The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(2)

When I walked out of the room, I didn’t look at anyone. No, I strode out of there with my head held high and my mouth twisted into a determined scowl.

It was almost fitting, who was lounging outside the room on the seat mere steps away from what had just happened, where I had been sitting before. At the sight of me, he lolled his head to the opposite side and sneered.

“Rashid.”

I clenched my teeth and spat out his name as the vile thing it was. “Idris.”

Out went his hand, rotating in the direction of the grand hall. “Ah, the idiosyncrasies of politics.”

“I’m sure you’d know all about them.”

He gave me a sarcastic, brief smile. “As a respected member of one of Zayed-Kharan’s oldest, most powerful families, I do have my share of informants, of course.”

Having informants was the understatement of the century. Similar to when they’d ruled, the Antars’ money largely went to their own interests, which, in this case, meant altering the secession of the throne and finding out any details on how to sabotage me, by any means necessary.

“So, you know of my dilemma, then.”

An inclination of his head, which sent his long, black beard spilling over his shoulder.

“Yes, pity. I’ve had many a virgin at my disposal for that very purpose.”

I stopped the retort surging up in my throat. Idris’s exploits with virginal women were well-known across the kingdom. As were his family’s ruthless policies for their own self-promotion.

“I would donate one to your cause, of course. Only, I’ve quite used them all up.” Catching my eye, he threw his head back into a disgusting cackle, his many chins wobbling in glee.

I turned on my heel, but not before the words could spill out. “You can laugh now, Idris, but hear this: you may have won this battle, but I will win the war. I will have that crown, no matter what it takes. I will find a suitable bride and do everything in my power to ensure that the likes of you and your family don’t ever rule this country again.”

Idris leapt up and strode to stand in front of me so that we were nose to nose, his dark eyes glimmering.

“Strong words from Zayed-Kharan’s most beloved prince. The only problem is that you share your father’s stubbornness. Yes, it’s really a pity. Because I know you, Rashid. And I know just how you’ve been resisting rules since before you could walk. Plus, you won’t take just any woman to be your wife, no. And there isn’t a worthy wife left for you in this country—I’ve made sure of that.”

In a flash, I realized the implication of his words—the real reason the past few months had seen Idris and his men scouring the country for virginal women. He had known about this law far before I had, had prepared for this. Idris and his family had actually planned this.

“You…” I moved to raise my fist, but he just bared those hideous yellow teeth of his in a grin.

“Careful, Rashid.”

I followed his gaze. Behind me, Nabil had stopped, had his beady little eyes locked on me. I took a step back.

“This isn’t over,” I growled.

As I walked away down the hallway, I didn’t look back. There was no need to see Nabil and Idris exchange a knowing look; it really it didn’t matter who was working with Idris, only that he didn’t win.

This wasn’t over. No, it wasn’t even close.





Chapter Two





Lacie




I woke up parched and gasping. A glass of water didn’t help much, only cleared my head enough so that I could despair in peace.

God, hadn’t experiencing that humiliation at Nadia’s bachelorette party last night been enough? Now, I also had to endure an even worse nightmare—a ten-hour shift at work while horrendously hungover.

My reflection looked worse than I’d feared. My face was a battleground of last night’s makeup due to my nighttime sobbing; if anyone saw me now, the fact that I was “New York’s oldest virgin” would surprise no one.

It took all the strength I had to wash off my face, put on my work clothes, and attempt to make my hair look presentable. Today was Sunday, when no one except those with seriously sucky jobs worked. I had one of those jobs, but I put up with it because I had my parents to look after.

My mother’s condition wasn’t getting any better, and I needed money, lots of it. And calling in sick to work, no matter how good the reason, wasn’t the way to get it.

So, with a granola bar for breakfast and a cab to get me there on time, I made it to the airport, my workplace. The sign on top of the store—Sunny’s Mobiles—flickered dismally as I approached the illuminated glass box.

Yes, this was where I’d spend my next ten hours. My one sobering thought, as I scanned the disarray of products and papers last night’s employee had left behind, was that today couldn’t go much worse than yesterday.

It that was all I had to cling on to for sanity for the next few hours, it would have to do.





Chapter Three





Rashid




As soon as I got home, I called my father. Our phone call went less well than I’d hoped.

“Are you really surprised, Rashid?” was his response after my rant against the council and what had happened at our meeting.