When weekend came, my prayers were answered. A storm had entered the city, and Layla was shrouded in darkness. By the time night fell, rain was falling hard and fast on the roof while thunder boomed and lightning flashed every few seconds.
I knocked on the sheikh’s door a little before midnight.
“Your M-Majesty?”
The door immediately opened, the sheikh’s face registering surprise when he saw me. “What is it, Aurora?”
“I’m scared,” I whispered.
His face turned grim, but I told myself not to be guilty.
Just this night, I told myself feverishly.
Just this night, and we’ll know once and for all...
Lightning flashed, and I jumped in shock.
A moment later, and the sheikh was swiftly taking me into his arms. “It’s alright.”
He drew me inside his chamber, and my heart slammed against my chest. The sheikh’s touch was warm, and his grip firm. It was all I could do not to melt against him, and to distract myself, I let my gaze drift around me. It was my first time to be in the sheikh’s room, and it was even more luxurious and spacious than I imagined.
There was gold everywhere, its blazing shade only counterbalanced by the mix of black marble in the room.
“Sit here, Aurora.” Mik’hail led me to the leather sofa in the corner. As I sat down, he said quietly, “I’m sorry I didn’t think of how the storm would bring back memories.”
Even though the words made me feel guiltier, I couldn’t make myself admit to lying. “I just need some help to sleep, Your Majesty.” Swallowing, I asked, “Do you perhaps have any pills I could take?”
The sheikh’s gaze narrowed. “Have you ever taken any before?”
I nodded, even though this was also a lie.
“How about just a glass of wine? Perhaps it will be more than enough.”
I shook my head. “Please,akh. I just really want to sleep.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Mik’hail finally said, “I suppose one pill would be safe.”
His overly reluctant tone made me smile. “Come on,akh. It’s not like I’m asking for marijuana.”
Ignoring my eye roll, Mik’hail headed to the en-suite bathroom. He returned a moment later, said sleeping pill on his hand. “What do you want with it? Water or wine?”
“Wine,” I answered as I took the pill from his hand.
The moment the sheikh turned his back, I quickly hid the pill under the sofa, and when he returned to my side, I made a show of swallowing before reaching for the glass of wine he offered.
“It should take effect in a couple of minutes,” the sheikh told me.
“Thank you.”
“Did remembering make you feel sad or frightened?” the sheikh asked as he took a seat across me.
Wanting to be as honest as I could, I said slowly, “Not frightened, but more...sad, yes.” We didn’t always see eye to eye, but my parents had been good to me, and Aretha, well, she was my sister. I would always love her because of that.
“I’m truly sorry for your loss, Aurora.”
I swallowed hard at this. “You lost her, too, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed.” His voice had become odd, and when he saw my brows furrow at this, he said slowly, “I do mourn your sister’s passing, but...it was different between us. Everyone could see how much you loved Aretha, but for the two of us, it was different.”
