I talked to Amapola for a while, and she seemed to want to ask me the reason for my change in demeanor, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about my future mother-in-law, it’s that she is extremely perceptive. However, she apparently gave up on getting me to open up, and we only talked about trivial matters related to the engagement party.
Zoe called me today saying she won’t be able to come because Christos has an urgent appointment and he asked her not to travel alone because of her pregnancy. As a result, I’ll only have his family as a witness when we seal our engagement.
Not that I’m scared. Little by little, I’m getting comfortable with Kamal’s relatives. They welcomed me with open arms, and I have only Amapola to thank, who left no one wondering whether I would be welcome as her daughter-in-law.
“You don’t look very happy for a bride,” I hear Zarif saying behind me.
I startle because I hadn’t realized he’d approached. “Welcome to Sintarah, Your Highness,” I reply formally. I have a suspicion he’s come to speak to me alone to irritate his brother.
He smiles wryly. “Your Highness?”
“If you’re going to play this game with me, when I asked you in no uncertain terms not to use me in your war against Kamal, I’ll treat you like a stranger.”
His smile grows. “You’re a good actress, Madeline. When I first saw you in my brother’s office, you looked like a scared little bunny. Now you are showing your claws, and I don’t know which of your two sides I prefer.”
“Don’t pick one if you want to keep your heart beating,” Kamal’s voice thunders behind us.
I’m not one for encouraging this kind of territorial behavior, but Zarif could test a saint’s patience if given the chance.
I clasp my fiancé’s hand to prevent a scandal. I don’t even know what the protocol is for this kind of situation—how I’m supposed to play it in public—but since it’s just the family and Adil, I decide to take a chance.
“Can you come with me for a second?” I ask.
“Why?” my Sheikh retorts, like he is ready to fight.
“I want a moment alone with you before dinner starts.”
He stares at me, and I can see he doesn’t believe me.
“Please,” I insist. It seems to work, and he finally makes up his mind.
Looking one last time at his brother, he pulls me by the waist, and we leave.
We walk in silence through the halls of the palace, but I know we’re heading to his office. I have no idea what I’m going to say when we get there, but anything is better than allowing the brothers to fight in front of my mother-in-law.
He opens the door and lets me through. Then he leans on the door frame.
“Your brother just wanted to provoke you. I don’t think he has any interest in me.”
He doesn’t say anything, just keeps staring at me intensely.
I can’t stop my body from shaking with longing, but I hold on tight. I’m not going to give in so easily to my seven-foot-tall personal temptation.
However, he notices and comes closer.
I take a step back. “No.”
“No what?” he asks, his face close to mine.
“We can’t solve everything with sex.”
“It’s the only time we agree. It’s when our differences vanish. You said it yourself.”
I fight an internal battle between pride and love.
The second wins easily.
I know what he’s doing. Kamal is jealous of his brother, and he’s trying to revert us to a physical relationship. But even if I still don’t quite understand how he feels about me, I know he’s not just horny.
