The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(22)

Outside, the sky was murky, foreshadowing either rain or another sandstorm.

Had I been kidding myself this whole time—that she could develop any real feelings for me in this short time, that her motivation could have been anything but money?

I sank further into the chair, and as I closed my eyes, I saw her beaming face, her star-struck eyes, closing as I leaned in to kiss her. My eyes snapped open. No, Lacie wouldn’t have just left after that night. I had seen it in her eyes, then. She cared; I knew she did. Whatever had happened, it was not Lacie’s choice.

When I got downstairs, my mother was at the bottom of the stairs, her phone in hand, her face tense.

“Mother, what is it?”

She looked up at me. “That was the airport. A person matching Lacie’s description was seen boarding a plane to New York city an hour ago.”

I stared at her, at her lips as they moved.

“…She just happened to be staying here. She comes from a good family and is the epitome of decorum.”

I followed her gaze to a beautiful woman who had entered the room behind her.

“Alma has not only agreed to be your wife; her family has pledged that the wedding can happen immediately. Today, if you so choose.”

My mother’s words crashed down on me like a wave. My gaze was plastered on the strange woman who did not know me but would marry me. The strange woman who could save my family, my dynasty.

I closed my eyes and saw her. Lacie, with her sweet, big lower-lipped smile.

I opened my eyes and turned away. I knew what I had to do.





Chapter Sixteen





Rashid




The palace was even more intimidating than I’d expected. It was one thing to hear about the “Black Palace”, but another thing to see the dark structure in person.

I strode up to the towering building, and as soon as I pushed the front doors open, swords were at my throat.

“I am Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Qarani. I’m here to see Idris.”

My voice didn’t waver, although my thoughts were already urging me to leave. Now, however, it was too late. My arms were grabbed and I was yanked inside, the door slamming behind me. The stony-faced guards said nothing; the only sound was that of their heavy footsteps down the black marble hallway.

Despite my fear, I couldn’t help a twinge of interest at what I was seeing. I had always heard of the dark splendor of this horrid place, and now, I was seeing it for myself. Stained glass lamps lit the darkness, while the guards were furnished with the most exquisite blades I had ever seen.

Before I knew it, I was being thrown into a well-lit room, onto the floor.

Angry voices sounded around us.

“Why have you brought some thief here to us? We have dungeons that are more than adequate.”

“This is Rashid, the future king.”

“I’ll deal with this.”

At the last voice, Idris’s, I scrambled up onto my feet, my chest moving right into the tip of a sword.

“Careful, friend.”

The next thing I knew, the sword was lifting, and I was staring into the sneering face of Idris, his fleshy lips twisted with mock surprise.

“Rashid. What an unexpected pleasure.”

“You know why I’m here, Idris. Let’s not waste time.”

He gave an infuriating wiggle of his eyebrows.

“Do I? I can’t say I have any idea why you’d come here, of all places, when your happy wedding and coronation are just days away.”

“Return her to me, and you and your family will come to no harm.”

“What do you mean?” His eyes glittered in comprehension. “Have you lost a bride?”

As soon as I drew my sword, several sharp points were thrust into my back.

“I’m not here to play games, Idris.”

Still smiling, he drew his own sword.

“Nor am I. Leave us, all of you.”

“But, sir—”

“I said go!”

And then we were alone and his sword was flashing towards me. I parried it, the room filling with the clang of metal against metal. My next hit he parried, both of our arms shaking, our faces close together.

“If I did have your bride-to-be, how do you know she didn’t come here of her own volition, didn’t come seeking out help to get home unscathed?”

When I didn’t respond, his sneer deepened. “Even if I did have her, what makes you think that I’d give her back?”

My next slice he ducked, so I stepped back. “Because you think you can win this fight.”

Suddenly, Idris lunged, his blade slicing inches away from my face. “I don’t think; I know, pretty boy.”

I slapped his sword away with my own. “So, it’s a deal, then?”

At this, he put his sword on the ground and leaned on it.

“What’s a deal?”

“If I win, I get the girl.”

A pensive look came over his face as he twirled the blade in his hand.

“And if I win?”

I drew my sword, lifted it away from my body and spread my arms. “You get me.”

Idris studied me for a minute. Then, in a flash, he had slashed his blade towards my face, nicking my cheek while whispering “Deal” in my ear.

When he came at me again, I was ready. The sound of our blades hitting each other echoed throughout the room with a sharp ringing, both of us holding our grips with all our might.