitablethanthoseyou’vebeen

spendingtimewithinAmerica.”

Heblinked.Surely,he’dsufferedastrokeinthelastfiveminutes.Hismotherwasn’tseriously

talkingaboutbringinghimaselectionofpotentialwivessothathemightchooseone,unknown,unloved,

basedon—what?—herpedigreeandbankaccount?Shethoughttheballheronlychoice,buthewouldnot

playPrinceCharmingtoaballroomfullofanonymousgolddiggers.

“I…whataboutwhatIwant?”

“You’vesleptwithhalfofHollywood,myson.”

Heshrugged.“I’myoung,andyoucan’tblamemecompletely.IfI’dknownfouryearsagoIhada

damntickingclockovermyheadthenI’dhavedonesomethingsdifferently!”Hethrewhishandsoverhis

headandstartedtopace.“Youmighthavegivenmealittlemorewarning.”

“Wouldyouhavereallybeenabletofocusonthisresponsibilityafteryourfather’sdeath?Would

youhavereallydoneanythingdifferent?”

“I…”

Hetrailedoffatthat.Thetruthwasthathehadbeenburyinghimselfinwomensincehisfather’s

death.Ofallthethingshe’dtried,onlyfuckingmadehimfeelanythingbutnumb,returnedhimtosome

senseofhimself.Ithadn’tmatteredwhichwomanhesleptwith,aslongashehadsomeonetowarmhis

bedatnight.Hismotherwasn’twrong;hewasn’tsurehecouldhavebeeninwife-huntingmodefour

yearsago.Fuck.Hewasn’tsurethathecouldgethisheadinthegamenow.

“Theballwilltakeplaceinamonth.Youdon’thavetolovethegirl.Youmerelyhavetoagreeto

makeheryourwifeandthemotherofyourchild.Besides,there’salwaystheoptionofamistressor

dalliancesontheside.”

Hefrowned.“Surelyfather…”

Sheshrugged,herfacefallingforjustamomentbeforesherallied,lookingascarefullyneutraland

strongasalways.“Hewasnotthesamemanwhenhewasyoung,either.Hegrewintohiswisdom.Truly,

ifyoueverfeellost,rememberthatittakestimetobecometheruleryou’remeanttobe.”

“Soinamonth?”

“Yes.Dotryandlookpresentablethen,myson.Andcheerup.Whowouldn’twantabevyofthe

mostbeautifulwomenintheMiddleEastvyingforhim?”sheasked,beforeleavingtheroom.

Hesighedandleanedbackagainstthetable.“MaybeIwantsomethingdifferent.”

ChapterTwo

“Comeon,Felicia,whatdoyouhavetodobeforethewinterformalanyway?”Siennaasked.

Felicia’sroommate,thedaughteroftheAmericanambassadortoEgypt,hadallthemoneyandcloutone

wouldexpectoftheusualstudentsattendingtheeliteAmericanUniversityinCairo.

Felicia,ontheotherhand,wasascholarshipgirl.Whileshe’dearnedherwaywithastellarGPA

allsevensemesterssofar,shewaspainfullyawarethatshedidn’tcomefromanupper-classfamily—or

royalty.ShewasjustFeliciaRyanofNowhere,WestVirginia.Sheknewtherewasawallbetweenher

andmostofherclassmates,nomatterhowniceSiennausuallywastoher.

“Onlyinthisplacewouldyouevencallsomethinga‘winter’dancewhenit’sinthe70soutside.”

Siennalaughed,herlong,redcurlsfanningoutdownhershoulders.“Thatcountsaswinterhere!”

Theypassedbythelongrectangularpoolsthroughthemainquad,andFelicia’sattentiondriftedtothe

spoutingpairsofgeyserslinedupthroughthewater.

“Seriously,hello!EarthtoFelicia.Tellmethatyou’regoingtohelpmefinishsomeofthe

decorationstodayanyway.Besides,LouisBenoitwillbethere.”

Feliciastoppedandstraightenedherglasses.God,amIreallythattransparent?“What?”

“Oh,comeon.You’vebeencrushingonLouisforoverayear.Imean,Idon’tthinkeveryone

knows,butI’myourroommate.Icantellwhenyou’rehunguponsomeoneaftersolong.He’sgotsome

last-minutestreamersandballoonstohang,”Siennasaid,hoppingontotherimofoneofthefountains.She

balancedthereeasily,andFelicianolongerworriedthattheothergirlwouldfallin.Siennawasjustlike

that—perfect.Nothingtouchedher.“Justcomewithmeandhelpmegetthelast-minutestuffsetup.”

“Ididn’tevenknowyouwereonthedecorationscommittee.”

“FavortoFairuzawho’stoobusywithagradschoolinterview.Comeon,please?”Siennaasked,

hoppingbackdowntograbFeliciabythearms.“Iwouldn’tbegifIwasn’tdesperate.”

“Fine.Icanstudyforfinalslater.”

“Youcandomorethanstudy.Threeyearsplus,andyouseethestacksmorethanyouseepeople.

Comeon,let’sgettothegymandfixitallupright.”

***

“Hey,”shesaid,

Louisturnedtoherandofferedabrightsmile.“Hey,Fanny,right?You’reSienna’sroommate.”

Hersmilefrozeonherface,almostlikearictusgrin.“I…it’sFelicia.”Sheknewshelookedas

awkwardasshefelt.

Shekeptherhairinasimpleblondebob,onethatwaseasytomanagebutfarfromstylish,andshe

wisheditwerehalfsoluminousasSienna’s.Hermotherhadoftenlamentedthecutbackwhenshe’d

livedathome,backinhighschool.Shewasabitcurvierthantheotherwomenoncampus,too.Okay,ata

sizesixteen,shewasfarcurvierthanSiennawho,nomatterhowheartilyshesnacked,seemedtostay

skinnyasarail.

AtleastSiennahadgivenhersomedistancetotryto(finally)strikeupaconversationwithLouis.

God,whowouldn’twantto?Hewasthestarofthechampionsoccerteam,withhairthecolorofcornsilk

andeyesasblueastheocean.Everythingabouthimexudedconfidenceandmasculinity.

Ifonlysheknewhowtotalktoguyswithoutsoundinglikeatotalspaz.

Henoddedandthenofferedherhishandtoshake.“I’msorry.Felicia.”HisheavyFrenchaccent

trippedoffhistongueandmadehimsoundevenmoredelicious.Hismotherwasoneofthemostfamous

fashiondesignersinParis,sohewasthetypicalAmericanUniversityofCairostudentaswell.

“Whatdoyoustudy?”heasked.

Thisishappening.I’mhavingaconversationwithhim.Don’tbeweird.Comeon,Felicia,don’t

beweird.

“I’manartmajor…sculptureismymedium,butIdootherthings.”

“Oh,cool.SolikedaVinciorsomething.”

“He,uh,didn’tdomuchsculpting.IguessyoucouldthinkmoreMichelangelo.”

“Cool,sodifferentturtle,”hesaidandthenlookedoverhisshouldertowhereSiennawasfinishing

settingupthepunch.Feliciawonderedaboutthat—itseemedearlytoputouttherefreshments.Thedance

didn’tevenstartforseveralhours.

“Huh?”

“Youknow,NinjaTurtles?Ijustdon’tknowmuchaboutart,butIknowalotaboutterrible

cartoonsIusedtowatchasakid.”

Shenoddedandtriedtokeeptalking,triedtoignorethepangofregretthatcamefromrealizinghe

knewverylittleaboutart.Mostpeopledidn’t.Whenshewonherscholarship,hermotherhadchastised

herforgoingintoart,sinceitwouldn’tearnheranymoney.NotthatDarleneRyanknewanythingaboutart

ormoneyorkeepingajob.PartofherhadassumedthatifLouis’smotherwasadesigner,thenthatmaybe

he’dabsorbedthesethingsbyosmosis.

She’dassumedwrong.

Keepinghersmilefrozenonherface,Feliciagamelymovedforward.“Well,Iusedtowatchalot

ofHeyArnold!andSpongeBob.ThatstuffwasgreatwhenIwaslittle.”

“What?Spongewho?”

Sheblushed.

Great,Ididsucceedinsoundinglikeacompleteweirdo.

“It’sashow?It’sthecartoon,youknow?DoyouguyshavethatinFrance?‘Helivesinapineapple

underthesea…’”Shetrailedoffbecausehewasstaringatherlikeshe’dgrownasecondhead.“Or,uh,

not.”

Heshrugged.“Ialwayslikedtheaction-adventurestuff,youknow.Anythinganimewasmygame,

butthePaperTowelBob—”

“SpongeBob.”

“Samedifference,”hesaidabitsharply,wavingheroff.“Anyway,itsoundslikeyouhaveyour

ownquirkytastes.So,doyouknowwhatyou’lldointhesummeroncewegraduate?I’mthinkingof

summeringintheAzores,butthenagain,MomistryingtopushforatouroftheFarEastforsixmonths.

Whateveritis,I’mnotreadytostartmystockbrokerjobuntilatleastayearaftergraduating.SinceFather

knowssomeoneatthefirm,itshouldn’tbeaproblem.Hell,maybeI’lltythebackpackingthinginSouth

America.I’veheardthatthecokethereisprettyintense.”

Sheblinked.Surelyshe’dheardhimwrong.“Sorry?”

“Let’sputitthisway:thebarsinCuzcosellmorethanalcohol,andtheydoitataprettydecentrate

fromwhatIhear.Anyway,whatareyourplans?AreyouandSiennagoingtodosomejointEuropeantour

thingpost-grad?”

Siennacouldprobablyaffordit.Goodthing,too,sinceshehadn’texactlyexcelledattheuniversity.

Honestly,herfriendwasbarelypassingherclasses.Feliciawouldhelpoutwhereshecould,probably

goingabitbeyondtutoringforherfriend,butshefeltsobadforSienna.Theothergirlclearlyhadsome

learningdisabilitiesthatbecameexacerbatedbyherloveofthetwoP’s:partyingandprocrastinating.

“Wehadn’tplannedanything.Frankly,I’mgoingtogohome.SeeifIcangetajobteachingartata

college.Mysisterisonlyfifteen,andI’vereallymissedher.I’dliketobeabletospendmoretimewith

Elena.”

Thelesstimespentaroundhermother,thebetter,butifshehadtoendurethesameoldfightsafter

fouryearsawaytohelpgiveElenaabettershotatcollegeforherselfandmorepeaceathome,then

Feliciawoulddoit.

“Andyou’refrom?”

“WestVirginia.”

Louis’seyeswerebigaspancakes.“Ididn’tknowtherewasa‘west’Virginia.”

“Mostpeopledon’t,”shemuttered.

“Hey!”Siennacalled.“Louis?Canyouhelpmegetmoreballoonswrangledinhereforthearch?”

Herfriendsmiledbrightlyather.“It’llonlytakeasecond,promise!”

FeliciawasactuallymorethanrelievedwhenLouisapologizedandhoppedupfromhisfolding

chairtoaidSienna.Oncebothofthemwereoutofherlineofsight,Feliciaputherheadinherhandsand

wantedtocry.Thatmeetingprobablycouldn’thavegoneworseifshe’dtried.Infact,shewouldn’tbea

bitsurprisedtofindherpictureinthedictionaryasthedefinitionof“awkward.”

“God,I’msuchanidiot.”

HowfarhadSiennaandLouishadtogoformoreballoons?Theyweretakingalongtimetoget

back.Thirsty,Feliciastrodeovertothepunchandpouredherselfaglassfromoneofthefivemassive

bowls.Noonewouldnoticeifshetookalittle.Bringingthecuptoherlips,shefrowned.Thepunch

smelledheavilyofalcohol,ascentsheknewtoowell,thankstohermother’sbadhabits.

Sheherselfnevertouchedit.

Loweringthecup,shefrownedatit.“Whatthehell?”

“That’swhatwe’dliketoknow,”saidDeanBauditz.Heandacouplecampuscopscamestriding

intothehall.“Ineedyoutocometomyoffice,Ms.Ryan.Wejustweretippedoffthatyou’dbeenspiking

thepunch.Youknowweneverservealcoholatourcampuseventsoutofrespectforourobservant

students.Thisprankisoutsidetheboundsoftolerance.”

“I…wait.Youdon’tunderstand.IwasdoingthestreamersandtalkingwithLouis,whileSienna

waspreppingthepunch.”

“SiennaandLouisaren’there,andIdoubtthatoursoccercaptainwouldstooptoanythingsolow

astosetupourmostadherentMuslimstudents.Ms.Ryan,Iamshockedbythislapseinjudgmentfrom

you.Nowcomewithme.”

ChapterThree

Felicia’sheartpoundedpainfullyagainstherchestasshesatrigidinherseat.She’donlybeenin

thedean’spresenceoncebefore,ataceremonyrecognizingtheseniorstudentsontracktoearnhonorsat

graduation.Shewouldn’tbethevaledictorian,butshewasingreatstandingwiththeuniversity.Shehad

tobe,orshewouldloseherscholarship.Adisciplinaryactionfromthedeancouldruineverything.Her

throatwentdryasthegravityofthefuckedupprankSiennaandLouishadpulledcrashedoverher.

Theywon’tkickmeout,willthey?Ididn’tdoanything!

DeanBauditzsatathisdeskandtentedhisfingersinfrontofhim.“Canyouexplainwhat’sgoing

on?”

“YouhavetotalktoSiennaandLouis.Theyknow.Ididn’tdoanything.”

“We’lltrackthemdown,butyouweretheoneonscenewithacupofspikedpunchatherlips.We

caughtyoubreakingschoolpolicy—consumptionofalcoholoncampusisprohibited,evenifyoudidn’t

addittothepunch.Whatwouldyoudoifyouwereinmyposition?”

Feliciathoughtbacktothetrailershe’dgrownupin,tothedayshe’dcriedwhenshe’dreceivedthe

emailfromtheuniversitysayingshewasin,tohowbadlyshedidn’twanttobesenthomeindisgraceand

withoutadegree.Sittingupstraighter,sheforcedherthreateningtearstoretreat.

Ifshewasgoingtobekickedout,thenshewouldfightitthebestshecould.Shewouldshowthe

deanthatevenifshewasn’tthericheststudentorfromthebestfamilythatatleastshehadherdignity.Her

voicewavered,butshesteadieditasshespoke.

“I’drunafullinvestigation.I’dcheckallanglesofthestory,andthenI’dfigureoutwhatIcoulddo

toensureIdidn’tsendaninnocentpersonaway.Checktheevidence,Sir—Ididn’thaveanyliquorbottles

onme.IfI’djustspikedthepunch,whatdidIdowiththebottles?”

“YoudoknowhowimportantSienna’sfamilyis,don’tyou?Youcanappreciatehowmuchmoney

theBenoitfamilydonatedjustlastyear?”

Anarcticchillsweptoverher.Sheunderstoodthenexactlywhatwasgoingon.Thedeandid

believeher,buthealsohadhishandstied.Shewaseasytowriteup,alambtotheslaughterwithno

connectionsorfamilyofimporttospeakforher.Buttheothertwo—theywerewildlyconnected,andthe

schoolcouldn’taffordtopisseither“good”familyoff.

“I…please,youcan’tdothis.Igraduateinfivemonths.”

“I’mafraid,Ms.Ryan,thatyouneedtopackyourbelongings.There’snothingIcando.”

“PerhapsIcandosomething,”anewvoicesaidfrombehindher.

Confused,sheturnedtoseeoneofthemosthandsomemenshe’deverseencrosstheroom.He

stoodclosetosix-fiveorsix-sixinheightandhadimpossiblybroadshoulders.Hisbrowneyeswerethe

coloroffreshlygroundcoffee,andhehadhighcheekbonesandastrongchincoveredbyaclosely

trimmedgoatee.Hisvoicecarriedahintofanaccent,butFeliciacouldn’tplaceit.She’dgottenpretty

goodatidentifyingaccents,sinceshe’dbeenincosmopolitanCairoforsolong,soitwasanodd

sensationtobesopuzzled.SomethingMiddleEastern,sheguessed,butthatmighthavebeenbasedas

muchonhisduskycomplexionasthesoundofhiswords.Butwhyhewasevenhere—inthisofall

meetings—shehadnoclue.

DeanBauditzleapedtohisfeet.“SheikhAhmed,thisisnothingyouneedtoconcernyourselfwith.I

apologizeforrunninglate,butwehadasituationarise.”

Thesheikhshookhisheadandstaredintentlyather.Sheshiveredunderhisscrutiny.Hisgaze

unsettledher;itfeltasifthemancouldseerightintohersoul.

God,doyouknowhowscaredIam?Howdesperate?

“Well,sinceyouwererunningsolate,Icouldn’thelpbutcomeintomakesurethateverythingwas

well.FromwhatIcantell,thisyoungwomandeservesasecondchance.”

“Ican’tdothat.Ihavethewitnessstatementsthatshewasviolatingschoolpolicy,andthoseother

students…”

“Needtobeleftalone,”thesheikhsaid,evenasheshookhishead.Feliciasuspectedthat’snot

quitehowthedeanwouldhavefinishedhissentence,butitprobablystruckclosertothetruth.“Myfamily

hasaseatontheboardoftrusteesandhashadoneforyears.Perhapsyouknowthatafterourmeeting

aboutthenewstudentactivitiescenter,I’mscheduledtomeetwiththeuniversitypresidentaboutour

annualseven-figuregift.I’dhatetodisappointhim.Afterall,evenmygreat-grandfathercamehere.It’sa

proudtraditionwiththeAhmedfamily,butIwouldn’twanttosupportaninstitutionthatcannotliveupto

thestandardsofjusticeandopennessitclaimstoteach.”

“I…”

“It’salsoclosetotheholidayseason,somanyholidays,”thesheikhcontinued.“Ifevertherewasa

timeyoucouldshowmercy,thennowwouldbeit.Usethatasanexcuseifyouwant,butifyoupunishan

innocentwoman,thenmyfamilywillbeforcedtomakeouryearlydonationselsewhereandtosendour

youngpeopletootheruniversities.Andwhatashamethatwouldbe.”

ThedeancamearoundhisdesktoFelicia.Thenhetookherhandandshookitvigorouslyasifshe

wereasimportantasthesheikh,himself.“Ms.Ryan,I’mverysorryforthisconfusion.It’sallan

unfortunatemistake.You’refine.Infact,I’lltalkwithyourprofessorsandallowyoutobeginyourwinter

breakearly.Youwon’tneedtoturninfinalprojectsortakefinalexams.”

“Mygrades…”

“Theywillbepreserved,Ms.Ryan.”

“Itsoundslikewe’veallcometoadecisiontogether,”thesheikhsaid.“Now,DeanBauditz,ifyou

couldstartmakingthosearrangements,IwouldliketospeaktoMs.Ryanone-on-one.”

Ifthedeanthoughttherequestwasasstrangeasshedid,hecertainlydidn’tshowit,scurryingout

ofthedoorashedid.Whenmoneytalked,apparently,itscreamed.

Feliciawaited,unsureofwhatthehellwasgoingon,asthesheikhleanedagainstthedeskinfront

ofher.Hiswell-tailoredsuitstretchedtightlyoverhismuscledchest,makinghimseemmoreimposing

thanhealreadydid.Thoseeyesofhisstudiedher,travelingherbodywhilehismouthquirkedintoa

satisfiedsmile.Feliciagrewimpatientwiththesilence.

“I…SheikhAhmed,Iamsogratefultoyouforsteppingin.YouhavenoideahowscaredIwas

abouteverything.Ijustdon’tunderstandwhyyou’dhelpme.”

“First,”hesaid,crossinghisarmsoverhischest.“Theyweregoingtomakeaninnocentperson

sufferbecauseofthewhimsofsomerichassholes.Imighthavebenefittedfromthosesortsofthingsinmy

past,butI’mnolongertwenty-twoandself-absorbed…well,notcompletely.Itwasn’tfair,andIhate

injustice.”

“Butthere’sanotherreason?”sheasked,feelingherwordsalmostcatchinherthroat.

Heleanedforwardandnodded.“Yes,andthisisgoingtosoundodd,Iknow,butIneedafavor

fromyou.”

“What?”

“Ineedyoutocarrymychild.”

ChapterFour

Shejumpedtoherfeet.Shehadtobehearinghimwrong.

Maybeshe’dfallenintotheTwilightZoneatsomepointinthelasthour.Notonlyhadherroommate

—someoneshethoughtwasherfriend—andhercrushcompletelyscrewedheroverwithaprank,notonly

wasthedeannowbendingoverbackwardstomakeherhappyandstartheronanearlyholidaybreak…

oh,no.Nowshehadthesheikhofacountryshe’dneverheardofaskinghertowhat?Havesexwithhim?

Didtheyneedtoclearthepapersoffthedeskfirst?

Shebackedawayfromhim,holdingherhandsoutinfrontofher,aninstinctivereactionthat

wouldn’treallyprotectherfromamanasbigashewas.Still,shewasn’tgoingtojustgettakenwithouta

fight.

“Areyoucrazy?Ifthisisthethingthatkeepsmeinschool,thenyoucanjustshovetheofferyou-

know-where.I’mnotdoingthat.”

Hestartedtostandbutdidn’tfollowthroughwiththemotionwhenshestartedboltingforthedoor.

“Ms.Ryan,pleasewait!”

“Wait?You’regoingtoattackme!”

“Isaidnosuchthing.IsaidIneedyoutocarrymychild—that’sdifferent.Imeantasasurrogate.

Mykingdomhasveryspecificrulesaboutinheritingthethrone,andinorderformetocementmy

inheritance,Ineedanheirinthenexttwelvemonths.Icantellalreadyyou’reawomanofcourageandof

integrity.IhaveafeelingifIstartlookingthroughyourotherrecords,I’llseeevenmoregoodqualities

aboutyou.”

“Didyoucometodonatetoacollege?”shesaid,herhandhesitatingonthedoorknob.“Ordidyou

cometoseduceagirl?Maybepickoutabroodmareortwo,incasethefirstonedoesn’tworkout?Thisis

insane.”

“Iwon’trescindwhatIdidforyouwiththedean.Whathewastryingtodowaswrong,nomatter

howonelookedatit.”

“Well,Ithankyousomuchforyourmercy,”shesaid,feelingherbreathcomeoutinraggedgasps.

“I’mserious.I’mofferingyouninemonths,atleast,inthelapofluxuryinmypalace,thechancefor

youtoreturnandfinishyourcourseworkafterthepregnancy,andfivemilliondollarsinyourbank

account,andImeanfivemillionaftertaxes.Ifyouinvestitcarefully,youcanliveoffitfortherestof

yourlife.Itwillbedonethroughartificialinseminationandcompletelyclinical.Ijustneedhelp,andafter

seeingyoutoday,I’dpreferyouoversomewillingcowmymotherfindsataball.”

“Yes,howhorriblethatmustbeforyou,”shesaid,morethanalittlesarcastically.“Youreallyare

crazy.Idon’tcarewhatyoudidforme,notifit’sapreludetoacrazyrequest!Somepeoplecan’tbe

bought.Ican’tjusttakeayearofmylifeforthis.Ican’t.”

ShehatedCharleston,WestVirginia,withafierypassion,butshe’dbeengoneforalmostfouryears

now.Sheneededtobebacktohelpherlittlesister.IfshecoachedElenarightthenhersister,too,could

escapefromthetrailerparkthatgenerationsoftheirfamilyhadseemedtiedtoo.Theybothcouldleave

thedarkhollersofthepastbehind.OnemoreyearcouldbesohardonElena,but,thenagain,withthe

kindofmoneyhewasoffering,shecouldbribehersis’swayintoHarvardorsomething.

Orthesheikhcoulddoitforyou…

Sheshovedthatvoiceoutofhermind.Itwasstilltooinsane.Shewasn’tgoingtoentertainthis

idea,notever.Herbodywasn’tforsalelikethis,nomatterhowclinicalhewasgoingtomakeit.

SheikhAhmedstooduptallfinally,buthedidn’tleavehispositionagainstthedesk.“Ms.Ryan,

pleaseconsidermyoffer.I’llbeintownonbusinessforafewmoredays.Thinkaboutwhatmoneyofthis

typecandoforyourfuture.Thisisn’tsalacious.It’snotaboutsex.”

Shesnorted.Thingswerealwaysaboutsexintheend.Shedidn’ttrustthatamonarchusedto

gettinghiswayineveryothersensewasn’thopingformorethantheturkeybastermethodandsome

clinicianssettinguphersurrogacy.“Idon’tknowifI’msoldonthat.Thisisthemostinsanething

anyone’severaskedmetodo,andIwon’triskmyormysister’sfutureonthisscheme.Idon’tcareifyou

offermetenmilliondollars,I’mnotavailable.”

“Icandothat.”

Sheblinkedandfeltherjawdropopen.Therewasnowayhe’dreallyjustsaidthat.Therewasno

wayacompletestrangerjustofferedhertenmilliondollars—aftertaxes—foranything.She’dneverbeen

worththatkindofmoneybeforeandneverwouldbe.

“What?”

Hewalkedovertoher,slowlyandwithawarmsmileonhisface.Whenhestoodbeforeher,she

couldn’thelpbuttakeinhisscent,aspicymixofcinnamonandturmericthattickledhernose.Pullingout

hiswallet,heextractedabusinesscard.

“Ifyouchangeyourmind,callmeanytimeinthenextthreedays.Theoffer’sonthetable,andIdo

wantyoutothinkitoververycarefully,Ms.Ryan.Ithinkwecanhelpeachother.”

Withthat,hehandedherthecardandwalkedoutoftheoffice.

***

Hermindchurnedasshewalkedacrosscampustowardherresidencehall.Everythingthathad

happenedinthelasthour—God,wasitonlyanhour?—playedoverandoverinherbrain.Howhadshe

gonefromfinallytalkingtohercrushtoalmostbeingkickedoutofschoolto…what?Astrangesheikh’s

wife?Hehadn’tsaidanythingaboutmarriage.Hismistress?Somehowthemotherofhischild,andshe

didn’tbelieveitwouldjustbeinvitro,notwhenhestaredatherwiththatsmolderinglook.Herface

burnedatthememory.

Andtenmilliondollarsforit.

Thatkindofmoneywouldsolvesomanyproblems.Itwouldbeenoughforhertojustbeanartist

fortherestofherlifeandneverhavetoworryaboutadayjobifshedidn’twantone.Itwouldbeenough

forhersistertogotoanycollegeshewanted,noscholarshipneeded.ItwouldeasetheRyanfamily

troublesforever,ifsheletit.Partofherwantedtotakeit,tothrowcautiontothewindanddowhathe

asked.Maybeitwouldn’tbesobad.Thenagain,she’dbesellingherbodytoastrangeman,inafashion.

Sure,shecouldatleasttellhewaswhohesaidhewas,especiallywiththewayDeanBauditzdeferredto

himlikeascurryingrat.

Butit’sinsane.

Thatwasthemainthingthatthunderedthroughherbodyandhersenses,theinsanityofthewhole

thing.Itwastheonlythingonherradarwhensheopenedthedoortoherdormroom,andshewishedto

Godthatithadn’tbeen.Ifshe’dbeenpayingattention,shemighthaveseenthesockonthedoorknob.Asit

was,shegotaneyefulofSiennaandevenmoreofLouiswrithingundersomeofherroommate’scovers.

Torture.

“What’sgoingon!”shedemandedcoveringhereyeswhentheyjumpedapartandshesawpretty

mucheverythingofSienna.

Shekepthereyessqueezedshutthroughtheshouting,bumpsagainstthewall,andalitanyofcurses

inFrenchandEnglish.Thensomeonebrushedpasther,andshefeltthewindfromtheslammingdoor.

Whenshedaredtoopenhereyesagain,Siennawasatherdeskwithat-shirtandshortssloppilygathered

upoverher.

AtleastI’mnotseeingeverythinganymore.

Feliciacrossedherarmsoverherchestandglaredatherroommate,whoshe’dconsideredafriend

untileverythinghadgonesohorriblywrong,becomesoutterlyfuckedup.“Doyouwanttoexplaintome

what’sgoingon?Whatthehellisanyofthisabout?Whydidyousetmeupsobadly?”

Siennashruggednonchalantly,asifshehadn’tjustbeencaughtinflagrantewithLouis.“Ineeded

youthelastthreeandahalfyears.Iwouldn’thavepassedatallwithoutyou,butIknowyou.You’relikea

genius.Ifyou’dreallybeentryingtohelpmewithmywork,ifyou’dreallycared,thenI’dbemorethan

justbarelypassing.”

“Ican’ttakeawholesociologymajorforsomeoneelse.IdidwhatIcouldbecauseIknowyou

struggle,andmaybeIdidtoomuch.Iwastryingtofindthelinebetweenhelpingyouandnotcheatingtoo

much.Myrewardforkeepingyoufromflunkingwastogetkickedoutofschool?”

“Youneverwantedanythinggoodforme.YouhopedthatI’dfinallyjustflunkout.I’mgladthatI’m

graduatingearly,”shesaid,standingupandleaningagainstthelipofthedesk.“Thisiswhatallofthis

wasabout—mygraduation.You’vebeentryingtosabotagemeforalongtime,andIwantyoutofeelhow

Ifeel,whatit’sliketobethoroughlyhumiliatedandhavetosmile.Idon’tgethumiliated.Youalways

resentedmystatus.”

“God,youaresoself-absorbed.Ifyouwantedbettergrades,youcouldhavegonetothetutoring

center.AndI’msureyourparentswouldhavefoundawaytohelpyou.Ishouldn’thavehelpedyouwith

somuchforsolong,letalonegotyouonthehonorroll.”

“Youdidn’thelpthatwell.SonowIfeellikeanidiot,goinghometoNewYorkwithbarelya2.0

GPA.ServesyourighttofeelapartofthepainandembarrassmentIhave.”

Feliciashookherhead,incompletedisbeliefoverwhatshewashearing.“Ineversetouttohurt

you.Ijustwantedtohelp.IfI’dbeenabetterfriend,thenIwouldhaveencouragedyoutogethelpfrom

theuniversityoryourparents.”

“I’mnotsupposedtobelikethat.Noonecanknowhowhardthisisforme.Itwouldn’tpleasemy

parents…I’drathertheythinkI’mlazythanstupid.”

“You’renotstupidifyouhavelearningdisabilities.Ishouldn’thavetriedtodothisallalone,but

youdidn’thavetotryandruinmylife.God,youdidn’thavetostealLouiseither!”Feliciasaid,throwing

herhandsoverherheadinutterdesperation.

Siennaheldherchinuphighandevaluatedherwitheyesinnarrowslits.“Thatwasaperk.Ididn’t

havetostealhim.Hedidn’tevenknowyouexisted.Nooneknowsyouexist.You’rejusttheshadow

aroundhere.YouwanttobreakawaysobadlyfromWestVirginia,butyou’vespentalmostfouryears

hidinginthedarkestcornersofthelibraryandtheartstudio.Iwasn’truiningthatmuch.”

“God,I’msogladthedeansawthroughyourbullshit,”Feliciahedged,innomoodtohashout

SheikhAhmed’sappearanceorhisstrangedeal.“Justgetout.”

“It’smyroomtoo.”

Feliciastrodeforwardandglaredatherroommate,eyesblazing.“Youneedtogetthehelloutright

now,oryou’regoingtoendupintraction.Andsinceyou’regraduatingearly—becauseofme,noless—

maybeyoucanstaysomewhereelseforafewdays.It’dbebestforyou.”

“Nowyougrowabackbone.Maybeyoushouldthankmeforthat.”

“Idon’thavetothankyouforanything.Hell,youshouldthankmeforthefactyouhaveacollege

degreeatall.”

“Thanks,bitch,”Siennasaid,knockingagainsthershoulderandshovingherjustabitasshedidit.

“Oh,yoursistercalled.Shesoundedpanicked.Youmightwanttoseewhatsheneeded.Iguessyouhad

yourcelloffwiththedean?”

“Youknow,”FeliciasaidasSiennaopenedthedoor.“Youmightthinkyou’resoamazingbecause

yourfamilyisrichorbecauseyou’reanambassador’skid,butthereareotherthingstobe,betterthings.”

“Smart?”

“Kind,”shecorrected.“It’simportanttobekind.”

Siennashrugged.“Ithasn’thelpedyoumuch.”Withthat,sheslammedthedoor.

Adrenalinerushedthroughherforaboutthebillionthtimethatday.IfElenahadcalledher,then

thingswerebad.Theysharedcallsonceaweek,onSaturdayorSunday,becauseofthetimedifference.

Elenashouldbeinschoolrightnow—itwasmid-morninginWestVirginia.

Dialingthenumberswithheavyfingers,Feliciafeltthetensionstretchacrossherskinuntilher

sister’svoiceansweredontheotherline.

“Felicia,ohthankGod.”

AllherothertroublesmeltedawaywhenFeliciaheardtheutterfearinhersister’svoice.“What’s

wrong?Areyouokay?”

“Yeah,ImeanI’vehadbetterdays,butI’mokay.It’saboutMom.”

Felicia’shandtensedonthereceiver.“Whathappened?Doessheneedbailmoney?Idon’thave

muchsavedup,butIcanwireabouttwothousanddollars.Iwassavingitincaseweneededit.”

“No…I…sheoverdosedlastnightonheroin.She’sgoingtomakeit,butthey’regoingtohaveto

keepherforafewmoredays,andIhavenoideawherewe’regoingtogetthemoneytocoverit.And

somesocialservicesladyisgoingtomakemeleavehomeatleastuntilMomisoutofthehospital,and

maybeafterthat,unlessMomcangetclean.I’mreallyscared,Felicia.Theysaidyoucouldtakecareof

me,but…”

Feliciaheldherhandoverthemouthpieceandtriednottoswearloudlyenoughforhersisterto

hearit.She’dlivedthroughacoupleofotherbadhospitalizationswithhermomwhenshehadbeenin

middleschool,butElenahadbeensolittleshewouldn’trememberthem.Theirdadhadstillbeenaround

then,soshehadn’thadtofacethepossibilityoffostercare,thoughhe’dbeenacompletedeadbeatwhenit

cametoworking.Backthen,there’dbeenalittlefromwhenhermotherstillhadajobatWal-Martand

thenHomeDepot,buthermotherhadn’tbeenemployedinoverayear.Thissoundedlikeseriousmoney,

andFeliciahadnoideahowtocoveritoranytherapyortreatmenthermommightneedafterward.

Steelingherself,shebroughtthephonebackinrangeandtriedtousehersunniest,Stepfordvoice.

“Sweetie,listentome.I’mgoingtofigurethisout.I’mgoingtofindawaytogetthemoneytogetherfor

thisandtogetMomrealhelp,arealchanceatrehab.Ipromise.Maybe…maybeyoucancomehere.”

“How?Idon’tthinktryingtobuyalotteryticketandhopingforthebestisgoingtodoit.Felicia,it

wasreallybad.Ifoundher,andshewassocold.IthoughtIwastoolate!”

Sheshookherheadandbitherliptokeepfromswearingagain.“Honey,don’tworry.Ihavean

idea,andyouhavetotrustmeonthis.Icangetthefunds,andIcangetyououthereforawhile.”

“ToEgypt?”

“Um,actuallyalittlefartherout.HaveyoueverheardofJardania?”

ChapterFive

Zahirpassedthecellphoneeagerlybackandforthbetweenhishands.Theslimdevicestill

managedtofeelheavyinhishands.InthehourssinceMs.Ryanhadstormedoutofthedean’soffice,he’d

researchedmoreaboutherandhadhisteamresearchherschoolrecords.Healreadyknewshehad

integrityandgrit;evenwiththedeanbearingdownonher,she’dhadthecouragetocallouthisunjust

behavior.Andboy,wouldhehavetoworkongettinganewdeanforhisalmamaterassoonaspossible.

Hecouldn’tevenexplainwhatitwasaboutherthathadstruckhimatfirst.He’dseenherrushing

acrossthecampusandintothedean’sofficeaheadofhim,butsomethingaboutherfiercelydetermined

greeneyes,shimmeringwithunshedtears,drewhimtoher,andhewantedtopushhishandsthroughher

soft,goldenbob.Now,ashepouredoverherrecordsandsawherstringofAs,aswellastheportfolioof

heretherealandentrancingsculptures,heknewhehadtohaveher.Herintellectandcreativitywould

benefithisfuturechildandaddtothekeenmindsoftheAhmedlineage.

Heknew,deepinhisbones,thatshewouldbringtherighttraitstotheAhmedline.

Butitwasmorethanthat.Headmiredherspirit.Mostpeoplefawnedoverhim,mostwouldask

himhowhightheyneededtojumptosecurethemoney.Butshe’dstaredathimandtoldhimwhereto

shoveit.Thatfeistyspiritwouldn’tjustserveanheirwell,butwouldalsobeperfectforthesheikhato

rulebyhisside.

Wait,youweren’tevenofferingthat.Motherhasherball.

Andshehadn’tcalled.Othermeninhispositionwouldapplypressure.Heknewthatthenearby

sheikhofOmanhadprocuredhiswifethroughless-than-legalmeans.Therumorwashe’dabductedher

fromaclubinManhattan,and,eventually,hissheikhahadfallenforhim.However,theveryideaof

forcingsomethinglikethatonanywomanturnedhisstomach.Yes,heenjoyedhisfun,butheonlyenjoyed

itwhenitwasconsensual.Besides,nottobeimmodest,butwithhiswealthandlooks,he’dneverhadto

beganyoneforconsideration.

Again,thatbroughthimbacktotheconundrumofMs.FeliciaRyan.Shewassoalluringinpart

becauseshewouldn’tbendeasilytohiswill,butheonlyhadahopeofbeingnearheragainifshetook

hisoffer.Allofthislefthimglaringathiscellandwaitingforhercall.

Logicwasonhisside,asbizarreashisrequestmightseemtoher.Afterall,tenmillionwasan

impossiblyhighamountformostpeopletogiveup.Itwaschumpchangetohim,withtheoilmoneythe

Ahmeddynastycontrolled.Hejusthadtobepatient.

Askillherarelypracticed.

Thephonefinallydingedinhishand,andhewastednotimeanswering.“Zahirhere.Talktome.”

“Ah,hello?I…thisisFelicia,uh,Ms.Ryan.Iwasthegirlintheofficethismorning.Wait,that’s

stupid.Imean…SheikhAhmedgavemehisnumber.”

“Thisisthesheikh.”

Therewasasharpintakeofbreath,andhehadtosmile.Maybehe’daffectedhermorethanhe’d

initiallythought.“YoucanfeelfreetocallmeZahir.Infact,I’dpreferthat,Felicia.”

Yes,hedidmakehisvoicecomeoutmorelikealowrumblethanusual.Helikedtothinkofthe

youngwomanbeingoverwhelmedontheotherend,lovedtoimaginethosepalecheeksflushingadeep

scarlet.

“Mymother’ssick.Ijustfoundout.Idon’twanttodothisnomatterhowclinicalyousayitwould

be.”

“Isee.Well,goodday,Ms.Ryan.”

“Wait!”sheshouted,desperationinhervoice.“IjustwantedyoutoknowifIhadanotherchoice,

I’dtakeit.She’sinthehospital,andIcan’tcoverthemedicalbills,andmylittlesisterisbackinthe

Stateswithher,andshe’sjustfifteen.I’mdesperateandI’lldoanythingforthem.Please,canyouhelp

me?IfItakethedeal,Imean?”

Hisheartskippedabeat.WhileZahirwasgladthatshewascomingtohim,andevenfasterthanhe

couldhavehopedforbeforehisthree-daydeadline,he’dneverwishharmonanyone.Thefactthather

motherwassoillturnedhisstomachandmadehimfuriousatfatefordolingoutsomuchharshnessto

Felicia.

“I’lldowhateveryouneed.I’llpaytomovehertothehospitalofyourchoiceandcoverallthe

care,buyadamnwingifIneedto.”

“I…thankyou.I’llmeetyouwhereveryouneedtoarrangeeverythingcorrectly.Theonethingis,

whilemymom’srecovering,mysisterElenacan’tbeonherown.”

“Thenshe’llbeasrespectedaguestatmypalaceasanyheadofstate.Now,tomorrowmeetmeat

Giza’sFirstMall.”

“We’regoingshopping?”

“No,butIthinkit’sbesttodiscussarrangementswithafullstomach.Nowgivemeallthehospital

informationyouknow,andmyteamwillbeonthatimmediately.”

***

Shehadn’texplainedeverythingtoElenayet.Inthelastday,she’dbeenrelievedenoughjustto

knowthatSheikhAhmed—no,Zahir—hadbeentruetohisword.Hermotherhadbeenmovedtoaprivate

roomandhadaspotreservedforherinthebestresidentialdrugtreatmentfacilityinCharleston,andher

sisterwasalreadyonaflighttoCairo.

TogetherthethreeofthemwouldflyouttoJardania.Shewasn’tsurehowsoon,buttheywould

settlethosearrangements—andthewholebabything—overdinner.Shejustwasn’tsurewhatelseZahir

thoughtwouldcomeofthisnight.Sheneededthemoney,butshe’dbeenserious.Shewasn’tgoingtojust

sleepwithanyone,nomatterhowmuchheoffered.WhateverhadtohappentoproducethenextAhmed

heirhadtobeclinical—artificialinseminationorinvitro.

Shewasstickingbythatrule.

Ofcourse,thatapproachdidn’tseemtobeonZahir’smind,notwhenshewalkeduptoLaMaison

Blanche,therestaurantwhoseaddresshe’dtextedherearlierthatday.She’dwornablackpencilskirt

andablouse,aimingforsomethingprofessionaltotryandkeepsomesemblanceofsanityintheirmeeting.

However,sheimmediatelyfeltunderdressed.Evenatonlysixo’clockintheevening,everyonecomingin

andoutoftheFrenchrestaurantwasdressedtothenines,intuxedosandcocktaildressesthatshimmered

underthelights.NotthatFeliciawouldhavehadachoiceinthematter.Itwasn’tlikeshehadformalwear

fillinghercloset.Justoneofthosedressesprobablycostthreethousanddollars.

Desperately,sheflattenedherpalmsagainstherskirt.Shedidn’thaveanironatherdorm,and,

eventhoughshe’dhungitupinthebathroomwhilesheshowered,hopingthesteamwouldhelp,theskirt

stilldidn’tlieperfectlysmoothly.

“God,I’msuchanidiot.”

“Idon’tthinkso,”alow,sultryvoicerumbledbehindher.“Felicia,youlooklovely.”

Takingadeepbreath,sheturnedandstaredupintoZahir’sdarkbrowneyes,likewarmpoolsof

coffeeshecoulddrinkinforever.Justbeingthisneartohimenergizedherinwaysshecouldn’thave

imagined,andsheletoutabreath,remindingherselfnottoloseherlevelheadtoheremotions.Thiswas

allabouthermomandsister,aboutgivingupayearofherlifeandriskingthingswithherbodyforthem.

Thiswasn’tabouthowgorgeousZahirwasorthescentofhim—thatturmericandcinnamon—driving

partsofhermadthesecondshesmelledit.

“Ihadnoideathisplacewassofancy.Ididn’tmeantoembarrassyou.”

Heheldupacrookedarmforher.“Youaretheguestofasheikh,ofaheadofstate.Whateveryou

weartonightwillbethefashionstatementofCairotomorrow.”

“Ihighlydoubtit.IlooklikeI’mgoingintoapplyforatempjob.”

“Thentemp-jobtrendyitshallbefromnowon,Felicia,”hechuckled,waitingpatientlyuntilshe

slippedherarmthroughhis.“Now,comewithme.Ihaveaprivatetablereserved,andthelambisalready

supposedtobeonthetable,readytodevour.Waitingiscompletelyoverrated,don’tyouthink?”

Hereyeswidened,andsheclampedhermouthshutbeforeshesaidthathecouldn’tdothat.Of

coursehecould.WhenyouwerethesheikhofanentirenationandworthmorethanMarkZuckerbergwith

youroilfortune,youcouldprobablydoanythingyouwanted.Hownicethatmustbeforhim.

“Then,ifyoudon’tmindmylookinglikealibrarian,I’dlovetocomewithyou.”

“Myhonor,”hesaid,leadingherintotherestaurant.

Hereyeswidenedasshelookedaroundher.Theinterioroftherestaurantwasnothinglikeshe’d

expected.She’dthoughtit’dbeFrenchprovincial,somethingthemedtolooklikeafarmhouseorchaletin

thesouthofFrance.Ifnotthatdesign,thenmaybesomethingstillclassicandintimidatingwithcherry

woodandababygrandpianointhecornerplayingstandardsfromtheforties.ButeverythingaboutLa

MaisonBlachescreamedmodernclub,fromtheexpansivewhitewallstothemid-centurymodernchairs,

shapedalmostlikehollowedouteggshells.Thentherewasthebartoherleft,withbrighthalogen

underlightingaswellasthreeLCDscreensshowingdifferentswirlingpatternsthatdistractedtheyeye

fromthearrayoftopshelfliquors.Overhead,hugechandeliersglittered.Theywereperfectlyspherical

andhadasixtiesaestheticthatwouldhavelookedrightathomeinAustinPowersoraclassicJames

Bondfilm.Thetrippydisplayofmodernandmid-centurylookswasnothinglikeanyplaceshe’dever

eatenbefore.

Astheypassedthroughthemaindiningroom,thecrowdturnedtowatchthem.Feliciacouldn’thelp

butsquirmunderthescrutiny,feelinglikenothingbutaneyesorebeforetheuppercrustofCairo.Afterall,

shewastooheavy,tooplain,andheroutfitwasmadeforajobinterview,notanightonthetown.

Besideher,Zahirstilledjustlongenoughtoleandownandwhisperinherear.“Youdon’thaveto

worry.Infact,neverworryabouthowyouseemtoothers.Forthenextyear,you’reonmyarm,andyou’re

thesurrogateforthenextsheikhorsheikhaofJardania.Peoplewillwanttobeyou;theywillstare

daggersatyouinenvy.Letthem.”

Despitetheoddityofthesituation,Zahir’swordscomfortedher.Astheymadetheirwaytothe

tableinthecorner,shefoundherselfholdingherchinhigher,felttheconfidenceflowingthroughher.At

leastfortonight,someonethoughtshemattered,anditgaveherthejoltofconfidencesheneededtoface

thestatesofthecrowdaroundher.Whentheygottothetable,shieldedfromtherestofthediningroomby

astrategicallyplacedscreen,Zahirsurprisedherbypullingachairoutforher.

Shefrownedathim.“Youdon’thavetodothatforme.”

Heofferedherasmirkthatheatedherstomach,despiteherdesiretokeepalevelhead.Blushing,

shelookedawayashespoke.“Idon’thavepeopleforeverything,myartiste.Sometimes,Iwanttoshow

mycompanionthatI’magentleman.”

Sheslidintothechairandtookabitofpleasureinthemasculinescentofhimashehoveredover

herandpushedinherchair.Partofher,somesmallpartthatwasbeginningtoacceptthecrazychangesin

hercircumstances,wasthrilledtohavehisstrongarmssoclosetoher.Shakingherhead,shetriedto

forceherselftostayfocused.TheyneededtofigureoutwhatthefutureheldforherandElenaandneeded

todiscussallthetermsofthe—oh,lord—inseminationandpregnancy.

Comeon,Felicia,staysharp.Thisisn’tadate.Thisisthemostscrewedupbusinessyou’veever

beeninvolvedin.

“Youlikerackoflamb,Ihope?”heasked,ashetookhisseatandservedherthemedium-rare

chopshimself.

Shegrinnedathim.“WhatwouldyoudoifIsaidthatIdon’teatmeat?”

“Well,thatwouldbethefirstthingtogo.Ineedthebabytogetallitsnutrients.Whoeverheardofa

veganinfant?”

Shechuckled.“Isaidvegetarianbut,ohplease,I’mfromWestVirginia.Weeatmeatmorethan

threemealsaday,whichprobablyisn’tgoodforyoueither,butIlovemesomesausage.”Sheblushed,

realizinghowthatsoundedoutloud.“YouknowwhatImean.”

“IthinkIdo,”hesaid,hisvoiceavelvetychucklethatshecouldhavefallenintoforever.Thenhe

placedsomeasparagusontoherplatenexttothemeat.“Theysaythatasparagusisanaphrodisiac.”

“Ithinktheyhavetosaythatbecauseithassuchabitteraftertaste.Youhavetomakeupstories

abouttheamazingpowersofsomanyfoods,”shesaid,cuttingabiteandputtingitinhermouth.She

couldn’thelpmoaningabitwiththetaste,however.“Oh,wow,theyputlotofbutteronthis.Itdoestaste

amazing.”

“Everythinghereisbeyondsucculent;I’mgladyoulikeit.”

“OfcourseIdo,”shesaid,cuttingintoherlamb.Themeatwassosoftthatitpracticallymelted

onceittouchedhertongue,andshelickedherlipsasthejuicetraileddownherchin.“That’sevenbetter.”

Zahirpulledouthisnapkinanddabbedatherchin.Hewassoclosethenthatshecouldfeelhis

breathagainstherskin,warmandfresh.Itwouldbesoeasytokisshim,toletherselffallcompletelyfor

hischarms,butthiswasonlybusiness.Itwaswhatshehadtodotosaveherfamily,andnomatterwhat,

shehadtorememberthat.

“I…youhadabitonyourchin.”

Shenoddedandpulledbackabit,gratefulthatthespellbetweenthemwasbroken.“Thankyou.

Now,seriously,what’stheplanhere.I’mjustthe…”shehesitatedandloweredhervoicetoawhisperas

ifwhatshewasabouttosaywereprofane.Maybeitwas.“I’mthesurrogate,right?Soyouhaveadonor

eggorsomething,someonewhowillbetheactualmother?”

Zahirquirkedhisheadatherandsippedhiswine.“Actually,Ihaven’tbeendatinganyone.”

“Youmeanyou’vebasicallydatedeveryone.Icancheckupontabloids,Zahir,andyou’vebeen

verybusy.”

“Isthatjealousy,myartiste?”hesaid,anamusedgrinplayingoverhisface.“Ithoughtthiswasa

businessarrangement.”

“Itis,”shesaid,hopinghervoicedidn’tcomeouttoodefensive.

Zahiralwaysputheroffguard,andsheneverseemedtoknowhowtokeepherequilibriumwith

him.Maybehischarmaffectedeveryonethatway.Itcertainlyleftherweakinthekneesandhermind

scrabblingforpurchaseinreality.

“Thenyoucan’tchastisemeforlivingquiteafabulouslife.”

“That’sonewordforit.Sowhichcelebrityorprincessisgoingtobethemother?”

See,andIaskedthatwithoutmyvoiceshaking.Asifthiswereatotallynormalconversationand

notbat-shitbonkers.

Ofcourse,maybethiswashowmanyrulersdecidedonthesethings.Shecouldn’tseeroyaltyor

socialiteswantingtocarrychildrenandruintheirfiguresiftheycouldavoidit.

“Honestly,mymotherisplanningaballtodeterminethemothernextmonth.Idon’twanttohidemy

feelingsorlieaboutthem.I’veknownmanywomen,butnonehavestruckmeyetasmaternalenough,as

worthyoftheline.”

“Thenyou’llbeconsultinganembryobank,Iguess?”

“Icoulddothat,orIcouldhosttheball,butI’llbehonest.Ihopethatpartofthechild’sDNAwill

beyours.Imean,itwouldallbeclinicalifyouneedittobe,andwe’llconsultthebestdoctors.I’veseen

yourgradesandtheartyou’veexhibited.I’mstruckbyyou.”

“I…Igatheredthatwiththenickname,”shesaid,proudthatshecouldrememberEnglishatthis

point.Wasshereallyhearingthis?Whatcouldanyonewantwithhercrazygenetics?Shewasfarfrom

gorgeous,notlikeherformerfriendandroommate.Shehadaddictionrunninginherfamily,themain

reasonshehadn’tsomuchasthoughtoftouchingtheredwineonthetable.Therewasnowayshecould

bethemotherofafuturekingorqueen.Shewasthefurthestthingfromroyal.“Butyoucan’tbeserious.”

“You’resmartandhonest.Youspeakyourmindandhavestrengthagainsttumultandinjustice.You

loveyourfamilyandareunfailinglyloyal,evenifpeopledon’tdeserveit.”

“IthoughtthatSiennaandIwerefriends,thatIwashelpingher.Ithoughtwrong.Besides,I’ddo

anythingforElena.She’smysister.Don’tyoufeelthatwayaboutyourfamily?”

“AboutmymotherandmybrotherJaheer,ofcourseandalways.I’dhavedoneanythingtohelp

Father,andImournhimstill.Ofcourse,thereareother,lesspleasantfamilymembersthatIhopeyou

neverhavetomeet.Idon’tfeelasifIowemycousinAkmulanything.”

“Well,sometimesI’mmadatmymother,butIstilldowhatIcantotakecareofher.It’sallblood,

anditmatters.”

Hereachedoutandstrokedastrandofblondehairfromherface.“That’swhyIneedyoutobethe

one,Felicia.Itcanbedonehoweveryouwant,andyoucanspendamonthorsoadjustingifyouneedit

oncewegettoJardaniabeforetheprocedure,butIwantyoutobepartoftheroyallineofJardania.I

thinkyouwilladdgreatthingstotheAhmedfamily.”

“I’mnotroyalty,orevenMuslim.Wouldyourpeopleevenacceptmeorachildofmine,ifwe’re

justAmericancommoners?”

“Letmeworryaboutthat.Princessesaresodelicate,sohopelesslyspoiled.They’revapidand

venal,butyou’resomethingelse,somethingspecial.Pleaseconsiderbeingmorethanjustthesurrogate,

Felicia.PleasebeeverythingIneed.”

Sheswallowedhard,notsurehowtotakeanyofthis,butsheknewtheanswer.Afterall,because

ofhim,hermotherwasrecoveringwell,andshewouldneverseeahospitalbill.Elenawouldbetaken

careofforthenextyearandbeyond.Heseemedtoseemoretoherthananyonehadbefore.

Besides,shewasalreadytakingonecrazyleap.Whatwasonemore?Ofcourse,she’dneverbe

allowedtostayaroundandraisethechild.ShewasjustanAmerican,afterall.

“Yes,I’llbethemother,butIcan’t…wehavetohavesometimetosettlein,andwe’lltalk

procedureslater.”

Henoddedandkissedeachofhercheeksinquicksuccession.“Agreed.Besides,Ihavesomuchof

mykingdomtoshowyou.IwantyoutoloveitasmuchasIdo.Ithinkthat’sparamount.”

ConsideringshewastobethemotherofJardania’sheir,Feliciacouldn’targuethatpoint.Nodding,

shecutintoherlambagainandbroughtanothermorseltoherlips.“IwanttomakethisworkbecauseI’m

apersonofmyword,andIliketoliveuptomyobligations.Still,Idon’tknowwhattoexpect.Twodays

ago,Iwasjustgettingreadytogotothewinterformalbeforeheadingintomyexams.Now,I’monhiatus

fromschool,worriedformymother,andbeingwhiskedawaytoacountryIcouldn’tfindonamapin

ordertobearitsheir.It’sbeyondoverwhelming.Ican’tevenexplaintoyouhowharditisformetoeven

wrapmyheadaround.”

Zahirranonehandoverhisgoateeandstaredintohereyes;shecouldn’tturnawayfromthose

chestnutcoloredorbsofhis,theonesthatseemedtopiercerightintoherverysoul.“Ican’tcompletely

imaginethissituationandwhatitmustbelike,no.However,Idoknowwhatit’sliketohaveyourentire

lifechangeovernight.Whenmyfatherdied,Iwentfromarecentcollegegraduatetothesheikhofmy

country.Allthedecisionshe’dhandledsoeasilybecamethechoicesIhadtoagonizeover.I’vebeen

fumblinginmyattemptstoliveuptohislegacy.Ipromiseyou,whilewehaveadeadlineduetoJardanian

law,Idon’tintendtosweepyouintoeverythinginthefirstweek.We’llmakeitaseasyasitcanbefor

youandthistimenextyear,you’llhaveyourlifeback.Ifthat’sstillwhatyouwant.”

Hiswordsweresincere,andshecouldfeelhisvoicerumblingthroughher.Shedidwantherlife

back,wantedtogobacktoschoolandgraduate.Shecouldgohomewithherearnings—no,scratchthat—

shecouldgoanywhereintheworld.Setupasafeplace,astableplaceforhersisterandhermother.

She’dbeabletotakeallthetimeshewantedwithhersculptures.Andyet,asshelookedintothesheikh’s

eyes,asmallpartofher,onethatwasgrowinglargerallthetime,regrettedthishadtojustbebusiness.

Shecouldn’tloseherselftohim.Sherefusedto.She’dseenwhathappenedwhenyoulostyourself

toaman,andshecouldn’taffordtogodownthatroad,nomatterhowpainfulthelonelinesswas.

“Good,I’mglad.Now,dotheyhavedesserthere?”

“Mydear,youhaven’tliveduntilyou’vehadthechocolateganachecakehere.Ipromiseyouthat.”

ChapterSix

JaheerwassprawledonthesofainZahir’shotelsuitewhenhearrived.Herolledhiseyesathis

youngerbrother.Theotherman’sfacewassleekandclose-shaven,butthatwasJaheer’swont.He’dspent

hisuniversitydaysatBerkleyandwasfarmoreAmericanizedthanevenZahir.Itshowedinhisimpetuous

attitudethemost,aswellastheoddslangpepperedthroughouthisconversations.Nowhehadaknow-it-

allsmirkfirmlyplantedonhisface,andZahirdreadedthetalktheywereabouttohave.

Beforehisbrotherhadthechancetocrowathim,Zahirstalkedovertothewetbarandpoured

himselfashotofwhiskey.Hewasmanythings,butanobservantMuslimwasnotoneofthem.Likehis

brother,hehadafondnessforthepleasuresofthewesternworld,fermentationchiefamongthem.The

amberliquidburneditswaydownhisthroat,andherelishedthejolt.Onlythendidheturntofacehis

brother.

“Youlooksmug,”hesaid,narrowinghiseyesathisyoungersibling.

“Well,imaginemysurprisewhenyoucallMotheroutoftheblueandsaythattheballshouldbe

alteredandthatit’snotgoingtobeforfindingabridebut,instead,forintroducingthemotherofyourheir

totheworld.Iknowyouhaveatendencytoworkfast,Zahir,butevenI’mimpressed.”Hethrewhisarms

outoverhishead.“Nowtellmeaboutthismysterywoman.Haveyouhadheronthesidelong?Why

didn’tyoutellMotheraboutherbeforeshewentDEFCON1ondecorating?”

“What?”heasked,blinkingathisbrother’sturnofphrase.

“ImeanMotherwentalloutonthepreparations.Whoknewsheneedn’thavebothered?So,whois

themysterywoman?”

“Ijustmether,actually.”Hepouredasecondshotbutdraineditmuchmoreslowly.He’dseem

morelikethematureolderbrotherifhewasn’tslurringhiswordsinfrontofJaheer.“She’sastudent—

well,she’llbeonsabbaticalforthenextyearorsoforobviousreasons—butshe’sattheAmerican

UniversityofCairo.ImetherwhenIwentformymeetingwiththedean.”

“Issheevenlegal?Notthatyouthdoesn’thaveitsperks,buteighteenornineteenisabitlowonthe

rangeforyou.”

“Itwouldbe.She’sasenior,inhertwenties.Thepointisthat…Idon’tknow.Shejuststruckmeas

amazing.She’sbrilliant,ascholarshipstudent,andafineartist.She’llmakeaperfectmotherforthenext

heirtothethrone.”

“IssheEgyptian?”

“American,”hesaid,sippinghisdrinkandstartingtopace.“Areyougoingtogivemeagriefon

that?”

Hisbrotherchuckled,clearlyamused.“I’vealwayslikedAmericans.They’rebyfarthemost

spiritedgirlsoutthere.But…Idon’tknowhowMother’sgoingtotakeit.”

“Well,great-grandmotherwasFrench.It’snotlikewe’recompletelyfreeofWesternblood.”

Jaheergrinnedandgesturedtohissea-greeneyes.“OhIremember,butIthinkyou’llhavean

interestingtimeconvincingMotherofyourplans.Ihaveneverseenyoubespontaneousbefore.”Jaheer

stoodandsurgedforward,clappinghimontheshoulder.“I’mproudofyou,brother.Itmusthavebeen

painful.”

“What?”Hefinishedthelastofhisdrinkandstilled,lookingatJaheer.“Idon’tquiteunderstand.”

“Removingthatstickfromyourass.Welcometothene’er-do-wellsideofthefence.Wehave

cake.”

“Harhar.”

Jaheershruggedandcrossedtothedoor,hishandrestingonthehandle.“Seriously,brother,I’m

proudofyou.Youalwaystakedutysoseriously.Ifyou’vefoundawomanwhomakesyouhappy,thenI’m

goingtobackyouonthat.I’verarelyseenyoufollowwhatyourheartwants,sowhenyoudo,Ihaveto

thinkit’sablessedsign.Getrest.Ican’timaginetheflightbacktoJardaniawon’tbetaxingtomorrow.”

“Night,Jaheer.Youwon’ttellMotheraboutFeliciabeingAmerican,willyou?Iwantedtoprepare

herforit.”

Hisbrother,thelout,laughedlongandloud.“Brother,Iwanttohaveafrontrowseattowatchyou

tellherinperson.Iwouldn’tkeepmyselffromthatpleasure,believeme.”

“Thankyou.Withfamilylikeyou…”

“Ikeepthingsinteresting.”Withthat,heopenedthedoorandslippedout.

Zahirwastednotimelockingthedoorbehindhimandheadingtotheshower.He’dhadalongday

ofmeetingsandmakingarrangementsbeforemeetingFeliciafordinneratLaMaisonBlanche.Hehada

day’sworthoftensiondiggingintohisshouldersandanannoyinghard-onthathadbeenbotheringhim

sinceheseteyesonFeliciaattherestaurant.Herpencilskirtmadehimrecallamilliondirtylibrarian

fantasies,andbeingcloseenoughtokissherhaddonenothingbutexacerbatehiscondition.God,he’d

leanedintightlyenoughtogettherealscentofher—thatmixofherownfemininearomaandstrawberries.

Hewashardasfuckinggranite.

Turningtheshowerknob,Zahirstripedoffhisclothesashewaitedforthewatertoheatup.He

couldn’tgettheoffendingfabricofffastenough.Whenhepulleddownhissilkboxers,hiserectionsprang

free,relievedtoescapeitsconfines.Reachingdown,hestrokedthetipandlickedhislipsasitjumpeda

bitinhisgrip.Zahirtestedthewaterwithonehandbeforeeasinghiswayintotheshower.Leaningagainst

theslategreytiles,hegrabbedthebodywash.Reluctantly,hedroppedhismemberandrubbedhishands

togethervigorously,spreadingthesoftlotionalloverbothhands.Thenheclosedhiseyes.Itwouldbeso

muchbetterwiththemshut.

ThatwayhecouldimagineFeliciatouchinghiminstead,herdelicatefingersmassaginghislength

withasculptor’sskillandartistry.

Withhisrighthand,hecuppedhistesticles,workinghiswayeasilyoverthem,tryingtorelievethe

strainwithinthem.Hewrappedthefingersofhislefthandaroundhishardenedlengthandstartedto

pump.Butitwasn’tabouthimandtwenty-fourhoursofpentupfrustration.

No.

ItwasallaboutFelicia,aboutherstrawberryscentallaroundhim,herbrightemeraldeyes

glimmeringwithseductionanddeterminationastheylookedupathim.She’dbelikethat,hecouldtell.

Everythingaboutherspokeofherdeterminationandfieryspirit.She’deventakegettinghimoffseriously,

likeapuzzletosolve.Thoseeyeslikepreciousstoneswouldgazeupathim,andshe’dbiteherlipjustso

ashandsinfinitelysofterthanhiscaressedhismember.

Hisheadarchedback,hittingtheshowerwall.Hiskneesweregoingweak,buttheystillheldhim.

Hecouldfeeltheorgasmabouttocrestthroughhisbodysohepumpedharder,hisfingersspreading

furiouslyoverhimself.

Hesqueezedhisballswithhisrighthandandthencaressedhissensitiveheadwithhisfingertips.

Thatdesireandwishforthemtobehers,evenifwhattheyhadwasabusinessarrangementandnothing

more—thatwasallheneeded.

Hecame,thelargesttsunamicrashingthroughhim,liketheoceanwasemptyingoverhimevenas

hespurtedintothedrenchingshower.Zahirgroanedbutforcedhimselftostayupright.He’dgottenjusta

tasteofwhathetrulywanted,apaleimitationofwhatFeliciacouldprovide.

Ifonlyheknewhowtoappealtoher,tobreakdownherwalls.

Butthatwouldcomewithtime.

Rightnow,hehadtorest.Theflightwouldbelongenough,andheneededeverybitofsleephe

couldmusterinordertoplantheseductionoftheindomitableMs.Ryan.

***

“OhmyGod!Youhavetotellmeeverything!”ElenarusheddowntheprivatecorridoroftheCairo

airportandflungherselfintoFelicia’sarms.“Momgetsmovedtothebesthospital—withaprivateroom,

noless—noquestionsaboutpaymentasked.ThenI’mwhiskedfirstclasstoCairo,andnowwe’reabout

totakeaprivatejet.Imean,holyshit!Ithoughtitwouldbeanotherairline,butno,we’reintheprivate

dignitarysection.That’scrazy.”Hersisterwasstilltalkingevenassheadjustedtheslippedstrapsofher

tanktop.Thensheworkedonsmoothingherlong,slightlystringydishwaterblondehairoverher

shoulder.“Seriously,Fe,howdidanyofthishappen?”

Feliciarolledhereyesatthechildhoodnickname.Butifthesuddensplendorofboardingaprivate

jettookElena’smindoffofsomeofthetraumashe’drecentlyexperienced,thenFeliciawasgladforit.

“Honey,Ihavesomuchtoexplaintoyou,Iknow,butthere’sapersonI’vemet.”

“Itmustbemorethanjust‘met,’”Elenasaid,hereyesgoingwide.“Ididn’tknowyouwere

dating.”

“I’mnot,”Feliciasaidstiffly.

Eventuallyshe’dhavetoexplaineverythingtoElena,includingthatshewouldbethemotherofthe

nextheirtotheJardanianthrone.Thewholethingwassoimpossible,socrazy,evenforFelicia,still.For

rightnow,FeliciawantedtoeaseElenaintothesituationaswellasshecould.Besides,shecouldn’tquite

answerwhatthehellshewasthinkingexceptthatsheneededthemoneybadly,andthatitwastheonly

thingshecouldthinkoftokeephermomandsistersafeandcaredfor.

“Okay,thenaguyyoujustmetisflyingyouandyourlittlesistertohispalaceinhisprivatejet,and

caringforMomwhy?”

Feliciabitherlowerlip.ThebiggestproblemaboutbeingrelatedtoElenawasthattheyshareda

genepool,abrightone.Shewouldn’tfallforliesandhalf-truthsforlong.Soshegavehersisterasmuch

ofthetruthasshecouldsothattheycouldmaketheirwaytothejetinrelativepeace.

“Hewasinthedean’sofficesuitethedaymyroommateSiennasetmeuptogetexpelledwitha

terribleprank.Hetookmercyonmeandmadesomearrangementsmostlybecausehefeltsorryforme.”

“Hemustreallyfeelsorry,”ElenasaidasshelinkedherarmthroughFelicia’sanddraggedherout

tothetarmac.

Feliciahadexpectedasmallcommuterjet,thetypethatmadeshorthopsbetweennearbycities.But

thejetthatawaitedthemlookedmorelikeacommercialairliner.Notthatshewasanexpert.Atleasta

dozenmeninsuitsscurriedaroundthestairsortheluggage,afewofthemeventalkingintoearpieces.

“Damn!That’ssocool.It’slikewe’refamousorsomething.”

“I’dsaywe’rethefamousones.”Anewvoicesoundedfrombehindthem.

FeliciaturnedandsawZahirandaslightlyshorterman.HelookedmuchlikeZahir,butclean

shavenandwithvibrantgreeneyesratherthanZahir’srichbrown.

“Hello,”shesaid,extendingherhand.“I’m—”

“Felicia,believeme,I’vedefinitelyheardofyou,”hesaid.“You’requitetheinterestingstoryfrom

mybrother.”

“AmI?”

“Ooh!”Elenaexclaimed,bouncingonhertoes.“Canyoutellmewhatyou’velearnedabouther,

becauseIalwaysloveembarrassingstories.”

ThestrangerreachedoutandtookElena’shandandkissedthebackofit.“Well,LittleBit,Ionly

tellthegoodstoriestopeopleovertwelve.”

“I’mfifteen!”

“Stillfartooyoungforthebestofmystories,butI’lltellyouallaboutthewondersofJardaniaif

yousitacrossfromme.I’mJaheer,Zahir’sfarbetter-lookingbrother,”hesaidwithawinkattheolder

manbehindhim.

“Areyoutheyoungerbrother?‘Causethenit’snotlikeyou’lleverbesheikh,”Elenablurtedout.

ZahirchuckledandbowedtowardElena.“You’rehonest.Ilikethataboutyou.Ialsolikeanyone

whocanleaveamotormouthlikeJaheersputtering.”

Hisbrotherhadturnedanunflatteringshadeofpurple.“I’mmorethanjustthe‘spare.’”

“I’msure,”Elenasaid,noddingfiercely.“Iwasjustsayingthatitsucksbeingtheyoungersibling.

Youkindofgetpushedofftotheside.”

Jaheerrecoveredandcrookedhisarmoutforher.“I’llhelpyouontotheplane,Bit.Besides,I’lllet

youinonasecret,oneyoumusthavefiguredoutbynow.”

Herlittlesister’seyeswidenedassheandJaheerboundedupthestairs.“What?”

JaheerturnedbacktoFeliciaandZahirandwinkedbeforewhisperingsottovoceforElena.“You

gettobreaktherulesmore.Yourparentsarealwaysfocusedontheoldest;theyhaveallthehopesand

dreamspinnedonthem.”

“Well,IbetIcanmaketrouble.”

“Oh,Bit,IcanshowyouallthebestwaystomakemessesinJardania,trustme.”

FeliciarolledhereyesandlookedatZahir.“He’snotgoingtocorruptmysister,ishe?”

“No,hewon’ttakeheranywhereuntoward.Jaheerhashisownreputationthatcouldalmostput

minetoshame,andhehasasoftspotforencouragingmischiefinpeopleevenmoreimmaturethanheis.

Butheknowsverywellwherethelinesareandnevercrossesthem.”

Sheletoutasighofrelief.“I’mgladtohearit.She’shaditrough.”

“BecauseofyourMom’soverdose?”Zahirasked,hisvoicelowandsympatheticashesetahand

onhershoulder.“Ipromiseyouthat,nomatterwhat,thebestdoctorswillkeepattendingher.”

“Nomatterwhat?”

“Well,we’lldowhatwecanforthebabyandtheconception.Ifforsomereasonwe’renot

compatible,myendofthedealstillstands.Iwantyoursisterandmothercaredfor.”

Sheshookherheadandregardedhimfully.“Butyoubarelyknowme.Whyareyoubeingsokindto

me?”

Hestrokedhercheek,leavinghershiveringathistouch.“Becauseyou’vebeenbeatendownso

hardbylife.There’ssomuchstrengthhere,andIneedtonourishit.I’mjustsorryElenahasbeenso

shakenupbyyourmother’sexperience.”

Feliciapulledbackfromhim,apartofherfeelingfrozenandalmostnumbwhenshelostcontact

withhispalm.“It’salwaysbeenhard.IwentawaytocollegebecauseIknewifItookmyshotthenI

couldsomehowearnenoughforallofus.Getenoughpedigreetogetusoutofthetrailerparkin

Charleston.That’sonereasonIcameallthewaytoACU—itwilllookgreatonmyrésuméandopenalot

ofdoorsthatthelocalstateschoolwouldn’t.ButElena’sbeentakingcareofMomsinceshewastwelve

yearsoldandnottheotherwayaround.Iadmit,it’snicetoseeherjokingaroundwithJaheer.Iwanther

tobeabletoactuallyrelax.Idon’tthinkeitherofusknowwhatthatis.”

Hegrinnedandheldouthisarmforhertothreadherownthrough.“Wellthen,myartiste,it’stime

foryoutobepampered.”

ChapterSeven

Shewasn’tsurethatfallingasleepontheplanecountedaspampering.She’dpassedoutthemoment

shesatdown,amixofstressandcompleteexhaustionfromthelastfewdaysoverwhelmingher.She’d

rousedlongenoughtoslipintothebackofanhonest-to-GodRollsRoyce,butthenthosebutteryleather

seatshadlulledherbackintothesweetlandofunconsciousness.Hersister’sless-than-gentleelbowin

hersidehadfinallyjoltedherawake.Ahyes,youcouldalwaysrelyonyoursiblingsforsomething.

Likehelpingyourememberthefirsttimeyoupulledupoutsideofapalace.

Theturretsrosehighovertheirheadsandthemaindomeofthepalaceshoneinthenoonsun,its

goldleafingreflectingthelight.Theouterwallsofthepalacewereetchedwithintricategeometric

patterns.Atleasttwodozenmenwithautomaticweaponsstoodguardaroundit.

FeliciagulpedbutacceptedthesecurityaspartofZahir’sworld.Notonlywasheaheadofstate,

butaheadofstateintheMiddleEast.WhileJardaniawasapeacefulkingdom,oneneverknewwhich

rebelfactionorterroristgroupwouldtrytoassassinateitssheikhtogainpower.Asjarringasitwasto

seesuchpowerfulweaponsupclose,shefounditreassuringtoo.Thosesoldierswouldprotectnotjust

Zahirandhisfamily,butherandElenanowaswell.

“Thisisamazing!”Elenaexclaimedastheyallsteppedoutofthelimousine.“I’veneverseen

anythinglikethis,noteveninAladdin.”

Jaheerchuckled.“Youhaven’tseenanythingyet.You’regoingtolovethepalace.I’llshowyouthe

swimmingpoolafteryougetsettled,Bit.It’ssodamnhotaroundhere,don’tyouthink?”

“Indeed,”Zahirsaid.Thenheclappedhishands.Twowomensteppedforwardthroughthewallof

well-armedmen.Theywereidenticalineveryway,exceptforthecoloroftheiroutfits.Oneworeabelly

shirtandgeniepantsinlightlilac,andtheotherworemintgreen.“ThisisMishaandMalasha.They’llbe

happytohelpyouboth.They’llshowyoutotheoldharemquarters.”

“What?”Elenaasked.“Whoa,I’mfifteen!”

Zahirtookameasuredbreathandcontinued.“MygrandfatherkeptaharemforhimselfintheEast

Wing.We’vesinceabolishedthepractice.However,thosearesomeofourmostcomfortablerooms.

MishaandMalashaaresomeofthemostgiftedmake-upartistsinourcountryandtypicallyhelpstyleand

dressmymother.Now,dofeelfreetogowiththemandgetintomorecomfortableclothing.Jeansaretoo

hotforJardania.”

“AndIcangetamakeover?Really?”Elenaasked,eyeswide.

Feliciaputanarmaroundhersister’sshouldersastheybothstartedfollowingthetwins.“Youcan

getsomemake-up.Youdon’tneedtogofullpageantqueenwithcakedonmake-upandyou’resonot

wearingabellyshirt.”

Sherealized,astheypassedintothepalace,thatshehadnoideawhatshe’dsignedupfor.

***

“Youshouldturnaroundnow,sheikha,”thetwininlilacsaid.Honestly,Feliciacouldn’tremember

ifshewasMishaorMalasha.

However,shedidknowthatshewasn’tanyone’s“sheikha.”“Misha—”

Thegirldroppedherchinlowandavoidedeyecontactwithher.“It’sMalasha,sheikha.”

Damn,Iguessedwrong.

Feliciasighedandofferedherbrightestsmilebacktothegirlwho,truly,couldn’thavebeenmore

thanthreeorfouryearsolderthanElena,nomatterhowskilledsheandhersisterwere.“I’msorry,

Malasha.Forgiveme—I’mstillveryjetlagged.ButI’mnotthenewsheikha.Ican’tbe.”

“Butyou’regoingtobecarryingthesheikh’schild,aren’tyou?He’sflownyououttoliveinthe

safetyandluxuryofthepalaceandmadeallhisresourcesavailabletoyou.”

“It’sabusinessarrangement.Ididn’trealizeyouknowwhywe’rehere.”

Malashaofferedheratightsmile.“Weweretold,andmysistersaidthatIshouldn’treadanything

intoit.Butmymotherwastheheadhandmaidenforthesheikhabeforeus,andwe’veknownZahirand

Jaheerforyears.We’veneverseenhimtreatanywomanthisway.IguessIgrewexcitedforhim.He’s

beensolonelysincehisfatherdied.Iwantedtobelievehe’dfoundhappinessagain.HeandJaheerare

likeourbrothers.”

Feliciastilled.“Really?Butaren’tyouservants?”

“Weserveherebecausewelovetheroyalfamilyandbelieveinthem.Isawhimsmiletodayina

wayhehasn’tsincehisfatherdied,justbecauseyouandyoursisterareinJardaniawithhim.I’dthink

aboutthat—Ireallywould.”

“Maybe,”Feliciasaid,unconvinced.“I’mjustheretofulfillmypartofthebargain.”

Malashachuckled.“Yousaythat,butperhapsyou’renowreadytowintheheartofthesheikh.”She

spunthechairaroundsothatFeliciacouldseeherselfinthemirrorfully.

“I’mnothingspecialand—”Herbreathleftherlungs.Thegirlhadputextensionsinherhairthat

matchedthelightstraw-coloringofherbob.Thelongtendrilswoundoverherheadandshonewith

gemstonesandsilverbarrettes.Hereyeswereheavilyrimmedinkohl,makinghereyelashesappearthat

muchmoredramaticandhergreeneyesshimmerlikeemeralds.Darkcrimsonlipsticklinedherheart-

shapedlips,makingthemappearfullandpouty.Eventhebrightvioletkaftansheworeskimmedher

curvesperfectly,dippinglowoverhercleavageandteasingtherestofherbody’sroundnessevenasshe

breathed.

Thiscan’tbeme.I’mnotpretty.I’mnotanything.

Malashabrokethespellwithherwords.“Shei—Felicia,areyouallright?Youlooklikeyou’re

goingtocry.Ifmyworkdispleasesyou,Icandosomethingelse.It’sreallyallright.”

“No,Ijust…areyousureyou’renotamagicianorsomething?Idon’tevenrecognizemyself!”

“Thenmaybeyou’rebeginningtoseewhatSheikhAhmedalreadyseesinyou.Now,letmelead

youtothethroneroom.”

“I…why?”

“SheikhaAdirawishestospeakwithyou.”

Feliciacouldn’trefusethatinvitation,eventhoughshenowfeltherbodyshakingandgoosebumps

eruptingalloverherskin.She’dknownshe’dmeetthesheikhasoonerratherthanlater,butshedidn’t

realizeitwouldbewithinhoursofgettingoffthejet.Shewasn’tevensurehowmuchSheikhaAdira

knewabouttheoddarrangement.

DearLord,doessheevenwantapart-Westerngrandchild?

ShefollowedMalashathroughthelabyrinthinehallsofthepalaceandwasgladfortheguide.The

palacerivaledinsizethebiggestmallshe’deverbeenin,andwithoutMalashatoleadher,she’dhave

beenirretrievablylostdownsomewingdesignatedjustforfamilyportraitsorsomethingelseequally

extravagant.Finally,aftershestumbledafewtimesoverherflowingrobes,FeliciaandMalashaarrived

atmassivemarbledoorstrimmedwithshiningdiamondsandrubies.Theservantgirldidn’thavetosaya

wordtoletFeliciaknowthatshewasoutsideofthethroneroom.

Malashaturnedtoherandbowedlow.“Thesheikhandhismotherareexpectingyou.Ineedtoget

backtomyquarters,butgoodluck,Felicia.Iknowyou’lldofine.”

Shesighedandfidgetedwiththeedgeofherkaftan’scollar.“Thenthatmakesoneofus.”

Theservantgirlgrinned.“I’veknownSheikhaAdiramywholelife.Sheisgruffatfirst,butshe

lovesdeeply.Thatloveisforhersons.Showheryou’reworthyoftheAhmedline,andshe’llbecome

yourmostdedicateddefender,Ipromise.”

“Ihopeso!”Feliciasaid,takingadeepbreathevenasMalashascurriedbackdownthehall.

Shefearedshewouldn’tbeabletoopenthedooraloneatfirst—itwassomassive.Butitopened

farmoreeasilythansheexpected,andshehalf-pushed,half-fellintothethroneroom.Thelarge,gold

thronesatattheendofalong,tiledfloorthat,toFelicia’soverawedeyeshadtospanatleastafootball

field’sworthofspace,thoughsheknewitcouldn’ttrulybethatlarge.Everyinchoftheroomglittered

withpreciousstones,andFeliciafinallyrealizedthenatureofZahir’sincalculablewealth.

Hestoodspeakingwithanolderwoman—thesheikha,presumably—nearthethroneitself.

Suddenly,shefeltsmallandpathetic.

Whywouldhepickme?Iknowwhathesaid,buthewillchangehismindsoonenough.Hecan

haveanyone…

Thesheikhaturnedtoher,andsheremindedFeliciaofZahir—fromhersteelyresolvetoherdeep

browneyes.BothsheandZahirapproachedher,andFeliciafoundherselfbowinglowbeforethesheikha,

asifthatgesturesomehowwouldmakeheracceptabletotheolderwoman.

ShedoubtedtherewasanythingshecoulddothatwouldpleaseSheikhaAdira,especiallyas

Feliciawatchedtheolderwomanclosely,noticedthatslightupturninherlips,thatjudgmentalsneer.

“SheikhaAdira,it’sanhonortomeetyou.”

“Youmaystandtall,Felicia.Afterall,you’llbethemotherofmygrandchild.Weshoulddispense

withtheformalities.”Thesheikhaglaredathersonandshookherheadjustslightly.“Although,Ido

admit,Iwassurprisedwithmyson’ssuddendecision.It’ssounlikehim,butIassumedhehadbeenstruck

dumbbyatruebeauty.”

“Thankyou,sheikha,”Feliciareplied,remindingherselfnottobowagain.

Thesheikhashookherhead.“Ohyoumisunderstandme.Iwasexpectinganotheroneofhismodels

orheiresses.SomeonehemetamongthejetsetofCairowhowouldsuitaswellasanyoftheroyals

scheduledtocometotheballnextmonth.”

“I…what?”SheglancedatZahirinconfusionandsawhisfaceturnstormy.

ThesheikhalookedFeliciaupanddownandthendirectlyinhereyes.“Ithink,mydear,youare

somewhatlackinginbeautycomparedtoZahir’sotheroptions.Ormaybeyourproblemisthatyou’renot

lackingenough.I’ddietbeforetheball,ifyou’renotpregnantbythen.Wewouldn’twanttheentireregion

talkingaboutthelumpmyson’sbroughthome.”

“Mother!”Zahirshouted,pullingherintohisarms.Usually,Feliciawouldhaveresisted,wouldn’t

havewantedthatshowofaffection,butsheneededthatsecuritynow.Shecraveditmorethananything.

“That’senough.”

Hismothershrugged.“I’mdisappointed,myson.TheprincessofJordanwouldhavemadeafine

match.Ican’tunderstandwhatyou’rethinking,butyouarethesheikh,andit’syourwillthatmustbe

carriedout.Mostly.”

“Mostly?”theybothechoed.

“Yes,mostly.Imustsaythatthere’sonestipulationintheoldlawthatisnotnegotiable.”

“Andthatis?”Feliciaasked,hervoicequivering.

“Youmustconceivethechildinthenaturalway.It’sspecificallystatedthatthesheikhandhis

chosenmust‘lietogetherandconceive.’So,youhavetwelvemonths,andIsuggestyoutwogettoit.”

ChapterEight

FeliciablinkedbetweenthesheikhaandZahir.Surelyshe’dheardtheolderwomanwrong.More

likely,she’dbeenhallucinatingfordays.Yes,thatwasit.She’dgottenthecallabouthermother’s

overdoseandhadimaginedeverythingelsebecausegirlsfromtrailerparksintheAppalachiansdidnot

endupwithroyalty.Theywerenotsweptawayandgivenmakeoversthatmadethemseemalmostpretty,

evenifSheikhaAdirahadgottenherjabsin.

Theycertainlyweren’taskedtomakelovetooneofthehottest,richestbachelorsonEarth.

Wait,“makelove?”Itwouldbesex.It’sabusinessdealfortheheir,nothingmore.

ThatcoldrealitysnappedheroutofherfunkandsheshookherheadatSheikhaAdiraandthen

spoke,“Youcan’tbeserious.Thiswasaboutsurrogacy.”

Thesheikhaputherhandsonherhipsandregardedherwithperfectlykohl-rimmedeyes.“There

arecertainrulesinourcountry.Iplannedtheball—whichImustnowalter—sothatmysoncouldfindthe

perfectwife,sothathecouldhaveafamilyinthetraditionalway.Ican’tmakeyoumarrymyson,evenif

Iwantedyouto,orstayafterthebabyisborn,butIcaninsistontheusualwayofproducingtheheir.If

youwanthisdealtogothrough—yes,Iknowaboutthat—thenyoutwowillsleeptogether.That’showit

willwork.Thenagain,maybeitwon’tandwe’llsendyouandyourlittlesister,penniless,backtoWest

Virginia.”

“Mother,youwouldn’tdothat,”Zahirsaid,hisjawclenchedtightlyafterhespoke.

“Icaninsistthatcontracthasn’tbeenfulfilled.IcandenyanyoftheAhmedmoney.Ifyouinsiston

thisroute—achildoutofwedlock,andwithaWesternerasthemother,thenyoucanatleastdoittheway

yourancestorshavealwaysdoneit.Now,myson,youdon’thavemuchtimetowooher.Isuggestyouget

started.”Withthat,thesheikhaturnedandsaunteredoutthesidedoor.

Feliciaswayedandwouldhavefallenifstrongarmshadn’tcaughther.Thesmellofturmericand

otherspicesmixedwithZahir’sintensemuskandtickledhernostrils.Awarmthflaredinherbelly,and

notforthefirsttime,theideaofhavingsexwithhimwasfarfromtheworstthingshecouldimagine.Hell,

itwasexactlywhatshecraved.

Hisearnest,enticingeyesstaredintoherownashepushedherblondelocksbackfromher

forehead.Maybeheralmost-tumblehadcausedMalasha’sexcellentworktofalloutofplace.Itwould

havebeenashametolosethosebarrettes,notthatshehadearnedthem.Ifshedidn’tperform,thenshe

wasn’tgoingtostayherelong.Clearly,thesheikhawouldseetothat.

“Areyouallright,Felicia?Ihadnoideashe’dbethatway.Myfather’sgrandfather…hemarrieda

Frenchgirl.We’veneverbeenpurelyJardanian.Ididn’tthinkMotherwouldmindanAmerican,atleast

notthatmuch.”

Shetriedtokeephervoicelevelasshespoke,butshecouldn’tcompletelystopitfromquavering.

“I…maybeit’sallrightiftheWesterngirlisbeautifulorrichorsophisticated.IknowI’mplain.Iknow

I’mnotwhatanyonewouldpickinaqueen.Foramoment,IthoughtthatIwas…let’sjustsayMalashadid

awonderfuljob.”

Hecontinuedstrokingherhair.God,Feliciahopedhe’dneverstop.“Shecanonlyworkwiththe

rawmaterialthat’sthere,trustme.Felicia,Ididn’tbringyouhereasmycallgirl.Ihavemoneyfrommy

ownprivateinvestments,anesteggbuiltupoutsideoftheAhmedoilrichessinceIwastwenty-one.If

thisistoomuch,thenIcanpayyouandmakesureyourmotherkeepsuphercare.YouandElenacanbe

onthenextplanetotheStates.”

Shestilledevenashiswarmhandgrazedhercheek.Sheinhaledthehintofcinnamonthatseemed

tohoveraroundhim.

WhatdoIwant?

Thatusedtobetheeasiestquestionintheworld—thebestgrades,tokeepherscholarship,tolet

hercreativesideout.Shewasanartistandascholar,andshe’dfindawaytosupportherfamilyonce

universitywasover.Nowshehadthatanswer,nostringsattached,butwasthatallshewantedanymore?

ZahirwasmoregorgeousthanLouiseverdreamedofbeing,moreattractivethananyguyshe’deverseen

before—notthatshehadagreatsamplesize,cramminginthelibraryandsculptinginhercorneroftheart

building.Hewaskind,hadtreatedhersisterwithnothingbutpatience.Theaidtohermotherwentbeyond

hisoriginaloffer—farbeyondit.

Anditcan’tallbejusttogetintomypants.Therearefarcheaperwaystodothis,fareasier

ways…

“Ineedtostay,”shegaspedout.

Theanswerlaybetweenthem,asrawandnakedasanewbornbabe.

Blushing,shetriedtolookaway,buthecapturedherchinwithhisfingers,keepingherheadstill.It

forcedhertostareintothosesoulfulchestnuteyesofhis,theonesthatseemedtoseedirectlyintoher

heartanddesires.

“IwishIcouldliebetter.”

“Don’t.Ijustneedtoknowwhatyouwant,whatmakesthiseasiestforyou.”

“Idon’twanttoleave,butI’mnotreadytojustjumpintobedwithyou.You’reright—knowingyou

forjustafewdays,itdoesfeellikeI’mafancyhooker.Iknowthere’sadeadline;Iknowweneedtobe

tryingsoonsothatyoubeatthedeadline,butcanIhaveacoupleweeks?”Shelaughedruefullyand

wonderedifhethoughtshewasinsane.Frankly,Feliciawasn’tonehundredpercentsureshehadn’tgone

aroundthebendwhenthisMiddleEasternmagicalmysterytourbegan.“Canwejust…date?”

Hedroppedhishandandlaughed,arichsoundthatreverberatedfromthedeepestregionsofhis

chest,sowarmandinvitingthatshealmostfeltshecoulddrapeherselfinit.“I’dlikethatverymuch.

Let’seaseyouintoeverythingand,inamonth,whenIintroduceyoutotheworldattheball,thenwecan

starttryingfortheheir.”

Zahirtouchedherbelly.

Shestilled,notsurehowtoreact.“It’snotexactlyflatcurrently.Iknowyourmotherisn’tpleased

withthateither.”

“Mother’sbeenonadietsinceshewastwenty.You’rebeautiful,myartiste.Neverletanyonetell

youotherwise.Now,we’vehadalongday.Getsomerest,andI’llsendfoodtoyourrooms.You’llneed

yourstrengthfortomorrow.”

“Hey!Isaidnosex!”shesaid.Sheslappedherhandovermouth,tookamomenttopullherself

together.“Ididn’tmeantosoundsoangryaboutit.I’msorry.”

Helaughedagain,andshefeltwarmthmigratefromherbellytoplacesfurthersouth.“Trustme,my

artiste,Ihaveotherwaystoseduceyou.Imerelythoughttoshowyouthecity.Nowgetsomerest,and

don’tlistentowhatmymothersays.Ineverdo.”

Thatmakesoneofus.

***

FeliciaandElenasharedasumptuousdinnerofdates,yogurt,andshawarmathathadbeensentto

theirsharedsittingroom.Thenshefieldedhersister’sbarrageofquestionsandtriedtoignorethe

knowinglooksfromMalashaandMisha.Shefeltasifshe’dmovedintoasororityhouse.

Now,however,Elenahadmovedtoherroomafewdoorsdownthehall,andthetwinsistershad

retiredtotheirquarters.Finally,shecouldrelaxalittle.Althoughherhairextensionswerelongtermand

stillinterwoventightlywithherownbob,shestrippedoutthebarrettes.Shelostthekaftaninfavorofa

simplecottonnightgown,andthenwashedthemake-upfromherface.

Feliciainhernaturalstate.

Shesnucktothedoorandlockeditquickly.Herwindowwasopen,lettingwhatlittlebreezethe

Jardaniannighthadtoofferflowoverher,butitwasn’tenoughtocoolher.Anothertypeofheatran

throughher,onethatshe’dbeentrying,butfailing,toignoresinceZahirhadcaughtherinthethroneroom.

Evenasshetriedtokeepsomeequilibrium,tokeepherselffromfallingtoohardforafairytalethat

wasn’therstohave,shewantedit.Shecouldn’tdenythetruth.

Shewantedhim.

ShewantedeverythingaboutZahir,fromhisluscious,fulllipstohisstrongarms,andfromhis

intoxicatingscenttohishauntingeyes.Maybeshewasn’treadytosleepwithhim,tofulfillherdutyasthe

mostunusualsurrogate—well,nowbroodmare—inJardanianhistory.ButFeliciacravedrelief,tolet

herselffeelsomething,ifonlyprivately.

Withherdoorlocked,Feliciapulledoffhernightgown.Shehadneverwantedtobenakedsobadly,

neverneededtopleasureherselfsodesperately.Nowshefeltfreeenoughtodoit,surethatnoonewould

interrupther.

Lyingonthebed,herhairfanningoutbeneathher,Feliciareacheddownwithonehandandstroked

theamplecurvesofherbelly.Thensheeasedonefingerinandoutofherbellybutton,justteasingherself

intheslightest.Withherotherhand,shegraspedherrightnipplebetweenherthumbandforefinger.Butit

wasn’therhandstouchingher.No.Inhermind’seye,Zahir’sstrong,masculinehandsandhislong,pianist

fingerscaressedher.Hewastheonefondlinghernipplesand,now,slippingthosehandsartfullybetween

hermostsecretfolds.

Lickingherlips,Feliciaclosedhereyesandimaginedwhatitwouldbeliketohavehistongue

snakepatternsacrosshernipples,howitwouldfeeltohavetheheftofhimloomingoverher.Thenshe

pressedonefingerdeepinsideherchannelandimaginedthatitwashisthickmemberfillingher.She

addedasecond.Thewarmthshe’dfeltearliersearedthroughher,growingfromthewarmthofafireon

coldwinter’snighttoaforestfireravagingher.Asshebuckedherhips,sheplacedherthumboverher

clitorisandbegantorockinearnest,twofingersplunderinghercore,herthumbrubbinghardagainsther

clit.Thefingersofherotherhandfranticallygraspedhernipple,teasingandtwistingitbetweenthem.

“God,Zahir!”shesaid,thenbitherlip,cuttingoffhermoansastheheatbuiltwithinher.

Whenshehitjusttherightangleandpressureagainsthernub,Feliciacame.Hard.Herbodyshook

undertheonslaughtandtheecstasy,hernervesalight,consumedbytheflameshertouchandtheimageof

Zahirhadbuiltup.

Whenshecouldmoveagain,sherolledontohersideanddrapedthesheetoverher.Herbreathstill

cameinshudderinggasps,andherbonesstillfeltlikewetnoodlesasshelookedoutattheJardanian

skylinethroughherwindow.Thebreezehadcoolednow,thedesertsettlingintoitsnighttimechill.

“Thethingseventhinkingofyoudoestome.WhatamIsupposedtodo,Zahir?Ican’tbetheright

royalmotherforyou.ButIdon’tthinkIcanleaveyou,either.”

Tearsfellonhercheeks,andshewipedthemaway.Thosewereworriesforanotherday.Fornow,

shehadherfantasies,andtheywouldhavetodountilsheandhetrulymet,untiltheywerereadyto

conceivetheheirtothethrone.

ChapterNine

“Youknow,”shesaid,gratefullyholdinghandswithhim.“I’vebeentothebazaarinCairomore

thanonce.I’mnotthenaïveAmericantouristwhoisgoingtogaspatthesnakecharmer,”Feliciasaid,

gesturingtoawovencarpetwhereacobraswayedbeforeamaninfullcostume—pipe,turban,andall.

NorealJardanianwouldbeseeninpublicinsuchagetup,ofcourse.

Zahirsmiled,though,pleasedtoseeherinsuchhighspirits.He’dhadwordswithhismotherthis

morningandtoldherthateverythingconcerninghisheirwouldbehisbusinessfromnowon.Ifshedidn’t

approveofFelicia,thenthatwastoobad.He’dchosenherbecauseshewasthewomanhewanted,the

onehecaredabout.Shewouldbringstrength,integrity,creativityandbeautytotheAhmedline.Ifhis

mother’sheartwastoohardenedafterFather’sdeathtoseehowmuchFeliciaalreadymeanttohim,then

shehadnobusinessdealingwiththenewsheikha-to-be.

AndFeliciawouldbehissheikha.

Shemightberesistinganythingmorethanabusinessarrangementrightnow,buthehadayearor

moretoworkonthat.Shewouldn’twanttoleavethebabyonceheorshewasborn,atleastnotbeforethe

babywasweaned.Hehadtimetowooher,tomakeherunderstandthatshewouldbeperfectasthenext

sheikhaofJardania.Fornow,hewastreatinghertothesecretsofthemarketthatshe’dneverbeenprivy

tobefore,nomatterhowextensiveherexperienceinCairo.

“Youthinkyou’veseeneverything,doyou?”Hepulledherdownanalleyshadedbythetallstone

buildingsandawayfromtheusualtouristattractionsofthecapitalcity’smarket.

“Oh!”shecried,battinghereyelashesathim.“Yousteeredmeofftrackbeforethemanwiththe

trainedmonkey.Iwantedtoseehim!Hehadalittlevest.Themonkey,Imean.”

“YoucangoseeAbulater.”

Shearchedaneyebrowathim.“Really?”

“Amullknowshowtoplaytothecrowds.He’salsoadocentatthezoologicalpark.Withthe

generousAmericanaudience,playingtotheDisneyfilmsdoeshelp.I’msurethenamehasnettedhimand

littleAbualotofmoneyandextrabananasovertheyears.”

“Fairenough,butwhyhaveIbeendivertedfromseeingsuchacutelittlefellasowecanwander

downanalley?”

“Becausethebestdiscoveriesareinpackagesweneverexpect,”hesaid,grinningbackather.

Thenheturnedintotheneareststorefrontandnoddedtotheancientwomanbehindthesmalldisplaycase.

Itheldlovely,ifconventional,pieces,designedtoappealtothetouristswhowanderedinwanting

something“traditional”andreasonablypriced.He’dknownFairuzaforalongtime;she’dbeenthe

preferredjewelerforhisfather.Shealwayshadsomethingspecialwaitingforherfavoritecustomers.

“MydearFairuza,it’sbeentoolong,”hesaidinArabic.“Itrustyoustillhavethebestwaresinthe

city?”

Shelaughed,anoldcreakysound,beforescratchingathernose.“Ihavethebestjewelryinallof

Jardania,asIalwayshave,mysheikh.”

“Ahem,”Feliciasaid,quirkingherheadatbothofthem.“MaybeI’dliketounderstandthe

conversationtoo.”

“DoyounotspeakArabic?”heasked.“We’llhavetogetyouatutoratthepalaceforboththatand

Jardanian.”

“IspeakFrenchandchosetolearnthatattheuniversity.Youknow,I’mnotapsychic,andIdidn’t

foreseehavingtoknowJardanian.”

“WewerespeakingArabic,”hesaid,winkingbackathisflummoxedartiste.

“Canyoutellmewhatyouweresaying?”

“Gladly,”hesaid,droppinghishandfromhersandthen,instead,wrappinganarmaroundher

shoulders.“Fairuzaisthepremierejewelerofthecity,thoughshepreferstokeepthislowprofile.I

cannotofferyouwhatIwishIcould,butIwouldbehonoredifyouwouldchoosesomething.”

“Likewhat?”sheasked,frowningupathim.

Aring.

Hebithistongue.NothingthatforwardwouldeaseFelicia’sworriesorself-doubt.Hecould,

however,givehersomethingpersonalfromhim,somethingbefittingthesheikhaheknewshe’doneday

be.Buthewasalreadyhappilyanticipatingthewaygoldboughttodaywouldgleamaroundherneck,

wouldmarkherashisattheballamonthfromnow.

“Whateveryouwish.Shesellsbraceletsandcharms,aswellasnecklaces.”Heturnedtotheshop

ownerandaskedherquicklyinArabictogethercasewithherreservedwares.

Fairuzamovedwithspeedandgraceforsomeoneherageandinnotimewasheftinga

cumbersome,blacktrunkontotheglasscasebeforethem.

“Now,mydear,”shesaid,hervoicelikecracklingleaves.“Ihavemanyoptionsforyoutochoose

from.”

Felicia’seyeswidenedasshelookedoverthelargegoldcuffs,thefinefiligreenecklacesingold

andplatinum,andthecataractofdanglyearringssparklingwithpreciousstones.Herhandhesitatedover

oneofthecuffs,enameledindeepcobalt,withtheevileyeatthecenterofit,andaccentedwithdiamond

andsapphire.

“It’slikeit’swatchingme.”

“Likeit’swatchingoveryou,mydear,”Fairuzacorrected.“Thisistheevileye.Itwill…”

“Keepmeblessedandprotectedfromspiritsandthosewhowishtodomeharm,”Feliciafinished

forher.“I’dneverseenonethisbigorsobeautiful.”

Hesmiled.“Youmeanyou’veneverseenevileyejewelryrimmedwithdiamondsbefore.”

Shenoddedandpulledherhandback.“Ican’tacceptthis.”

Heturnedtowardherandnarrowedhiseyes,allthewhileremindinghimselftoapproachherashe

wouldaskittishcolt.“Why?Itwouldgivemegreatpleasure.”

“You’vealreadydonesomuchforme.”

“Buyingyouanecklaceorabraceletwon’temptymybankaccount.Please,letmedothisforyou.

Frankly,”hesaid,strokingherhairbackfromherface.“It’snotevenforyou.It’sforme.”

Shelaughed,asoundliketinklingbellsthatbroughtlevitytohissoul.“Idon’tknowifabig

braceletwouldlookthatgreatonyou,Zahir.”

“No,Iwantittobemygifttoyou.Soonyou’llbeonmyarmbeforeeveryheadofstateinthe

MiddleEastandbeyond.Iwanttoshowyouoffattheball,andIcan’tthinkofabetterwaytodoitthan

tohaveyoudecoratedinjewelrybefittingaqueen.I’llgetyousomethinganyway.”

“Butyoudon’thaveto.”

“Iwantto,andtheleastyoucandoismakesurewhatIendupbuyingmatchesyourtastes.”

“ThenI’lltakethisone,”shesaid,pointingtotheglasscaseinstead.

She’dchosenatieredbronzenecklacewithfivelarge,lapislazulistonessetinit.Nice,itwould

complementherpalecomplexionandblondehair,butitwasstillforeverydayuse,anditwouldn’tcost

morethanahundredAmericandollars,ifthat.Itwasn’tforthequeenshe’dbeoneday,butitwasastart.

Heofferedherasmallsmileandcompletedthetransaction.Oncehe’dpaid,Feliciareachedforthe

necklaceandstartedtoputitonherself.Zahirlifteditfromherhandsandshookhishead.“Now,you

can’texpectmetoletyoudothatforyourself.Iwanttoputitonyou,myartiste,andseehowwellthose

deepbluestonessetoffyoureyes.”

“Myeyesaregreen.”

Fairuzawinkedatthem.“Atleastthey’reinthesamefamily,”shesaid.

Hepushedherhairoverherleftshouldertositagainstherchest.Hisfingerstracedthefine,elegant

linesofherneck.Itwasasdelicateasanyswan’s.“Myartiste,youtrulyhavenoideahowbeautifulyou

are.”Heleaneddowntowhisperinherear.“Andyouhavenoideahowwildyoudriveme,howyou

makethebloodinmyveinsrace.”

“Zahir!”

Hesmirkedatherashefinishedclaspingthenecklaceoverherpaleskinandsituatedherhairinto

placeoverit.She’devenwornanindigokaftantoday,andthenecklacehighlighteditperfectly.Zahironly

wishedthatshewouldtakemorefromhim,buthe’dhavetoworkinsmallsteps.Shehadmorethanher

fairshareofwallsaroundherheart.Thatmuchwasclear.

“Well,myartiste,”hesaid,offeringherhiscrookedarm.“Shallwego?”

“Ofcourse.Istillwanttoseethatmonkey!”

***

“Whereareyourguards?”sheasked.Thequestionhadbeeneatingatthebackofhermind,along

withhisofferofthemostexpensivejewelryinthecity.She’dlovedthatevileyecuff,butcouldn’t

possiblyhaveacceptedit.Andchoosingthelessextravagantnecklacehadperhapsbeenindenialofthe

loomingballandthepressuretotaketheirrelationshiptothenextlevel.

I’mnotevensurewhattypeofrelationshipwehavenow!

Zahirwrappedhisarmmoretightlyaroundhershoulders.Thesunwassetting,andintheback

alleysbetweenthebuildingsachillwascreeping.Thedesertatnightwasalwaysacoldmistress,which

hadsurprisedFeliciaherfirstyearinCairo.Nowshewishedshe’dbroughtashawltodrapearoundher

shoulders.Ofcourse,Zahirwasaswarmasafurnace,andsherelishedsnugglingupnexttohimand

feelinghisbodyalonghers.

“Jaheerhelpedgetthemoffourtaillongenoughtoescape.IusedtodriveFathermaddoingthe

samethingasateenager,butthatwasoneofthereasonsIdidit.Iusedtowanderthesebackstreetsallthe

timebymyself.Youseesomuchofthecapitalthisway,it’s…”

“Real?”sheoffered,smilingathim.“There’ssomethingsofarawayandremovedaboutthepalace;

it’slikelivinginafairytale.Atleast,that’showIthinkaboutit.Buthere…you’reright.Youcanseeyour

peopleandthehustleandbustlewithwhichtheygoabouttheirlives.Evenifthisisn’tthesafestidea.”

“I’veslippedmyguardsforyearsandneverhadaproblem,”Zahirsaid.

“Maybeyoushouldn’tthough,especiallysince,um,thereisn’tanheiryet.”

Hequirkedhisheadather.“Doesthatmeanyou’vebeenthinkingaboutthat?”

“It’stheonlythingonmymindrightnow,”shesaid,pullingawayfromhim.“Itraisessomany

worries—howIfitintoyourworldordon’t,howI’llbereadyfortheball,evenhownottolosemyselfin

allofthis.Iknowyou’realreadydisappointedinme,”shesaid,gesturingtothelapislazulinecklace.“I

knowyouwantedmetogoforsomethingshowyandgold,butthat’snotme.Itwouldneverbeme.I’mjust

FeliciaRyan,andIdon’tknowwhatitmeansyettobethenextmotherofasheikh.I’mnotreadyforgold

tobeshoweredalloverme.”

“WellmaybeIam,”agruffvoicesaidbehindher.

Shespunaroundquicklyandjumpedbackwhenamaneasedoutoftheshadows.Histhickbeard

hungdowntotatteredrobes.Hebrandishedaknifewithabladeatleastsixincheslong.

“I’dlikethatnecklace,American.”ThenhelookedatZahirinhistailored,Western-stylesuit.“And

I’msureyourwalletwillbefat,bigshot.Tossittome.”

“No,”Zahirsaid,fistinghishandsathissides.“Youdon’twanttobeonthereceivingendofmy

fury,friend.Ipromiseyouthat.Now,youhaveonechancetogetoutofherebeforeImakemincemeatof

you.”

ZahirshovedFeliciabehindhim.

“Please,”shewhisperedintohisear.“Don’tdoanythingstupid.”

“Iwon’t,”hesaidandthenglaredatthemugger.“You’vebeenwarned.Getthehelloutofhere.”

“Idon’tthinkIhavemuchtoworryaboutfromsomefancymoronlikeyou,”themuggersaid.

HeleaptatZahir,slashinghisknifeupandcatchingpartofZahir’ssuitjacket.Feliciascreamed.

Shewantedtorun,wantedtofindanythingshecouldusetodefendZahir.Butfearfrozehertothespot.

Zahiryelledwhenthemantookanotherswipe,butthistimehedodgedtheknifebeforegrabbingtheman’s

arminmid-strike.Withabrutalblow,Zahirbroughthishanddowninabriskchop;sheheardthebone

crack,theharshsoundofitssnapechoingaroundher.

Themuggerstumbledback,cursinginpainandclutchingathisarm,butZahirseemedtoonlybe

gettingstarted.Withaswiftkick,hehittheotherman’ssolarplexushard,sendingthehimspillingtothe

ground.Thenhetookonemoremeasuredkickagainsttheman’sribs.

“Howdareyouattackme.Howdareyouattackmyartiste.”

Hepulledhislegbacktokickagain,butFeliciafinallybrokefromherfear,finallyfoundthewill

tomove.Steppingforwardshegrabbedhimbythearm.“It’sokay.Youdon’thavetodoanymore.Zahir,

he’swheezing.Youcanstop.”

Hersheikhturnedtowardher,andforamoment,shewasscaredwhenshelookedintohiseyes.

Thatpiercinglookheldsomethingwildanduntamed.“Hetriedtohurtyou.”

Shegesturedtowheretheinjuredmuggerwasgurglinginpain.“Hecan’thurtakittennow.Please,

Zahir,I’mallright.Let’sjustgetoutofhere.”

Hehesitatedamomentlonger,butthengrabbedherhandandledheraway.Zahirdidn’tsay

anythingforalongtime,justpulledherthroughtherat’smazeofalleysandpathsthatsnakedthroughthe

capital.Feliciacouldbarelybreatheastheyrushedasfarawayfromthemuggeraspossible.Finally,she

pulledawayfromhim.Shadowscoveredthealley,andtheyhadn’tseenanothersoulsincethey’dleftthe

mugger.

“Stop.Juststop.Weneedtotalkaboutthis.Iwasscaredtoo,butyoujustlefthimthere.IfIhadn’t

beenthere…I…wouldyouhavekilledhim?”

Heshookhishead.“Idon’tknow.Iusedtogetintroubleforfightinginschool,andI’vehadmore

thanafewbarfights.ButI’veneverfeltangerlikethatbefore,notevenwithallmyhotheaded

tendencies.”Hereacheddowntostrokeherhair,andthensethisotherhandonhershoulder.“Hewas

attackingsomeoneIcaredabout,someonewhotrulymatterstome.”

“We’veonlyknowneachotherfourdays,”shesaid,herbreathcomingoutinraggedgasps.Her

heartstillpoundedinherchest,andsuddenlythatheatwasback,flaringwhitehotinherbelly.“Youcan’t

feelthatdeeplyformealready.”

BecauseIthinkIfeelthesameforyou,butIknowthat’scrazy.

Hishandstrokedlowerdownhercheek,andthenhecuppedherbreast,hisfingersstrayingover

herrightnipple.Shearchedherbackandmoanedinspiteofherself.“Icaresomuchforyouthatit’s

changingme.Isthathowyoufeeltoo?Ijustwantyoutoletgo,justrightnow.”

“I…I’mnotsurethatIcan.”

Hisotherhandlefthershoulderandfounditswaytoherhipandstartedpullingupherkaftan.His

handsweresurprisinglyrough;maybehe’ddonemorephysicallaborsomehowthanshethought.There

werestablesonthegrounds.Hadhemuckedthoseasakidandteenager?Whatelsehadhedonewith

suchstrong,rough-hewnhands?

Itmadehershiverjusttothinkofit.

Hishandslippedunderthefabric,tracingthesoftskinofherthighsuptotheirapex.Hisfingers

slippedeasilyunderthelaceofherunderwear,onefingerrubbingslowlyagainstthesoftfleshofhermost

secretlips.

Shemoanedandbuckedagainsthim,tryingtogetasclosetohimaspossible.Herbodyfeltasif

hundredsofelectricalchargesweresurgingthroughher,asifshe’daccidentallygrazedherfingeragainst

alightsocket.Itwasdangerous;itwasinvigorating.Itwashim.

“Please,Zahir.”

“Pleasewhat?”heasked,hisvoicealowrumble,sodeepthatitshottoherverycorewithits

masculineessence.

Sheopenedhereyeslongenoughtolookintohis,toseethebeseechingwithin.“Pleasemakelove

tome.”

Idon’tknowwhatI’mdoing,butwecouldhavediedand…

“Areyousure?”heasked,evenashisfingersteasedherfolds.

“I’mmorethansure.You’reexactlywhoIwant.I…maybeit’stheadrenalineandthelastfewdays,

butIneedyourightnow.Ineedtofeelyouinsideofme.Please.”

Hesmiledather.“I’msogladthatthetwinshavechosenakaftanforyou.”Withthathethreaded

hisfingersthroughthelaceandpulled,shreddingherpantieswithnoeffortatall.Thenheplungedhis

forefingerinsideher,tracingthelengthofherchannel,teasingherverycore.“Itgivesmeperfectaccess,

myartiste.”

Shemewled.Normally,Feliciawouldhavefeltembarrassedforsoundinglikeakitten,butitdidn’t

matternow.Nothingmatteredbutthestrongarmwrappedaroundhershouldersandthebulgeofhis

erectionpokingupagainstthefabricofhistrousers,tantalizinglyclosetoherwomanhood.Headdeda

secondfingertoherchannelandshebuckedagainsthim,nolongerinterestedinZahir’steasing.She

wantedeverythinghecouldgiveher,wantedeverythinginsideofher,justasshe’dbeggedhim.

Archingherneckup,shegrazedherteethoverthestronglineofhisjaw,lovingthewayheshouted

atheronslaught.Thenshemovedhermouthtotheleftandsuckedhisearlobeinbetweenherteeth,teasing

thesoftfleshwithjustthetiniestbitofpressure.

“Ineedyou,Zahir.Ineedmorethanfingers.”Thebreathinessofhervoiceamazedher.

Hisgrinwidened.“Haven’tyoueverheardaboutpatiencebeingavirtue,myartiste?”

Sheshookherheadandkissedhim,lettinghertongueplunderhismouth.Whenshespokeagain,her

voicehadtransformedtoadeep,throatygrowl.“It’sonlyavirtuesometimes.Yousavedme,mysheikh.I

justneedtofeelyou.”

“Asyouwish.”Heunbuckledhisbeltandunzippedhispants.

“I…Ineverdothis,”shesaid,asheteasedherentrancewiththetipofhislength.Feliciahissedat

theheatofhim.

“What?Youneverhavesexwithasheikhnearthemarketplace?”

“Noooo,”shesaid,moaningwhenheslidindeeper.Eachinchseducedherfurther,andhe

overwhelmedhersenses—fromthespicyturmericteasinghernose,tothetasteofhismouthonher

tongue,likecoffeeandsugar,tothethicknessofhislengthburieddeepinsideofher.“I’vejustneverdone

anythinglikethis.”

Hechuckled,thatlowrumbleofhisthatshewasconvincedhewieldedlikeaweapon.“Ishould

hopenot.”

Thenhebegantomove,hishipsundulatingjusttheslightestamountatfirst.Thatdamndevilwas

teasingheralloveragain.Feliciaslappedhisshoulder.“Nomoregames,mysheikh.Idon’twanttodeal

withthem.”

“ButIlovehearingyoubeg,”hesaid,tracinghistongueoverthehollowofherclavicle.“Ithink

it’stheonlynoiseyoushouldmake,thatmewlingtoneofyours.”

Shemewledagain,oncue,hopingtoenticethesheikhtomovemore.Whenhestillkepttotiny,

teasingmotions,shebuckedherownhipsagainsthis.Felicialiftedhercoreupanddown,wrigglingas

bestshecouldoverhislength.“Now,Zahir.”

“Oh,becarefulwhatyouwishfor,myartiste.”Hethrustforwardwithsuddenforce.

Zahirpumpedhardintoher,hismemberdrivingdeepintohercore.Healsoreacheddownwithone

arm,evenasshegrippedhimtightlywithherlegs,andstrokedherclit.Thosearcsofelectricityshe’dfelt

beforewerenowcoursingthroughher,makingherfeelaliveinwayssheneverknewpossible.Itwasall

spinningthroughher,apeakcurrentshecouldhardlyimagine.ThenZahircame,archinghisbackand

shootinghisseeddeepinsideofher.Thesparksunderherskineruptedintoboltsoflightning.

Shescreamed,notcaringwhooverheardthem.ThenFeliciadroppedherheadtorestagainsther

lover’sshoulder,evenassheshuddered,lostinherownorgasmandecstasy.

“Areyouhappy,myartiste?”

“Iloveyou.”

Sheblinked,replayingwhatshe’dactuallysaid.Feliciahadmeanttomakeajoke,tosaysomething

teasingtomatchtheirtonebefore.Shecouldn’thavepossiblyjustsaidwhatitsoundedlike.

That’scrazy.Idon’tevenknowhim.

Besidesshe’donlyhadtwootherboyfriendsinherlife,oneinhighschool.Shewasn’t…whatthe

fuckhadshebeenthinking?

Zahirstilledandshesworeshecouldfeelhisheartpoundinginhiswell-muscledchest.“What?”

Slowly,feelingasifshe’djustswallowedbrokenglass,Feliciaraisedherheadtolookathim.

“I’msorry.Idon’tknowwhatcameoverme.I…thankyou.”

“Forthesex?”heasked,studyingher.Shewasn’tsurewhathewaswaitingfor.Didhewantherto

comeoffastheclingiestwomanofalltime?

“Yeah,”shesaid,tappinghisshoulderuntilheletherdowntosettleherkaftanbackintoplace.She

hadnohopeofsalvagingthescrapoflacethathadoncebeenherpanties.“Ithinkweshouldgetbackto

thepalace.Youcanonlysliptheguardssolongbeforetheyallfreakout.”

Henoddedandrightedhimself,thenofferedhishandtoher.Reluctantly,Feliciatookit.Howcould

henothateherforbeingsotransparent,forrushingthingsoutofnowhere?

God,ismyhandaclammymess?Itsurefeelslikeit!

ConcernedchestnuteyesstudiedherfacebeforeZahirturnedtowardtheendofthealley.“You’re

right,myartiste,let’sgo.”

ChapterTen

OneMonthLater

“Icannotwaittoseethedoctortoday,”Feliciamoanedasshehunchedoverthetoiletinher

bathroom.

Hersister—themeddler—creptinfromthebedroomandplacedherhandonFelicia’sshoulder.

“Wow,youguyshaven’tevenbeenthatcuddlyyet,orIthoughtyouhadn’t.”

ShenarrowedhereyesbackatElena.“What?Whotoldyou?”

“Jaheerhasabigmouth.I’mnotstupid.Iknowthatwedon’tgetallofthisfornoreason,evenif

somerichguytookpityonyou.Ithoughtitwasasurrogacythingandyouhadn’tmentionedany

procedures,soIaskedJaheerwhenyoustartedshowingsymptoms.Imean,unlessyouhavefood

poisoningortheflu.”

Feliciagroanedandthoughtbacktowhenherperiodshouldhavecome.Shewasatleasttwo

weekslate.Ifshe’dbeenathome,oreveninCairo,shecouldhavegottenatestatthedrugstore.Buthere,

itwashardtogetoutofthepalace,andsheneverleftalone.

Ifthedoctorconfirmedtheprobablediagnosistoday,thenitwasgoodforthetimelinetheAhmed

familylineneeded,butitwasjustgoingtomakethingsevenmoreconfusingbetweenZahirandher.Since

thefiascoatthemarket,she’davoidedhim.Officially,SheikhaAdiradidn’texpectthemtostarttrying

untilaftershewaspresentedattheballtomorrownight.Butthey’djumpedthegunsofast.Feliciahadnot

onlyhadsexwithhimbutblurtedoutthemostimpossible,mostembarrassingstatementofalltime.Love

wasnotpartofthecontract—andimpossibleafteronlyfivedays.Outofshame,she’dhiddenawayinher

wingandtriedtoonlyseehimatformaldinners.

Ofcourse,ifthedoctortoldthem—becauseZahirwouldbethere—whatFeliciathoughthewould,

thenZahirwouldbeamuchcloserpresenceinherlifethanhehadbeenoverthelastmonth.

“Ugh,Ididn’twantyoutoknow,”Feliciasaid.

“Wait,sotheydidturkeybasteyou?”Elenaasked.

Feliciahadtorememberthatshewas(probably)inadelicateconditionandnottothrottleherless-

than-discreetsister.“No.I…weweresupposedtogettoknoweachotherfirstbecausehismomhasthis

weirdedictthatithastobea‘natural’heirforthechildtoqualify,”shesaid,makingairquoteswithher

fingers.“Butwesnuckoutaboutamonthagotospendadayinthemarketandonethingledtoanother…”

Elenashookherhead.“That’s,ohwow—Ican’tevencomprehendit.Mysisterisliterallygoingto

bethequeenofaforeigncountryandamom!I’mnotsurewhichthingismorenuts.”

“I’mnotsheikha,andIprobablywon’tbe.Thisisbusiness.Ithastobeacertainwaytoensurethat

theheircounts,butI’mdoingthisbecauseMomneedsthecareandstillneedsallthehelpshecangetat

thesuper-expensiverehabcenterhesentherto.Iwantedyoutohaveachancetopayforanycollegeyou

wanted.”

“Soyou’lljustabandonthebaby?”

Shegrippedherstomach,notevensureanythingwasthereyet.“Idon’tknow.It’sallwhatZahir

wants.Ihavetodowhatheorders.”

Elenashrugged.“Thenthat’sano-brainer.Haveyouseenthewayhelooksatyou?Ifyoueversaid

morethantwowordstohimatdinner,you’dprobablyalreadyhaveatiaraonyourhead.Imean,Jaheer

andIjokeaboutitallthetime.Hehasitbad.”

Feliciafelthercheeksflush.She’dlovetobelievethat,buttherewasnowayforhertobesure.It

couldn’tbetrue,notaftershe’dsaidthecreepiest,leastappropriatethingeverafterthey’dmadelove.

No,sex.

ItwasprobablynothingmorethansextoZahir.Askindashe’dbeentoherandherfamily,shehad

torememberthiswasanarrangement.Ifshewaspregnant,thenhewasgettingexactlywhathewantedout

ofthedeal.Andwhathewantedwasn’taneuroticcurvygirl,justanheir.

“Maybe,butIcan’tbesure,andIwassodumb.Iwassupposedtoeaseintoallofthis,butIcame

offlikeatotalslut,youknow?Ican’tevenexplainit,really.”

Maybeshecouldjustifyitinherownhead,butshewasn’tabouttoshareallthesordiddetailswith

herlittlesister.Adrenalinehadfloodedherthatdayinthealleysbythemarket,andreliefhadcoursed

throughherwhenZahirhadturnedouttobeherperfecthero.He’driskedhislifeandthecutofabladeto

saveher,andshe’dbeensweptupinemotion.Thathadtoexplainwhyshe’dbeensofreakingforward,

right?Sure,she’dbeenattractedtohimanddrawntohimsincethemomentthey’dmet—anywomanwith

eyeballswouldbe—butthatwasn’tenoughtoexplainthebig“Iloveyou.”

“Idon’tthinkitmattersaslongasZahirmakesyouhappy.Andhemust!”

Sheeasedherselftoherfeetandthenleanedonheryoungersisterforsupport.“There’sa

differencebetweenhavinghimgiveusbothalotofstuffandbeinghappy.”

Ofcourse,thewayhe’dmadeherfeel,thatexplosionofsparksandsatedcontentmentthroughher

body,hadbeenasclosetohappyasFeliciahadbeeninyears,butthatwasbeforeshe’dblownit.

“Maybe,butit’sclearhelikesyou,andifthathappened,”Elenasaid,gesturingtoFelicia’s

stomach.“Thenyoulikehimtoo.”

“I…justhelpmeliedownandmayberunforsomegingerale.I’mgoingtofeellikecrapuntilIsee

thedoctor.Maybehehassomethingforthenausea.”

“Butwehavetotalkaboutthis!”

“No,Elena,wereallydon’t.”

***

Ofcourse,thedoctor’sofficehadbeenwell-stockedwithurinetests,andthenursehadgivenher

oneanddirectedhertothebathroomfirstthing.FeliciagrippedZahir’shandastheywaitedforthedoctor

toarrivewiththeresults.Feliciahadn’tsaidmuchtoZahirasthey’dbeenusheredintoDr.Galud’soffice,

butshewasn’tsurewheretostart.

SorryIwasfirstgoingallFatalAttractiononyouandthenstartedignoringyou.OrmaybeI

shouldsay“SoI’mhavingyourbaby—whatawonderfulwaytosayIloveyou.”?

God,shewassoscrewed.She’dhopedthatbeinginthemedicalsetting,eveninvestigatingthe

possiblepregnancy,wouldhelphersomehow,thatitwouldmakeheranexpertonsayingexactlytheright

thing.Yetthewordseludedher,slippingawaylikesandinanhourglass.Now,sheembracedthesilence

andwaitedwithZahir.Thedoctorarrivedwithaknockonthedoorandabigsmile.

“It’spositive,”hesaid.“Wecandoabloodtesttoconfirm,SheikhAhmed,butwiththesymptoms

thesheikhahasdescribed,there’slittledoubt.Ifyouknowwhenyouconceived,Icangiveyouadue

date.”

“Decemberfourth,”sheblurted,blushingattheadmission.Thedatewassearedintoherbrain—

she’dbeenrelivingitforthelastmonth.

Zahirnodded,andtherewasatwinkleinhiseyethathadn’tbeentherebefore,aconfidenceandjoy

thatseemedtomakehimlookevenmoreregal.“ThankAllahthattherewillbeanewheirtothethrone.”

Right,thethrone,thebusinessdeal.Theonlyreasonyou’rehere.

“Yes,thankeveryoneoutthere,”shesaid,atleastagreeingwiththesentiment.“NowIguessI’m

goingtobegettingalltheprenatalvitaminsandacheck-upscheduletocomeseeyouandeverything.”

Zahirgottohisfeet.“Actually,Dr.Galudwillmoveintothesouthwingofthepalace.We’llhave

allofhisequipmentmovedthereandanythingelseheshouldrequire.You’llbeabletoseehimatany

timeofthedayornight—justextrainsurancebeyondthestandardcheck-ins.Idon’tanticipateaproblem,

butthebabyissoimportanttothepeopleofJardaniathatweneedtodoeverythingpossible.”Helooked

ather,chestnuteyesbrimmingwithsincerity.“Ineedtodoeverythingpossibleforbothofyou.”

Herthroatfeltasifitwerestuffedwithcotton.Zahirwastrying,butshejustfeltsoincrediblylost

andsounsureofherself.Butshehadtotakehershareofstepsforwardaswell.“Dr.Galud,canyougive

usaminute?”

“Ofcourse,mysheikhandsheikha.”

“I’mnot,”shesaid,bitingherlipandregrettingthecrestfallenlookthatinstantlycameoverZahir

whenshesaidthewords.“Ijustmean…nothing’sofficial.”

Dr.Galudgaveheraknowingsmileashebowedinherdirection.“Soyousay,butthingshavea

wayofworkingthemselvesout,Ms.Ryan.”Withthat,hehurriedoutoftheexamroom.

Shestayedsittingontheexaminationtableandsmoothedherhandoverherbelly.Itmadethechild

theynowsharedthatmoreobviousbetweenthem.

“Hey,”Feliciastartedinaquietvoice.“Doyouwanttofeel?Iknowwe’reaboutfourmonthsshy

ofactualkicksandthebabydoesn’tevenhavelegsyet,butIjustthought…”

“YouthoughtthatnowIcouldtouchyou?”Zahirasked.Hisvoicewasn’tclippedorbitter,butshe

stilldroppedhereyesdownwardatthetruthofhiswords.Despitewhathe’dsaid,Zahirreachedoutand

cuppedherstomach.

Feliciahadtobiteherlipasamoanthreatenedtoescapeherlips.Thethingshecoulddotoher,no

matterhowhardsheresisted.Shewasheretoprovideanheir,andtherewasnoguaranteethatZahir

wouldeverseeherasamorethanameanstoanend.Yes,someonewhomhehadfitwithonceforgreat

sex—fuck,thebestsexofherlife—butnoneofthatmeanthewantedherforever.Shehadtoremember

that,orshemightgoinsane.Herhearthadbeenplayedwithsomanytimes,byhermother’sconstant

irresponsibility,herfather’sabandonment,andbythatnewestslight—thebetrayalfromSiennaandLouis

wasonlyamontholdandstillfreshinhermind.

Shewouldn’tsurviveifZahirwerethenextone.

Bettertokeepawallup.Itwastheonlywaytosurvive.

Sheputherhandoverhis,overtheirchild,andofferedhimasmallsmile.“I’msorryIcutyouoff.

I’msorryIhaven’tbeenaroundasmuch.”

“Iknowwhereyouare,butyouseemincrediblybusyinyourwing.Ithinkthetwinsgrowtiredof

relayingtransparentexcuses.What’swrong?Nottoputtoofineapointonit,buteverythingfeltlikeit

wasworkingoutjustright,thatwewereonthecorrecttrack.”

“Youmeanafterthealleyandthe…”shebrokeoff,feelinghercheeksflush.

Heputthelongfingersofhisotherhandunderherchinandcoaxedhertolookupathim.“Wehad

sex,myartiste.Wesharedsomuchandcreatedachild.”

Herwordswererawandquietwhenshespokeagain.“Wefulfilledthedealsofar.I’msureyour

motherwillbehappiertomorrownightatthepartywhenweannounceeverythingtothecourt.”

“Idon’tcareaboutthat.Ijustdon’tknowwhyyoupulledaway.That’stheonlythingIwantto

understand.”

Becausewehadsex,butitfeltlikemoretome.BecauseI’mjustadamnbroodmare,evenifIdid

ittomyself.BecauseIjustdon’tknowhownottofallforyou.

Allofthoseweregoodreasons,sanereasonsthatkeptdrivingher.Yet,shewassoscaredtosay

themoutloud.Instead,sheofferedthemosttruthshecould.“IknowImadeyouuncomfortable.WhatI

said,um…”

“The‘Iloveyou?’”heasked.

“Yeah,Ijustwascarriedawaywiththemoment,andIwasembarrassedafter.Idon’texpect

anything.Wesignedallthepaperwork.”Howromantic.“SoIknowexactlywhereIstand.Idon’twant

youtosaywehaveafuturewhenwedon’t.Iknowthatthisbabyiswhatwehave,andthat’sall.”She

sighedandshruggedhershoulders.“Ididn’twanttocomeoffassomestalkerchick.”

Shepulledawayandsethershirtbackoverherstomach.Theheatofhiseyespouredoverheras

shegottoherfeet.Whenhespoke,hisvoicestillheldtherumblingaffectionitalwaysdid.“Youcould

neverbethat.Believeme.”

“Ido.”

Zahirstrokedhercheekand,despiteherself,Feliciacouldn’thelpbutlookupathim.Hepressed

hislipstogetherforamomentandsaid,“Idon’tknowifyoudo.Icareaboutyou,andit’snotjustbecause

ofthemiraclegrowingbetweenus.”

Shefeltherthroatconstrict,anditwasalmostimpossibletogetthenextwordsout.“Butit’snot

reallyamiracle.It’swhatwe,wellyou,plannedtohavehappen.Weshouldgetbacktothepalace.Ibet

thereareamilliondetailstobesettledbeforetheballtomorrownight.”

“TheonlydetailIcareaboutrightnowisus.It’snotgoodforthebabyforustobarelybetalking,”

hesaid,emphasizinghispointbylettinghishandstraytoherstomach.“Weneedtobetogether.”

Shegavehimatightsmile.“We’llbeateam,ateamthathasahugeeventtoattendtomorrow.I

thinkweneedtofocusonthat.”

ChapterEleven

“You’regoingtopaceaholethroughthefloor,brother,”Jaheersaid,hisvoicelightwith

amusement.“Ineverknewyoucouldharnessyourinnerteengirl.Givemeafewminutes,andI’llfind

Elenaamongtheassembledmassessoyoucangotothemalltogether.”

Zahirleveledhisbestdeathglareathisbrother,asifthatwouldactuallydetertheotherman.“I

don’tthinkit’spossibletopaceaholethroughmarble.I’msurethefloorsofthepalacecantakeit.”

“Youarepacingprettyhard,”Jaheerteased,strokinghischin.“Look,I’vetriedtohangbackonall

ofthis.”

“Yetyou’vehadmorethanenoughopinionstooffermealldaylong.I’veheardtheslyjokesand

felttheless-than-subtlepokesintheribs.YouthinkI’vebeentoohandsoffwithFelicia.”

“IthinkI’veseenlesspiningonsoapoperas.”

“Likeyouwatchthose,Jaheer,”Zahirreplied,straightenedhisbowtie.Currentlytheguests’limos

werepullinguptotheestate,andsoonthey’dhavetobeinthereceivinglineforeveryambassadorand

headofstatefromheretoSpain.Histiewasalreadyperfectlystraight,butthefidgetinggavehim

somethingtodo,somethingtokeephisfocuslockeddown.

ItkepthismindoffacertainsculptressandtheBerlinWallshe’dshovedbetweenthem.

He’dneverstruckoutbefore,andhepreferrednottoberemindedofit.Toobadcertainannoying

youngerbrothersthoughtbeingbluntabouteverythingwouldhelpthesituation.Jaheerwasn’tsubtle,and

Zahirdidn’tthinkthestampeding-elephantapproachwouldgainhimanygroundwithFelicia,butdamnit

iftryingtoexplainthattoJaheerwasworking.Itcertainlyhadn’tinthelastmonth.

“Ituneineverynowandthen—Ihavetodosomethingbeforetheclubsopen.That’sthejoyof

beingthespare.Iassureyou,lightasairistheheadthatdoesn’twearthecrown.Zahir,I’veneverseen

youbackofffromawomanyou’reinterestedin.”

“I’veneverbeeninterestedinawomanwhoresistedmebefore.It’salwaysbeenwant,take,have.

Imeanwithconsentofcourse,buttherewasneveralack,witheverystarletandprincessinthe

hemispherevyingformyattention.I’vegivenhereverythingshecouldpossiblyaskfor.I’dgivehermore!

Showerherwithdiamonds,whiskherawaytoMonacoorParis,doanythingshecouldpossiblywant.But

that’snotthetypeofwomanFeliciais.DearAllah,Ithinkthat’swhyIcravehersomuch.”

“Anauthenticwoman.Howquaint.Ilikeher,butIpersonallycan’timagineputtingthatmucheffort

intoanything.It’sfartoodifficult.”

Zahirstoppedstraighteninghistieandlookedoutthewindowtowhereyetanothersleek,black

limohadpulledup.Buthewasseeingpastthat,thinkingoftheemeraldgreeneyesthathauntedhisdreams

andthedelicatewavesofblondehairthatfeltlikesilktocombthrough.

OhAllah,Idohaveitbad.

“Thedifficultonesaretheoneswhoareworthwhile,”hesaid.“Ijusthavenoideawhattodo.I

can’t…”

“Bribeher?”Jaheersaid.“Look,Itakenopleasureinthis.IlikehavingElenaaround.She’slike

thefunkidsisterweneverhad.Butwe’rebothflummoxedaboutwhyyoucan’tjusttellhereverything.”

“Idid.ItalkedtoheryesterdayatDr.Galud’s,andshe’sveryadamantthatweneedtobeateam

forthebaby.”

“Ateam?”Jaheersaid,raisinganeyebrowathim.

“Yes,likewe’reabouttogooutandplayrugbyorfootballtogether.Idon’twantjustateammate.I

wantmorefromher.IhavesincethemomentIsawher.”

“Soyoucameupwithalessthansaneandlessthanpredictableplan?”

“Okay,somaybe‘Ineedasurrogate’wasn’tthebestwaytogethertocomebacktoJardaniawith

me.”

“Andtheysayromanceisdead!”Jaheerlaughed.

“Shewasjustsofrightened,andIhaverarelyseensuchaspiritedwoman,whenpressedonher

integrity.”

“Oh,anditdoesn’thurtthatFeliciaissmokinghot.Youhavegoodtaste.Thosecurves,ohmy.”

Itwasapleasuretoslaphisidiotbrotheronthebackofthehead.“Ijustcan’treachher.”

“Youclearlyreachedherandthensomebefore.Whathappened?Didyoufight?”

“No,”Zahirsaid,throwinghishandsupinfrustration.“That’sthemostconfusingpart.It’sthe

opposite.Shesaidshelovedmeafterwemadelove.Thenshetookitback.Whodoesthat?”

“Maybeawomanwithhormonesalreadyflowingthroughher.”

“That’srude,Jaheer.”

Hisbrothershookhisheadandhelduphishandsinaplacatinggesture.“Youmisunderstandme.

She’salreadyinadelicatecondition,andshe’sbeenthrownintoanewworld.Afewwordsandeven

shinytrinketsaren’tgoingtodothetrick,thoughtherightwordsareastart.But,brother,youknowwhat

youhavetodomorethananythingelse?”

“What?”

“SweepheroffherfeettonightandmakeherthetrueCinderellaoftheball.Ifyouwanttodothat,

thenIhavejusttheplanyouneed.”

***

Itseemedtotakeforevertocompletehisdutiesashost.Hegotstuckforoverhalfanhourmaking

smalltalkwiththequeenmotherofJordan,whoinsistedontellinghimeverysingledetailabouther

granddaughterAlana,includinghowskilledshewasasadancerandthatsheregrettednotbeingableto

attend,asshecouldn’tleaveherstudiesatHarvard.

Inotherwords,hismotherandhergrandmotherwereclearlyarrangingforafallbackincasethings

didn’tworkoutwithFelicia.OverthetopoftheJordanianqueen’shead,hestareddaggersathismother.

Thewomanhadatriumphantsmileonherface,onethatsaidthattheheirmightbealreadyarrangedfor,

butthatdidn’tmeanamorepowerfulalliancebymarriagewouldn’tbeinhisfuture.

“Well,that’sgreat.I’mgladthatAlanaisdoingsowellandissoaccomplished.”

“She’sfinishingherMBAthisspring.She’squiteexceptional,andweknowshecomesfromagood

line.”Thequeenleanedclosertohisearandwhisperedsottovoce,“Adirahastoldmeallaboutthegirl

that’sjustbeenunveiledtothecourt.TheroyalfamilyofJordancanforgiveyouforhavinganheiratfirst

fromanAmericanofnostatus.Weknowhowharditistoadheretoancientrules,makeitinthespiritand

nottheletter.Alanawillbewaitingwhenyoureadyforawifewhocanbeyourequal.”

Heswallowedandforcedhimselftostaypolite,eventhoughhisbloodwasboiling.Nowthathe

worethecrown,hecouldn’tjustyellatanyonewhoinsultedhim,nomatterhowmuchtheydeservedit.It

wasn’tdiplomatic,andthatwasabigthrustofhislife.

“Feliciaisspectacular,dearqueen,andIexpecttobeveryhappywithher.Nowifyou’llexcuse

me,IbelievethatFeliciahasbeenleftunattendedforfartoolong.”

“Well,I…”shesaid,lookingbackathimasifshe’dsuckedonalemon.

“PerhapsyouandMothershouldn’tmakeanymoreplans.Ithinkyou’llfindIalwaysmakemyown

decisions,andIwouldbesorrytoseeyoudisappointed.”

Withthat,heleftthequeenmullingoverhiswordsashesweptthroughthegatheringofglitterati

beforehim:themenintuxedos,thewomeninsatingownstotheirfeet,andtheshiningopulencefroman

oceanofjewelry.HespottedFelicianearthedancefloor,talkingwithhersister.Elenawasdressed

demurelyinaflowingblacktaffetagownthatthetwinshadclearlypickedout—lefttoherowndevices,

heknewshe’dchoosesomethingfarmoreflamboyantandrevealing.Hewasgladthatthey’ddecidedon

somethingdemurefortheteenagerandinstantlyfeltthatheowedthembonusesfortheirwork.Malasha

andMishahadtrulyoutdonethemselveswithFelicia.

Blonderingletsspilleddownfromthetopofherhead,highlightedwithrubybarrettesthatgleamed

underthechandeliers.Thekohlrimminghereyesmadetheirgreenpoplikeemeralds,andhereyelashes

seemedamilelong.Herdresswasalowcut,redsilknumberthathuggedhercurvesandwasjustthis

sideofappropriatefortheball.Thelownecklinehighlightedthedelicatenatureofhercreamyshoulders

andcreatedspaceforthelongdiamondlavalieratherneck,highlightedbyasinglerubythe

circumferenceofawinecorkatherdécolletage.He’dchosenitforherhimself—andfearedshewould

returnit.Nowhesmiledtoseethatitsuitedhersoperfectly

Everythingthathe’deverknownshecouldbeandeverythingshe’dalwaysbeenwaslaidout

beforehim,andhecouldbarelythinkforallthebloodflowingtopartsfurthersouth.

Gatheringhisconcentration,hetookElena’shandandkissedthebackofit.“Youlooklovely,

princess.”

“See,”shecrowed.“WhenJaheersawmehedidn’tdothatroyal,debonairthing.Youneedtotell

yourbrotherthathesodoesnotknowhowtotreatalady.”

Hewinkedather.“Ithinkthatmybrotherwasraisedbywolves,butthat’sasecretbetweenyou

andme.”

“Itsureis,”shesaid,grinningbroadlybackathim.ThensheeyedFeliciawhostoodnervously

sippingwaterbesideher.Elenabumpedhersister’shipuntilFeliciastumbledintohimandcouldno

longerpretendshedidn’tseehim.“Whoops,Iamsoklutzy.Youtwoplaynice…I’mofftoharassthe

princewhoshouldknowbetter.”

“Sheikh,technically,”hesaid,takingFelicia’sshouldersandsteadyingher.

“Samediff,”Elenacalledasshedisappearedintothecrowd.

Heshookhisheadandlookeddownathisartiste.“She’ssomething,isn’tshe?”

“Shecanbe,butIloveher.EverythingIdoisforher.”

Zahirtookherdrinkandsetitonthetrayofapassingwaiter.“Iknowhowdedicatedyouare.I

hopethat’ssomethingyoubringtobeingamother.”

“ButI’manincubator,really.I,uh,metthequeenofJordan.Shemademyworthclear.Hell,sodid

quiteafewotherguests.”

Heclenchedhisjawandpulledherclosertohim,untilhecouldfeelherbreath,warmand

seductive,againsthisneck.“Itdoesn’tmatter.They’rejealous.HalftheroyalfamiliesoftheMiddleEast

wantedtoformanalliancewithourfamily.”

“Marriageandafamily…theyshouldbemorethanthat.Thisshouldbeaboutmorethanancient

codesandarcanerules,howtomakepowerfulalliancesandforgepoliticaldynasties.”Shefrowned

downatherstomach.“Isthattheworldourchildisgoingtohavetonavigate?Apoliticalminefield

wheretheycan’tdowhattheirheartwants?”

“I’mdoingwhatmineistellingmerightnow,”hesaid,leaningdownlowandwhisperinginher

ear.“Iwantyou,andit’snotaboutthebaby.Idon’tknowhowtogetthroughallyourdoubtsinonenight,

butIwanttostart.Therestoftheseoldbatscangotohell.You’rethewomanonmyarmandthemother

ofmychild.Now,”hesaid,pullinghergentlytothedancefloor.“Let’sreallymakethemturngreenwith

envy.”

***

Swayingonthedancefloorinthearmsofthesheikh,Feliciaagainfeltlikeshe’dfallenasleepand

wokenupasCinderella.Herstomachhadflip-floppedatZahir’swords,hispromises,butthistimesome

ofherdoubtswereactuallymeltingaway.Shemayhavemadeamessofeverythingbyrevealingtoomuch

toosoon—ormaybebyhidingaway—buthewouldn’tbedancingwithhernowandreallyshovingitto

kingsandqueensfromallovertheworldifshedidn’tmeansomethingtohim.

Thatmuchwasreal;shecouldfeelthetruthofitinherbones.

“You’requiet,”Zahirsaid,eyingherclosely,thosechestnutdepthsboringintoher.

“I’mhappy,”shereplied,settingherheadonhisshoulderasthestringquartetplayedawaltz

aroundthem.Shehadnoideahowtodanceformally,butZahirdid.Hewasprobablyanexpertonall

courtlythings.Still,Feliciahadfaithinhim,knewwhentofollowhislead.Atleastwheredancingwas

concerned.

MaybeI’mlearningtodothesamethingwithmyheart.

“Areyou?”heasked.

“Yes,”shesaid,liftingherhead.“I’vebeenafraidforawhile…well…sincethealley,thatyou

werejusthumoringmeandthatI’vemadeamessofeverything.NowIknowyou’llpickmeoveraliteral

princess.”

“Theyarehighlyoverrated,myartiste,”hesaid,chuckling.

“Maybe,butthey’reprobablybetterthantrailerparktrash.”

Hestoppedandnoddedtowardthefarbalcony.“Comewithme.Weneedtotalk.”

“Isn’tthatwhatwe’redoing?”

“Somethingsshouldbesaidinprivate.AndIneverwanttohearwordslikethatcomingfromyou

again,evenifyou’rejoking.”

Feliciahesitatedbuttookhishandandlethimleadherpasttheraptstaresofthecrowd.Forjusta

moment,sheactuallyfeltlikeaprincess,likeshecouldbethenextsheikhaandactuallymatter.The

balconyclearedbeforethem,thefewpeopleminglingouttheredisappearinglikeleavesinthewind.The

viewtookherbreathaway.Thepalaceparapetsandgoldendometwinkledinthemoonlight.Thecity

buildingsandmoredistanthousesfannedoutuntiltheyhittheedgeoftheoceanofsand.

“Itreallyislikeafairytale.”

“No,”Zahirsaid,leaningagainstthebalconynexttoher.“It’sreal,andIneedyouherewithme.

TellmewhatIcandotomakeyoutrulybelievethat,tomakeyoufeelitdowntoyourbonesandinyour

soul.Icareaboutyou,Felicia.It’snotonlybecauseofthechild,anditneverwas.Butyoucan’treally

meanthataboutyourself.You’renot‘trailerparktrash.’Ifanyoneelseinmykingdomutteredsuch

nonsense,I’dhavethemfinedforslanderagainstoursheikha.”

“ButyouknowwhereIcomefrom.”

“Iknowthatyoufoughtyourwayupfromalifeofhardship.Iknowyougrewupinpoverty,butthat

doesn’tmakeyoutrash.”

“Iknow,buttheythink…”

“Whocareswhatanyonethinks?MostofthemstillthinkIcan’tholdacandletomyfather,thathalf

mydecisionsaredisasters.Itrynottoletthemgettome.Ifyoubelievethegossipofthecourt,thenitwill

destroyyou.Don’tletthequeenormymotheroranyoneelsemakeyoufeellesser.You’renot.Doyou

hearme?Youcouldneverbeanythingotherthanmyequal.”

Tearsprickedatthecornersofhereyes.“Idon’tfeellikeit.”

“Thenletmeshowyou,”hesaid,andhislipscapturedhers.

Hisgoateescrapedagainstherchin,whilethathintofcinnamonwaftedthroughtheair,andhis

tonguetracedadelicatedanceoverherown.Itwaslikebeingbackinthealley.Thatpassionhadnever

dimmed,andhiskissmadeitgonova.Moaning,despitehersurroundings,shepressedherbodytightly

againsthis.

Damnit,she’dbeendenyingherselffortoolong.

“Ohcousin,”anewvoicechided.“Youdon’tneedtothrowyournewwhoresoflagrantlyinfront

oftheoldfolks.”

Zahirbroketheirkissandwasonthenewman—hiscousin,sherecalled—likeatigeronitsprey.

Hewrappedonelargehandaroundhiscousin’sthroatandheldhimsotightlythattheotherman’sfacehad

gonepurple.

“Yousaythatagain.Idareyou.”Hepushedthemanagainstthepalacewallandliftedhimsothat

hisfeetdangledabovetheground.“Doyouhavenothingtosaynow,Akmul?Catgotyourtongue?”

AkmulworethetraditionalflowingrobesandheadcoveringofJardania.Hislongbeardlookedas

ifhehadn’ttrimmeditinmonths,despitethiseveningbeinganofficialstateevent.Somethingwildand

savageinhiseyesmadeFeliciatakeastepback.Hedidn’tapologizeorbeg,justgrinnedmaniacallyat

Zahir.

Snappingoutofherconfusion,Feliciarushedtothesheikhandputherhandonhisforearm.“Zahir,

youneedtolethimdown.Thisisnotthetimeorplace.Someonewillsee.”

AveininZahir’sforeheadthrobbed,buthedidassheasked,moreorless.Hedroppedhiscousin

sosuddenlythatAkmulfelltohisassandhadtoscramblebacktohisfeet.

“Youseewhathappenswhenyouinsultthenextsheikha,”Zahirgrowled.

“Ithoughtshewasjustthewomanwithchild-bearinghips.Afterall,thatmuchisobvious,dear

cousin,”Akmulsaid,runninghiseyesoverFelicia’sshortframe.Theinsultdidn’tevenland.Shewastoo

busyshiveringatthewayhestudiedherlikeabugunderglass.“Whyareyousoquiet,infidel?Don’tyou

haveanythingtosayinyourdefense?”

“Sheverymuchwillbethenextsheikha,Akmul,andshe’sthemotherofthenextrulerofour

nation.”

AkmulturnedthatfurybacktoZahir,butthesheikhonlystoodtallerathiscousin’sonslaught.“You

pulledthisalloutatthelastminute.Thethroneshouldbemine.Theancientlawsdidn’thaveclausesfor

technicalities,butyouknowthat’sallthisfarceis.Youdigsometrampoutofthegutter,andthenyou

screwmeoutofwhatIdeserve.”

“Youdeservenothing,”Zahirsaid.Hisfastlandedhardagainsttheotherman’sjaw,forcingAkmul

tostumbleback.“AndFeliciaisthewomanIcareaboutandthemotherofthisnationnow.Sogetthefuck

out.”

ChapterTwelve

FourMonthsLater

“Ifeelgross,”shesaid,asZahirhelpedhertoherfeet.

GettingonandoffDr.Galud’stablewasnolongeraseasyatfivemonthspregnantasithadbeenin

January.WithMalasha,Misha,andevenElenalookingoverherlikeabunchofmotherhens,Feliciahad

putontenpounds,whichmadeherfeelawkwardandbloated.Andshestillhadmorethanfourmonthsto

go.Bythen,they’dprobablyhavetoputheronadollyandcarthereverywhere.

“You,”Zahirsaid,kissinghernose.“Lookasgorgeousasaqueen.”

“Orlikeoneofthoseweebles.”

“Huh?”

“They’reakids’toy,”shesuppliedashetookherarminhis.“Youknow?Weebleswobblebutthey

don’tfalldown?Youcanknockoveragainandagain,buttheyjustspringbackup.Ifeellikethat.”She

madeamotionandencircledthegirthofherstomach.“IfeellikeI’mjustgoingtocontinueexpanding.”

“ThenextleaderofJardaniaisrightthere,soIhopeheorshedoescontinuetogrow.”

Shesnorted.“Wecouldhaveaskedbynow.”

“Where’sthefuninthat?Thejoyisinthesurprise,inseeingwhatAllahhasgifteduswith,”Zahir

saidasheledherthroughthelabyrinthinehallsofthepalace.

Shewassupposedtotakeaforty-fiveminutewalkeverydaytogetherneededexercise.Thebigger

shegot,theharderitwas,butitcamewiththerewardofspendingextratimewithZahir.Itwasa

completegiftandrelief.Theyweren’tbacktothesameintimacythey’dfoundontheiroutingtothe

market,buttheywerebuildingalifetogether.Theymadeout,alot,butshecouldn’tshakeallthedigsand

insultsthrownatherattheball,andshestillcouldn’tquitebelievethewholesituationwasreal.

Zahirshowedhertendernessinahundreddifferentwayseveryday.Hedefendedheragainst

SheikhaAdirauntiltheotherwomanhadstoppedwithherbarbsandtoleratedFeliciaingrumpysilence.

HemadeitclearthatFeliciawastheone,andthatallsheneededwastosayshefeltthesame,andhe

wouldmarryher.

Butshewasn’tworthyandcouldn’tbeartoopenherheart.

Shecouldhandlemakingoutliketeenagers,butnomore,evenifshewenttobedwithherpearl

throbbingandneedpulsingthroughher.Shewantedsomuchmore,butpartofherwasstillsoscaredto

takeit.Shemightbedressedlikeaqueen…butshewasstillthatsamenerdfromnowhere,thatsamegirl

who’dlearned,overandoveragain,thattrustwouldbebetrayed—byfamily,bysupposedfriends.She’d

bebetteroffifshestayedFeliciaRyanfromWestVirginia.

Thatwhore.

AsAkmulhadcalledher.

Deepdown,shewasn’tsurehewaswrong.

“You’resoquiet,”hesaidastheyroundedthecornertoapartofthepalaceshe’dneverbeento

before.Thatwasn’tunusual.Theplacehaditsownpostalcode.“Wastheultrasoundthattiring?”

“No,butIjust…”

“Overthinkingeverythingagain?Don’tworry.”

“HowcanyoutellIwasworried?”

Hereacheddownandstrokedhisthumbagainstherforehead.“Youhavethecutestwrinkle;it

creasesupjustaboveyourlefteyebrow.What’sreallyonyourmind?”

“Akmul.Iknowyouthrewhimout,butnoone’sevenseenhimformonths.Idon’ttrusthim,andI

don’ttrustwhathewants.”

“Ihavemybestspiesandagentshuntingforhim.Hewon’tgetfar.Besides,nexttomeisthesafest

placeyoucouldbe.”

“Iknowthat,butthere’ssomuchatstakenow,”shesaid,rubbingherbelly.“Ijustneedtokeepit

together.ThelastthingIwanttodoisriskthebabyorrisklosingyou.”

Hekissedher.“You’llneverloseme,myartiste.Infact,Iwantedtomakeyoufeelevenmoreat

home.”

“Huh?”sheaskedasheopenedasetofdoubleoakdoorsbeforeher.

“Ithinkyou’llsee,”hesaidashearchedaneyebrowbackather.

Frowning,sheenteredtheroomandthengasped.Laidoutbeforeherwasanartstudiothatputall

theclassroomsandprivatestudiospaceattheuniversitytoshame.Therewererowsofpaints,stacksof

paperandcanvases,brushesofalltypes,carvingtools,akiln,clay,andstoneblocksofeverytypeand

size—allthemediashecouldwanttoworkin.

Whistling,sheturnedaround.“Youdidthis?”

“Ididn’tthinkthesmallstudiowassufficient,soIhadsomeexpertsassembleeverythingyou’d

need.”Zahirstartedtounbuttonhisshirt.

Feliciacouldn’tlookawayfromtheeyefulbeforeher.Inthealley,he’dstayedclothed,andshe’d

neverbeenabletoappreciateZahir’sbeautyandruggednessexceptthroughthefabricofhiswell-tailored

shirts.Butthiswasasightworthwaitingfor:theperfectslopeofhisshoulders,theridgesofhisabdomen

thatcutintoamouth-wateringsixpack,andthetantalizinglineofhairthatdisappearedbelowthe

waistbandofhisboxers.

“Whatareyoudoing?”sheasked.Notthatshewantedhimtostopundressing.

“Idon’tknowhowlongittakesforyoutodoapiece,butI’dlovetomodelforyou,”hesaid,still

grinningashequicklystrippedoffhisboxersandhisslacks.

Shecouldn’tkeepherjawfromdroppingattheglorioussightofhismemberspringingfree,the

sunlightstreamingthroughthewindowsofthestudiohighlightinghisvirility.Pure,masculinebeautystood

beforeher.Zahirwasflawless.

“I…tosculptfromsomeofmyfavoritemediumscouldtakeweeks.Idon’tthinkI’dlaststaringat

youlikethis,evenifIneededamodelforthewholetime.”

“Thenwhat?”

“Icandosomethingoutofclay,maybe,butyouneedtotakeyourpositionfirstandbereadyfor

me.”

“Withpleasure,”hesaidsteppingtowardthenearestwindowandstandingproudly,asifhehadhis

headcockedandhisbackstraight,standingbesidehisthrone.“Now,whatisitsomeAmericanssay?I’m

readyformycloseup.”

“I’llsay,”shesaid,hurryingtogatherhermaterialsandstartmolding;Feliciawouldprobablybe

engulfedbyflamesifshehadtostareatZahirfortoolong.“Justtrynottomove,andwe’llseehowthis

goes.”

Whileshe’ddabbledabithereandtherewithherartsinceshe’dcometoJardania,shehadn’t

takenitasseriouslyassheshouldhave.Therewasalwayssomethingelseonhermind—hertangled

relationshipwithZahir,thepreparationsforthebaby’sarrival,andmindingElenawerejustthestart.She

calledhermomatleastonceadaywhilesheworkedthroughrehab,andsincetheball,worriesabout

Akmulandwhathemightdokeptherdoublydistracted.

Eventuallyshestoppedvisitingthesmallerstudioinherwingofthepalace.Now,assheworked

theclayandthenshaveditdown,feelingthecoolmaterialagainstherhands,Feliciarealizedhowmuch

makingartwaslikecominghome.Thiswasher,herlife,nomatterwhatotherdutiesconsumedher.Even

iftheswirlingconfusionherlifehadbecomemadeherfeeloffkilter,Felicianowunderstoodthatshe

couldn’tbeseparatedfromherartisticexpression,atleastnotforlong.

ThegiddinessofthefantasticviewofZahir’sbodyfaded.Itwasn’tthathesuddenlybecame

unattractive.Itwasn’tthathedidn’tdrivehermadandleaveherheartpoundinginherchest.Itwasthat

theartistinher—theartiste,ashecalledher—tookcontrol.Shefocusedonlinesandcompositions,on

capturingtheessenceofthesubjectbeforeher.Shewishedfornothingmorethantodojusticetotheman

shecaredabout.

Themansheloved.

Thefatherofherchild.

Shetookaminutetostrokeherbellywithonehandassheappraisedtheworkbeforeher.Itwas

done,butshewasn’tsurewhattodowithit.Firingitinthekilnmeantthatitwouldharden,thatitwould

bepermanent.Shewouldn’tmindsuchatreasureinherroom,butshewouldn’texactlybeabletoexplain

anudeSheikhAhmed.Besides,withherluck,Elenawouldfindit,andFeliciawouldhavetosuffer

throughherknowingsmirks.

Still,itwouldbeashametowasteit.

“You’refrowning,myartiste.Whatfor?WasInotagood,cooperativesubject?WasInotgorgeous

enoughforyou?”

Sheblushedandlethereyestrailtohisgroinasshestartedcleaninghertools.“TheGreekgods

wouldbejealousofyou.Frankly,ifyoueverreallystudytheproportionsoftheDavid,you’llfindthat

he’sratherlacking.”

“Soareyoufinishedwithme?”

“Yes,butIcan’tfirethisup.WherewouldIputit?”

Hesteppedawayfromhisposebythewindowandgrinnedlasciviouslybackather.“Fireit

anyway,andI’llkeepitlockedupinmyquarters.Ipromisenoonewillseeitthere.Iwantmyartiste’s

masterworkthereforme.”

Shechuckledandblewastrandofchunkybangoutofhereyes.“It’snotgreat.I’moutofpractice,

andIonlytookanhourwithitand—”

Whileshewasrambling,Zahirsteppedupbehindher,hishardlengthpressingintoherback.“But

youmadeitlovinglywithyourownhands,andthat’swhatmatterstome.It’stheloveyouputintoit,your

dedicatedeye.That’swhatIwant,areminderofyourtalentandyourspirit.”

“Andthefactthatit’smadetoscaledoesn’thurt.”

Hesurprisedherbykneelingbyherstool.Reachingup,Zahirstrokedhercheek.“I’mserious.It’s

notaboutme.It’saboutyouandthefactthatIcareaboutyou;Iloveyourtalent.Imeantmypromise—

afterthebabyisbornandoldenoughforsomenannytime,youcangobackandfinishyourdegree.You

canworkasanartist.Iwantyoutobethenewsheikhabymyside,butIdon’teverwantyoutofeellike

you’velostyourself.Haveyoueverlookedinamirrorwhenyou’reworking?”

“Ihadtosometimes,inmydrawingclasses.I’ddoself-portraitsaspracticeandseethatlineover

myeyebrowpopup.Iconcentratesohard.”

“It’sremarkable,likeyou’rechannelingsomething.It’ssobeautiful,andyourartistoo.Youneedto

keepsharingthatwiththeworld.I’lldoanythingtomakethathappen,evenafterthebaby’sborn.”

“You’llchangedirtydiapers?”

“Whynot?Myfatherandmothertookturns.”

“Asheikhchangingdiapers—nowthat’safunnyimage,”shesaid,swivelingabitinherchairso

thatshecouldrestherchinonthetopofhishead.“Ididn’tdatetoomuchbeforeImetyou.You’re

somethingspecial,Zahir.”

“I’mgladyoudidn’t.Idon’tcareifyou’relessexperienced.Icertainlycouldn’ttellthatdaywe

madelove.”

Hecouldhavesaidonlyday,butsheunderstood.Howcouldshenot.

“Iknow.Ijustmeantthatthefewguyswhohavebeeninmylifenevergotmyart.Theyjustthought

itwasadistraction.Ididn’tthinkitwouldinterestyou,either.”

“I’vehadatypicalcosmopolitanupbringing,”hesaid.“I’vehadprivatetoursofsomeofthefinest

museumsonEarth,fromThePradototheGuggenheim.You’rerightthough.IwasneveraDavidfan.IfI

hadtopickanythingfromMichelangelo,I’dpickLaPieta.”

“Butyou’re,uh…”shefumbled.Notsurewhattosayabouthimfavoringapieceofartdepicting

MarycradlingChristafterhisdeath.

“Icanappreciatestoriesfromalltraditions,andIappreciatemothers,”Zahirsaid,leaningoverto

kissherbellythroughthethinfabricofherrobes.“Andthere’snomotherIcurrentlyappreciatemorethan

you.Nowomanatall,forthatmatter.”

Hebroughthisheadlowerandkissedherlapandthendowntoherkneesthroughthefabricofher

kaftan.Thenhemadehiswaytoherfeetandpickedoneup.Pullingoffherslipper,Zahirmassagedher

foot,thenkissedit,hislipstracinggracefullyoverthearch.Shemewledagain,likethekittenshe’dbeen

forhiminthealleyway.Zahirdidthattoher,madeherhelplesstohischarms.

“Iwanttomakelovetoyou.”

“Ifeelfat.”

Heslidhishandsupoverthefabricofherrobeandstrokedherbelly.“You’reamazing,carrying

mychild.IwanttoshowyouhowmuchInotonlyappreciatethat,butcareaboutyou.”

Shemoanedwhenheslippedhishandunderneaththewaistbandofherpantiesandranhisindex

fingerdowntohersecretlips.“OhGod,justlikethat.”

“Youshouldgetonthefloor.ThelastthingweneedistoexplaintoDr.Galudwhyyoufelloffa

stool.”

“Goodpoint,”shesaid,hatingtolosecontactwithhismarveloushandsevenlongenoughtomove.

Sherose,andheslippedthekaftanoverherhead.Shestoodbeforehiminherpantiesonly.Sheneeded

newbras—hergrowingbreastshadovertakenheroldones.Shehadjustbeentooembarrassedtobringit

upwithMalashaandMisha.Feliciawasgladforitnow,happytobebarebeforethemansheloved.

Helickedhislipsandthenkissedherneck,workinghiswaydown,leavingdelicatelovebitesuntil

hecouldtastetheskinatthehollowpointofherthroat.“You’remybeautifulartiste,aren’tyou?”

“Always,Zahir,”shesaid,wrappingherarmsaroundhimandpullinghisbodyclosetohers.His

erectionwashotandstrongagainstherbelly.Theydidn’tfittogetherquitethesamenow,butthesensation

ofhim—allofhim—againstherwhilehekissedherneckwasdivine.

“Doyoutrustme?”

“Ithinkso,”shesaid.

Hehesitatedforjustaminute,hurtfilteringthroughhiswarm,browneyesbeforeheshook

everythingoff.“Liedown.Don’tworry.I’llbemindfulofthebaby,”hesaid,grinningatherwithalook

thathadwetnesspoolingbetweenherlegs.

Withhishelp,shelaydownonthetarp,andshelookedupathim,expectantandeagerforhimto

joinher.Joinwithher.Theyneededit.Sheneededit.

“So,what’sonyourmind,mysheikh?”

“Onlythis,”hesaid,ashegottohishandsandkneesbeforeher.Sheshiveredattheimage,athis

approach,solikeajunglecatloomingoverher.

Zahirloweredhisheadtokisshiswayupherlegs,lettinghistonguetrailoverherknees.Whenhe

reachedtheapexofherthighs,hetorethethinstripsoflacearoundherpussyaway.Again.

Shelaughedandbattedathishands.“YouknowthatIhavetogetnewoneswhenyoudothat!”

“I’llbuyouteverydamnstoreinthecountryjustforthejoyofdoingthat,myartiste.”

“Youprobablycould.Infact—”

Heburiedhisnosedeeplyinthatthatchofhair,andshegasped.Wordsfledashishandscaressed

herthighs.

Zahirdidn’ttalkanymore,didn’tplay.Thiswasaboutneed,now,abouttheall-consuming

throbbingbetweenherlegsandtheheatflaringthroughherbelly,abouthishardnesspressingagainsther

leg.Reachingdown,Zahirdelicatelypartedherlowerlipsandtracedhistongueoverherfolds.She

buckedagainsthimandgroaned.

God,Ihopewe’reasfarfromeveryoneelseasIthinkweare.

Helickedtenderlyatfirstandfartooslowlyforherliking.Thebastardwasteasingher,abitofoh-

so-evilpaybackforthemonthsshe’dfelttooscaredtocommit,forthetimessheavoidedintimacy.That

wouldn’tdo.Herheartwasbeatingoutafrantictattooandhernerveswereonfirealloveragain.Shehad

tohavehim.

Now.

Runningherfingersthroughhishair,shegraspedhimastightlyasshedared.“Please,youhaveto

gofaster.I’mgoingtoexplode.”

Hepulledbackjustlongenoughtosmirkdeviouslyupather.“Allgoodthingscometothosewho

wait.”

Thenhewentbacktohisministrations.Heslippedtwothickfingersinsideherandfoundherclit,

histeethgrazingoveritjustslightly.Shefeltasifherbloodwereonfire.Shehowledagainandhoped

thatnooneeverfoundthem.Ofcourse,ifshecouldkeepfeelinglikethis,thenshedidn’tmuchcarewho

walkedinonthem.Amillionfireworksweregoingoffinsideofher,andeverybitoflightandheatinthe

universewereconsumingher.

ThenZahirstartedsucklingatthatmostsensitivebundleofnerves.Hediditintandemwithhis

fingersthrustinginandoutofher,arhythmthatspedup—itseemed—witheverybeatofherheart.She

closedhereyesandarchedherneck,givingintothesensations—thesmellofthedampclaymixedwith

hisspicymuskofturmericandcinnamon,thescratchytarpagainstherbackcontrastingwiththesweat-

slickedbodyaboveher,andtheblazinginfernoriotingthroughher.

ThenZahirsuckedherindeeplyonelasttime.Shedetonated,herbodyfallingapartinariotofheat

andpowerandsensation.

Herorgasmsweptthroughher,anditseemedlikeshespenthourstangledinthatbliss.Eventually,

rationalthoughtcamebacktoher,andshelookedupatthesheikh.

“Ireallydoloveyou,youknow?”

Hechuckledand,afterwipinghismouthonconvenientpapertowel,kissedherlips.“I’veloved

yousincethemomentIfirstsawyou.I’vejustbeenwaitingforyoutonotrunaway,waitingforyoutosee

whatwehave.”Hepunctuatedhisstatementbywrappingherupinhisarmsandholdinghertightly,one

handstrayingtolayapalmflatagainstherstomach.“Andnomatterwhatcomes,nomatterwhatstunts

AkmulmightpullorhowMotherschemes…nomatterwhattroubleElenagetsintoorwhatelseyour

motherneedstogetbetter…we’retogether.”

Shenoddedandarchedherneckbacktokisshim,relishingthewaytheirtonguestangled,a

devilishdancethey’dbedoingfortherestoftheirlives.“That’sallthatmatters.”

“Tome,mysheikha,ourfamilyistheonlythingthatmatters,nowandforever.”

Shesmiledandsnuggleddeeperintohisbody,theheavinessofsleepstartingtostealoverher.

“Forever,Ilikethesoundofthat.”

ChapterThirteen

“Iamsobored,”Elenasaidastheytooktheirseatsinthemediaroom.

Feliciahaddiscoveredsomeadvantagestobeingasheikha,andchiefamongthemweretheperks

andcomfortsoftheJardanianroyalpalace.Themediaroomhadfiftymassiveoverstuffedreclinersanda

screenasbigasanybackhomeinthetheatersinWestVirginia.Settlingdowntowatchthenewest

superheromoviehersisterwasnatteringonaboutwasbeyondcomfortableandanicerestforheraching

backandswollenfeet.

“Aren’twewatchingthatmovie—Mr.Weirdorwhateverthetitlewas?”

“Notevenclose.”

“Buthowcanyoubeboredifwe’rewatchingthemovieyouwant?”Feliciaasked.

“Becausenowthatthere’stheAhmedFoundationbusinesskeepingbothZahirandJaheerbusy,I’m

dyingofboredom.There’snoonetohangoutwithnowthatZahiristravelingandnoonetoannoywith

Jaheergonetoo.It’ssoboring.”

“Youdon’thavetoharassJaheerallthetime.Heandhisbrotherhavebeensonicetotakecareof

us.”

Elenarolledhereyes.“Please,Jaheerneedssomeoneinhislifetospeakthetruthtohim.Also,

theydooweyou.WemightbegettingtreatmentforMomoutofthedealandmoneyformycollegeandall

that,butit’syourbodythat’sbeingchangedbypregnancyandtherisksyoutakewiththat.”

“Dr.Galudispleased.HesaysboththebabyandIareperfectlyhealthy.Ijustdon’tthinkyouneed

toalwaystagalongwithJaheer.Hehumorsyou,buthestillhasveryimportantbusinesstotakecareof

everyday.”

Elenashrugged.“I’llquitwhenheasksmeto.Rightnow,Idefinitelythinkhelikeshavingalittle

sisaround,andIenjoydoingthat.Buthe’snothere,soitdoesn’tmatteranyway.”

Feliciasighedandrubbedatherstomach.“WellI’mexcitedforthismovie.Ineedtobeoffmyfeet

more.”

“Maybeifsomeonewasn’tobsessedwithwalkinginthegardenallweek.”

“IusuallygowithZahir,andwhenhe’saway,itmakesmefeellikehe’sstillhereifI’minthe

spacewherehe’dnormallybe,youknow?Ineedtofeelhispresence.Ithelpsmesleepatnight.”

HersisterchuckledandtouchedFelicia’sstomach.“Ithinkotherthingsareproofofhispresence.

Seriously,what’sgoingonwithyoutwo?Thingsseemdifferentthislastweek,better.”

“We’reprettysolidallthetime.”

“Yeah,butinabuddieswayorinapolitefriendswayorevenco-parentsputtingonthebestface

possibleforthebabyway.NowanytimeImentionhim,youhavethatgoofygrinonyourface.WhenI

SkypedJaheer,hesaidthatZahirwaswhistlingallovertheirhotel.Ithinksomethingsonot‘justfriends’

happened.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Please,youtotallyhadsex,erm,again,”hersistersaid,blushingalittleasshelookeddownat

Felicia’sbelly.

“I…no!”sheobjected,butshe’dneverbeenagoodliar,andherlittlesistercouldseethroughher

asifFeliciawereawindowpane.“Okay,maybe.”

ElenasquealedsoloudlythatFeliciahadtocoverherears.“Youdid.OMG,IsuspectedbutI

wasn’tsure.Thisisamazing.Thatmeansyoureallyaregoingtogettogetherlikeafairytale!”

“We’renotafairytale,andyou’refifteen—Idon’twanttogiveyouideas.”

“Wellyouarethemotherofhischild.Obviously,it’sserious.I’mnotslutty,duh.”

“Butit’salsothatwe’retryingtofigureoutourrelationship.Ifelltoofastforhim,andthenthere’s

thebabyandwhat’sbestforJardania.Hismotherhatesme.I’mjustthemeanstotheendinhermind.I’m

sureshe’splottingtoslidetheprincessofJordanintomyplaceassoonasshecan.”

“WhocaresaboutSheikhaAdira;she’slikethisold,driedupbitch!”

“Youshouldn’tsaythat.”

“Well,Jaheersaysit.”

Feliciacluckedhertongue.“Heshouldn’tbehardonhismother.Icanseewhyshehatesme.I’m

notthetypeofwomanevermeanttobeasheikhaorthemotherofthenextqueenorkingofacountry.”

“Somepeoplewishtheywereasawesomeasus,”Elenacorrected.“Look,Igetit.Everyonemakes

WestVirginiajokesbecausethey’resoeasy.Itdoesn’tmatter.Weareawesome.Yougotascholarshipto

oneofthebestuniversitiesintheworld,andyoualwaystookcareofme,evenwhenMomcouldn’t.I

couldn’timagineanyonebetterforsuchabigjob,andnowthatyouandZahirarefinallyseeingeyeto

eye…orotherplaces…”

SheslappedElena’sshoulder.“Cutitout!Imean,yes,thatpartisdoinggreat,butthere’sno

guaranteeofahappilyeverafter.NoonehasevenbeenabletofindAkmul,andhescaresmemostofall.”

“Ishould.”

Shestoodupasfastasshecould,evenwithherpregnantbelly,andpulledhersisterclosertoher

whenshesawAkmulAhmedandadozenmeninbalaclavasanddarkclothes,armedwithmachineguns,

rushingintotheroom.

“Youcan’tbehere.Theguards—”

“Havebeensubduedbymyforces.SomuchoftheguardhadtoaccompanyJaheerandZahirto

Europe.Iknewthey’dleavethepalacejustvulnerableenough.”Hegrinned,acruelrictusthathighlighted

hiscrookedteethandscragglybeard.ThenheaimedhisGlocksquarelyatElena’sforehead.“Nowyou

comewithme,infidelbitch,orI’llhavetokillyoursister.Youwouldn’twantthattohappen,would

you?”

Shegrabbedherstomachtighter.IfshewentwithAkmul,therewasnotellingwhathe’ddotoher

andthebaby,butshecouldn’tletharmcometohersister,either.Goingwithhimatleastboughthersome

time.

IpromisedtoprotectElena,nomatterwhat.

“I’llgo.”

“No!”Elenashouted,tryingtobreakfreeofFelicia’sgrip.“Youcan’tgo!He’llkillyou—youhave

toknowthat.”

“Ido,butthere’snothingelseIcando.”SheeyedAkmulandstruggledtostaycalm,evenasbeads

ofsweatpooledathertemples.“Canyougivemeaminute.Atleastloweryourgun.Iwanttosay

goodbyetomysister.”

“Youcan’t.”Elenacursedthen,atrulyimpressivebluestreakthatonlymadeAkmullaughasifthis

wasthefunniestjokeintheworld.Hersisterturnedtotheinterloperandglared.“Ihateyou,asshole.You

thinkyoumatter?WhenZahirgetsback,he’sgoingtoendyou.You’llneverbetheleaderofJardania,and

youknowit,too.Ifyouwereevenclose,youwouldn’thavetostealmysisterlikethecowardyouare.”

“That’scute,child.It’sonlybecauseyourspunkamusesmethatIletyoulive.Don’ttestmy

patience.”Akmulstrokedhisbeardashespoke,andFelicia’sstomachturnedinknots.“Ifmypatience

doescease,well,you’llmakeforexcellenttargetpractice.”

“Fuckyou!”

“Elena,pleasedon’t,”Feliciasaid,hugginghersistertight.ShewhisperedintoElena’sear.“Shh,

youneedtowaithere.YouneedtotellZahirandJaheereverythingtheyneedtoknow.I’llbeokay.”

“No!”

ShehuggedhersistertighterandburiedhernoseinElena’shair.Thescentofvanillaremindedher

ofhome,oftheshampootheirmotherlikedandElenanowfavored.Ofsafety.Shehadtoholdontothis,if

shewasgoingtosurvive.

“Iloveyou.Don’tgo,”hersisterbegged,diggingherfingersintohershoulders.

Reluctantly,Feliciapulledawayfromhersister.“Ihaveto,forallofus.”

Withthat,shemadeherwaytoAkmul.Henoddedathisguards.AfewofthemstrodetoElenato

holdherback.Shestruggledintheirgripandcursedwithafiercelitanyalloveragain.Thesecond

phalanxofguardsslappedhandcuffsonFelicia’swrists.

Akmulreachedunderherchinandstrokedit.Thisclosetohim,Feliciacouldsmellhisbreath;it

reekedoftobaccoandfartoomanycupsoftea.“That’smorelikeit.Now,let’sgetoutofhere.Icannot

waitformycousintorealizehismistake,topayyourransom.”

ChapterFourteen

“Well,Ithinkthatwilldonicely,”ZahirsaidashelookedoverthepapersfromMcMillanTraders,

Inc.TheywereworkingtosubsumepartofthebrokeragefortheirownfinancialendeavorsinLondonand

thebroaderUK.Theweekofnegotiationshadbeenagonyforhim.Allhewantedwastobebackin

Jardania,tobeabletomakelovetothewomanhecaredaboutandwaitforhisbabytobeborn.“Mr.

Smythe,pleasethankyouremployersforme.Ibelievethatmylawyerscanfinishnegotiatingeverything

withyoufromhere.Ifyou’llpardonme,Idoneedtobebackhomeassoonaspossible.Mywifeis

expecting.”

Thebarristerfortheothersidenodded.“I’veheard,andcongratulationsoneverything,Sheikh

Ahmed.”

Theywouldhavecontinuedexchangingthefinishingpleasantries,muchtoZahir’sfrustration,ifhis

brotherhadn’trushedintotheroom.Hisfacewasflushedredandhewaspantingheavily.Itseemedto

Zahirasifhisbrotherhadrunupseveralfloorsfromtheofficehe’dbeennegotiatingin.

Hegottohisfeetinaninstant.“What’swrong?”

“It’sFelicia.Akmultookher!”

Hisheartflewtohisthroat,evenashismindreeled.Itcouldn’tbe.Therewasnowaythathe’djust

heardwhathehad,yetJaheerstoodbeforehimwithhisowneyeswidewithterror.

“Howdoyouknow?”HenoddedpolitelyoncemoretoMr.Smytheandgatheredhisthings,

hurryingwithhisbrotherdownthehallandtowardroofaccess.HeknewhowJaheerthought.Hisbrother

wouldhavealreadyarrangedforahelicoptertotakethemdirectlytoHeathrowandfromthereto

Jardania.“Tellmeeverything.”

“Ourguardwasn’tstrongenoughwithmostofourbesthereinLondon.Heburstintothemedia

roomandheldbothElenaandFeliciaatgunpoint.IfFeliciadidn’tgowiththem,they’dhaveshotElena.”

Zahir’sheartconstrictedinhischest.ItwasaSophie’schoice,anunbearabledecision.He

understoodherchoice—shelovedhersister,asdidtheyall.Andatleastthiswaytherewasachancethat

Akmulmightnothurtherandthebaby.Afterall,Akmulhadalwayslovedhisgames.

“Howdidyoufindoutaboutit?Didtheotherguardscall?”

“Somehavereportedin,yes,butElenacalledmedirectlyonceshewassetfree.ThenFarhiddid

aswell.”

“Andwhatcouldsuchanincompetentfoolwant?”Zahirdemanded,furiousbeyondreckoningatthe

manwhohadletthistragedyhappenonhiswatch.Farhidmighthavebeensecondincommandofhis

palaceguardnow,butthatwouldchangeassoonasheandJaheersetdowninJardania.

“HepatchedmethroughtoacallfromAkmul.HeiswillingtotradeFeliciaandthebabyfora

price.”

“Anything.Nameit.”

Hisbrotherregardedhimwithdark,fearfuleyes.“Jardania.Hewantsthekingdom.Youabdicate

everythingoryouloseeverythingthatreallymatters.”

***

Feliciadidn’tlikethewayAkmulstaredatherastheyrodeinthecarawayfromthecapitalof

Jardaniaandtowardthebackroadsandheavysandssurroundingthem.ShehadnoideawhereAkmul

livedandwhathisquarterswerelike.Aspartoftheroyalline,nomatterhowdistantlyasacousin,she

assumedhelikedluxury,ifnothygiene.Heseemedlikethetypewhowouldhaveadungeon.Alockand

keylifeforherandthebaby.

DearGod,hewon’tkillmerightawaywillhe?

Akmulgrinnedather,andshehadtochokebackherrevulsionatthatheavytobaccosmell.Thenhe

startledherbyreachingdownandstrokingherleftthighthroughthegossamerfabricofherkaftan.She

shudderedandtriedtopullawaybuthegrippedherlegwithanirongrip.

“Letgoofme!”

Hissmirkwidened.“I’mnotsohorrible,infidel.”

“MynameisFelicia.”

“Yournamematterslittletome,”hesaid.“ThethroneisallIcareabout.Icangetitbyforcing

Zahirtoabdicate.”

“He’dneverdothat.”

“Hemightfortherightprice,andwhatcouldhewantmorethanhischildandhissheikha?”

“Iwon’tlethim!Jardaniawillneverbesafewithyouasthesheikh.You’druinalltheprogress

they’vemade.ThebabyandIaren’tworththepeaceandprosperityofawholenation.”

Akmullaughed.“You’reprobablyright,butthatfoolZahirhasalwaysbeenahopelessromantic,

andIknowhewon’tseeitthatway.Butitdoesn’tevenhavetocometothat.Ifhehasnoheir,thenthe

thronepassestomeasthenextoldest.”

Shegrippedherbellyastightlyasshecould,thefearpercolatingthroughher.“Iwon’tgetridof

himorher.I’dratherdiefirst.”

“Butwhatifthebabyweremine?Wecan’tgobackintime,butifyoumarriedmeinstead,

promisedmetheheirinyourwombassurelyasifitweremyown?Thenwewouldreallyhave

something,wouldn’twe?”

“I’dneverdoanythinglikethat.I’dnevermarryyou.Never.”Feliciahadnoideawhatmotivated

her,whatfinallymadehersnapfromrationalintoangryandferocious.Butshe’dneverletthatmonster

raiseherchild.Never.Gatheringthemucusintoherthroat,shearchedbackherneckandspitaloogieat

him,onethatlandedflatagainsthisface.“You’llhavetodosomethingelsebecausethebabyandIare

Zahir’s,andwealwayswillbe.”

“Keepthinkingthatway,bitch,”hecursed,andthenhesluggedherhardintheface.

Hervisionswamandpainlancedthroughherbody.Feliciatriedtostayawake—passingoutwould

puthercompletelyatAkmul’smercy—butsheswooned,passingoutinthebackoftheheavilyarmored

limo,senselesstoanythinghemightdotoher.

***

Whenshewokeagain,Feliciafoundherselfinabedroom.Itwasn’tquiteasopulentasthepalace,

butitwasstillextravagant,withsilkcurtainsandheavyantiquefurnitureineverycorner.Herfacestill

throbbedfromwherehe’dpunchedher,andifshe’dbeenabletositupfully,shemightnothavemadeit

veryfarbecauseofthevertigothreateningtoovercomeher.Whenshestartedtositup,however,herarms

snappedback.Toherhorror,shefoundthatherwristswerehandcuffedtothebedposts.Atleastherlegs

werefree.

Herheartskippedseveralbeatsasanicysweattrickleddownherback.

“What’sgoingon?”shedemanded,justincasesomeonecouldhearher.

Akmulstrodeinthroughthedoorway,andshehadtopushthebilebackinherthroatwhenshe

noticedthathewaswearingonlyapairofboxers.Herheartpoundedinherears,andshecouldbarely

hearanythingoverthesound.

“Youknowwhat’sgoingon.Icanmakeyouloveme.Icanmakeyoubethequeenofmycoming

kingdom.Iwillbetheking,andwecanruleJardaniatogether…theheirincluded.”

“Youcan’tmakemedoanything!”sheshouted,pullingagainstherbonds.“Iwon’tletyoudoit.”

Helaughedandstrokedhisbeard.Shewantedtoscream,butFeliciarefusedtogivetheratthatpleasure.

“YouknowthatZahirwon’tstandforit.He’llsaveme.”

“IfIdefileyou,willheevenwantyou?Thebratandyoucanbemineandthespiritofthecontract

andoldlawshonoredthatway.”

“Ifyoutouchme,”shespat.“He’llhaveyourhead.”

“We’llhavetoseeaboutthat.”

Thenhewasonher.

ChapterFifteen

Now,now,now.

Thatwastheonlythingthathecouldthink,theonlythingthattrulymatteredasthehelicopterlanded

outsideofhiscousin’sestate.HeandJaheerweren’talone.They’dhadeverysparearmyservicemanthey

couldcalloutfromeveryrankinJardaniasentdirectlytoAkmul’slair.Thisviolationwouldnotstand,

andhewasgoingtoenditonceandforall.Hesteadiedhimselfasthechopperstartedlevelinginfor

landing.Besidehim,Jaheerstruggledwithhisbulletproofvest.Zahirfinishedfasteninghisownandthen

redidhisbrother’s.Hisyoungersiblinghadalwaysbeenadjacenttoskirmishes.Itdidn’tfalltothespare

(asJaheercalledhimself)togointobattle.Now,however,theybothwantedtobetheretosaveFelicia.

Afterall,Jaheerlovedhissister-in-lawandniece-ornephew-to-beasdearlyasZahirdid.

Jaheerclappedhisbrother’sshoulder.“Youdon’thavetogoin,youknow.Wehavemostofthe

Jardanianarmyarrivingontheground.Theheirandthespare,right?Idon’twantyoutogethurt.Ilove

you,brother.”

Zahirshookhishead.“We’reboththeheir,andthiswomanismyheart,mylife.I’mgoingtosave

them.”

Jaheerhesitated.“WhatifthisiswhatAkmul’scountingon?Whatifhewantsyoutowalkintoa

trapsohecankillyou?”

“Andyouwanttobetheonetotakethatbullet.I’myourbigbrother,andIcannomoresacrifice

youthanFeliciacouldhavedonewithElena.We’reinthistogether.”Hereachedforhisninemillimeter

andthankedhisownmilitaryexperienceforpreparinghimforasituationlikethis.Heneededevery

advantagehemightget.“Besides,Idon’tintendtolose.”

Thechoppersetdown,andheandhisbrothergrabbedtheriotgear,includinghelmets,thattheir

officersworewhenthingswentsouthwithcivilianprotests.Hewasdesperatetosavehisfamily,but

Zahirwasnofool.Hewasnotgoingtomakeiteasyforhiscousinoranyofhiscousin’sminionstoget

offafatalshot.Thepilotbarkedtotheminclippedwordsandtheybothbracedforthedoortoopen.

Whenitdid,Akmul’smensurgedoutinahailofgunfireandacacophonyofnoise.

Zahirnoddedtohisbrother.“Let’sdothis.”

Withoutanotherword,bothbrokeintoalopingrun.Keepingtheirheadsdownandtrustingtheir

teamtotakecareoftheguardsaroundtheestate,thepairrushedthedoor.Zahirwasbreathinghardashe

wovethroughthegunfireandupthestairs.AguardgrabbedJaheerfrombehindandtriedtostranglehim.

Buthisbrothermovedlikeasnake,andheelbowedtheothermaninthegut.Theguardwentdownlikea

bagofwetcement.Zahirspottedanotherguardatthetopofthestairs,thisonetakingaimatbrothers.

Zahirsteadiedhisgunandfired,hisbulletspinningthemantothefloor,wherehestayed.

Atthetopofthestairs,Zahirnoddedtohisbrother.“I’lltaketheEastWing,andyoutaketheSouth.

Ifyoudon’tfindanything,wemeetbackhereintwenty.Youhearme?Staysafeanddon’tbeahero.”

Jaheerchuckledandlookeddownattheguard’sbody.“I’llleavethatforyou,Zahir.Niceshooting

brother.Seeyouontheotherside.”Withthat,hisbrotherpulledhisowngunclosetohisbodyandrushed

downthehall.

Zahirhurriedhisownway,straininghisearsforanysound,anytelltalesignofeitherAkmulor

Felicia.Thenheheardit—anangry,frightenedshoutthatshotlikeajoltofelectricitytohisheart.Itcame

fromaroomattheendofthehallway,andhebrokeintoarun.Hebarreledthroughthedoorwithhisgun

cocked.

Zahirwasgladhehad.Thesightbeforehimwasenoughtomakehimseethe:hiscousininnothing

morethanhisunderwearabouttoclimboverthefootofthebedandtouchhissheikha,hisartiste,thelight

ofhislife.Instincttookover—thequickpullofhisforefingerandaloudbangresoundingthroughthe

room.Hiscousinslumpedhardonthefootofthebed,thebloodpouringfromhisbodyandstainingthe

floor.

Hisbelovedscreamed,andhehurriedforward,growlingwhenhefoundFeliciacuffedtothebed.

Reachingdown,hestrokedhercheek.“Whatdidthatanimaldotoyou?”

“I…nothing.Hewasjustaboutto.”

Heshookhisheadandranhisfingersoverherswollenlipandthenherblackenedrighteye.“No,

hehurtyou.”

Shegulpedandglanceddownatherfeet,whichlaymereinchesfromAkmul’scorpse.“Hedidn’t

dotheworsthecouldhave.Ipromiseit’sokay.Everything’sfinenowthatyou’rehere.You…youcame

forus.”

Hekissedherfiercelyandthenstrokedhersoftcheeksagain.“AndIalwayswill.”

***

FourMonthsLater

“I’mgoingtokillyou!”shescreamed,breathinghardbetweenclenchedteeth.“Youdon’tknowthe

dayorthehour,Zahir,butI’mgoingtomurderyou.”Shescreamedagainandclenchedhishandasthe

contractionsboredownonher.“I’mneverhavingsexagain,never.Youhavehadyourfill!”

ItwasashamethatJaheerandElenahadtowaitinthefamilyquartersandcouldn’tbeinthe

hospitalroomitself.ItwasjustDr.Galud,ateamofnurses,andherandZahir.Still,itwouldhave

amusedboththeirsiblingstonoendtoseetheangerandferocityseethingthroughher.Shelovedher

sheikh,shedid,butgivingbirthwaslikehavingredhotpokersshovedthroughherback,andshestillhad

noideahowababywassupposedtobepushedthroughherhips.Noneatall.

Atleastthedrugswerehelpingsome.Ifshe’ddonethisnaturally,shehadnoideahowshe’dbe

coping.Asitwas,herwholebodyfeltasifitwererebellingagainsther.

Anothercontractionhitfullforce,andshegroanedagain,clutchingZahir’srighthandsotightlythat

shewasafraiditmightsnap.

Hereachedoutwithhislefthandanddabbedtheclothagainstherforehead.Thecoolnessofit

helpedheralittle,gaveherasensationtohelpdistractfromthepain.Still,shebreathedhard,pantinglike

she’druntheBostonMarathon,evenastearsslippeddownhercheeks.

“Ithurts,baby,”shesaid,eyeingZahir.“Ithurtssomuch.”

Hekissedher,andshereveledinhisscent,thathintofcinnamonthatseemedtoaccompanyhim

anywherehewent.“Butyoucantriumphoverthis,justasyouhaveeverythingelse.”

“Iagree,”saidDr.Galud.“You’refullydilated,SheikhaAhmed.Oneortwomorepusheswilldo

it.”

“Ican’t.I’msotired.”

Zahirrantheclothoverherforeheadagainandthenkissedherlips.“Youcan,andyouwill.”

“I’mnotthatstrong,andthisiskillingme.”

Hesmiledbackather,andthatlookmadehermelt,asitalwayshad.“You’rethestrongestwomanI

know.Nooneelsecouldsurvivethescrutinyofthekingdomandmymother,Akmul’swrath,andcangive

methemostwonderfulheirasheikhcouldhopefor.Youhavedoneallofthis,myartiste,andIknowyou

willdosomuchmore.It’syourdestiny.”

Herheartmeltedevenfasterathiswords.Healwayshadthatwaywithher,thatabilitytomakeher

believeanythingwaspossible.Shewantedtorewardthatfaith,neededto.Takingadeepbreath,she

steadiedherselfandwiththenextcontraction,pushedoncemore.Thepainwasajackhammerinherspine

andshefeltasifshewerebeingtornintwo.Thentherewasapopalmost,andthepressurearoundher

abdomeneased.

Everyonecheered—andababygaveitsfirstcry.

Shesettleddownagainstthebedasanursecleanedandpreparedthebaby,asDr.Galudworkedto

makesuretheafterbirthwasalsodeliveredsafely.Onceeverythingwasset,thenursebroughtthebabyto

her,andshesmileddownatthebundleofjoy,atthedarkmopofcurlyhairthatmarkedthebabyasan

Ahmedinstantly.

“It’sagirl,”Dr.Galudsaid.“Ihopethatdoesn’tdisappoint.”

ThesmilewasbroadandbeamingoverZahir’sface.“Nothingcanmakemehappierthanseeingmy

twogirlstogether.”Hewrappedhisarmsaroundbothofthemandkissedtheirdaughter’sforehead.“How

aboutEmine?Itmeans‘oneyoucanbelievein’.Ithinkshe’llgrowintoallthatconfidenceandbeafine

rulerforthekingdom,justlikehermother.”Withthat,hekissedherlips,atenderpromisetobothmother

andchild.

Sheshivered,rarelyfeelingsocompleteandoverjoyed.Shelovedthismanandcradledthechild

she’dbeendesperatefor—acompletechangefromherisolatedlifeonlyayearago.Hell,onlytenmonths

ago.Thiswaseverythingshe’deverwantedandevenifshe’dsaiditearly,ithadbeensoverytrue—she

lovedhim,andshealwayswould.

Whenhepulledbackfromhiskiss,Zahirquirkedhisheadather.“What’sgoingon?Youlookso

muchlikethecatwhoatethecanary.”

“I’moverthemoon,Zahir.Thisisthebestdayofmylife,andIloveyou.Ihopeyouknowthat.”

“Iloveyoutoo.”

Epilogue

Shewipedatthepaintonhernoseandgroanedwhenitrubbedofffartoomuchonherwrist,

stainingmostofitabrightviolet.Feliciahadn’tbeenkiddingwhenshe’dsaidthatshehadneverbeen

talentedwithtwo-dimensionalart.PaintingthemuralforEmine’sroomwasalaborofloveandtesting

herconfidence.Sculpturesshecouldcraftalldaylong,butshewasneversureofherpaintingsor

drawings,alwaysfelttheywerelacking.

“Ahem,”Elenacoughedasshecameintotheroom.

Sheturnedandsetdownherbrushesandthenwipedherhandsonarag.Thenababywipe.Thena

cleantowel.Onceshefeltthatthepaintwouldn’thurtherfive-month-old,thatitwascompletelygone,

FeliciaheldoutherarmsandlethersisterdepositEmineinthem.

“Whatdoyouthink?”Sheturnedtocontemplatethelandscapeshe’dunrolledoverthewalls.

“I’veseenbetter.”

“Ididmybest!”

Hersisterwinked.“Iwasjustkidding.Youknowyou’rethebest.Yourversionof‘notgood

enough’shouldbehunginafu—”

“Don’tevenaroundEmine,”shesaid.

Hersistercorrectedherselfinmid-sentence.“Inafreakingmuseumthen.Youdidanamazingjob.”

“YouthinkZahirwilllikeit?”

“He’lllikeanythingyoumake.Youknowhewill.”

“I’mnotsure.Ijustfeelit’smissingsomething.”

“IthinkIhaveanideaonthat,”shesaid,gesturingforFeliciatohandbackEmine.

Sheraisedaskepticaleyebrowatherlittlesisterbutcomplied.“Idon’tunderstand?”

“Youneedtoputsomepaintonyourhands,leaveahandprint,andsignthework.You’rethemaster

artisthere,andyoushouldtakecredit.It’snotreal’tilyoudo.”

“Soyou’reanexpertnow,areyou?”

“Idefinitelyam,”shesaid.“Whoelsewouldyougotoforyourbestideas?NowI’mgoingtotake

Eminetomyroom.I’vesetuptheportablecribbecauseoftoomanypaintfumesinhere.”

“Well,whatamIgoingtodo?”

“You’regoingtosignthatwallforZahirbecauseJaheerandIsuckatkeepingsecrets,andhe’s

comingherenowtoseetheworkforhimself.”

Sheflickedaspotofpaintathersquealingsister’sknees.“Youaresodeadwhenyou’renot

holdingmychild.Itoldbothofyouthatitwasn’tready.”

“Butitis!”shereplied.“Youdidanamazingjob,andZahirdeservestoseeit.Nowhurryupand

signit.”Withthat,hersisterscurriedoutthedoorwithEmine.

“Ican’tbelievehersometimes,”shegrumbledhalf-heartedly.

Inreality,itwassweethowmuchhersisterdotedonhernieceandhowencouragingElenawas.

Shemighthaveabigmouth,butitwaspartofhersister’scharm.Andwithouther,thingscouldhavegone

sowrongwithAkmul.ItmadeFeliciashivertothinkofit.Spreadingabitoflilacpaintonherlefthand,

shepressedtheprintonthebottomrightcornerofthewall.Thensheusedherrighthandtosignhername

withherfinger.Steppingback,shehadtoadmireherwork.ShehopedthatnotonlyZahirwouldlikeitbut

thattheirdaughterwouldgrowtoloveit,aswell.

“It’sgorgeous.”

Shegrinnedandspunaround,squealingherselfwhenZahirpickedherupandspunheraround.

“You’rejustsayingthat.”

“It’sbeautiful.”

Shepattedhisshoulderwithhermostlycleanrightpalmuntilhesetherdown.“Doyoureallylike

it?IpickedoneofmyfavoritepoemsfromTheRubaiyatandillustratedit.It’snottoocheesy,isit?”

“No,it’sperfect,”hesaid,admiringthefluffylambshe’dpaintedintheleftcorner.“It’ssucha

beautifulmixofyourworldandcultureandmyown.”

“JustlikeEmine,”shesaid,leaningupandkissinghim.“Justlikeus,together.”

“Exactly.NowIcanthinkofafewthingstodowhileElenababysits.”Heemphasizedhispointby

squeezingherrearwithhistalentedhands.

Shegiggledandthenkissedhimagain,makingsuretoguideherlipstohisearlobeandteaseit

betweenherteeth.Hehissedunderherministrations,anditwasgratifyingthatsheknewexactlyhowto

gettothesheikhsheloved.

“Whatwereyouthinking,mysheikh?”

Hishandmovedtocupherhipsandhissmilelitupthewholeroom.“Wouldn’tyouliketoknow,

myartiste.Wouldn’tyouliketoknow,butI’llgiveyouonehint.It’sgoingtolastallnightlong.”

THEEND

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SharingaSheikh’sBed

BySophiaLynn

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SharingaSheikh’sBed

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ChapterOne

Olivia took a deep breath, scanning the crowd around her. There were no police officers, which

was just as well. She wasn't doing anything technically illegal, but her upbringing had taught her to be

properlynervousaroundlawenforcement.Whenshecouldavoidthem,shewould.

At the moment, however, in the bright sunny bazaar at Zahar, there was no one like that about.

Instead, the bazaar was composed mostly of local vendors and foreign tourists, in other words, with

peoplewhowereintentonhavingagoodtimeandwhomightbemorereceptivetoherthannot.

Atthemoment,Olivialookedlikejustanothertourist,albeitonethatwascarryingaratherstrange

pack on her back. She looked younger than her twenty-four years, with a round face and wide coppery

eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes. She was small but lush, and most people passing by would only

havethoughtthatshewasaratherprettyyoungwoman.Whatshedidnextwasgoingtochangeatleast

someofthatperception,oratleastshehopeditdid.

Shefoundasmallpatchofbaregroundbetweentwostalls.Thenutsellerononesidedidn'tlook

like he cared whether she lived or died, but the woman selling spices on the other gave Olivia an

encouragingsmileandnod.Itwasgoodenough,oratleastshedecideditwouldbe.Foramoment,Olivia

wishedthatshehadherbrother'sgiftforcharmandtalk.Hecouldhavegatheredanexpectantcrowdin

justafewheartbeats.However,Davidwasoccupiedthesedays,andsohislittlesisterhadtomakeher

ownliving.

Withacarethatothersreservedforholyrelics,shekneltdowntoopentheancientrectangularcase

on her back. The warm afternoon sun glinted on her violin, the old wood polished lovingly until it

gleamed.Somemighthavecalleditashabbyinstrumenttolookatit,butsheknewthetruth.Thisviolin

hadbeenherconstantcompanionsinceshewastoosmalltouseit.Nowitmightaswellhavebeenapart

ofherbody,andshetreateditwiththesamecare.

She stood, fitting the instrument under her chin, and raising her bow, she began to play. The first

slowsadnotesoftheoldwaltzfilledtheair,andslowlybutsurely,headsstartedtoturn.Theairwasa

slowthing,almostdirgelike.Shehadheardonebuskersaythathepreferredfastsongswhenhewastrying

togetattention,butOliviahadneverfeltthattobetrue,atleastforher.

Instead,whenpeopleheardthefirstwailingnotesoftheviolin,andturnedtoseethesolemn-faced

youngwomanplayingit,italwaysseemedasifshetouchedsomethingdeepinsidethem,somethingthat

madethemsympathetic,eagertohelpher.Shecouldseeitworkingnow.Theviolinwailed,andslowly,

peoplestartedtogatheraround.

Evenwhenshewasconcentratingonplaying,therewasapartofOliviathatwasalwayswatching

thecrowd,gaugingitsreactionandlearningwhatitwantedfromher.Shehadhadherfirstviolinlessons

fromhergrandfather,butherfatherhadbeentheonetoteachherhowtomanagealargegroupofpeople

sothattheoutcomewouldbeinherfavor.

Whenshefinallybroughtthetunetoahalt,ashowerofsilvercoinsfellintoheropencase,aswell

as several paper bills as well. It was a promising first take for a single song, and she smiled at the

audience.

“Playsomethingfast!”someonecalledfromthecrowd,andthatansweredhernextquestion.Witha

reservednodtowardsthevoice,shesetbowtostringsagain,andthistime,itwasarollickingtraditional

dancetunefromBudapestthatcameout.Shecouldstillremembertheoldmanwhohadtaughther,theone

whohadfoundshelterwithherandherfamilyatamotelduringahardwinter,andhowhehadshowed

herhowtoplaythemusicofhishomeland.Ithadstartledherhowlivelyhissongswere,whenhewasso

oldandfrailandtired.

Before she was done, many of the people in the crowd were tapping their feet and smiling.

Somewhatcynically,sheknewwhatwouldhappen.Theywouldgohometotheirsafelives,theirlovers

andtheirfamilies,andtheymightmentiontheviolinistthattheymetthatday,theonewhohadcharmed

them with a dance tune. They wouldn't think about where she might be sleeping or what she might be

tryingtodowithherlife,orhowlongithadtakenhertolearnapiecethattheyenjoyedforjustafew

minutes.

She finished the dance song with a flourish, and her case was littered with even more money. It

mightendupbeingagooddayafterall.Oliviawasjustgettingreadytotryanotherfastsongwhenavoice

cameoutfromthebackofthecrowd.

“DoOrfeoandEurydice!”

Herheadsnappedup,andshelookedaroundinsurprise.Thiswasnottheplacewhereshewould

haveexpectedtofindamusicalfan,butshesupposedthatthereweremoreunlikelythings.Thepiecehe

hadshoutedwasonethatshewasintimatelyfamiliarwith,andwithadefianttossofherdarkhair,she

raisedherviolinagain.

It wasn't a piece she would have picked for the crowd. It was slow, it glided and slipped and

movedjustoutsidetherangeofcomfort.Initsownshiveryandeerieway,itwasbeautiful,however,and

therewasapartofherthatrelishedthechancetoplayitinthewarmsuninanancientsouk.

WhenOliviabroughtthepiecetoaclosewithavictoriousmotionofherbowonthestrings,there

were fewer people watching, but the ones who were appeared spellbound. One old gentleman, who

looked like a professor in his tweed suit, blinked tears from his eyes. She wondered if he was the one

whohadchallengedher.

“Beautiful,beautiful,”hesaid,fumblinginhiswalletformoney.“Youshouldbeonthestage,my

dear…”

“That'stheidea,”sheadmitted,grinningathim.

Dressedinalightbluetunicandjeans,OlivialookedlikeastudentwhowasbackpackingtheUAE

inhergapyear.However,thetruthwasalittledifferent,anditwasfarstrangerthananythingmostpeople

in the souk could have managed. Right now, though, all she cared about was that she had made enough

money for the moment, enough, anyway, to stop and to have some lunch on the docks of the enormous

freshwaterlakethatborderedZahar.Herstomachwasalreadyrumblingatthethoughtofthefreshfishon

toasted bread that was served on the docks, a meal that had become one of her staples as soon as her

familyhadcometoZahar.

She was just closing her violin case away when a dark shadow came over her. For a moment,

Oliviawasfrozenwithfear.Whensheglancedup,herworstterrorswereconfirmed.Themanwhostood

overherwasdressedinthekhakiofamemberoftheZaharpoliceforce,andheregardedherwithakind

ofboredomthatstillsomehowmanagedtobemenacing.

“Doyouhaveapermitforbusking,?”heasked,hisvoiceeven,butdark.Shecouldseethathewas

alreadyreachingforher,andforamoment,hermindwentwhitewithfear.Shecouldn'tgetarrested.She

couldn't.Notforsomethingthissimpleandsmall.Notwheneverythingthatshewantedwasnearlyinher

grasp…

Oliviaopenedhermouthtodefendherself,tolie,tosaythatshehaditonherearlier,something,

anythingthatwouldgetheroutofthesituationshewasin.Atworst,shewaswillingtoofferupallthe

cashshehadmadejusttogetoutofthesituation…

“Shedoesn'tneedone,”saidacalmvoice.

Theybothturned,andOlivialookedupintoafacethatwassurelyfartoohandsometobelongto

anyonebutamoviestar.Themanwasdressedsimplyinjeansandawhitelinenshirtthatwasunbuttoned

atthethroat.Hewasdarkandslightlyhawk-featured,buttherewassomethingremarkablysensuousabout

thecurveofhisfulllipsandthefaintcurlinhisslightlyshaggyhair.

“She doesn't?” asked the police officer with some skepticism. Despite his words, there was

somethingmoreguardedabouthisposture.Oliviaknewthatitwasthedifferencebetweendealingwitha

littleforeignergirlanddealingwithalocalmanwholookedlikehemighthavemoney.Shewouldhave

resenteditmoreifitdidn'tlooklikethemanwhohadapproachedwasgoingtohelpher.

“She doesn't,” he said with a supremely casual shrug. “She is a musician in the country who is

looking to audition for the national orchestra, and as such, she has license to play where she sees fit. I

wouldsaythatitisacoincidencethatpeoplebegantodropmoneyintohercase,wouldn'tyou?”

The police officer looked unconvinced, and for a moment, Olivia was certain that the newcomer

hadpushedittoofar.Ifthepoliceofficerdidn'tbelievehim,itwouldhavebeenjustaseasyforhimto

haulintwopeopleasone.

However, the police officer finally nodded, giving the man a slightly uncomfortable look before

turningbacktoOlivia.

“KeepyourselfoutoftroublewhileyouareinZahar,”hesaid,hisvoicedeepbutnowsomehow

unconvincing.Heturned,and,therewasnootherwordforit,heslunkintothecrowd,andinamomenthe

wasgone,leavingOliviaalonewithherunlikelysavior.

“Thankyou,”shesaid.“Thatcouldhavegottenugly.”

Themanlookedatherwithaslightsmile.Despiteherself,Oliviafeltherselfwarmingtohim.She

knewthattherewasagoodchancethathewasjustasdangeroustoherasthecopwas,thoughperhapsin

adifferentway.Shehadlearnedwellenoughthatamanthatsavedyoumightonlysaveyouforhimself,

andthatmostgirlsdidn'tgetluckytwice.

“You'reverywelcome,”hesaid.“Idon'tthinkthatIcouldstandtoletsomeonewhoplayedOrfeo

and Eurydice so beautifully be ticketed for busking. You know, of course, that you are too good for the

streetcorner.”

Sheshothimagrinthatwasmoretooththanactuallyadvisableinhertenuousposition.“Iam,”she

said,withaproudtiltofherhead.“Iwon'tbebuskingfortherestofmylife.”

“Icanseethat,”hereplied,andshewasstartledtohearagenuinenoteofadmirationinhistone.

Mostmenwhopaidhercomplimentsonthestreetwereafteronething,anditwasn'therexcellentuseof

tremolo.

“Come,wecantalkmoreabouttheviolinandwhatyouintendtodowithit.Thereisasandwich

shoprightaroundthecornerthatshouldsuituswell.”

She started to say that she wasn't hungry, but her stomach growled, making the man break into a

startledlaugh.

Suddenly,Oliviawastiredofitall,tiredofhiding,tiredofalwaysbeingcareful.Thismanhadjust

helpedher,andnowhewasofferingtotakehertodinner.Itwasalmostlikeadate,somethingsweetand

realandromantic,andsuddenly,Oliviawantedthatmorethananythingelse.

“I'llcomewithyouifyoutellmeyourname,”shesaidsoftly,andhisdarkeyesglittered.Hewas,

shethought,fartoohandsome.Therewassomethingbrutallymasculineabouthisgoodlooks,butaround

hismouthandhiseyes,therewassomethingjustsweetenough,justsoftenough,thatitcouldtugather

heart.

Thismanisdangerous,shetriedtoremindherself,butforjustthemoment,shewasdeterminedto

throwcautiontothewinds.

“Makeen,”hesaid,hisvoicesoftanddark,andshenodded.Shefeltdrawntohim,likesteeltoa

magnet,andafteronequickcheckofherviolincase,shefellintostepbesidehim.

***

SheikhMakeenal-HamidiyaofZaharwonderedwhatinthenameofhellhewasdoing.

On the outside, it looked very simple. He was simply stopping at one of his favorite sandwich

shopswithayoungwomanwhohadcapturedhisattentioninawaythatithadneverbeencapturedbefore.

Heknew,however,thathehadsavedherfrombeingruninbythepoliceforillegalbusking,and

fromthewaythatshewaseyingthefishsandwichthatthewaitresswasbringingout,hemightbesaving

herfromstarvationaswell.

It was typically not Makeen's habit to get involved with starving street musicians, but there was

somethingaboutthisgirlthatcalledtohim,evenasidefromherastonishingmusic.

“Younevertoldmeyourname,”hesaid,hisvoicelightandteasing.“WhatshallIexpecttoseeon

theprogramwhenIlookforthefirstviolinseatattheNationalOrchestra?”

Shelookedup,andtherewasaflashofdistrustonherfacethatbrokehisheartalittle.Hadnoone

everteasedherbefore?Didshethinkthathewasmockingherwithhertalentandherskill?

“Olivia,”shesaid,hervoice,soft.

“JustOlivia?Howavant-garde…”

Shedidcrackasmileatthat.“No,myrealname…isalittleugly,”shesaidwithasomedifficulty.

“I think that if I am going to embark on a professional career, I will want something a little less …

unwieldy.”

Olivia watched him between bites of her sandwich, as if, he thought, she was waiting for him to

attackher.Therewassomethingaboutherthatwasoddlydelicate,Makeendecided,somethingthatmade

it feel as though at any moment, she might get up and bolt away. In response, he instinctively moved

slowly, keeping his hands where she could see them, and after a few moments, he noticed her relax a

little.

“Icancertainlyseethat,”Makeensaid.“Somenamesareverycumbersome.Imyselfhavenoless

thanfourmiddlenames.”

Hestartledalaughoutofherwiththat,atleast,andencouraged,hepressedon.

“What do you think you will call yourself?” he asked. “Will you name yourself after someone

famous,orwillyouperhapstakeonthenameofoneofthegreatmusicians?”

“No,”shesaidwithadecisivenessthatwasalmoststartlingonher.“No,Iwantsomethingplain

andsimple.Somethingthatslipsoutofthemindassoonasonehearsit.”

“I'lladmit,mostmusiciansIknowwantmoreattentionnotless,”Makeensaidwithalaugh.“What

shallyournamebe,then?”

Sheshrugged,alittleshyly.“Whatwouldyoucallme?”

Was he mistaken or was there a rather enchanting blush on her face? He wasn't sure. All he did

knowwasthathewantednothingmorethantosmooththeballofhisthumboverthecurveofhercheekto

seeifhewouldnuzzleit.

Makeenwasslightlystartledathimself.Whenhewantedawoman,heusuallypreferredthemleggy

and blonde, exotic and assured. Young street musicians who looked like they might like to swipe his

sandwichoff his platewere not reallywhat he imagined whenhe thought ofdesirable women, but still

therewassomethingtothisgirlthatstoppedhimfromlookingaway.

“Hm…Bird.”

“Bird?” she asked, raising a dark brow. She had the most expressive face, lovely and sweet,

capableofshowinganenormousrangeofemotionswithasimplequirkofhereyebrow.

“Yes,”Makeenreplied.“Bird.Soundssosweet,andsoapttoflyawayifItakemyeyesoffyoufor

amoment.”

Therewasabriefmomentofshockonherface,andhethoughtthathehadherpegged.Therewas

something about her that made him want to hold on to her, and Makeen fought the urge down before he

coulddosomethingtrulyridiculouswithit.Thisstartedoutashimdoingawomanonthestreetagood

turn,andnowitwasbecomingsomethingelse.

“I don't get you,” she said finally. “You come out of nowhere, you save me from that cop, you're

buyingmeameal,andallforwhat?”

Heshrugged.“IsupposeIwantedthepleasureofyourcompany.Youareatalentedmusician,andI

wantedtospeakmorewithyou.”

Herlaughwasharsh,somethingthatseemedoutofcharacterforsuchasweetface.Somethingtold

Makeenthatherlifehadn'talwaysbeenkindtoher,andforsomereason,thatmadehimache.

“No one offers something for nothing,” she said, her voice heavy with cynicism. “What's your

angle,Makeen?”

“Yousayingmynamewouldbeenough,”hesaid,anditwastrue.Hisnameonherlipsfeltlikea

strangeandshockingintimacy,somethingthatsentashiveruphisspine.

“Makeen,”shesaid,andthistimetherewasasweetnesstoitthatevenshecouldhear.

“Youpaymebackbybeingyourself,andnooneelse,”hesaid,meetinghereyes.Shelookedhalf-

stunned,orperhapsslightlyhypnotized.“Youpaymebackbybeinganexcellentmusician,onethatcould

leavethecurrentprofessionalsonthestageinthedust.”

Sheswallowedhard,andforamoment,Makeenwonderedifhecouldglimpsetearsinhereyes.

“Allright,”shesaid.“Okay.”

Olivialaughedself-consciously,pullingbackintothattoughshellhehadseenearlier.Thefactthat

hehadbeenallowedtoseehervulnerablewas,hethought,somethingspecialandrare.

“Youareastrangeman,Makeen.Verystrange.”

“SoIhavebeentold,”hesaid.“Look,hereismycard.Ihappentobelieveinsupportingartists,

andperhapsifyouareeverinneed,youcancallmeagain.”

Insteadoftakingthecard,shewatchedhimsetitonthetable.

“Icantakeofmyself,”shesaid,pricklyagain,andhesighed.

“Asyoulike…Onlyawomanshouldhaveoptions.Iwantedtogiveyouanother…”

Atthatinopportunemoment,hisphonerang.Heglancedatthescreenandthengrittedhisteeth.

“Iamsorry,Imusttakethis,”hesaid,andshewavedawayhisapology.

“Yes?”heasked,turningawayslightly.“Havewefoundthem?”

“Affirmative, sir,” said the man on the other line. “Found and captured the whole lot. They are

beingprocessedrightnow.”

Makeenhadtokeephimselffrompunchingtheairinvictory.Theresultofalmostayearofhard

workhadpaidoff,andnowtheyweregoingtoputanoldwrongtoright.

“I'llbedownthereinsideofanhour.Goodwork.”

Hehungupthephone,readytomakehisapologiestoOlivia,butshewasgone,herplateemptyand

nothingtoshowthatshehadbeenthereatall.Foramoment,itfeltlikeaheavylossthatstruckhisheart,

butheshookitoff.Hehadknownherforlessthananhour.Itwasn'tsomethingtomourn.

AsMakeengotuptocalloverthewaitress,however,hesmiled.Shehadtakenhiscard.

ChapterTwo

Olivia took the long way back to the apartment she shared with her family. It wound through

twistingstreetsanddarkalleyways,andshecomfortedherselfbythinkingthatitwasonlyamatteroftime

untilshecouldescapethis,escapeallofthis.Thiswasn'tgoingtobeherworldformuchlonger.

Whenshewalkedintothedarkapartment,metwiththesmellofstalecigarettesandspilledalcohol,

Oliviawasremindedveryclearlythatitwasstillherworldfornow.

“I'mhome,”shecalled,andshecouldseefromthedoorthatherfatherwasasleeponthecouch.

Asleep or passed out drunk, it didn't matter much, and she was content to let him lie. In the kitchen,

however,shefoundhermother,pacingbackandforth,chewingonhercigarettebuttandlisteningintently

onherphone.

Oliviahadhermother'sdarkhairandrichcomplexion,butwhereOliviawascurvyhermotherwas

railthin,asiflifehadwornheraway.Oliviasometimeswonderedifhermotherhadbeensoftandgentle

once,andhowlongithadtakenforthattowearaway.PerhapsshehadstillbeenkindwhenDavidwasa

littleboy,beforeOliviahadcomealong.Shecertainlyhadn'tbeenwhenOliviawasborn.

Finally,Mayellenendedthecall,turningtowardsherdaughterwithbloodshoteyes.Oliviabraced

herself, ready to hear a diatribe about how useless she was, how she was leeching off of her family's

resources,howshewasn'tearningherkeepwithhersillylittleviolin.

Instead, Mayellen wavered as if she was on a boat at sea, and her hand gripped the back of the

kitchenchair.

“Mom?” Olivia asked, and her voice came out soft and scared as it hadn't been in years. “Mom,

what'sthematter?”

“That was Stavros,” she said, her voice hollow with fear. “The cops conducted a sting on the

warehouse.Theytookyourbrother.”

Oliviagasped,herfingerstighteningonherviolincase'shandleuntilithurt.

“Oh,God,”shewhispered.

HerfamilyoriginallycamefromtheUnitedStates,buttheyhadn'tbeenbacksinceshewasalittle

girl. When she was a child, it had all felt like an adventure, roving the world and never staying in one

place for any length of time. There had always been new people to meet, and though the periods of

povertyweregrinding,thereweretimeswhenherfatherwasflushtoo,andthegiftscamerushingin.

Oliviawasalmostthirteenbeforesherealizedthatherfatherwasacriminal.Largegriftsandsmall

werewhatheusedtokeephisfamilyafloat,andmorethanonce,theylitoutaheadofthecopsgrowing

wise.

TheyhadcometoZaharalmosteightmonthsago,andOliviaknewthatthiswasgoingtobetheend

of the line for her. She was leaving all of them. She wouldn't be a part of this life anymore. While her

brothergotinvolvedwiththelocaltoughs,shesentoutherauditiontapesoverandoveragain,andover

andoveragain,shegotrejections.

Shewasgettingclose,though.ShehadreceivedanoticethatshewasunderconsiderationinBerlin

and Johannesburg. She knew that she had to be patient, but she wasn't sure that anything had ever been

harder.Soon,sheknewthatshewouldescapeallofthis,butathermother'swords,itallcamecrashing

down.

David…

Davidhadalwaysbeenthereforher.Hewastheonewhohadgottenherherviolin,hewastheone

who had taught her to drive, he was the one who had protected her from her father's rages, and her

mother'scruelty.ItwasDavidwhoalwayscheeredheron,grinningatherwiththatcrookedsmile,always

sosurethatshewouldgofurtherthanheevercould.

Hermothershotherascornfulglance.“Lookatyouactingsoshockedandconcerned.Don'tbother

puttingonthatface,missy,weallknowthatyou'regoingtoflythecoopassoonasyoucanandtohell

withtherestofus.Everyoneknowsthatyou'renotgoingtobeanyhelpatall.”

Hermother'swordshitherlikeahammer,andtheyawakenedsomethinginOliviathatfeltasifit

hadbeensleepingallherlife.Sheknewthatshewasclever,andsheknewthatshewastough,butshehad

neverfeltsuchpurerageanddeterminationbefore.

Insteadoffallingbackinfrontofhermother'swords,shestoodup,andforamoment,ashocked

Mayellantookastepaway.

“No.That'snotme,”shesaidfiercely.“I'mgoingtosavehim.”

Shestrodeoutoftheapartment,herviolinstillinherhand.Onthetablebythedoorwasthemail.

On top of the pile was a cream-colored envelope marked with a return address to Johannesburg. She

didn'tgiveitasecondlook.

Instead,shelefttheapartmentandclimbedthericketystairstotheroof.Thestarswerebeginningto

comeout,andeveninthemidstofherwilddespair,shelookedupontheminwonder.Zaharwasstilla

city, and she knew that they were faint, but local ordinances to reduce light pollution were in effect,

meaningthattheywerebrighterthananyshehadeverseen.

Zaharwasabeautifulplace,shethought.IfonlyIwasadifferentperson.

Sheshookthethoughtoff,becauserightnow,sheneededherwitsabouther.Shetookoutherphone,

andhandstrembling,shedialedthenumberonthethickcardstock.

ChapterThree

Makeen was in the middle of a busy club when his phone rang. For a moment, he was confused,

becauseasfarasenforcementsquadwent,hehadbeentoldthatitwasallwrappedup.

The afternoon and evening since receiving the call had been a long one for him, even if it was

intenselyrewarding.Thestingoperationthatthedepartmenthadbeenworkingonforclosetoayearhad

finallycametofruition,andheknewthatlifewasgoingtogetmuch,muchbetterforhiscountry.Inthe

fiveyearssincehisfatherhaddiedandhehadcometopower,hehadlearnedandlearnedwellthatthere

were very few things that could be considered complete wins. Compromises were made, agreements

werereached,andsomethingsweresimplyleft.

This was an uncomplicated, unarguable win, and he and several of the other personnel were

determinedtocelebrate.

The club flashed red and gold lights, and the women surrounding him were eager to get his

attention,eveniftheydidn'tknowwhohewas.Hegrinnedatatallblondewhowasrunningherfingers

throughhishair,andsmiledatasultrybrunettewhoeyedhimasifhewassomethinggoodtoeat.Ithad

beenawhilesincehehadtakenalover.Hewonderedifhisnextwomanwasheretonight.

Unbidden,hismindconjuredupasmallwoman,almostagirl,withdarkhairandeyesthatseemed

toseerightintohissoul.Hehadcalledherabird,andindeed,shehadtakenwing.Whydidhestillthink

ofher?Hetriedtoshakethethoughtofheroff,butitwastoolate.Apallcameovertheproceedings,and

heshookoffthewomentostalktothebar.

He was halfway there when his phone rang. After the initial moment of confusion, he veered

towardstheoutsideporcharea,whichwasblessedlyempty.Thecallerwasonlyanumber,noonewho

hadcalledhimbefore,andwhenheansweredthephone,hewascautious.

“Whoareyou?”

The words were strange, but the voice was automatically familiar. “Olivia,” he said, his voice

brighteningwithouthiswill.Justafewmomentsago,hethoughtthathewouldneverhearfromheragain.

Tohearhervoiceafterthatwaslikebalmonburnedskin.

“Yes…”Shesuddenlysoundedunsure.“Imean…yourememberme?Thegirlfromtoday,with

theviolin?”

Makeenchuckledsoftly.“Iamnotinthehabitofforgettingbeautifulwomenwhoplaytheviolinas

iftheysoldtheirsoulstothedevil,”hesaid.“Youusedmynumber.”

“Idid…Makeen…Ineedyoutotellmewhoyouare.”

That caused him to raise an eyebrow. “That's a strange question. I am the man you met today. I

boughtyoulunch.”

“You are dodging the question,” she said, her voice impressively stern. “That cop backed off of

you.Youweren'tscaredofhimatall.IhavelivedalloverEuropeandtheMiddleEast,andIknowthat

meanssomething.Nowtellme,whoareyou?”

Whenshespokelikethat,therewasnothinginhismindthatcoulddenyher.“IamSheikhMakeen

al-HamidiyaofZahar,”hesaid,standingalittlestraighter.Thatwasmorethanatitle.Itwashistrueself.

Hehadonlyshownaportionofhimselftoherearlierthatday,andperhapsthathadbeendeceptive.He

wouldmakeupforitnow.

Makeenheardherpullherbreathinandthenreleaseitslowly.

“OhmyGod,”shesaidquietly.Hewonderedforamomentifhecouldheartearsinhervoice.

“Olivia?Olivia,whatisit?”

“Canyou…willyoumeetme?Please?”

“Ofcourse,”hesaidinstantly.Laterthatnight,hewouldwonderathiseagerness,atthecomplete

lackofdoubthehadwhensheaskedhimthatquestion.

“Tonight,”shesaid,andshenamedacaféthatwashalfwayacrossthecity.

“Icanbethereinanhour,”hesaid,alreadymovingtowardshiscar.“Only,Olivia,areyousafe?”

Herresponsewasalaughthatwasalittlewild.Itsentshiversuphisspine.Hismotherwouldhave

saidthatitwasapremonitionofchange.Thingswereshiftingaroundhim,andtherewasnowaytotell

wheretheywouldendup.

“Iwanttobe,”shesaid,andshehungup.

***

Olivia had never been a woman who wanted frilly, lacy things. She had always thought that they

werefoolish,awasteoftimeandenergy.Now,though,asshewasgettingreadytogotomeetthemanshe

hadmetthatafternoon—thesheikh!—shefeltadeepdespaircomingoverher.

Sherummagedthroughherscantycloset,dismissingoutfitafteroutfit.Finally,shecameupwitha

simple black dress, one that she had purchased from a used clothes vendor in the bazaar. It was long,

fallingalmosttothetopsofherfeet,butthenecklinewascutdaringlylow.Oliviahadboughtitwithsome

hope of using it in audition videos, but the neckline had proved too revealing for that purpose. It was,

however,perfectfortonight.

Whensheputonthedress,shehesitatedoverhermakeup.Herhandsweretremblingassheapplied

thestuff.Itfeltforeignonherface,andwhenshelookedintothemirror,hereyeslookedtoolargeand

dark,hermouthlookedtoored.

Olivia glanced at the clock. She had to leave now. There was no time, and the way she looked

wouldhavetodo,nomatterhowunskilleditwas.

When she made her way through the apartment, her mother looked at her from the table, an

expressionofpurecontemptonherface.

“Well,lookatyou.Headingoutforahotdatewhileyourbrother'sintrouble?”

Thewomanshewasthedaybeforewouldhaveshrankaway.However,thisversionofherself,the

onewithagoalandacause,onlygavehermotherawitheringlook.Shedidn'thavetimetocorrectthe

woman'smisunderstanding.Allshecouldthinkaboutwashermeeting.

It was astonishing how things could change. Just a few hours ago, all she could think about was

progressingontotheorchestraandescapingherlifeinZahar.Now,allthatmatteredwasthatshe'dbe

abletosaveherbrother.

Areyouready?Oliviaaskedherself.Areyousure?

Theanswertobothquestionswasno,butshehadtomoveforwardanyway.

ThecaféwhereshehaddecidedtomeetMakeenwasonewithanantiquecharm.Itwasoneofher

favoriteplacesinZahar,andnotonlybecauseitwasopenallnightwithfreecoffeerefills.Ittookover

twofloorsinanoldhouse,andtherewereplentyofnooksandcornerswheretwopeoplecouldhavea

privateconversation.Ithadservedasherrefugefromherfamily.

Sheenteredthecafé,surprisedtoseethatMakeenhadbeatenherthere.Hereceivedtwocupsof

teafromthewomanatthecounter,whoshotOliviaacuriouslook.Oliviaignoredher.Sheonlyhadeyes

forthemaninfrontofher.

“Youcame,”shesaidinrelief,andheinclinedhishead.

“Igaveyoumynumberforareason,butIneverguessedthatyouwoulduseitsoquickly,”hesaid.

“Youlookshaky,comeandsitdown.”

Hewasright,andwhentheyweretuckedintoaprivatecorneroftheteahouse,shefeltherselfstart

toshake.

“Here,holdontothis.”

She felt better wrapping her hands around the hot tea mug. He waited patiently for her to calm

downalittle,sippinghisownteaandwatchingherovertheedgeofthemug.

“Thankyouforcoming,”shesaidsoftly.“I…Ididn'tknowwhatIwasgoingtodo.”

“Areyouintrouble?”heasked.“IsthatwhyyouaskedwhatIwas?”

Shebitherlip.“I'mnotintrouble,no,butsomeoneveryimportanttomeis.”

Hisexpressionflickered.“Someoneimportanttoyou?”

“MybrotherDavid,”shesaidsoftly.“He's…he'sthemostimportantpersonintheworldtome.

He'salwaysbeenmyprotector,myrock,evenwhenthingsweregoingpoorly.He'sintrouble.”

Suddenly,itwasasifshewereseatedacrossfromastranger.Hisfacewascold,andhelookedat

herasifshewereaspecimenunderneathamicroscope.

“Andhewastakentoday—bythepolice.”

“Yes,”shewhispered.“Howcouldyouknow?”

“Becausemypeoplehavebeentargetingacrimeringofcarthievesthathavebeenoperatinginmy

country.Astingoperationtookdowntheorganizationtoday,andwenettedmanyforeigners,Americans

amongthem.”

“Yes,”shesaid,hereyeswide.“Youhavemybrother.”

“And he will pay for his crimes,” Makeen said, his voice ice cold, and Olivia fought to keep

herselffromcrying.

“No,please,”shesaid,awarethatshewasbegging.“Heisnotacriminal.He…hewassweptup

inbadcompany,hedoesn't…”

“He doesn't know any better?” Makeen mocked. “Olivia, you are young but surely you are not

naïve.Ifhewascaughttoday,thatmeansthathewasknowinglyandwillinglybreakingthelaw.”

“Evenifitwastosavehisfamily?”sheaskedchallengingly.“Evenifitwastoprotectme?”

Hisgazeflickeredatthat,buttherewassomethingtherethatgaveherhope.

“Please, I am asking you to have mercy,” she said, her voice shaking. “He's just … he's just one

man.Surelyyoucanlethimgo.Surelythereareothersthatareworthmorethanhim.”

WhenMakeenwasslowtoanswer,Oliviabitherlip.Shehadnomoneytobribethisman.Shehad

nothing,except…

“I…I'lldowhateveryouwant,”shesaidsoftly.“Thatishowmuchhemeanstome.I'llgiveyou

whateveryoulike…”

Makeenthrusthimselfbackfromthetableasifhehadfoundsomethingdisgustinginhistea.The

contemptuous, incredulous look on his face made her heart sink. She knew that her cheeks were bright

withembarrassment,butsheforcedherselftokeepgoing.

“Please,Makeen,Iswear,Iwilldoanything…”

“Doyouevenknowwhatyouareoffering?”heasked,hisvoicecutting.“Whenyoulooklikeyou

arebarelyoutofschool?”

“I'mtwenty-four,”sherespondeddefiantly.“I'moldenoughtodecidewhatIwanttodo.”

Makeen's dark eyes glittered like those of some kind of predator that hunted only in the dead of

night.Whenshehadmethim,shehadthoughthimtobekind.Nowshesawtheothersideofhim,theone

thatcouldeasilydestroysomethingthatdispleasedhim.Thiswasthemanwhoheldthepoweroflifeand

deathoverherbrother,andsheknewthatDavid'slifehungbyathread.

“Ireallydon'tthinkyouknowwhatyouareoffering,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandalmostsilkywith

menace.“Ithinkthatyouareafoolishchild.”

Olivia could feel her heart beat faster, this time with rage as well as with embarrassment. She

wasn'tachild,andnowshehadtoproveittohim.Shethoughtaboutarguingfurther,butthathadgotten

hernowhere.Instead,thetimehadcometotakeaction.

Makeenlookedstartledwhenshestood.Perhapshethoughtshewouldfleeinhumiliationandnever

return,butthatonlymeantthathedidnotknowhersowell.Shewasawomanwhowasintentonmaking

herwayintheworld,andhersoulwasfullofsteel.

Shesetherhandsonhisshoulderstoholdhimstill,andthenherlipscamedownonhis.Itwasa

desperategamble.Hemighthavedecidedthathewasdisgustedwithherdisplay,stormingoffindistaste,

butshehadseenthewayhiseyesflickeredatherformintheblackdress.

Foramoment,Makeenwasutterlystill,andthenhishandscameuparoundherhips,draggingher

onto his lap. She nearly struggled, but Olivia reminded herself that this was precisely what she had

wantedtohappen,andgaveherselftothekiss.

Foramoment,hesimplyletherkisshim,butshecouldfeeltheshiftwhenhebegantorespond.His

hands tightened on her body, and his mouth slanted harder on hers. His tongue started teasing her lips,

openingthemsohecouldtastehermouth.

Oliviahadkissedmenbefore,butneveramanlikeMakeen.Shehadneverbeenwithamanwhose

power and passion touched something deep inside her and who could draw forth a powerful response

fromhermerelywithhismouth.Withoutwillingit,herbodypressedclosertohis,andshetiltedherhead

so that he could kiss her precisely as he liked. She lost herself in the moment. She knew that she was

kissinghimforareason,butasthepleasuretookherover,sheforgotthattheywerekissingforanyreason

excepttobekissing.

Oliviagaspedwhenhepulledaway.Shestaredashestood,dumpingherrudelyoutofhislap.She

might have fallen to the floor if he had not caught her and set her right. For a moment, he looked

completelyfurious,butthenhecoveredit.

Makeenpulledoutahandkerchieffromhispocket,handingittoher.“Here,wipewhateveritisyou

haveonyourfaceoff,”hesaid.“It'sterribleonyou.”

Shetookthehandkerchief,butinsteadofusingit,sheonlystaredathim.“Whatareyoudoing?”she

asked,hervoiceshaken.Itcouldhavebeenbecauseshewasworriedaboutwhathemightdo,butitwas

morethanthat.Shehadneverbeenkissedthewayhehadkissedher.Shehadneverfeltherbodyriseup

andcryoutwithdesirethathadbeenbrieflygrantedandthentakenaway.

Heglaredather,makinghershrinkbackforamoment.Inthatmoment,sheknewwhatarabbitmust

feelwhenawolfappearedoutofthenight.

“Iamgoingtomakeafewcalls.Iwillcomebackinhereinpreciselyanhour.IwilltellyouwhatI

cando.Afterthat,ifyouwantmetodoit,youwillbereadytoleavewithmeforamonth.Afterthat,fora

month, you have no rights except those that I give you. You will go where I say, eat what I tell you to,

wearwhatIgiveyou.Isthatclear?”

“Yes,sir,”shesaidsoftly,andunexpectedly,hisfacesoftened.

“MynameisMakeen,”hesaidquietly.“Callmethatinstead.”

“Yes,Makeen,”Oliviawhispered,andifhedidnotsmile,atleasthedidnotscowl.

Hestrodeoff,alreadyspeakingonhisphone.

Oliviastaredafterhimforamoment,andthenmadeherownwaytothedoor.Shedidn'thavemuch

topack,buttherewereexplanationstomaketoherfamily,eveniftheywouldn'tcareallthatmuch.

When she got up to the apartment, she found the letter from Johannesburg waiting where she had

seenit.

Oliviaopeneditwithshakingfingers,andthenhereyesblurredwithtearsasshereadthewords

shehadwantedtoseemost.

… pleased to offer you a seat in the reserve orchestra … a step in moving your professional

career forward … greatly looking forward to adding your talents to our reserves … be in

Johannesburginoneweek…

There was nothing to be done for it. She shook as she threw the letter into the wastebasket. She

neededDavidsafemorethanshewantedthatseatinthereserveorchestrainJohannesburg.Shefeltasif

therewasalargeweightweighingdownhershoulders,andshewouldhavetolivewithitforever.

Then, for some reason, she found herself thinking of Makeen, his lean hands, his dark eyes. For

somereason,theweightlifted,andshewasabletogopack.Itfeltasifonephaseofherlifewasending

andanotherjuststarting,butshehadnoideawhatitmeant.

ChapterFour

MakeenfoundhimselfhopingthatOliviawouldnotappear.Despiteherinsolenceandherbravado,

therewassomethingtrulyafraidinhereyeswhenshelookedathim.Itwas,afterall,nosmallthingthat

shewasaskingofhim,whichhediscoveredwhenheendeduptalkingwiththeinvestigatorsonthecase.

DavidMajorswasapettycriminal,onewhohadgotteninwelloverhishead.Hehadsomesmall

skill with cars, and those higher up in the organization had started using him for some of their more

intricatecarthefts.Hewaspoisedtomoveupwhenthestinghappened,andwhenitcametoprosecution,

theattorneyswereintentongoingforthemostchargestheycouldbringagainsthim.

TheheadinvestigatorhadchafedalittlewhenMakeenorderedhimtobefreed,buthehadn'tfought

much.ItpainedMakeentoangerthemanaftersuchasuccessfuloperation,butwhenhehesitated,allhe

couldseewereOlivia'sheartbrokencoppereyes.

The thought brought up a strange mix of fury and pity in him that he didn't want to examine too

closely.Ononehand,thegirlwasoutofline.Herbrotherwasacriminal,andifshethoughtthatshecould

winhimfreewithnothingmorethanthepromiseofherbody,shemightbenobetter.

Butthen…thenhethoughtofhereyesasshefaceddownthatpoliceofficer.Frightened,defiant,

andinsomesadway,resignedtoherplaceintheworld.Shewasageniuswithherviolin,andtherewas

acuriousbeautytoherthathehadneverseenbefore.

Attheendofit,hecouldnotbringhermorepain,moresorrow.

“Bringhimtotheholdingcell,”hesaidfinally.“Releasehimonmyword.That'sanorder.”

And in the end, because he was the Sheikh, and because he had been working with the sting

operationfromthebeginning,theyagreed.

Atthestrokeofthehour,hewasbackinthecafé,wonderingifOliviawouldshowup.Beforehe

couldevenstarttodoubther,however,sheappeared.Shehadchangedoutofthatridiculousdressintoa

black T-shirt and jeans and had scrubbed the makeup off her face. She had a backpack slung over her

shoulderandherancientviolincaseinherhand,andtherewasadeterminedlookonherpale,prettyface.

Foramoment,Makeenwantedtotellherthateverythingwasallright,thatthingswouldbefine.

Instead,heonlynoddedwhenhesawher,turninghisphoneon.

“Allright,Akeem,lethimgo.”

Olivialookedstartled,andshestartedtosaysomething,butheheldupahand,askinghertowait.

HelistenedtoAkeemforafewmoments,andthenhehandedthephonetoOlivia.Shetookitasifshe

wereafraiditmightturnintoasnake,butinamatterofmomentshesawherexpressionchange.

Whenshehadappeared,shelookednervousandcautious.Suddenly,alloftheworrydroppedoff

ofherface,leavinghercoppereyeswidewithwonderandjoy.

“David!OhmyGod,David,areyouallright?Areyou…”

She paused, barely breathing as she listened to her brother, nodding along to whatever he was

saying.

“OhthankGod…Look,justgohome.GohomeandtalktoMomandDad.Mom'sworriedsick.I

amsogladyouareallright…I…No.”

Her face took on that determined cast again, and Makeen knew that whatever her brother was

askingofher,Davidhadrunintoawall.Foramoment,Makeencouldhatetheyoungcriminalforcausing

thistohappentohissister.

“David,no.Itdoesn'tmatter.Listentome,itdoesn'tmatter,allright?I'mdoingwhatIwanttodo.

Thisis…thisiswhatneedstohappen.”

She listened for another moment. Even from where he stood, Makeen could hear her brother's

voice, even if he couldn't make it out. The young man was frightened, angry, perhaps ready to do

somethingfoolish.

“No.No.David,thisisnotsomethingthatyoucancontrol.I'msorry.I'll…I'lltalktoyouwhenI

can.Iloveyou.Please,takecareofyourself,allright?Attheveryworst,I'llseeyouinamonth.”

While her brother was still talking, she ended the call with a finality that was impressive, and

handedthephonebacktoMakeen.

“Well,areyou—”

Hiswordscutoffinsurpriseasshethrewherselfintohisarms.Onemomenthewaswalkingan

ice-coldmaidenlayingdownthelawlikeayoungqueen,andnowhisarmswerefullofabeautifulyoung

womanshakingsobadlyhecouldfeelitinhisownbody.

“Thankyou,”shewhispered,lookingupathim.Whenhercoppereyeswerebrightwithtears,they

shonelikenewpennies.“Thankyou,ohGod,thankyou.Ididn'tknowwhatIwasgoingtodo…”

Inthatmoment,therewasnothingthatMakeenwantedtodomorethantocomfortherandtotellher

thatitwasallgoingtobeallright.Instead,hepushedherback,thoughhedidsogently.

“He will be fine as long as he understands how to stay out of trouble,” Makeen said shortly.

“ThoughIhavetosaythat,givenyourfamily,Ifindthatunlikely.”

Insteadofbeingoffended,shestoodbackandofferedhimasmallsmilethatneverthelessmanaged

tocaptivatehimwithitsbrilliance.

“Thatwouldnotbeaninappropriateresponse,”shesaidwithaslightsmile.“I…Thankyoufor

whatyouhavedone.”

Thereitwasagain,thatunmistakableurgetosofteninthefaceofthewomanwhostoodinfrontof

him.Makeenhadtoremindhimselfthatshewaslikelyjustasmuchofaconartistasherbrother,perhaps

evenworse.Attheveryleast,Davidhadbeencaught,whileOliviastoodfreely,usingherwilesonhim.

“Perhapsdonotthankmeuntilthemonthisup,”hesaid.“Comeon.”

***

Thesmallplanetookofffromaprivaterunwayattheinternationalairport,andOliviahadnever

feltshabbierwhenshetookherseat.Makeen,ofcourse,seemedtoseetheintenseluxuryoftheplaneas

nothingmorethanhisdue.Aprettyyoungwomaninaneatuniformappearedtoofferthemdrinksorfood,

bothofwhichOliviashylyrefused.Makeen,whohadtheattendantpourhimasmallglassofredwine,

glancedathercuriously.

“You should take advantage of the opportunity to eat,” he said. “I can't imagine that you have

managedtofeedyourselfsowelltoday.”

Sheshruggedalittle,keepinghergazedown.Aftertheyhadleftthecafé,hehadvirtuallyignored

her,talkingwithhispeopletomakearrangementsforsomekindoftripthattheyweretaking.Shehadfelt

likeashadow,somethingthatwasalmostcomforting.ItgaveOliviaachancetosortoutherfeelings,to

figureoutwhatshewasdoing,andhowshewasgoingtogetthroughthenextmonthwiththisman.

“Idon'teatmuch,”sheoffered,andwhensheglancedup,shefoundhimscowling.

“Areyouhungry?”heasked,andjustlikeithadbefore,herstomachgrowled.

He shook his head, summoning the attendant back with a beckoning gesture. “Bring her a small

platterofmezes,”hesaid.“Alittlebitofeverything.”

Oliviastartedtoprotestthetrouble,butthewomanwasalreadymoving,andMakeenraisedadark

eyebrowather.

“OneofthethingsthatyouagreedtowasthatyouwouldeatwhatItoldyouto,”hesaid.“Areyou

goingbackonourdealalready?”

“No,”shesaidstung,sittingupstraighter.“Iwouldn't.”

“Good.Sowhenthefoodcomes,youwilleat.”

Shefeltastabofirritationathiscasualhigh-handedways,butthenitoccurredtoherhowkindit

was.Instead,shesmiledalittle,incliningherhead.

“Allright,Makeen,”shesaid,stillgettingusedtohisnameinhermouth.“PerhapsasIeat,youwill

tellmewherewearegoing?”

Helookedthoughtfulatthatforamoment,andthenshrugged.Shesupposedthattherewasnoharm

intellingherwheretheyweregoingasshehadnorealabilitytoescapehimatthispoint.

“Wearegoingtoanoldretreatofmyfamily's,onehighinthemountains,”Makeensaid,hiseyes

focusedonthehazyskyoutthewindow.“ItisaplacethathasbeenkeptfortheSheikhsofZaharandtheir

loversforgenerations,aplaceofpeace.”

Oliviacouldn'tkeepherselffromstirringathisuseofthewordlovers.“Isthatwhatweare?”she

asked,keepinghervoicelowsothewomanattherearoftheplanewouldn'tbeabletohear.

“Itiswhatwewillbe,”hesaidshortly.“Itiswhatyouagreedto,whatyouofferedtome,unless

youarepullingback?”

“No,”shesaid,shakingherhead.“Iamonlycuriousastowhatyoumight…wantofme.”

Makeen'sgazeturnedbacktoher,anditwassopossessive,soverydominant,thatitmadeherheart

beatfasterjusttoseeit.Nomatterwhatthesituationwasbetweenthem,nomatterwhathadbroughtthem

together,therewassomethingthatdrewhertothisman.Whoknewwhattheywouldhavebeeninother

circumstances,butinthehereandnow,theywerelovers.

“Everything,”hebreathed,andherheartbeatfaster.

Even if she had had a response to that, the attendant returned, setting a small plate of delicate

morselsinfrontofher.Foramoment,Oliviasimplystaredattheplate,takinginthebeautyofthefood

beforeshecouldbringherselftoeatit.ItmadeMakeenchucklealittle.

“Haveyoualwaysbeensuchaconnoisseurofbeauty,littlebird?”heasked,andsheglancedupat

him.

“SinceIwasalittlegirl,Iwasoftenreadytosacrificepracticalityforbeauty,”shesaid.“Itwas

something that drove my parents mad, but David, unfortunately, encouraged it. He would bring bits of

glass,ornaments,thingsthatgotbrokenwhenweinevitablymovedorhadtoleave.Theybrokemyheart,

buthestillbroughtthemtome…”

Makeen nodded, his face softening slightly. “Then your brother did he what he could to preserve

yourspirit,andthatwaswelldoneofhim.”

“Itwas,oratleastIthoughtso.Itturnedmeintosomeonewholikesprettyfoodatleast.”

“Prettyasitis,youshouldstilleatit,”hesaid,andforsomereason,itmadeOliviafeelslightly

defiant.

“Or what?” she asked daringly, and from the slight smile that curled his lips, she could tell he

understoodher.

“OrIwillfeedittoyou.”

She wasn't sure what made her lean forward, her hands crossed primly in front of her and an

expectantlookonherface.Foramoment,Makeenonlystaredather,andthenhelaughed.

“Allright.Icanseethatwhateverkindofbirdyouare,youareastubbornone.”

Shewatched,morefascinatedthanshethoughtshewouldbe.Hisfingerswereleanandgracefulas

hescoopedasmallamountofshinyblackcaviarontoaryecrackerandheldituptoherlips.Whenhedid

that,sheleanedforward,takingthemorselfromhishandgracefully.Shefeltthemomentarywarmthofhis

fingertipsastheybrushedherlowerlip,andthenitwasgoneasshechewedthemorselwithrelish.

“Ohmygosh,that'ssogood,”shesighedhappily.“More?”

Makeenlaughedagain,shakinghishead.“Whateverelseyourparentsdid,theydidnotstopshortof

givingyounerve,”hesaidwithadmiration,andpickedupanotherbiteoffoodforher.

“Notliketheycouldstopme,”shesaid,slightlysmug.

“Ithinkverylittlecould,”hesaid,asmiletuggingathislips.

Insurprisinglyshortorder,shefinishedthemealthattheattendanthadbroughttoher,andshesat

backinherseat,smilingwithcontentment.Throughoutherentirestrangemeal,hehadlookedcuriousand

fascinated with her, as if she were some kind of strange animal that he had tamed. In some ways, she

supposedthathewas.

“Do you do this often?” she asked, her voice soft. She knew that she might be buying trouble by

askingherbrother'sbenefactorsomethinglikethat,butshehadtoknow.

Hesettledbackintohisownchair,templinghisfingersinfrontofhimthoughtfully.WhenMakeen

lookedather,itwaswithashutteredglancethatshecouldn'treadatall.

“DoyouthinkIdo?”heasked.

Oliviatookthequestionseriously,examiningitfromeveryangle.Finally,whenshethoughtshehad

heranswer,sheshookherhead.

“No,notreally.Ithinkthatyouareakindman,butIalsothinkthatyouweresurprised.Youdidn't

expectme.”

That startled a laugh out of Makeen. “Honestly, I don't know if anyone would expect you, little

songbird.Andyouareright.No,Ihaveneverdonethisbefore.However,itmightbeahabitthatIhaveto

takeupifIstartpullingingirlsasprettyasyou.”

Olivianarrowedhereyes.Shewasn'tsurewhytheideaofMakeenfindinganotherwomantheway

he had found her was distasteful, but she couldn't help but feel a stab of anger. She pushed it away,

becauseitwasn'tausefulfeelingaswell.

“Whatdoyouexpectfromme?”sheaskedinstead.

Heraisedaneyebrow.“WhatcanIexpectfromyou?”heresponded,andshebitherlip.

“Youcanexpectmetobemyself,”Oliviasaidfinally.“Youcanexpectmetobegrateful.Youcan

expectme…todowhatyouwant.”

He nodded, and if there was something sad or distressed about his expression, he hid it quickly.

“Thisisn'tsomethingwecantrulyanswerforeachotherrightnow,”hesaidfirmly.“Later.Wecanspeak

aboutitlater.”

They lapsed into a silence that was strangely companionable despite the strange road that had

broughtthemthere,andasshedrowsedtothesoundoftheplane'sengines,shewatchedhimthroughthe

thicktangleofhereyelashes.

Idon'tknowwhatIamdoing,shethought,butIamnotunhappytobeherewithhim.

ChapterFive

Olivia couldn't stop staring around her. The plane had dropped them off at what at first glance

seemed like an enormous cabin in the mountains. It looked like something out of a fairy tale, with

gorgeousstainedglasswindowsandagreenshaleroof,butwhenshesteppedinside,shewasastonished

bythemodernconveniences.Itreallywasasmallmansioncampedhighonthemountaintop.

“Thisplaceisincredible,”shemurmured,lookingaround.“I'veneverseenanythinglikeit.”

“Andyouwon'tagain.Thisisaplacethathasbeeninmyfamilyforgenerations,andeachoneofus

hasleftamarkonit.Itwillneverbefeaturedinanymagazines,andthenumberofpeoplewhoarenot

relatedtomewhohavebeeninitinthepasttwentyyearscanbecountedononehand.”

Sheturnedtohiminsurprise.“Haveyoueverbroughtsomeoneuphere?”

“No,”heanswered,butbeforeshecouldreadtoomuchintothat,hegesturedtowardsthehallway.

“Yourroomistheseconddoorontheright.Mineisacrossthehallfromyou.Movearound,make

yourselfcomfortable.UntilandunlessIneedyouforsomething,youarefreetoroamasyoulike.”

Hepaused,thinkingforamoment.“Giveyourselfafewhourstogetsettled.Atsix,Iwouldlike

youinthelivingroomandreadytoperform.”

Sheblinkedathim.“What?”

“Atsix,Iwantyouinthelivingroomandreadytoplaysomethingforme.I'mopenminded.Idoubt

youcouldplaysomethingthatI'dhate.”

“That'swhatyouwantmetodo?Playyoumusic?”

“Isthataproblem?Youbroughtyourviolin.”

Shehadtoadmitthatitwasn't.WhenOliviawenttoherroom,shefoundittobefarmoreluxurious

than any place she had ever stayed. It was easily the same size as the apartment her entire family was

livingin,andforamoment,shefeltapangofguilt.Thensheputitasidebecauseshehadstrangerthings

byfartoworryabout.

OliviadidasMakeeninstructedhertodo.Shestretchedoutafterthelongflight,restingonthebed

with her eyes closed for a little while, but she found she couldn't sleep. Finally, she reached for her

violin.Afterall,ifhewantedhertoplay,sheneededtowarmup.Themomentshetouchedthefamiliar

warm wood, Olivia felt a sense of peace go through her. She had this. She would always have this, no

matterwhathappened.

Whensixo'clockrolledaround,shewascalmerthanshehadbeeninwhatfeltlikeyears.Sherose

upfromherseatandwithherviolinandbowinhand,shewenttothelivingroom.

Makeen was already seated there and waiting for her. He had taken off his suit to dress in linen

trousers and a shirt she recognized as a traditional Zahar tunic in deep red. He sat on the couch, ankle

proppedontheoppositekneeandwithadrinkinhishand.Helookedeveryinchamanbredtorule,and

inthatmoment,sheunderstoodwhatitmusthavebeenliketobeamusicianintimeslonggone,brought

beforeamanwhoheldthepoweroflifeanddeathoverhispeopleandtoldtoplay.

Somehow,shedidnotfeelnervous.Shehadneverplayedforanaudienceofonebefore.Shehad

certainlyneverplayedinfrontofsomeonewhohadsomuchpoweroverher.Instead,sheseatedherself

ontheottomanafewfeetinfrontofhim.Shecouldfeelhisdarkeyesonher,andtherewassomething

oddlysensualaboutthemoment.Insomeways,whatshewasabouttodoforhimwasmorepersonalthan

takingoffherclothes,andshethoughtthatheunderstoodthat.

She fitted the violin under her chin, took a deep breath, and brought her bow down into the first

delicatenotesofMozart'sViolinConcertoNo.5.Itwasalightbutstartlinglydifficultnumber,onethat

requiredallofherconcentration.However,assheplayed,sherealizedthatshewasexquisitelyawareof

Makeeninawaythatshehadneverbeenbefore.Itfeltasifhermusicwasactingasabridgebetween

them,asifitcouldsaythethingsthatshedidn'thavethewordsfor,orwastooafraidtosay.

Atsomepoint,Oliviarealizedthatshehadneverplayedthatpiecebetter.Herhandsweresureon

herinstrument,andhermindwasnearlyblank.Itseemedtoflowoutofher,andwhenitwasover,she

transitionedtoanotherpiecewithease.Sheexistedinaplacewhereallshewantedwastoplaymusicfor

thisman,anditwasaplacethatmadeherfeelsafeandgroundedandpeacefulallatonce.

When she finally set down her violin, Olivia was startled to see that almost half an hour had

passed. It had grown dark while she was playing, and now she and Makeen sat in deep shadow. She

couldn'treadhisexpressioninthedimness.Shesatsilentlyandtensely,waitingforhisresponse.

“Setyourviolinaside.Comehere.”

Hesitantly,shelaidherviolinbackinitscaseandpickedherwaycarefullytothecouch.Aftera

moment of hesitation, she sat down next to him, but she was only there for a moment as his arms went

aroundher,andMakeenpulledherhalfwayontohislap.

The kiss he gave her was unlike the one that they had shared before. Instead of being fiery and

consuming,therewassomethingterriblydeliberateabout.Hekissedherasiftheyhadknowneachother

foryears—asthoughthiswaswhattheyhadalwaysdonetogether.

Olivia might have wanted to keep herself separate from the kiss, but she found that she couldn't.

Instead,shefeltherselfsinkingintoit,lettingthedeepwarmthofhisbodysuffuseherown.Itfeltasif

therewasadeepriverofheatanddesireinherthathecouldtapwhenhewishedtodoso,andshewas

helplesstoresistit.

Whenshefelthishandsmovetoherwaist,slidingupundertheloosehemofherT-shirt,shegasped

alittle.Foramoment,shewentstiff,andthenshemeltedintohimasifshewaswaxinthesun.Shefelt

softandopen,receptiveinawaythatshebarelyunderstood.Sheshiveredasshefelthishandsroaming

theskinofherback,raisinggoosebumpswhereverhetouchedher.

Hismouthmovedfromherlipsdowntothesensitiveskinofherneck,andwithoutthinkingofwhat

shewasdoing,Oliviabaredhernecktohim,awareoftheexquisitevulnerabilityofherposition.When

shefeltthewhitesharpnessofhisteethagainstherthroat,ashiverranthroughherbody,butshecouldn't

movetoprotectherself;shedidn'twantto.Shewantedtobareallofherselftothisman,whetheritwas

wiseorfoolish.Shewantedmore,andrightthen,shewouldhaveoffereditalltohim.

ItwasMakeenwhopulledback.Suddenly,hepulledhisheadaway,andwithagentlemotion,he

pushedherbackonthecouchevenashesteppedaway.

“Thankyoufortheperformance,”hesaid,hisvoiceslightlyuneven.“Thatwillbeallfortonight.”

Foramoment,Oliviasatonthecouch,staringathisbackandhardlyabletobelievewhathehad

justsaid.Thenhiswordspenetratedhermindandshegapedatbeingspokentoasifshewereamember

of his household staff, someone who was paid to come in and clean his house or see to his business

affairs.Hercheeksflaming,shestoodupstraight,steppingbacktograbherviolincase.

“You'reverywelcome,sir,”shesaid,hervoicealmostsyrupsweet.“Thankyouforthehonorof

allowingmetoentertainyou.”

“Olivia…”

Shedidn'theartherestofwhathehadtosaybecauseshestalkedtoherroom.Shemanagedtostop

shortofslammingthedoorafterherself,butitwasanearthing.Shesetherviolincarefullyofftooneside

andthrewherselfontothebed.

Whatwaswrongwithher?Shouldn'tshehavebeenrelievedthathewaswillingtorespecther,and

to leave her alone? She knew that she should count herself extremely lucky for the way things were

playingout,butherskinstilltingledwithfire,stillburnedwithneed.

Insteadoflyingdowntosleep,shestaredupattheceiling,tryingtofigureoutwhatwasgoingon.

Wasshenotdesirabletohim?Wasshenotenough?

Asuddenthoughtenteredhermind,onethatleftherchilledwithfear.

Had he decided that she wasn't enough? Was he so disappointed in the deal he had made that he

wasregrettingit?Evenworse,wouldhedecidetogobackonitifhecontinuedtobedispleased?

Olivia and her mother had never had much to say to each other, but one of the lessons that her

motherhadtaughtherwasthatamanwhofeltcheatedwasadangerousman.Sofar,Makeenhadacted

honorably about David's release, but unless she was able to keep him happy, he might decide to do

otherwise.

Ican'tletDavidbehurt,Ijustcan't,shethought.

ShehadtofindawaytogetMakeen'sfavoragain,andapparently,shewasn'tgoingtodoitwith

herviolinorwithpoliteconversation.

Asthenightdrewon,shebegantoplan.

***

After Olivia stalked back to her room, Makeen went back to his own and resolutely walked

underneaththecoldshowerinhisbathroom.Ifhethoughtabouthertoohard,imaginedthesilkyfeelofher

skin,thoughtofherpaleeyesdilateddarkwithdesire,hewouldlosecontrol,andthatwasthelastthing

hewantedrightnow.

Instead,hestoodunderthecoldwateruntilhewassurprisedhewasn'tblue,andafterthat,wentto

liedowninbed.

Forthefirsttime,Makeenwaswonderingifhehadbittenoffmorethanhecouldchew.Whenhe

hadmadethebargainwiththelittlehellioninthenextroom,histhoughtshadbeendarkthings,fullofthe

kindofpleasureheknewhecouldforcefromhertenderbody.Then,afterhehadspokenwithherlonger,

learnedaboutwhoshewasandwhatshewoulddotokeepherfamilysafe,hisrespectforherhadgrown.

Hehadbeguntofeellikeabastardforwhathewantedtodowithher,andhehadcometoadecision.

Hemighttease,andhemighthaveherplayherviolin,butbeyondthat,hewasn'tgoingtotemptfate.

Therewerehiddendepthstothestreetviolinistthathehadfound,andsuddenly,thelastthinghewanted

wasforthingstogetoutofhand.

Hesighed,climbingintothelargebed.Thingshadseemedfarsimplerwhenhewasdealingwith

theinvestigativeforcestofreeherbrother.Tomorrow.Hewoulddealwithitalltomorrow.Hopefullyby

then,histhoughtswouldhavecleared.

Makeendozedoff,histhoughtstroubledandstrange.Hedreamedofawomanwhosefacehecould

notsee.Shewaslaughingorcrying,hecouldnottellwhich,buthecouldnotreachhertocomforther.

Hemovedfromsleeptowakefulnessinasinglemoment,unsureofwhathadwokenhim.Hestarted

tositupinbed,butasofthandpressedhimbackdown.

“Olivia,what…”

Beforehecouldvoicehisquestion,sheleanedherweightoverhim,pressinghimbacktothebed

evenassheleveredherselfupforakiss.Heknewthatheshouldstoptofigureoutwhatwasgoingon,but

instead he gave himself up to the sweetness of her lips, the weight of her body on his, the brush of her

darkhairoverhisarm.

“Iwanttopleaseyou,”shewhisperedhuskily,anditwasasifherwordssentanelectricalcharge

through his body. Suddenly it wasn't enough that he was kissing her. He wrapped his arms around her

body,draggingherfurtherontopofhim.Herweightwasnothingbutperfectonhim,andwhenheheldher

close,herealizedwithastartthatshewasnaked.Therewasnothingbetweenthembutasheet,andsoon

thatwouldbegonetoo.

“Whyareyouhere?”heasked,breakingtheirkissforamoment.Thoughhisbodyragedathimto

continuewhathewasdoing,hecouldn'tallowhimselftokeepgoing,notwhilethatquestionhungover

everything.

“Becausewemadeadeal,”shesaid,reachingforhimagain.“BecauseIwanttokeepupmyendof

it.”

Everafter,Makeenwouldregretthefactthathekeptkissingher.Hecouldn'thelphimself.Heheard

herwords,butdespitethewaytheymadehimcringe,hecouldn'thelpholdingherclose,feelingtheway

herlushbodypressedagainsthis.Itwaspureheaven,andthemorehishandsrovedthatperfectbody,the

moreconvincedhebecamethatshewasmadeforhim.

Itwasn'tuntilhefeltherbegintomovethesheetawaythathecametohissenses.Withamuffled

swear,Makeensatupandpushedheraway.Whenshemadeastartledlongingsound,healmostgavein,

butinsteadhegrowled,bringinghimselfundercontrolagain.

“Staythere,”hesaid,andforawonder,sheobeyed.Hereachedovertoturnonthelightabovethe

headboard.Whenheturnedback,hetookasinglemomenttorelishthepictureofherutterlynaked,her

darkhairstreamingdownhershoulders,herlipsslightlypartedwithlust.

“Nowwhatthehelldoyouthinkyou'redoing?”hedemanded.

“Areyoutellingmeyoudon'tknow?”sheasked.“Becausethatwouldsurprisemeagreatdeal!”

Hegroanedslightly,shakinghishead.“Answerthequestion.Whyareyouhere?”

“I told you,” she answered, and to his shock, there were tears in her copper eyes. He wanted to

gatherherupinhisarms,buthewasn'tsurethathetrustedhimselfjustthen.Hisbodystillshookatthe

prospectofhavinghernear.

“Whatdidyoutellme?”heasked.“I'llbeperfectlyhonest,whenbeautifulnakedwomenaccostme

inmybed,itdoesnotnecessarilydowondersformymemory.”

“ItoldyouthatIwoulddowhateverittooktomakesurethatmybrothercouldwalkfree.I…I

don'tcareifyouarenotterriblyimpressedbymejustyet.You'renotgivingmeachance.You…youneed

togivemeachance,please.Iwilldoanything…”

He could feel his arousal spike at her words. Somehow, he had ended up in bed with one of the

mostdesirablewomenhehadevermet,andnowshewantedtotouchhimanddoexactlyashepleased.

Makeendecidedthatitmustbeapunishmentforsomekindofgreatterriblewrongthathehadforgotten

aboutthathecouldnotdoanythingaboutitandstillcallhimselfagoodman.Hetookadeepbreath,and

thenanother,andwhenhethoughtthathecouldspeakwithouthisvoicebreakinglikeaboy's,heturnedto

her.

“Olivia … your brother is safe. I swore to you that if you came with me, if you abided by my

decisions for a month, he would be. Here you are holding up your end of the bargain. What makes you

thinkthatIwouldn'tupholdmine?”

She bit her full lip, watching him nervously. “You … you haven't done what I thought you were

goingtodo,”shesaidmeekly.“Ithought…Ithought…”

He winced at the tremor in her voice. “I can imagine what you thought, but Olivia … I am not a

monster. I desire you, that much is very clear. I want you. I walked into a frigid cold shower tonight

thinkingaboutyou,butIwillnotforceyou.”

“Itwould'tbeforce—”

Heshookhisheadfirmly.“Whenyouaredoingitsimplytomakesurethatyourbrotherwalksfree?

It most certainly is. No. I will be perfectly honest, I wasn't sure what I was thinking when I made this

bargain,butfairlyearlyon,IrealizedIdidnotwantyoutodoanythingthatyoudidn'twanttodo.Our

ruleswereexplicit.Youarehere,youaredoingwhatIsay,andthatisenough.Ipromiseyou,Olivia,your

brotherissafe.”

Shelookedathimasifshedidn'tnecessarilybelievehim,despitehowsincerehewas.Hisheart

squeezed for a moment thinking about what kind of life she must have led that had caused her to doubt

him.Slowly,though,Oliviarelaxed.Atleast,herhandsloosened,andshelookedalittlelessdesperately

unhappy.

“Itwouldn'tbesomethingIdidn'twanttodo…”

Foramoment,Makeen'sheartleapedatthat.Hecouldalreadyimaginethatspillofdarkhairover

his sheets, the way her copper eyes would light up, how she might look while she was shouting her

ecstasytothesky.Then,withaneffort,hereinedhimselfin.

“We'renottalkingaboutthatrightnow,”hesaidassternlyashecould.“Iwouldn'ttrustmyselfto

make good decisions when I'm naked and next to the woman I want like breathing now, so that's not

happening.Youshouldgobacktoyourroom.”

Shehesitatedforamoment.“Isthatanorder?”sheasked,andhervoicewassoplaintivethathe

paused.

“Doyouwanttosleephere?”

Hereyeslitup,andshenodded.Therewassomethingfearfulinhergaze,asifshethoughthemight

mockherforherwant.Allhewantedwastosweepherinhisarmsandkeeptheworldfromhurtingher

again.

“Allright,comehere.”

Therewassomethingalmostshyaboutthewayshecametolienexttohim.Makeenhadknownthat

therewasnowayhewouldbeabletoliedownnexttohernakedwithoutdoingsomethinghemightregret.

Hegaveherthesheetinstead,whichshewrappedaroundherself,andthenhecoveredbothofthemwitha

blanket.Hethoughthewasdoingtherightthing,butattheendoftheday,hewastrulynoplastersaint.He

pulledhernexttohim,anditfeltasifthecurveherbackfithischestperfectly.Shewaslikeheaveninhis

arms,andheresignedhimselftoalongnightwithoutsleep.

ChapterSix

Olivia woke up the next morning to the sound of running water. When she woke up in the most

luxuriousbedthatshehadeverseen,shehadabriefmomentofdisorientation.Shehadnoideawhereshe

wasorwhatwasgoingon,butthenwhensheglancedattheindentinthepillowbehindher,itallcame

rushingback.Hercheeksburnedredwhenshethoughtofwhathadhappenedthenightbefore.

God,howmortifyingwasittoallbutthrowherselfatamanandtohavehimturnherdown.She

wascomfortedbyhispromisethatherbrotherwassafe,buttoday,sherealizedthatthatwasn'tallthatshe

wanted.Sheshiveredwhenshethoughtofthedepthsofherowndesire,andhowMakeencouldplayitso

easily.Sheknewthatshewastreadingonsomeverydangerousgroundrightnow,andonthelinewasher

body,herheart,andhersoul.

She jumped a little when Makeen came out of the bathroom. First thing in the morning and fresh

fromhisshower,helookedgoodenoughtoeat.Hiswethairwasslickedback,makinghimlookstrangely

young, and when she glanced down at the towel that swathed his hips, she could not stop herself from

thinkingthatitwasverylowslung;howlittleeffortitwouldtaketopullitawayentirely.

Makeensawherlook,andsherealizedthathehadmistakenitcompletelywhenhewincedjusta

little.“Itoldyoulastnight,Olivia.Iamnotamonster.Iwillnotmakeyoudoanythingthatyoudon'twant

todo.”

“Thatwasn'twhatIwasthinkingatall,”shesaid.“ThoughperhapsIshouldbetheonesayingthat

toyou.”

Hefrownedather.“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”

“Icameinhere,andIthrewmyselfatyou,”shesaid,soundingalittlemiserableeveninherown

ears.“I…IknowIshouldtakeahint,knowwhenIamnotwanted,but…”

Shecaughthisexpressionofexasperateddisbeliefrightbeforehestrodeovertothebed.Somehow

the towel stayed in place, but then he was bending over her, pinning her down to the mattress, and that

towelwasthelastthingonhermind.

“Iwillprovetoyou,righthereandrightnow,exactlyhowIfeelaboutthat…”

Shestartedtoreply,butthenhislipswerepressedtohers,andhewaskissingherasiftheworld

wouldendwhentheystopped.Histongueslidbetweenherlips,thrustingdeepintohermouth,andfrom

thetensionofhisbody,therewasnodoubtatallastowhatwasonhermind.Shewasfrozenforjusta

moment,butthenwhenshegotherwitsbacktogether,shethrewherarmsaroundhisshoulders,returning

thekisswithakindofintensityshehadneverfeltbefore.

Allofasudden,itdidnotmatterintheleastwhyshewashereorwhattheyweretoeachother.It

didn'tmatterthathewasasheikhandshewasagirlwhohadmanagedtomissmostofhighschool.All

that mattered was how vital they felt in each other's arms, how warm he was, how good he felt as he

kissedherlikeshehadneverbeenkissed.

When he finally stood up again, her mouth felt bruised, and everything seemed too bright, as if

simplyhiskissingalonehaddazedher.

“Makeen…”

“Donot,”hesaidwithashudder,“callmynamelikethatagainunlessyouarepreparedtoanswer

for the consequences of your actions. Right now, you should get in the shower and wash up. I'll have

breakfastgoingbythetimeyouaredone.”

“But…”

“Areyoutakingmyordersornot,woman?Go.”

Shelaughedalittleathiswords,shakingherhead.Afteramomentofdeliberation,shewrapped

thesheetaroundherbodyandpaddedtothebathroom.Shecouldfeelhiseyesonhertheentireway,and

whensheclosedthedoorbehindher,shesighed.

Things are never simple, she thought to herself, but as she stepped under the hot water, Olivia

foundherselfsmilingalittle.

It'ssomuchbetterwhenthey'renot…

***

Whensheclimbedoutoftheshoweranddraggedasoftbluedressoverherhead,shepokedher

head into the hallway and realized that she could smell something delicious. Olivia followed her nose

down the hallway and was rewarded with the sight of Makeen, shirtless in nothing more than a pair of

jeans,tendingaskilletoverthestove.Shehoppedupononeofthekitchenstools,settingherchininher

handasshewatchedhim.

“Thatfeelslikesomethingyoushouldhaveorderedmetodo,”sheobserved,andMakeenshother

adrylook.

“Howmuchcookinghaveyoudone?”

“Some.Icanfryeggsandmaketoast,atleast.”

“Itookacookingclassforafewmonths.Ilikebeingabletoeatthingsthataren'tcharred.”

Shetiltedherheadasheplatedupanomelet,settingittojoinanotherthatwasalreadyplatedon

thecounter.

“Cooking—isn'tthataslightlystrangepastimeforamemberoftheroyalfamily?”

He shrugged, bringing the plates to the kitchen island. “My father and mother both believed that

there was nothing to be gained by spoiling me. I should at least know how to do work even if I would

never have to do it for a living. I was taught that learning keeps you humble and makes you a better

person.”

“Theysoundverywise,”Oliviasaid,bitingherlip.“Inoticedthatyouusedthepasttense.”

“Theyarebothdead.Theywentwithinaweekofeachother.Myfatherdiedinaplanecrash,and

mymother…sickenedafter.Itwasagreattragedyforthecountry.”

“Andforyou?”

Hepaused,andshewonderedifshehadgonetoofar.Sheheldherbreath,butthenheshrugged.

“Itisawoundthathealsslowly,butIdonotthinkitwilleverbeentirelygone.Igomonthswithout

thinking about them, and then suddenly I wonder what my father would have done, or what my mother

wouldhavesaid.Itis,astheysay,aprocess.”

Without thinking of what she was doing, she reached out to touch his hand. There was nothing

sexualaboutit,nothingflirtatious.Allshewantedtodowastoofferhimsomeofthesympathythatshe

felt.Helookedup,surprisedathertouch,butthelookheflashedherwasgrateful.

“Itisnotalwaysattheforefrontofmymind.Ihavegrieved,andIhavemovedon.”

“Youdothemgreatcredit,”shesaid,andhesighed.

“Ihopeso.Andyou?Doyourparentsknowthatyouarehere?”

Sheflinchedatthat.Insteadofansweringrightaway,shelookeddownattheplateoffoodinfront

ofher.

“Ah…HaveIaskedsomethingthatIshouldnothaveasked?”

“No…thatis,no.Notreally.Itisonlythatmyparents…arenotthemostattentivepeople.They

are very single-minded, and well … Yes, they know I am here, and approval is not something I worry

about,becauseapprovalhasneverbeenathingthattheyhavegivenme.”

ThelookonMakeen'sfacewasstormy,andsherushedtocover.“It'snotimportant,wearejust…

verydifferentpeople…”

Helookedherrightintheeyes,hisgazesodarkandintensethatshestammeredtoastop.

“They have raised a daughter with skill and honor, though from what you have told me, you are

simplyamiracleratherthantheresultofanyeffortoftheirs.Theyshouldbeproudofyou,andiftheyare

not,thenthatistheirloss.”

Unaccountably,shefelttearsprickleathereyes.Oliviablinkedfuriouslyanddugintoheromelet,

unwillingtogiveintothoseemotionsinfrontofthisman.Whenshehadtakenafewbites,shefeltbetter

abletospeakwithhimwithoutburstingintotears.

“Soyousaidwe'dtalktoday.”

Hesighed,almostcomically.Shehadthoughtthathewasahandsomemanwhenshehadfirstseen

himinthestreet.Hecertainlywasbeautifulwhenhewasnaked.However,therewassomethingstrange

aboutseeinghiminthebrightmorningsunlight,dryinghairrevealingaslightsurprisingcurlinitslength,

and barefoot eating his breakfast. He was still handsome, but more than that, there was something

strangely touchable about him. There was something about Makeen in this mode that made her want to

walkoverandplantakissonhischeek.

“Ididsaythat,didn'tI?Verywell,Olivia,…whatdoyouthinkyouaredoinghere?”

Sheblinkedathim.Ofallthings,shefiguredthattheyhadatleastcoveredthatone.“Icamehereto

savemybrother.I'mmeanttobedoingwhateveryoutellmetodo.”

Heflinchedalittleatthat,makingherthinkofhowhehadlookedthenightbefore.Beforeshecould

shrinkintoherself,however,hereachedacrosstheislandandsqueezedherhand.

“I am here because a beautiful woman made me an offer,” he said softly. “I'll admit, I am just a

man.WhenyouoffermeanythingIwant…thereisaplacethatmymindgoes.However,nomatterwhat

youmightsaytothecontrary,thatisnotsomethingIcanindulgeinrightnow.”

Oliviabitherlip.“Whynot?”sheasked.

“BecausewhenIagreed,Ishouldhavebeenplayingthelonggame.I…Idon'twantyoutoliein

bed, your eyes closed and thinking of anything to remove yourself from the situation. I want you to be

therewithme.IwantyoutobreatheusinandtotrulyfeelwhatIfeelwhenwemakelove.”

Hiswordstookherbreathaway,andinthatmoment,itwasallshecoulddonottosimplytakehis

handandtakehimtobed.However,hewasn'tdoneyet.

“Andtheentiretimewehaveknowneachother,wehavebeenrunning.Wehavebeenschemingand

movingandlearningandtherehasbeennotimeatalltosimplystop.Tolearneachother.Thatiswhatwe

need,andthatiswhatIwantthismonthtobeabout.Doyouthinkthatthatissomethingyoucouldgiveto

me,Olivia?”

Shehesitated.Hewasaskingforagreatdealmorethansimplyherbodyinhisbed.Somehow,the

ideaofgivinghimherbodywasfarlessfrighteningthantheideaofgivinghimwhathewasaskingfor

now.Hewantedsomethingdeeplypersonal,somethingthatwasn'tjustherbody,buther.Shehadnever

giventhattoanotherperson.Shewasn'tsureshecould.

Oliviastartedtotellhimso,butthenshemethiseyes.Shehadalwaysthoughtthattheywereblack,

but with the morning sun, she could see that they were actually the deepest velvety brown. There was

somethingfranklypleadingthere,anditwasnotwithinherabilitythentodenyhim.

“Allright,”shewhispered.“I…Iwilltry.Ican'tpromiseyouanything…”

Hebrokeintoawidegrin.Therewassomethingboyishaboutitthattouchedherheart.Suddenlyit

feltasifagreatweighthadrolledoffofhershoulders.Somethingthathadbeensittingdarkandgrimon

herforyearssuddenlydisappeared.

“AllIaskisthatyoutry,”hesaid.“ThatisallIwish,Iswear.”

“I'll try,” she repeated, and for the first time, she thought that there might be something between

themthatwasmorethanjustphysical.

***

Afterbreakfast,hepulledheroutsideontothemountainslopes.Itwasashockinglygreenplace,for

allthattheairwasdryandarid,andshelookedaroundherselfcuriously.

“WhenmostpeoplepictureZahar,thisisnotwhattheypicture,”shesaid.“Thiswouldn'tbeoutof

placeinthePacificNorthwest.”

Henoddedabsently.“Thisisastrangeplaceinmanyways.Ourscientistshavelearnedthatitisfed

by underground streams and by rain that falls nowhere else in the country. The ancients considered it a

sacredplace,oneofgreatholinessandstrangethings.Theysaiditwastheworstoflucktoventureintoit

inthemiddleofthenight,whenjinnandotherstrangebeingsuseditfortheirmeetings.”

Sheshiveredalittle.Oliviacouldseeit.Thisplacewasbeautiful,buttherewassomethingterribly

lonelyandisolatedaboutit.Shecouldwellimaginestrangefigurescomingtoconverseandparleyhere,

andthatapairofsimplehumaneyeswouldbeunwelcome.

“Soofcourseyourancestorsdecidedtobuildacabinhere?”

Makeenthrewhisheadbackandlaughed,andwhenheglancedbackather,hisgrinwasboyish.

“Andrightthere,youhaveplacedafingeronwhatitisthatsetsmyancestorsapart,”hesaid.“Agreat

dealofambition,alackofinterestindanger,andaloveofgrandstructuresthatwilllastforhundredsof

years,alldesignedtoimpressthewomenthattheydesiremost.”

Shegrinnedinreturnatthat.Forafewmoments,theywalkedinsilence,butthenshehadanother

question.“Whydoyoudesireme?”

Heglancedbackather,hisexpressionwry.“Areyoufishingforcompliments?”

Sheblushed,butshookherhead.“Notatall.ButIamcurious.YouaretheSheikh.Youcouldhave

yourpickfromwomenallovertheworld.I'mevenfairlysurethatIhaveseentabloidsthatlinkyouwith

models and actresses. You picked me off of a street corner and gave me your personal number. I'll be

honest,Ifeellikeagoldfishthatyoupickedoutofabowlfulofathousandothersimilargoldfishandthen

declaredspecial.”

Makeendidn'tstopwalking.Instead,heonlylaughedalittle.“Truly?Youmustnotlookinamirror

veryoften.”

“IsthatawayofsayingthatIneedtobrushmyhair?”

“Not at all. I'm just saying that you have never seen yourself when you are standing on a street

corner,youreyeshalf-closed,thesunandwindinyourhair,andallofyourattentiononyourmusic.You

seemtohavenoideahowbeautifulyouarewhenyouareconsumedbyyourpassion.ThefirsttimeIsaw

you, I had to stop, first to listen, and then simply to watch you. If you were so passionate about your

music,Ithought,whatwouldithavebeenliketohaveyouinmybed?”

Olivianearlychokedwhensheheardhisexplanation.Shestoppeddeadforafewstepsbeforeshe

hurriedafterhim.

“Andyougotallofthatfromsimplystandingbyandwatchingmeplaymyviolin?”shedemanded.

“Yes.Inaheartbeat.”

She might seriously have to think about what she was doing when she was out busking, but she

pushed the thought away. If she followed it up, she would have ended up back on the letter for

Johannesburg,andtheonethatwascomingfromBerlin.Therewerethingsshehadlostthatshedidnot

regret,butsheknewthatshecouldnotdwellonthem,atleastnotnow.

She followed him in silence until he stopped short, pointing ahead. Following his gesture, she

couldseeasingleswingsuspendedfromatalltree.

“Pretty,”shesaid,uncertainly,andhegrinnedatheragain.

“Stepforwardslowly,andlookdown.”

Confused, she did what he said, and then she gasped. Directly beyond the tree was a steep and

suddendrop-off,onethatculminatedinarockfloorsomehundredsoffeetbelow.Herheartpoundingand

herstomachfallinglikeabrick,shestumbledback,lookingatMakeenwide-eyed.

“Areyouserious?”sheasked.

Helaughedathershock.“Icameuphereonceaftermyparentsdiedtoseethisplace.Therewere

storiesaboutthisswing.”

Curiosityovercameherfear,andshetiltedherheadcuriouslyathim.“Didyougetonit?”

“Then?No.IthoughtperhapsthatIwouldgiveitatrytoday.Whataboutyou?Doyouwantto?”

Shebitherlip.Everybitofhercommonsensewastellinghernottodothisridiculouslyfoolish

thing.Ittoldherthatundernocircumstancesshouldshegetontoaswingthathungoutoverasteepdrop

andafatalfall.However,therehadbeensomethinggrowinginhereversinceshelaideyesonMakeen.If

hehadlookedatherandseenpassion,shehadlookedathimandseenakindofadventurethatshehad

neverthoughtpossible.”

“Yes,”shesaid.“Yes,Ido.”

“It'snotsafe,”hewarnedher,abrightlightinhiseyes.Sheknewthenandtherethathewasteasing

her,butshecouldn'tbringherselftocare,notwhentherewasanadventureawaiting.

“Doyoumeanthatthechainsarerottedthroughorsomething?”

Heshookhishead.“Ihadthemreplacedmyself,andthetreehasstoodfirmforyears.No,I'mjust

sayingthatsomethinglikethis,itisneverentirelysafe.”

“Nothingis,mysheikh,”shesaidwithawidegrin.“Letmeatit.”

“I'll go first,” he said, and for some reason, that made her prickle. He was going to go first? Of

coursehewastheSheikh.Hewaslikelyveryusedtogettinghisway.Shenarrowedhereyes,andcameto

adecision.

“Of course,” she said, and if her exaggerated courtesy made him raise an eyebrow, he only

shruggedandheadedfortheswing.Shefollowedalong,herhandsfoldedinfrontofher,asdemurealady

aseverexisted.Shewatchedwithmaidenlydecorumashecheckedthechains,andthenshesteppedback

withhimasheseatedhimselfontheboardseatandwalkeditbackwards.

“Areyouready?”sheasked,andhesmiledather.

“Don'tlooksosmug,you'redoingthisnext,”Makeensaidwarningly.

As he leaned up on his toes to begin his swing, she laughed. “No, I'm not,” she grinned, and she

hoppedontohislap.

SheheardMakeen'ssuddencry,buttherewasnothinghecoulddotostoptheirforwardmomentum.

WithOliviastraddlinghislapandclingingtohischest,hehadnochoicebuttofollowtheswingthrough,

lettingitcarrythemoutoverthedrop-offandstraightintothesky.

“Youlittlefool!”heshouted,butallshecoulddowaslaugh,throwingherheadbackandopening

hereyestostareattheskyabove.

Shewasn'tsurehowshecouldfeelit,buttherewassomethingabouttheswingthatletherfeelhow

farthegroundwasbelowher,perhapssometrickofgravityorsomekindoftrickofthelight.Theysailed

overtheedge,andforasinglemoment,itfeltasifshewerefalling.Thentheswingcaughtthem,sending

thembacktowardsthesafetyoftheground.WhenOliviathoughtthatMakeenwoulddragthembackto

earth,sheheldontohimtighter.

“No,”shesaidpleadingly.“Please,again?”

Helaughedatherbravery,andwithashrug,hepumpedhislegsandsentthemswinginguptowards

theskyagain.Thistimetheysailedevenhigher,andtheirlaughsmingledtogether.Itwastheclosestthing

that Olivia had ever imagined to flying, and she was doing it wrapped around the body of the most

incrediblemanthatshehadeverknown.

Theyflewoutfaroverthedrop-off,overandoveragainuntiltheywerebothdizzy.Oliviacould

feelMakeendraggingthemtoastop,andfinally,theysimplysatontheswing.Whenshepulledbackto

lookathim,Makeentiltedhisfaceforward,andtheykissed,theirbodiesbuzzingwithakindofpleasure

shehadneverknown.

“We should get off the swing,” she whispered. “It … it can't be safe to sit here so close to the

edge.”

“You are absolutely the last person who should be saying one thing or another about safety,” he

growled,buthestoodwithcare,carryingherbacktothesafetyofflatland.

Whentheywerewellaway,heabruptlysatdown,sittingheronhislapastheyrestedtheirshaking

limbs.

“You are utterly insane, did you know that?' he demanded, and she threw her arms around him

gleefully.

“It'sbeenpointedout,”shesaidwithjustatouchofsmugness.“YourfacewhenyousawwhatIhad

donewasamazing!”

“Iwantedtotanyourhide,”headmitted.“Ihaveneverseensuchrecklessness.You'regoingtogive

megrayhairs.”

She started to answer, but then she became abruptly aware of his body, of the way his cock was

hardening inside his jeans, and how clearly she could feel it. She gasped a little, and Makeen made a

slightlypainedface.

“Youshouldgetup,”hesaidwithacertainamountofhumor.“Afterall,itreallyisn'tgoingtoget

anybetterifyou…”

Hiswordshaltedwithagaspwhenshegentlypressedherhandtothebulgeinhisjeans.Hereyes

widenedalittlewhensherecognizedhowlonghewas,andhowthick.Herfingerstightenedreflexively

aroundhim,makinghimmoanslightly.Eyeswide,sherepeatedthemotion,andhethrustupintoherhand.

“I…”

“Doyouhappentoknowwhatyouaredoing?”heaskedthroughgrittedteeth.

Herheadshotup,andshefrownedathim.“Areyoucallingmesomekindofinnocent?OfcourseI

—”

“Becauseunlessyourintentistomakemehumiliatemyselflikeafourteen-year-oldboy,youneed

tostopsoon.”

Shethoughtforamoment.“Soon?”

Neverbreakingeyecontactwithhim,shestrokedhimtwiceandthennimblyleapedupoffofhis

lap.Asheglaredather,shegrinned,tuckingherhandsbehindher.

“You are a menace,” he growled, adjusting himself slightly before standing up. “I have no idea

whatanyonecandowithyou.”

“Feed me, let me nap, let me practice my violin?” she said pertly, and she was rewarded with a

gustoflaughter.

“Ifthatwillpreventyoufromjumpingoffintooblivion,ofcourse.”

Theymadetheirwaybacktothehouse,butthistime,insteadofMakeenleading,theyheldhands,

andinsideher,Oliviafeltsomethingawakeningthathadneverexistedbefore.

ChapterSeven

Fourdaysaftertheirplayontheswing,Makeenwasunexpectedlycalledaway.Oliviaawoke,in

herownbedthistime,tofindhimpacingthefrontroom,talkingwithsomeoneonthephonewithaharried

soundtohisvoice.Whenheendedthecall,heturnedtoherwitharegretfullookonhisface.

“I'msorry,butthatwasmyassistant,Rosh.Somethingcameupwiththefamilybusinessconcerns,

andIneedtogoattendtoit.”

Olivia bit her lip. She didn't know what this meant or how she should react, but Makeen was

alreadymoving.

“Itshouldn'ttakemorethanadayorso,but…”

“CanIstayhere?”sheblurtedout.

Makeenturnedtolookatherwithsurprise.“Ofcourseyoucan,ifyouwish,”hesaid.“I'llbebusy,

andunfortunately,I'llhavenotimetoseeyouatallwhilethisisgoingon.Butitisisolatedhere…”

“AslongasIcancallforhelp,itshouldn'tbeaproblem.Please?”

He looked at her for a moment, and suddenly she was afraid that he could see what she was

thinking. She was afraid to lose the peace that she had found here. She was afraid that if they left this

place, he would go back to being a sheikh, and she would return to being a girl trying to hustle on the

streetwithherviolin.Inthebackofhermind,sheknewthatitwasgoingtohappenatsomepoint,butshe

wasn'treadyforittohappenjustyet.

Finally,Makeennodded.“Ofcourse.Whateveryoulike.Butatthefirstsignoftrouble,Iwantyou

tocallmeoroneofthesenumbersthatIwillgiveyou.”

Bythetimehewascertainthatshewaspreparedincaseofanemergency,theplanehadarrivedfor

him,andhesighedagain.Beforehecouldleave,Oliviathrewherarmsaroundhim,hugginghimtightly.

“Comebacksoon,”shesaidsoftly,notlookingupathim.

Hechuckled,anoteofsurpriseinhisvoice.“AndhereIthoughtthatyouweregettingtiredofme.

Don'tworry.I'llgetbackhereassoonasIcan,andthatisapromise.”

Hetiltedherchinupforagentlekiss,andthenwiththeroarofpropellers,hewasgone.

At first, there was a kind of relief in being on her own. She had spent a great deal of her life

solitary, and as much as she had enjoyed his company, it was a little strange to her. She practiced her

violin,shemadeherselfsomefood,shewatchedsometelevision,butthoseactivitiestookfarlesstime

thanshehadthought.Bythetimeitwassundown,shewasboredandrestless,wonderingifsheshould

havegonewithhimafterall.

Olivialayinherbed,playingwithherphonebeforefinallygivingintotemptation.

Arethingsgoingallright?

Shewasnearlydozingwhenherphonechirpedather.

Justgot out ofmeetings. It'll beanother full day tomorrow,but after that,I'll be back around

sundown.Areyouallright?

Shechuckledalittle.Shewasn'tsurethatshehadeverhadanyoneworryafterherthewayhewas

doing.Ononehand,itwasstrange,buttherewasapartofherwhoreachedforit,thatseemedtolongfor

itinawaythatshecouldn'tquiteunderstand.

Calmdown,ofcourseeverythingisfine.Ididn'tevengooutontheswinglikeIwasthinkingof

…

Therewasapause.

Ifyoutellmethatyougotonthatswingaloneonagoddamnmountaintop,Ireallywilltanyour

hide!

Thatmadeherlaugh,sendingawarmfeelingthroughher.

Relax! I'm reckless, not dumb. All I've done today is play music and watch television. I would

havebeenthrilledforadaylikethisbackwhenIwasbusking,butrightnow…Iguessitfeelsabit

empty.

Shepausedforamoment.

Imissyou,shetexted,beforeshecouldstopherself.Sheresistedtheurgetothrowthephoneaway.

It felt like too much, simply too much to offer to him. Before she could turn off her phone in

embarrassment,heresponded.

Imissyouaswell.TellmesomethingwecandowhenIseeyounext.Iwantsomethingtolook

forwardtointhosemeetingstomorrow.

Shethoughtforamoment.

Well,I'mlookingforwardtoyoumakingmefood,andperhapsyoucanfeedittomethewaythat

youdidbefore…

Shecouldimaginehimlaughing,thosedarkeyescrinklingupwithamusement.

Goon.Thatsoundsenticing.AndbeforeyouthinkIambeingsarcastic,letmetellyouthatthese

meetingsareawful.

AndIwouldn'tmindtakinganotherhikewithyou…

That'spromising…

Shetookadeepbreath.Herfingersweretrembling,butsheknewthatifshecouldn'ttypeitoutfor

himherethatshecertainlycouldn'tsayitoutloudtohim.

AndIwantyoutomakelovetome.

There was a long pause this time, and she felt her stomach turn over. She wondered if she had

oversteppedherself.Hadshemadeherselflookcheaporfoolish?Whatifhewasshowingthephoneto

hiscompanions,laughingatwhataneedygirlhehadwaitingforhiminhismountainretreat…

Littlesongbird,nothingwouldgivememorepleasure.Butbeforeyoudothis,Iwantyoutobe

sure.

Thistimetherewasnohesitation.

I am sure, she typed. I am lying in bed right now, and all I can think of is you. I feel like I'm

goingtogocrazyuntilwemeetagain.Ineedyou,andIknowyouwantme.Idon'twanttowaitany

more.

Thistime,hispausewasevenlonger.

Darling…thinkaboutthis.ThinkaboutituntilIgetbacktothatmountain.Ifatanypoint,you

think you are unsure, tell me. Because the night I walk off the plane, I will be coming to you, and

unlessyoutellmeno,Iwillnotbestopped.Doyouunderstand?

Sheshivered,thinkingabouthowdarkhiseyesbecamewhenhewantedherandhowpowerfulhe

was. She couldn't resist him if she tried, but the idea of trying to resist him was not something that she

could understand, not now, perhaps not ever. She wanted nothing more than to have him roll her under,

takingherascompletelyashecould.

Iunderstand.Iwon'tchangemymind.

Good.

***

The next day seemed to drag like heavy chains behind her. Olivia showered in the morning, and

then as night came on, she showered again, simply to have something to do. She played her violin for

hours,butnothingseemedtosoundquiteright.Shepickeditupandputitdowntimeaftertime,andfinally

shehadtopullawayfromit,afraidshewouldsnapastringwithhernerves.

Makeen was busy most of the day, but he sent her a few texts. They were terse but comforting

things,andshecouldbarelykeepstillforwhatwastocome.Shewasn'tsurewhethershewasmakingthe

rightdecision,butallsheknewwasthatshewasmakingtheonesheneededlikesheneededtobreathe.

Shenearlyfelltoherkneeswithreliefwhensheheardthepropellersoutside.Shewaitedonthe

couch,dressedinhersimplebluedress.Throughthewindow,shecouldseehimtalktothepilotbefore

sendinghimoff.

Oliviastoodasthedoorcreakedopen,butMakeencamethroughitlikeahurricane.Hecaughther

upinhisarms,overwhelmingherwithkisses,takingherbreathaway.

“Hello,” he said, finally pulling back a little. There was something strained about him that was

easingevenasshewatched.

“Hi,”shesaidshyly.“Areyou…areyouhungryor…”

Hestoodbackandgaveheralookofsuchmasculineenjoymentthatsheblushed.

“Iam,”hesaidhuskily,“butIamnotinanyshapetocometoyou.Iwantashowerfirst,butafter

that,abattalioncouldn'tkeepmefromyou.”

Sheswallowedhard.“ShouldI…”

“Gotoyourroom,”hesaid,hisvoicevelvetwithcommand.“Waitforme.”

***

OliviaknewthatMakeenwasgoingtocometoherthatnight.Still,whenheopenedthedoortoher

bedroom,shefeltunprepared,asnervousasavirginonherweddingnight.Evenasthedoorcreakedopen

behind her, she didn't turn to look. Instead, Olivia stood with her back to him, facing the enormous

windowthatlookedoutoverthemountains.

Inthelastlightofday,smallportionsofthemountainwerepaintedredandgold,pickedoutlike

pointsofgarnetinthegrowingdarkness.Howmanywomenhadstoodwhereshewasthroughtheages?

How had they greeted their men? With despair and resolve? With hope and innocence? Perhaps some

luckyfewhadevenlookedforwardtotheirlords'approachwithlove.

“Whatareyouthinking,littlesongbird?”heasked,comingtostandbehindher.Oliviacouldfeelthe

heatfromhisbodyrightthroughherclothes.Itmadeherwanttostepbackintohisembrace,butfornow,

sheheldherselfapart.

“What the women who came before me thought,” she said softly. “Were they happy? Did they

despair?Whatcouldtheyhavewantedhere,highabovetheworld?”

Hemadeasoftthoughtfulsound,andshegaveintohertemptation.Sheleanedbackagainsthim,and

afteramomentofsurprise,hisarmscameuparoundher.Hewastallenoughthatitwaseasyforhimto

resthischinonherhead,andtogether,theylookedoutintotheencroachingnight.

“Thereisnowaytoknow,notreally,”hesaid,“butwehavesomerecords—journals,anecdotes.

Thewomenwhowerebroughtherewereallprized.Someofthemresentedit.Othersreveledinit,and

theyruledaswellorbetterthantheirmen.”

AmIalinkinachainthatgoesbackhundredsofyears?Oliviawondered.What will they say

aboutmewhenIamgone?

“Youlookfrightened,”hesaid.“Areyou?”

Sheshouldhavebeen.Therewassomuchtofrightenher.Shedidnotknowwhatwouldhappenin

a month. She didn't know what would become of her family. She was trapped on a high mountain peak

withamanwhohadoncethreatenedtodestroythepeoplewhoweremostdeartoher.

Oliviashookherhead.“I'mnotfrightened,I'm…”

Ready.

Thewordwassoboldinhermindthatatfirstsheshookitoff.However,whenshethoughtofit,

sherealizedthatbeyondashadowofadoubt,itwasabsolutelytherightword.Shefeltthewayshedid

before she brought her bow down to the strings, when the light shone on her, and all the rustling of the

audiencehadfallenintoanexpectanthush.

It was too much to say. She had been a musician all her life, and words were not always her

friends.Instead,inthecircleofMakeen'sarms,sheturnedtofacehim.Hisfacewasdarkinthedimlight,

butitwaseasyenoughtoreachupandtotracehislipswiththepadsofherfingers.Instinctively,hissoft

tonguecameouttolapathersensitivefingers,makingOliviashiverwithdesire.

“All my life, I thought I knew desire,” she said softly. “I wanted to play my violin, I wanted to

performforanaudienceofthousands,IwantedtomakemylivingdoingwhatIlovedbest.This…thisis

different.”

“Howso?”

“Iwantthismore.”

Herwordswerenakedinthedarkness.Oliviawasn'tsurethatshecouldhavesaidtheminthelight.

They were too different from what she had believed for years, too far from who she used to be to be

understood. But, as she was beginning to learn, she was turning into someone new, like warm clay in

Makeen'shands,andthoughapartofherwasterrified,moreofherwantedit.

ShecouldfeelashivergothroughMakeen'sbodyathersoftwords.Inthatmoment,Oliviaknew

thatifshehadanydoubtsaboutwhatwasgoingtohappentonight,sheshouldstophim.Sheknewthatshe

could.Shecouldsayawordandsendhimaway.

Shedidn't.

Instead,shetrembledashebenthisdarkheaddowntohers,onehandcominguptotangleinher

darkhair.Heheldherstillashekissedher,buttherewassomethingrestrainedaboutthewayhedidit.

Thetendernessandcareinhiskisswassopowerfulthatitmadealumpforminherthroat.Noonehad

everkissedherlikethis,sosweetlyandtenderly.

Therewasared-hotcurrentofpassionunderneaththetenderness,however,thatroseupforbothof

them. He could feel it the same way that she could, and when she pressed more firmly against him, he

groaned.

“Ihaveneverfeltthisforanotherwoman,”hesaid.“Youdrivemewild.Youmakemewantthings

thatIshouldnotwant…”

Inthatmoment,Oliviahadneverfeltfreer.Shefeltasifshecouldsimplypushawayfromtheearth

andspinintothesky.Theonlythingsthatkepthergroundedwerehisarmsaroundherandhercomplete

andconsumingneedforhim.

“Wantme,”shesaid,hervoicehoarse.“Wantmetonight…”

“Always,”hesaid,andhekissedheragain.

Thatoverwhelmingtendernesswasstillthere,butnowitsdarktwinofdesirewaspresentaswell,

rising up and making them cling to each other as if there was nothing else in the world. She could feel

herselfwarmingtohimwithjustthistendertouch.Shecouldfeelhismanhoodriseuptopressagainsther.

With no warning at all, he lifted her off her feet, carrying her like a bride to the enormous white

bed.Makeenlaidherdownonit,andthenhishandswenttothebuttonsatthefrontofherdress.Insteadof

unbuttoningherclothes,hetooktwogreatfistfulsoffabricinhishandsandyanked,thelightclothripping

apartliketissue.

Olivia had not understood how erotic the sensation and sound of tearing fabric could be, nor the

suddenfeelingofbeingentirelyexposed.Suddenly,inthedimroom,shewaslyinginfrontofthemanshe

wantedlikeshewantedtobreathe,bareexceptforherlacybraandpanties.

“Youhavenoideahowbeautifulyouare,”hewhispered,sittingbackonhisheelstolookather.

“YourskinisthesoftestIhaveeverfelt.Youlookasifyouweremadejustforme.”

Inthatmoment,Oliviafeltasifhewereright,asifeverypartofherwasmadeforMakeen,andthat

her twenty-four years without him had starved her. Now her body cried for him, and the only thing that

kept her sane was that she would not be denied for much longer. Without thinking, she reached for him

imploringly,andhewasnotstrongenoughtoresistthat.

Hecametorestontopofher,supportingmostofhisweightonhiselbowsashestartedtokissher

again.Whenhistonguethrustintohermouth,shesuckedonitdesperately,awarethatitwasonlyapale

imitation of what was going to come afterward. When Makeen pulled back, she moaned with

disappointment,buthewasonlyshiftingdownherbody,trailingkissesfromherjaw,downherneckto

hersoftshouldersandbeyond.

Makeenlavishedkissesandlicksonherlargebreasts,provingthemtobefarmoresensitivethan

shehadeverdreamed.Whenhebrushedthetipsofhisfingersoverthesides,sheshivered,thepeaksof

hernipplesgoinghard.Makeentookfirstonepeakinhismouthandthentheother,causingOliviatobuck

withsurprisedarousal.

“I…neverthoughtIlikedhavingmybreaststouchedlikethatbefore,”shewhisperedinsurprise,

andhislaughwasalowgrowl.

“Ifthereissomethingthatyoudonotlike,Icommandyoutotellmeimmediately,”hesaidwitha

playfulgrowl,“butuntilthen,littlesongbird,Ionlywantyoutoliedownandenjoyit…”

She started to respond, but then any clue about what she was going to say was ripped out of her

mindentirelyashiswetmouthmoveddownthesoftcurveofherbelly.Withamotionthatshecouldonly

describeaspracticed,heslippedherpantiesdownherlonglegs,throwingthemfreebeforeshewaseven

quiteawarewhathewasdoing.Oliviacriedoutwhensherealizedhowbareshewasinfrontofhim,but

shehadnotimetoworryaboutitashewasspreadingherlegstoliedownbetweenthem.

Experimentally,shebentherlegsandranthemalonghisshoulders,marvelingathisstrengthandthe

feelofhisskin,sodifferentfromhers.Thedifferencesbetweenthemwerestrangelysensuoustoher,how

hardhewascomparedtohowsoftshewas.

Sheknewwhathewasplanningtodo,butOliviastillblushedwhenMakeenstartedstrokinghis

fingersalongthetangleofdarkhairbetweenherlegs.Thetouchwassointimateitmadehersquirm,but

Makeenusedhissheerweighttoholdherstill,makingherliequietlyashetouchedher.Shehadthought

fromthewaytheirpassionignitedthattheywouldsimplyfalloneachotherlikewildbeasts,butnowhe

wastouchingherwithaslowdeliberationthatmadehermoanwithsurprise.Firsthestrokedhisfingers

alongherslituntilshewasnearlyfranticwithneed,andonlythendidheslideafingerinsideher.The

pressuresentaboltofpleasurethroughher,butitwasn'tenough,wasn'tnearlyenoughatall.

Whenhepressedhismouthtothetopofherslit,suckingandpullingatthefleshthere,herhandfell

downtolandinhishair,tuggingfitfully.NomatterwhatOliviadid,however,herefusedtobehurried.

Instead, he teased and tantalized her, making her rise up with need time after time only to deny her the

tremblingclimaxsheknewlayjustbeyond.

“Please,Makeen!”Oliviacriedfinally.“Please,please,Ican'ttakethisanymore…”

Helaughedalittlehoarsely,andwhenshelookeddownathim,hiseyesglitteredinthedark.

“Icoulddothisallnight,”hemurmured.“Bringyouclosetimeaftertimeuntilyouwerebegging

me…”

“Iambeggingyounow!”shewhimpered,tuggingineffectuallyathishair.“Please…please,Ineed

you…”

Something about the plaintiveness of her tone convinced him. In a smooth motion, he shifted

upward, and now he was reaching into the small table by the bed. She looked up, startled, when a foil

packagewasplacedinherhand.

“Putitonme.”

Hiscommandvibratedwithpowerandauthority,andOliviaswallowedhardasshetoreitopen.

Shehadworkedwithherhandsallherlife,butnowshefeltasifshewasnothingbutthumbs.Itseemedas

ifshecouldnotgetthelatexdiscplacedproperly,andthenwhenshestartedtorollitdownhislong,thick

shaft,itonlypulledandtugged.Finally,itwason,andjustasshewaslookinguptoseehisreason,he

pushedherflatbackonthebed.

“This,”hegrowled.“ThisiswhatIhavewantedsinceIlaideyesonyou.”

Without any more warning than that, he slid into her with a deep, perfect thrust, joining them so

completelythattheybothmoaned.Shelookeduptoseeanexpressionofpureaweonhisfacebeforehe

beganthrustingintoherdeeply,fillingherwitheachthrustbeforepullingbackouttodoitagain.

Oliviawascarriedawaybysensations.Thepleasurethathehadbeenteasingandtorturingherwith

was suddenly free to tear its way through her, and now she gave herself up to it. She twined her legs

aroundhiships,wrappingherarmsaroundhisshoulders.Shewoulddoanything,anythingtogetcloserto

himandthethingsthathewasmakingherfeel.

“Beautifullittlesongbird,soperfect,sodamnablyperfect,andallforme…”

HiswordsdroppedintoArabic,murmuringwordsthatsoundedbothlovingandutterlyfilthy,and

thatonlytookherpleasurehigherandhigher.Whenhereacheddowntonipathersensitiveearlobe,that

waswhatdidit.Suddenly,herbodystartedshakingwithpleasure,andOliviatenseduptodrawithigher

asitbrokeoverher.

Shewasshouting,herbodybeyondhercontrol,asshetwistedherwaytoaclimaxbeyondanything

shehadeverfelt.Itwasasifshewasbeingmoldedinfire,asifshewereflyinghighonwingsofflames.

Somewhere beyond the veil of her desire, she could feel Makeen thrusting deeply into her with a final

groan. He shuddered over her just as her own pleasure was receding, making her whimper with

completion.Sheclungtohimfiercely,inthatmoment,readytoprotecthimfromallcomers.Oliviahad

neverthoughtthatsheknewmuchbeyondherviolin,butrightnow,sheknewbeyondashadowofadoubt

thatthismanwashers.Hewastheonewhowouldprotecther,andhewastheonethatsheknewshehad

toprotectaswell.Therewasnothingelsetobedoneaboutit.

He collapsed on top of her, his body a heavy weight that gave her a kind of pleasure and

contentmentofasortshehadneverfeltbefore.Shestrokedhisbackgently.Therewasapeaceherethat

shehadneverknown,somethingsweetandquietnowthatthedesirehadbeenpaiditsdue.

It seemed like no time at all before Makeen heaved himself off and away from her, kissing her

gentlybeforegoingtothebathroomtocleanhimselfanddisposeofthecondom.Whenhecameback,he

cametoliedownnexttoher,onhisside,withhishanddrapedcasuallyandpossessivelyoverherbelly.

“Whydidn'tyoutellmeithadbeensolongforyou?”heasked,kissingherneck.

“Oh,wasthelackofaptitudesoveryobvious?”sheasked,slightlyindignant.

Makeenlaughedatheroffensebeforereachinghishanddowntosqueezeherbetweenherlegs.The

motion,intimateandknowing,tookherbreathaway,aswellasreignitingaflameofdesirethatshewould

havethoughthadbeenextinguishedforatleastalittlewhile.

“You're tight, little songbird,” Makeen murmured. “I would have thought you were in pain if you

hadnotclungtomeandmadesoundsthaturgedmeon…”

Sheblushed,turningherheadaway.“Idon'tlikeitwhenyouteaseme,”shemuttered.

Hekissedhershoulderplacatingly.“Iamnotteasingyou,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandsoft.“Only

admiring.”

Withasoftsigh,sheturnedtowardshim.Theroomwasnearlyblacknow.Shecouldnotmakeout

hisexpression,whetheritwassweetormocking,seriousoramused.

“Ihaveneverknownamanlikeyou,”Oliviasaidquietly.“Idonotknowwhethertobeafraidof

youortoclingtoyouwitheverythingIhave.”

Withasinglemotion,hegatheredhercloseandkissedherthoroughly.Shewasawareofhowher

bodyseemedmoldedtofithis,asifhewaseverythingthatshehadeverwantedorneeded.Thiswasa

manwhocouldbeastonewallbetweenherandtheworld,whocouldprotectherthewaythatshehad

alwaysyearnedtobeprotected.Allshehadtodowastogiveupeverythingshehadeverwanted.

“Wewillneverbelikeotherpeople,”hewhisperedtoher.“Wewillonlybeourselves,andwhenI

amwithyou,everythingfeelssogood,soright.ThatisallthatIneedtothinkaboutfornow.ThatisallI

needinthismoment.”

Sheknewthatitwasnotenough,thatitcouldneverbeenough,butnowhewaskissingheragain,

stirringfromherthatfirethathecouldpullforthsoeasily.Heronlyconsolationwasthatshecouldpullit

fromhimaswell.Thistime,whenhekissedher,shekissedhimbackwithallthefervorinherbody.She

triedtoshowhimhowmuchsheneededhimandwantedhim,andasheroseoverheragain,sheknewthat

thiswasthemanwhowouldmakeherhis.

***

Aftertheirsecondtime,theyfellintoanexhaustedslumber.WhenOliviadriftedoff,itwaswithhis

breathhotagainsthershoulder,onearmdrapedoverherhip.Theyslepttogetherasiftheyhadbeenborn

todoit.

When she dreamed, however, it was a dark thing. She was dressed all in black, standing on an

emptystage.Asinglewhitespotlightlitherupandmadeherblink,butthatmatteredlessthanherviolinin

herhands.Sheraisedherbowtothestringsandwrenchedawailofmusicfromit,asongsowildandlost

thatsheknewitwaswrittenfromgrief,fromsorrow,andpain.

Itwastheperformanceofalifetime.

When she stopped, the lights came up. She was playing in an enormous auditorium but the only

person there was Makeen. He stared at her across the empty space between them. It had been the most

amazingperformanceofherlife,butheonlywatchedherwitheyesfilledwithdarkcontemptanddistaste.

Shehadneverseenthatkindofdisgustonhisfaceforher.

Withoutaword,Makeenturnedandmadehiswayuptheaisle.Asshecalledhisname,hestrode

fromtheroom.Hewentoutthedoor,andthenshewasalone.

No,notalone.

Herbrotherstoodbesideher,dressedinhischeapcourtsuit,asicklysmileonhisface.

“Guessyouweren'tgoodenoughforhimafterall,Sis,”hesaid,andwithagasp,shesatupinbed,

staringinthedarkness.Besideher,Makeenstirred,andshelaybackdown.

Itwasjustadream,shetriedtotellherself,butshestayedawakeandwatchfuluntildawn.

ChapterEight

Thenextweekpassedinablur.OliviaandMakeenspenteverymomenttogether,butfarfrombeing

atrial,Oliviacouldnotbelievehowmuchshedesiredit.Itwasasifhehadopenedthegatewayinside

hertosomethingthatshehadalwayswantedwithouteverknowingthatitwaswhatsheneeded.

“IforgetwhoIamwhenIamwithyou,”shesaidonenightinbed.Hershoulderswerecovered

withlovemarks,andherlipswerebruisedwiththeforceoftheirkisses.

“Ineverforgetwhoyouare,”hesaid.Inthemoonlightstreamingthroughthewindow,understars

thatwerebrighterandmorebeautifulthananyshehadeverseen,helookedlikeagodcometoearth,one

whohadchosenherforhistrueconsort.

“AndwhoamI?”sheasked,herlipscurvinginasoftsmile.

“Youareperfection.Youaretalentandpassionandmusicandneedanddesire.YouareOlivia,and

youmustbeloved.”

The words brought a kind of stillness to her. Her panic must have shone on her face, because

Makeenonlylaughedalittle.

“Wereyounotreadytohearthosewordsyet?Theyaretrue,Iassureyou.”

“You…youloveme?”

Shehadheardthewordsbefore.Shehadheardthemfrommenwhoonlywantedonething,andthey

usedthosewordslikeagoad,tryingwhateverittookforhertogivethemwhattheyreallydesired.

“Ido,”hesaid,andtherewasnostressinhisbodyatall,onlyacalmnessthatsoothedhersoul.“I

loveyou.Youdon'thavetosayitjustyet.Ihavefullconfidencethatsometimesoon,youwill.Untilthen?

Iampreparedtowait.Youareworthwaitingfor.”

Theywenttosleepthen,curledupintoeachother.Intheearlyhours,whenthedawnwasbeginning

tocomeinthewindow,OliviasatuptolookatMakeenasheslept.Whenshereacheddowntotracehis

finelipswithherfingertips,hesmiledalittleinhissleep.

I love you, she tried in her head. The words felt strange, but they sent a deep feeling of warmth

through her. It was like nothing she had ever known. Her entire life had always been consumed with

music. She had always known that the stage and the violin were what she was meant for. Now this

changeditall.

Shestillwantedtoplay.Shestillwantedtoperform.

ItwasterrifyingtothinkthatperhapsshewantedMakeenmore.

Intheend,shewasn'tsuretherewasachoice.Shelovedhim,andsheresolvedtotellhimthenext

day.

Unfortunately,theywerewokenupbyaphonecall,andthen,everythingchanged.

***

Olivia was aware of a tension to the air as soon as she woke. Instinctively, she reached for

Makeen,onlytofindthathewasnotsleepingnexttoher.Shelookedaroundinconfusion,unsurewhathad

awakenedher.Itwasbarelypastdawn,thelightpearlyandgrayasitcamethroughthetallwindows.

Feelingstrangelyshaken,shepulledonathinrobeandventuredoutintothelivingroom.Thatwas

whereshefoundMakeensittingonthecouch,hisfaceinhishandsandhisphonedroppedcarelesslyon

thecoffeetableinfrontofhim.

“Makeen?”sheasked,hervoicesoftandfrightened.

When he looked up at her, his face was stone. She hadn't seen him look at her like that since the

veryearlydaysoftheiracquaintance,andOliviafeltathrilloffearrunthroughher.

“Ireceivedacallfrommyinvestigators,”hesaid,hisvoiceflatasaboard.“Yourbrotherhasbeen

pickedupagain.”

Foramoment,Oliviadidn'tunderstandwhathewassaying.Thewordssimplydidn'tmakesense.

Shecouldn'tunderstandthem.

“Youmustbewrong,”shesaidimmediately.“Youhavetobe.Davidwouldn't…”

“Theycaughthimtryingtostealacar,”Makeensaidflatly.“Hewasinthedriver'sseattryingtohot

wireit,andthatwashowtheycaughthim.”

Oliviashookherhead,notwantingtobelieveit.WhenMakeenstartedtospeakagain,shecovered

herears,shakingherhead.Shegaspedwhenhesteppeduptoher,pullingherhandsfromherearswithan

inexorablestrength.

“Olivia, you need to hear this. One of the investigators who brought him in the first time caught

windofthis.Heisdemandingthatjusticebedone.Heispetitioningmedirectlyforpermissiontothrow

thebookatyourbrother.Thatwouldmeansixtotenyearsinjailatleast…”

“No!” Olivia shouted, her eyes filling up with tears. She looked up at Makeen imploringly. “No,

please.Youpromised.Yousaidhewouldbesafe!Thathewouldn'tbesenttoprison…”

Makeen'sfacewasstone.Shecouldfindnotraceofthemanwhohadlovedhersowellthenight

before.

“Iforgavehimforhisfirstcrimesagainstmycountryandmycountrymen,”hesaid,hisvoiceharsh.

“Icannotdosoagain.Forgiveme,Olivia.”

“No,no,Irefusetoacceptthat,”shecried.“Makeen,please.Iambeggingyou.Thisismybrother.

ThisisthemanwhoprotectedmeanddefendedmewhenIwasgrowingup.”

“Whenthepolicetriedtoapprehendhim,hepulledoutagun,”Makeenretorted.“Heisnotsome

innocentboywhowascaughtupinaterriblething,Olivia.Heisacriminalwhohaspreyedonthegood

willofeveryonearoundhim.Forheaven'ssake,openyoureyes.”

“Youcan'tletthishappen,”shesaid,shakinghishead.“Youcan't.Youhavethepowertostopthis,

soplease,stopthis,Makeen,Ilo—”

Thewordstrembledonherlips,butbeforetheycouldcomeout,heclampedhishanddownover

her mouth. Her eyes flew up to his enraged gaze. Suddenly all semblance of calm was gone, leaving

behinditatoweringinfernooffury.

“No,” he snarled. “Do not dare. What I told you last night was the truth, but in front of God and

heaven, I refuse to allow my love for you to be used like this, as if it were some token that could be

movedbackandforthonaboard.”

When he let go of her, she slumped down onto the couch like a rag doll. She stared up at him,

feelingasifallofthelifehadbeendrainedfromher.Shethoughtdullythatshemustlooklikeabitof

trash, something that would be tossed away at the earliest convenience. She could barely recognize

Makeenasthemanwhohadheldhersotenderlythenightbefore.

“What happens now?” she asked, her voice terribly calm. “What can possibly be between us

now?”

Makeenwasstillforaverylongtime.Whenhespoke,hekepthisfaceturnedawayfromher,asif

itwassimplytoopainfultolookather.

“Tomorrow,wearegoingtoreturntoZahar.Whatyoudotonightdetermineswhathappenswhen

wedo.”

“WhatIdo?”

“Yes.Iamgoingtomystudy.Youshouldreturntoyourroom.Ifyouremainthere,wewillreturnto

Zahar, and see what shall become of us together. I will help you grieve your brother. I will help you

mourn,andtogether,wecandecideifthereissomethingbetweenus.”

Hisvoicehardened.“Ifyoucometomystudy,bepreparedtodosoasasupplicant.Youwillmake

yourcasetome,youwillexplainyourselfinexcruciatingdetail,andyouwilldowhateveritisinyour

powertowinyourbrotherfree.Perhapshewillbefreeattheendofit,andperhapsnot.However,what

willcertainlyhappeninthiscaseisthatIwillknowwhoyouareandwhatyouthinkofme.”

He paused. For a moment, she saw a flicker of softness cross his face, but then it was gone, as

elusiveasmorningmistinasunlitvalley.

“Choosewisely,”hesaid.“Beyondthat,itisalluptoyou.”

ChapterNine

OliviafacedthedoortoMakeen'sstudy,staringattheintricatecarvingsthatsheknewwerewell

over a hundred years old. She could have stared at them all night, looking at the results of a long-dead

man'shand,butsheknewthatshecouldn't.

Instead,withadeepbreath,shemadeherselfraiseherhandandknockonthedoor.

“Come.”

Whenshedid,Makeenwatchedherfrombehindhisdesk,hislongandelegantfingerstempledin

frontofhisface.Fromthegrimexpressionhewore,sheknewthatheunderstoodwhyshewasthere.

“IwantyoutoletDavidoff,”shesaid.“Please.”

There were a number of expressions that fluttered across Makeen's face. She saw pain and grief

there,andsadnessaswell,butfinally,itwasreplacedwithastonywrath.

“Youdon'tknowwhatyou'reaskingme.”

“AsamatteroffactIdo,”shesaid,liftingherchinslightly.“Heismybrother…”

“Andwhatdoesthatmakeme?”

Thequestionstartledher,throwingheroffherstride.“Whatdoyoumean?”Oliviaasked,hervoice

slightlyshaky.

Hestoodwiththeslowandlanguidgraceofapanther,comingaroundthedesktowardsher.She

hadtoresisttheurgetobackup.Therewassomethingdangerousabouthimjustnow,somethingthatmade

herswallowhard.Sheknewthathewasabigman,butrightnow,heseemedenormous,takingupallof

theairintheroomandleavingherwithnothingthatshecouldbreathe.

“Isaid,”herepeated,“whatamItoyou?WhoamI,thatyoucanaskmeaquestionlikethat?”

“You'retheSheikh,”Oliviareplied.“YouaretheonewiththepowertogivemewhatI…”

“Allrightthen,”hesaid,andtherewassomethingfinaltohisvoicethatmadeherverynervous.

“SinceIamtheSheikh,whoareyou?”

“Makeen,whatareyou—”

“No.Atthemoment,foryou,whoeverorwhateveryouare,youarenotallowedtocallmebymy

givenname.Thepropertermofaddress,foryouinthismoment,is'mylord.'”

Apartofhercriedoutatthis.Thiswasn'tfair.Thiswasakindoftorture.Shedidn'tdeservethis,

but if she was honest with herself, he didn't either. All Olivia could do was play the hand that she had

beendealt.

“Mylord,”shewhispered,andtherewasasavagetriumphonMakeen'sface,somethingthatmade

the bottom drop out of her stomach even as she felt herself stir uneasily because of it. There was

somethinginherthatcravedthis,andshedidn'tknowwhattothinkofit.

“I see. And now, you, a woman with no rank, no family, and no money, have come to ask me a

favor.Whatdoyouthinkyouaregoingtousetosecuremygoodwill?”

Thewordswereblandbutthemeaningwasclear.Hereyeswidened.

“Please,”shewhispered,buthisfacewasimplacable.

“Whatdoyouhavetobargainwith?”Makeenasked,hiswordscoldlyfurious.“Whatdoyouhave,

Olivia?”

Therewasonlyoneresponse.Shedidn'thavethebackingofanoblefamily,shedidn'thavemoney,

shedidn'thaveanypoliticalposition,anypoweratallexceptthatwhichwasheldinherbody.Shefelt

somethinginherbreakassherealizedwhatshewasgoingtodo.

Trembling, Olivia took a step forward, so close to Makeen that she could see the stitches in his

buttons.“Mylord…”

“Lookatmewhenyouspeak,woman,”hesaid,hisvoicealow,smoothgrowl.

Swallowing hard, Olivia made herself look up at him. He towered over her, but there was

something to his face, a kind of softness that touched something in her. She didn't understand it, but

suddenly,shewasnolongerafraid.

“Mylord,please…letmybrothergo.”

“Andwhatwillyougivemeinreturn?”

She couldn't say the words. They were ugly words, too ugly for something that had been an

amazing, sensual, and beautiful experience. Though Olivia knew the reality of what she was doing and

whatshewasoffering,shecouldn'tbringherselftosaythosewords.

Instead, she reached up, lacing her fingers behind his neck to pull him down to her. For just a

moment,abareheartbeatofspace,shethoughthewasgoingtopullaway.Perhapsallhewantedtodo

washumiliateher,andthatitwouldbeenoughtosendheronherway,grievingandemptyhanded.

Sheknewhewouldn't.

No matter what was passing between them now, no matter what was ending between them right

now … Olivia knew Makeen well enough to count on one thing, and that was that he wanted her like

breathing.Likeshewantedhim.

Hemighthavewantedtopullawayfromher,butthemomentshegotherhandsonhim,hecouldn't.

The passion that sparked between them was too deep, the promise of desire fulfilled far too strong.

Suddenly, his arms were around her, and it didn't matter why they were doing this, only that they were

touching,onlythattheycravedeachother.

Ifshekeptkissinghim,shewouldn'thearthepoisonousthingshewouldsay.Ifsheclungtohim,she

couldputoffthetimebeforehepushedheraway.Shecouldmaketheirtimetogetherlastalittlelonger,

andthenperhapsalittlelongerstill.

“Goddamnyou,youtastesogood,”hegrowled.

Hishandsslidupherbacktotangleinherhair.Nowhewasholdingherstillwhilehekissedher,

devouringherthewayhewouldameal.Hewasfamishedforher,alwayshadbeen,andsheknewthatshe

hadwon,evenifvictorywasaterriblyhollowprize.

“Takeme,”Oliviawhispered.“Takeme,makemeforgetallthis.”

Hecouldhavesaidthatshewasinnopositiontobemakingrequestsorgivingorders.However,

therewasalwayssomethingsosplendidlyrawaboutthem,soverynakedandrealthattherecouldbeno

lieshere,noposturing,nothingbutthepurityofthetwoofthemtogether.

Thekisswentonandon,andthenMakeenwaspushingherbacktowardsthedesk.Whentheedge

hitherback,heliftedheruponit.Oliviamarveledathisstrengthevenashecametostandinfrontofher.

“Iwanttoseeyou,”hesaid,theonlythinghesaidbywayofexplanation.

Withquickefficientmovements,hestrippedherclothesawayfromher,andsilently,sheallowed

him to do so. There was something restrained to him now, as if he were exercising all of his power to

holdhimselfbackfromravishingher.

Hewantstomakethislast,Oliviarealizedsuddenly,andshedidn'tknowifthatshouldmakeher

feelelatedordevastated.

Soonshewasseatednakedonhisdesk,Makeenwatchingherwiththosedark,darkeyes.Itshould

havefeltinvasive,beingviewedlikesomesortofmuseumdisplay.Ifshehadlearnedaboutthisearlier,

shewouldhavefeltitwasdegrading,adisplayofMakeen'spower.Instead,inthemoment,beingwatched

bythemansheneededlikesheneedednoother,itonlyfeltintoxicating.Withoutthinkingofwhatshewas

doing, she straightened her back, pressing out her breasts and lifting her chin defiantly. She wasn't

ashamedofherbody,notinfrontofMakeen.

“Sobeautiful,”hesaid,andtherewasstillatremorthere.Thepowerfulsheikhmighthavewanted

toholdhimselfaloof,butshecouldtellthattherewasalimittohowmuchhecoulddosowhenhewanted

hersomuch.

Hebegantotouchher,runninghishandsdownherbody,downhersides,upherback,throughthe

longstrandsofherhair.Whereverhetouched,Oliviacouldfeelherselftingle,herskinrememberingall

too clearly the pleasure she took in his body. When she reached to touch him, however, he pressed her

handsdowntohersides.

“Iwanttotouchyou,”shewhispered,butheignoredher.

Insteadhefocusedontantalizingher,tracinginvisiblepatternsontheskinofherbarethighs.When

hepressedthemapart,shethoughthewouldtakeherthen,buthisfingertipsonlytrailedupclosertoher

mostsecretfleshbeforeskimmingaway.

“You feel good, so good,” Olivia murmured. She knew that she was opening herself up to his

mockery,butheonlyhummedwithpleasure.

“Iwantyoutofeelgood,”hereplied,andforamoment,shecouldpretendthatthiswassomething

otherthanwhatitwas.

Hesteppedbetweenherkneestokissher.Thistime,itwasslowanddeliberate,somethingfullof

need and desire, but which had all the patience in the world. When he pressed his tongue between her

lips,sheopenedforhim,hotwithneed.Hegaspedwhenshesuckledonhistongueboldly.Shefeltthe

tremorgothroughhim,andsheknewthathewasfarmoreaffectedthanhewaswillingtoleton.

Oliviarealized,inadistantway,thatshehadpoweroverhim,justashehadpoweroverher.She

twinedherarmsaroundhisneck,andinsomeways,itwasagestureasdefiantasrearingbacktopunch

him.Ittoldthemboththatshewasnowillingpuppet,readytosellherselffortherightprice.Shewasa

womanactingoutofdesire,andthatmeantthatshewouldtakehimjustashewouldtakeher.

“I want you, so much,” she whispered, and those words made him shudder in earnest, so she

repeated them. She had never been one for dirty talk, but now, with this man, she wanted nothing more

thantotellhimhowsheneededhimandwhathemadeherfeel.

“I want to feel your hands on me, I want to feel how hard and hot you are,” Olivia murmured,

ignoringtheredblushthatflareduponhercheeks.“Iwantyoutofillmeup,andIwantyoutopushme

pastanythingthatIhaveever—”

“That is enough,” he growled, and she stopped, not out of fear, but out of concern for the ragged

edgetohisvoice.

Thisishurtinghimtoo,Oliviathought,andshewouldhavedoneanythingifshecouldhavespared

themboththisterriblething.Instead,shehadsethercourse,andsheknewthatshehadtoseeitthrough.

Hetookherchinbetweentwofingers,bringingherfaceuptolookathim.

“Stoptalking,”hesaid.“Idon'twanttohearanywordsoutofyou…”

Hebrushedthebackofhishandoverthetauttipsofherbreasts,makinghergaspoutloud.Still,she

heldherselffromspeaking,andhesmiledcynically.

“Good…”

His kiss overwhelmed her, sweeping her up before setting all of her nerves aflame. There was

somethingabouthimthatwasdoneplaying,andwhenshefeltthepressofhisbodyagainsthers,shefelt

hisachinghardnessagainstherthigh.Hecouldn'twaitmuchlonger.Sheknewthatshecouldn'teither.

With an abrupt movement, he pulled her off the desk only to turn around. One hand between her

shoulderbladeshepushedherdownuntilshewaslookingatherownexpressioninthepolishedwoodof

the desk. Her eyes looked enormous in her face, her mouth as red as if she had painted it. When he

pressedonefootbetweenherstomakeherspreadherselfopen,hermouthopenedinaredO.

“So goddamn beautiful,” he murmured, almost to himself. “The most perfect woman I have ever

had,theonlyoneIhavetrulywanted…”

Shestartedtoturnherheadtolookathim,buthishandtangledinherhair,holdingherdown.

“I'llmakethisgoodforyou,”hewhispered.“Godabove,Iwantthistobegoodforyou…”

Shebitherlip,notunderstandingwhathemeantuntilhebrushedhishandupherthigh.Hisfingers

probedatherwetentrance,sinkingonefingerintoherandthenanotheroneasshesighed.Inamatterof

breaths,hewaspumpinghisfingersintoherslowlyandsurelyasheworkedherclitwithhisfreehand.

Thepleasurehewasforcingonherraisedheruphigherandhigheruntilshereachedherpeak.Her

climax,solongincoming,roaredoutofher,leavingherspentandsobbingonthedesk,buthedidn'tstop

then. Instead, his hands kept working, and he was half bent over her as well, his warm body pressed

againsthers.HewasspeakingtoherinsomecombinationofArabicandEnglish,andsheknewthathe

wastellingherhowbeautifulshewasandhowmuchhewantedher,tellingherhewantedherpleasure

morethananythingelseintheworld.

Herbodyrockedagainandagain.Shecouldn'ttellwhereoneclimaxendedandtheotherbegan.It

wasacontinuousstringofpleasurethathedrewfromherwithonlyhistouchandhiswords,anditwasn't

untilshehadcollapsedbonelessonhisdeskthathepulledaway.

Foramoment,Oliviahadahorrifiedideathathewouldleaveherthere,herhumiliationcomplete.

Then,toherrelief,sheheardhimopenhisclothes,heardthetearofafoilpacket,andhissoftsighashe

sheathedhimself.

Withoutaword,hesteppedforwardandpressedhimselfdeepintoher.Heknewherbodylikehe

knew his own, and now he used that knowledge, pressing all the way into her in the way he knew she

liked. She wanted more than anything to press herself back against him, but her position pinned on the

deskgavehernoleverage,noabilitytomoveatall.Instead,shesimplyhadtosquirmandmoanashe

pushedintoheroverandoveragain,takinghispleasurewithherbody.

ToOlivia'sshock,shecouldfeelherdesirerisingupagain.Afterwhathehadputherthrough,she

hadthoughtthatshewouldsimplybetooexhaustedtomove,letalonerespondagain,butsomethingabout

his body called to her own, like the moon to the sea. As his motions sped up, her body started to rock

back against him. She could feel his surprise, but in that moment, all she cared about was how their

bodiesworkedtogether,bringingthemintoaharmonythattheirheartssimplycouldnotsustain.

Perfect,soperfect, she thought, her emotions whipping up to a frenzy just as her body did. This

wasthemanshewanted.Thiswastheonewhobelongedtoher,andafterthis,theymightneverspeakto

one another again. She couldn't understand it. The pain was simply too great. Instead, she focused on

findingforeverintheirmotionstogether,feelingthewayhepressedintoher,thewayhishandsclosedon

herhipswithastrengthjustshortofpain.

Hequickenedhisthrusts,andsheheardhisdeepgrowlsofpleasure.Herownbodytightenedup,

andthen,almosttohershock,shewascomingagain,screamingintoherhandsasthesensationscascaded

overher.Inalmostthesamemovement,hethrustintohersavagely,holdingherbrutallystillashecameto

hisownpeak.Foramoment,theircriesmingledtogetherinthestillofficeair,echoingoneanotherina

pleasurethatseemedtogoonandon.

Whentheywerestill,therewassomethingterribleaboutit.Shecouldfeeltearsinhereyes,butshe

refusedtoletthemfall.Sheknewwhyshewashereandwhatshewasdoing,andshefeltasifherheart

wasgoingtobreak.

Withasoftsigh,hepulledaway.Oliviawasstillforamoment,andthen,movingasifshewasin

pain,shepushedherselfoffthedesktolandonherowntwofeet.SheturnedtoseeMakeendoinguphis

clothingasifnothinghadhappenedatall.

Shealmostexpectedhimtotellhertogetout,butinsteadofdoingthat,heremovedahandkerchief

fromhispocketanddampeneditwithabottleofwaterhehadonhisdesk.Tohersurprise,hestartedto

cleanher,startingwiththeseatonherbodybeforefinallydippingdownbetweenherlegs.Shesquawked

with embarrassment, but he shushed her absently, holding her still until he was done. When he stepped

back,shereachedforherclothes,whichhehaddroppedofftotheside.

Despiteeverythingthattheyhaddonetogether,Oliviafeltexposednow,morenakedthanshehad

beenwhenshewasbentmoaningandwrithingonthedesk.Shecouldhearherhearttooclearly,thesame

wayshecouldfeelhiseyesonher.

“Whathappensnow?”sheasked,hervoicesoftanddull.

Hewassilentsolongthatshenearlystartedtocry.Shewasonthevergeofturningtohim,begging

himfor…forwhat,shedidn'tevenknow.Allsheknewwasthathewasamanofhonor,ofhisword,but

rightnow,shehadnoideawhereshestoodinthatregard.

“I call the investigators. I tell them to release your brother. In the morning, we get on a plane to

returntoZahar,andweneverspeaktoeachotheragain.”

Shehadexpectednobetter,butshestillflinched.“Makeen…”

Thesoundhemadewasmoreanimalthanman,aterriblegrowlthatmadeherthinkofbeaststhat

huntedinthemountains,hungryandlean.

“No.Donot.Donotspeakwithmeasifyoulovedme,asifIweresomepetthatyoucouldtrainto

do your bidding. I have had enough of that. I am sick of it, and I am sick of your presence. Go to your

room.Waitfortheplanetomorrow.Thesearethelastwordsthatwewillspeaktooneanother.”

Atlastdefeated,tearsinhereyes,shefledbacktoherownbedroom.Shefeltasifshehadbeen

scalded.Painfilledherbeing,andshecouldbarelythink.

In her despair, she reached for the one thing that had always been there. Olivia's hands were

shaking, but still she could undo the clasps on her violin case. Once she had her hands on the polished

woodandfamiliarbow,shefeltacalmsettleoverher.Withmotionsofexaggeratedcalmness,shetuned

herinstrumentandshestartedtoplay.

Thewildmusicthatpouredoutofherthatnightwaslikenothingshehadeverproducedbefore.It

wasfast,jagged,justbarelymelodic,butsomehowitcarriedherfeelingsofpainoutofherbody,giving

hersomekindofrest.

She didn't know how long she played, but when she finally collapsed, her fingers ached and her

entirebodyfeltasifithadbeendrainedofeverything.Sheknewthatthepainwouldbeback.Sheknew

thatwhenitreturned,itwouldbeterrible.Rightnow,however,shewastooexhaustedtodoanythingbut

liedown,andsleep.

***

Makeenthoughtthathewouldbeallrightuntilshestartedtoplay.Thefirstnotesbegantearinghis

heartout,andtheonesafterthatmadehimfeelasifhewerebeingrackedovercoals.

It didn't matter what they had done to each other, or what she really wanted from him. In that

moment, listening to her music, he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was in pain. She was

releasingitintheonlywaythatsheknewhow,anditwasallhecoulddonottogotoher.

SuddenlyMakeenwantednothingmorethantohaveherinhisarms.Hewantedtosoothethatpain

away,andindoingso,soothethepainthatwasrendinghimtoshredsaswell.Hewantedtopullheraway

fromeverything,takethemtoaplacewheretherewasnosuchthingashonororloyalty,wheretheycould

simplybetogether.

HehadbeentheSheikhforagoodportionofhislife,however,andheknewthattherewasnoplace

likethatonearth.

Insteadhewenttothecabinetinhisstudy,pullingoutabottleofambercoloredliquid.Hesplashed

agenerousamountintoaglass,andhedrankitinoneswallow.Itburnedgoingdown,butitwasbetter,far

better,thanwhathewasfeelingjustnow.

Hestoodinthedarkness,listeningtothemusicofOlivia'spain,andhewonderedwheninhislife

hewouldeverovercomethis.

ChapterTen

Aweeklater,OliviawaitedinfrontoftheZaharcourthouse.Shewasn'tsurewhyshehaddressed

up,onlythatshehadfeltitwasnecessary.

“Smile, it's a happy occasion,” her mother said, but Olivia couldn't do more than make a half-

heartedgrimace.

“Don'tbesosourbecauseyoulostahoneypot,”Mayellengrowled.“Theyhaveanexpirationdate.

Theyalldo.”

Shewishedthatshehadtheenergytoshoutathermother.Shewishedshecouldfinditinherselfto

screamandcryandfindawaytomakehermotherunderstandexactlywhathadhappenedtoher,butwhat

wasthepoint?Itwouldn'tchangeanything.Shewouldn'tfindawaytomakeMakeenlookatherasifshe

weretrulyhisloveagain.Shewouldn'tbeinhisarmsagain.

Therewasacommotionatthetopofthestairs,andthenanumberofpeoplestartedstreamingout.

Shestoodontiptoes,scanningthecrowduntilshesawafamiliarlankyfigurecomingthroughthethrong

ofpeople.

“Thereheis!”

Hermotherbulledinfrontofher,takingDavidinherarms,loudlythankingGodandallhisangels

forhissafereturn.EvenasDavidcomfortedtheirmother,hiseyesmetOlivia's,andtherewasasadness

andunderstandingtherethatmadetearsprickleathereyes.

Sheblinkedfiercelytoclearthemaway.Shehadn'tcriedsincesheleftthemountains,andshesure

ashellwasn'tplanningtostartnow.

Gently,Daviddisentangledhimselffromtheirmother,reachingforOlivia.Foramoment,shefelta

fierypangofanger,somethingthattookherbreathawaywithitsintensity.Shehadneverfeltthattowards

herbrotherbefore.Theyhadalwaysbeenallies,alwayshadeachother'sbacks.Thistime,however,it

feltasifhehadtakensomethingfromherthatshecouldnevergetback.

Finallythough,sheallowedherselftobefoldedgentlyintohisembrace,andthensometearsdid

come.Whilehermotherwaschivvyingherforbeingoveremotional,Davidlaidagentlekissonthetopof

herhead.

“Badtimes,huhsis?”

“Youdon'tevenknow,”shesaidwithasigh.“Comeon.Let'sgethome.There'snothingelseforus

here.”

***

Within a matter of days, it felt as if nothing had changed. She went back to busking on the street

corners. Her brother was home and looking for a legitimate job. In her absence, she had received a

responsefromBerlin,tellingherthatshewasontheshortlist,andshouldstandby.

Somethingthatwouldhavesentherintoecstasybeforewasnowmerelyadullnoteinherlife.She

wouldgoiftheyacceptedher,therewasnodoubtaboutthat,buttherewasnojoyinit.

“Yourmusic'sdifferentnow,”Davidsaid,afterwatchingherbuskoneafternoon.

“Is it?” asked Olivia. In another world, perhaps she would have been alarmed by that, but right

now,allshecoulddowasbemildlycurious.

“It'sdeeper.Slower.Sadder,maybe,evenwhenyouareplayinglighter,fasterthings.”

Shecouldbelieveit.AfterMakeenwalkedawayfromheronthetarmac,neverlookingback,she

hadfeltsomethinginherselfcloseoff.Oliviahadnoideaifitwaspermanent,orifshewouldeverbe

abletogetthatpartofherselfback.Atthemoment,shedidn'tevencare.

Oliviahadanideaofhowherlifemightmoveforward.Shemightgetintoaprofessionalorchestra,

orshemightsimplyscrapebyasshehadbeendoing.Shethoughtshewouldeventuallypullawayfrom

herfamily,strikeoutonherown.

Atthemoment,thethoughtbroughthernothingatall,soshesimplyexisted.Sheearnedmoney,she

talked with her brother, and in her more lucid moments, Olivia was worried that she might be like this

forever.

***

One day, Olivia came home to find her parents packing frantically and her brother on the phone,

talkingwithlowhushedtones.

Forthefirsttimeinwhatfeltlikeweeks,shefeltasparkofpanic.

“What'shappening?What'sgoingon?”

Hermothersparedheralookassheshovedclothesintoanolddufflebag.“It'sStavros,whoused

toemployyourbrother.He'sbeenonthewarpathsincetheraid,andnowhe'sbringingitalltobear.Your

brothergotoffnotonce,buttwice,soofcoursethatmeanshe'sasnitch.”

MayellenglaredatOlivia,andinthatmoment,Oliviacouldfeelanybondsconnectinghertothe

womanfallingaway.Instead,sheturnedtoherbrother,whohadjusthunguphisphone,hisfacepale.

“David?David,what'sgoingon?”

David'sfacewaspale,butcomposed.“YouheardthebulkofitfromMom.IfStavroscatchesme

onthestreet,he'sgoingtohavemeexecuted.Ineedtogetoutofthecountryandfast,butSis,stepintothe

hallwithme.There'ssomethingIneedtotellyou.”

Mystified, still holding her violin, she followed him. In the airless stairwell of the building, her

brotherturnedtoher.

“Iamsosorryforeverything.I…Iheardaboutwhatyoudidforme…”

She started to hold her hands up, because she didn't think that she could bear this, but he forged

ahead.

“No, listen to me. I haven't asked you about this because … well, because it is private. It's your

story,andyouwouldhavecometomeifyouneededsomething.ButIthinkthatonewayoranother,you

needtoknowthis.

“Stavrosisafuckingmadman,andhewantseveryonewhoblewhisorganizationdeadfromtopto

bottom.He'ssendingamanouttokilltheSheikh.That'sthemanyouwerestayingwithright?”

Oliviafeltacoldclawoffeargraspherheart.Hereyeswidened.“They'resendingsomeonetokill

Makeen?”

“Yes.Tonight,asheenterstheartgalleryshowing.I'mriskingmylifejusttellingyouthis.Olivia

…Idon'tcarewhatyoudowiththisinformation,butIneedtogetoutofZaharwithMomandDad…”

Shewasalreadynodding.Shesetdownherviolincaselongenoughtothrowherarmsaroundhim.

“I'mnotsorryforanythingI'vedoneforyou,”shewhisperedfiercely.“Iloveyou.”

Heheldherforamoment,andshewaspainfullyawarethatthismightbethelasttimethateitherof

themsaidanythingtoeachother.Thelasttimesheeversawherbrother.

Thenhewasgone,andshehadadecisiontomake.

Shedidn'tevenhesitate.WhenDaviddisappeared,sheplungeddownthestairwell,leapingdown

thelastfewstepstohitthegroundrunning.

She didn't know what was going to happen tonight, but she knew that she would never forgive

herselfifshedidn'tdosomething.

***

Makeenhadn'texpectedthegalleryopeningtobeparticularlyexciting,buthehadn'texpecteditto

bethisboring,either.

Hesupposedthattheproblemhadlesstodowiththegallerythanithadtodowithhim.Everything

hadfeltasifitwerecoveredinafogofgray.

When he had gotten back from the mountains, he had ordered David's release and then threw

himselfintohiswork.Atnight,hewentouttohisfavoriteclubs,butnothingheldthesamekindofsavor

thatithadoncehad.

Heendedupathome,drinkingandsleepingbeforestartingthecycleoveragain.Makeenknewthat

hehadtostop,butatthemoment,hecouldn'tquiteseeagoodreasontodosojustyet.

Hisharriedpersonalassistantwasstretchedthinwithinvitationsforhim,sohehadherpicksome

atrandom.Thatwaswhyhehadendedupattheartgallery,somethingthatthelocalartspaperscrowed

about.Makeenrealizedwithsomeamusementthathimshowingupwaslikelyoneofthemostprestigious

thingsthathadeverhappenedtothem.

At the very least, it explained the hulking man who had introduced himself as Frederick almost

directly after he arrived. He seemed intent on showing Makeen around, pointing out every piece of

interestingartandhintingthattherewereotherpiecesintheprivategalleriesthatmightneedhisattention.

So far, Makeen had been able to push him off, but he was dreadfully afraid that by the end, he

wouldhavetoseesomeofthosepieces,ifonlytomakethemanshutup.

***

“Please,Ineedtogetinthere!”Oliviabegged.“Please,IneedtotalktotheSheikh.”

Thesecurityguardinfrontofthemuseumgaveheranunamused,unfriendlylook.Inthatmoment,

shefelteveryinchthegrubbystreetorphaninherthinT-shirtandlongcalicoskirt.Shecouldn'tletthat

stopher,though,notwhenMakeen'slifewasontheline.

“Sorry,”hesaidforthesecondtime.“Invitationonly.Youdon'thaveone,soyou'renotgoingin.”

Whenshetriedtowalkpasthim,hepushedherbackwithagentleshove.

“Getoutofhere,girlie.Idon'twanttogetrough,butIwill.”

Shecircledaroundthebuildingdesperately,buttheredidn'tseemtobeawayinthatwasn'tlocked

orguarded.OliviawascontemplatingsimplybreakingawindowwhenshespottedMakeenthroughone

oftheFrenchdoorsleadingtothebalcony.

Helookedsoclose,butsofaraway.Itmadeherheartachealittle,andshewantednothingmore

thantotouchhiminthatmoment.

Thensherememberedherviolin.Sheremoveditfromhercase,layingthecasecarelesslyonthe

sidewalk.

Oliviasaidaprayertoanyhigherpowerthatwaslistening,andshestartedtoplay.

***

Heturnedhisheadtowardsthemusicwithafrown.Itfoughtwiththegentlemusicofthegallery,

overriding it with a kind of fervor that was discordant, jarring. Other people were beginning to notice,

lookingaroundinconfusion.

“Sucharacket,”Fredericksaid,andMakeenbarelystoppedhimselffromsnappingattheman.

“I'mgoingtogoseewhatitis,”hesaid,headingtothenearestwindow.Henotedwithirritation

thatthesocialclimberwasfollowinghim,andresistedtheurgetotellthemantogo.

Instead,hecametoapairofFrenchdoorsthatledoutontoasmallbalcony,wherehecouldhear

themusicmoreclearly,andrightbeforeheopenedthem,herecognizedthemusic.

Olivia…

Itwasthesamewildmelodythatshehadbeenplayingonthatterriblenight,thatsamemusicthat

hadcausedhishearttobreakintoathousandpieces.Nowshewasplayingitwildlyonthestreetinfront

ofthegallery.

“Olivia?Whatareyoudoing?”heshouted.

Themomentshesawhim,sheraisedherheadandloweredtheviolin.Evennow,hisheartclenched

at how beautiful she was, how pure her loveliness was under the street light. Not all the models in the

UAEcouldcomparewithher.

“Stavrosissendingamantokillyou!Tonight!Yourlifeisindanger!”sheshoutedfrantically.

Hefrowned,notunderstandingwhatshewassaying,butFrederickthesocialclimbercertainlydid.

Withagutturalcry,themanexplodedintomotion,lungingforwardwithsomethingundeniablysharpinhis

hand.

Makeenbarelydodgedintime,aidedinpartbyFrederickovercommittingtohislungeandnearly

bumbling past him. His attacker turned with alarming quickness, and now Makeen had caught his knife

hand,tryingtoforcehimback.

Themanwasenormous,butMakeenwasfueledbyrageandadrenaline.Hesmashedtheman'shand

intotheironrailing,causinghimtodroptheknifetothestreetbelow,andthenheforcedhimtohisknees.

The crowd behind him had finally figured out that something was wrong, and now they came

boltingoutoftheroomtosubduetheman.

Makeen tried to still his harsh breathing and his racing heart, ignoring the people who wanted to

makesurethathewasallright.Hewasdimlyawarethathehadskinnedhisknucklesandhadsomehow

wrenchedhiselbow,butthatwasn'timportant.

Instead, he twisted on the balcony, his eyes scanning the street for Olivia. Olivia, who had done

whatshecouldtosavehim.Olivia,whoheknewhadputherselfatrisktocomehere.

Shewasgone,andthestreetbelowwasempty.

ChapterEleven

Theairportwascrowdedandclose.ItremindedOliviaofthelasttimeshehadflownwithMakeen,

when his wealth and status won her past these crowds onto a private plane. The memories were still

sharpenoughtocut,buttheycamebackwitharush,evenasshesettledherselfintothecoachseatwaiting

area.

TheotherpassengerstravelingtoBerlinignoredher.Shewasjustonemoreyoungwomaninjeans

andaT-shirt,astudent,possiblytravelinghomeaftersometimeabroad.Unlikethosestudents,however,

theonlythingssheownedweretuckedintothebackpackbetweenherfeetandofcourse,theviolincase

onherlap.

Atthelastpossiblemoment,OliviahadfoundthemessagefromtheBerlinorchestra.Theywanted

her.Theysentherplanetickets,therewasacompanyapartmentshecouldstayinforashortwhile,and

thenshewouldbeonstage.Shewouldn'tbethefirstviolin,butshewouldhaveherpart,andshewould

haveherplace.

ItwaseverythingthatOliviahadbeenworkingtowards.Sheshouldhavebeenelated.

Instead,sheonlynoddedandbeganherpreparations.

Herfamilyhadgonetoground.DavidwasinhidingfromStavros,andwhoknewwhenitwouldbe

safe for him to appear again. She felt his loss far more strongly than she felt that of her parents, and

sometimesshefeltbadforthat.

Instead, she was a woman leaving on her own. If Olivia thought about it for too long, she would

startcrying.ShehadlovedZahar,butitwasmorethanthat.

ShewasalsoleavingMakeen.Shewasleavinghalfherheartbehind,andapartofherstillcouldn't

believethatshewasdoingitofherownfreewill.

Shestaredupatthebrightfluorescentlights,willingthetearsback.Itfeltlikeshehadspentthelast

fewweekscrying.Shedidn'twanttodoitanymore.

“Pleasedon'tcry,darling.”

For a moment, Olivia thought she had finally snapped. The man sitting next to her looked too

perfect,fartoohandsome.ThelasttimeshehadseenMakeen,hehadbeenfightingforhislife.Thetime

before that, he had stalked away with a life-ending anger in his heart. This man, dressed casually in a

linen suit, watched her with a slight smile on his face. Somehow he had come to be sitting next to her

withoutherawareness.

“Are…areyoureal?”shecroaked,andhenodded.

Shecouldn'thelpherself.Shedidn'tcarewhyhewashere.Allthatmatteredwaslungingforward

evenassheputherviolindown,fallingintohisarms.

Forseverallongmoments,shesimplyrestedintheprotectionofhisembrace,lettingthepainand

fearofthepreviousweeksfallawayfromher.Whenshefinallylookedup,shegazedathimwithsome

confusion.

“Whatareyoudoinghere,Makeen?”

“You are an astonishingly hard woman to track,” he said, stepping back slightly. They took their

seatsagain,butthistime,heheldontoherhand.Despitethecasuallookonhisface,shecouldfeelhow

tightlyhewasholdingontoher.

“AmI?”

“Afteryousavedmylife,youdisappeared.”

“Iwasjuststayingatahostel,”shesaidinconfusion.“Whywereyoulookingforme?”

Foramoment,shecouldseethehellhehadgonethrough.Hisfacewasaperfectmaskofmisery

andpain,thetwinofherown.Thenitwassmoothedawaywhenhetouchedhercheekgently.

“Ideservethat,Isuppose,”hesaid.“Olivia,IamlookingforyoubecauseIloveyou.Icannotbe

apart from you. You risked your life to save mine … Getting me that information could have cost you

everything.”

“Icouldn'tletyoudie,”shewhisperedpainfully.“Not…nomatterwhathappenedbetweenus.I

loveyou.”

The words came out without her willing them to do so. They were the truest thing she had ever

said,thefinest,andshecouldhavestartedcryingagain.

Makeencrushedherintoadeepembrace.Shecouldfeelhisheartbeatinghard.

“Olivia,littlesongbird,Iloveyou.Iloveyoutotheskyandtheseaandbackagain,andnothing

shouldhaveconvincedmethatyoudidnotcareforme.Iamsorry.Iamsorryforeverythingthatwehave

gonethroughtogether,andIamsorryformypartinbringingyousomuchpain.Ifyouallowmeto,Iwill

spendtherestofmylifemakingthisuptoyou.”

Oliviamurmuredaprotestashepulledback,butitwasonlytoreachforavelvetboxinhispocket.

As she stared with disbelief, he opened it to reveal a ring mounted with an enormous pale green pear-

shapeddiamond.

“Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” he asked, and as the airport erupted into

applause,shesobbedoutabarelycoherentyes.

Theykisseddeeply,andtoOlivia,itwasperfectbecauseitwasonlythefirstofmanythatwould

comeafter.

Shepulledbackafteramoment,lookingupathimwithconcern.“Makeen…Isignedacontractfor

anorchestrainBerlin…”

Withagrin,hehelduphisownbag.“Thecountrycangetbywithoutmeforatleastalittlewhile.

ThereisalovelytownhousethatmyfamilyownsinBerlin,Ithinkyouwillquitelikeit.”

Oliviastartedtolaugh.Shefeltaslightasthebirdthathesometimescomparedherto.Shewasin

love.Shewasloved.Sheknewthatitwouldbeperfectnomatterwheretheywere.

Epilogue

Oliviawasawareoftheaudience;inparticular,shewasawareofthepresenceofthemaninthe

VIPbox.Shedidn'tletherselflooktowardsthem.Liketheothermembersoftheorchestra,shekepther

eyesonhermusic.

Finally,thelightsdimmedslightly,andtheannouncercameon.

“Andtonight,inherfirstsoloinBerlin,wehaveOliviaMajorsal-Hamidiya!”

Theapplausefadedasthefirststrainsofthepiecewerepluckedoutoftheair.Shecouldhearthe

musicweavinglikeabeautifultapestryaroundher,andevenasshestartedtoplaywiththeotherviolins,

itmadeherthinkofthelastfewmonths.

Thethreadsofherlifewereseparateandstrange.Shewasborntoafamilyofcriminals;shewasa

violinist who had sometimes gone hungry and begged for food when busking didn't cover the bills.

Suddenlyshehadbeenpluckedoutofobscuritytofallinlovewithoneofthemostamazingmenshehad

everknown,theonewhoseeyessheknewwereuponherfromthebox.

They had come a long way in the four months since their airport reunion. During the days, she

workedonhermusic,andheoversawhiscountryfromafar.Wheneveningfell,theycamebacktogether,

meetinginapassionateembracethatneverseemedtocool.

They explored the ancient city of Berlin, they found pockets and pieces of it that would always

belong to their first years together. They talked. They learned about each other. They comforted each

other,theyloved,andtheygrew.

Olivia reflected that she had never thought much about love. There was nothing for her before

Makeenbesideshermusic.Ifshethoughtaboutitatall,shewouldhavethoughtthatloveinevitablygotin

thewayofmusic,butnowsherealizedthatthatwasn'ttrue.

Thefirsttimeshehadsatfortheorchestradirector,hehadbeenwide-eyed.Whenshefinallyset

downherviolin,heshookhishead.

“I was impressed by your tape, Fräulein, but this is something else altogether. Something has

happenedtoyouinthemonthssince.Youhaveattainedagreaterunderstandingofyourinstrument.Itis

showingitselfingeniously.”

Notherinstrument,shecouldhavesaid.No,itwasabetterunderstandingoflife,andoflove.It

was the man who waited for her outside the building, carrying a paper cup of coffee so that she could

haveittosettlehernerveswhenshegotout.BeforeOliviahadgonein,Makeenhadgivenherakiss.

“Youareamazing,”hewhispered.“Nowshowthemthatyouare.”

Nowsheplayedwithoneofthegreatestorchestrasinthatregionoftheworld.Shelistenedtothe

otherskilled musicians aroundher, wondering ifthey had their ownpassions, and iftheir love fed into

theirmusicasmuchashersdid.

Sheplayedinthatsublimeplacebetweenknowledgeandpower,andwhensheheardthelastofthe

Frenchhorndieaway,shebroughtherbowtothestrings.

Hereyeswereclosed,butshecouldimagineMakeen'sbrighteyes,thewayheleanedforwardin

the booth. He had heard her rehearse this piece over and over again at home, but hearing it played in

concertwouldbefardifferent.

The notes rolled out over her, a bright and glittering cascade that rang through the halls like a

woman'svoice,perfectandgolden.

Whenhersoloended,therestoftheorchestracamein,andsherejoinedthem.Shewasn'tevenfully

awareofwhatshehaddoneuntilthepieceendedandthepeoplebegantoclapfuriously.

With a gentle hand, the conductor led her to the front, where roses were being tossed up on the

stage.Foramoment,itwastoostrange,toomuch.Shewasagirlwhohadbuskedforsparechange.Now

shestoodonafamousstage,andtheythrewherroses.

“Welldone,mydear,”theconductorwhispered.“Youdeserveeverybitofthis.”

Somehow,theapplauseended,andshestumbledbackstage.Amidstthecongratulatorycallsofher

felloworchestramembers,sheheardhernamebeingcalledinavoiceshewouldalwaysrecognize.

SheturnedandsawMakeenbeamingather,hishandsfullofwhiteroses.

“Perfection,”hegrinned.“Andofcourse,themusicwaswonderful.”

Shelaughed,takingtheflowerslongenoughtosetthemdownalongsideherviolin.

“Didyouhearme?”sheasked,andhetookherinhisarms.Asexhilaratingasthestagewas,she

realizedthattherewasnowhereelseshewouldratherbethanwiththisman,inhisarms,lookingupinto

hisdark,darkeyes.

“Idid,”hesaid.“IhaveneverheardasongbirdIlovedmore…”

Ashebenthisheaddowntokissher,Oliviaknewthatthiswasforever.TheSheikh'scommandhad

broughtherhere,anditwasperfect.

THEEND

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