Page 30 of Seduced By the Sheikh

Soraiya gave Daria a hug. She’d been with her since she was fifteen years old and had shared every triumph, every sadness over every day of the intervening years. “I’m sorry. It’s just… we must be careful. It’s still early.” Doubt clouded her mind. “Perhaps I shouldn’t tell Zak until everything is secure. I heard that it’s easy to lose the baby before three months.”

Daria frowned. “My own sisters have suffered early miscarriages, but I don’t think you should keep this from His Highness.”

“You’re right. I’ll tell him tonight.”

Soraiya waited impatiently at the edge of the terrace, her ivory silk gown the same shade as the moonlight which shone directly overhead, bathing the city and her in its brilliance. It seemed auspicious. Her stomach was fizzing with excitement, which had nothing to do with the tiny baby she’d just discovered now dwelt safely inside of her. A clock struck the half-hour from inside the palace, its melancholy tone making her frown. It wasn’t like Zak to be late.

She gave the table a sweeping glance. Everything was in order from the silver place settings, the single rose in a crystal vase and candles whose gentle light flickering in the wind couldn’t compete with the moonlight. The only thing missing was Zak.

She took a deep breath to calm herself. He was a busy man. There was always something. She picked up her phone on the table. Still no message. Which must be good news, she reasoned. He’d just got caught up.

She paced the terrace, her excitement slowly turning to worry as the minutes ticked by. The distant sound of the muezzin’s call to prayer echoed across the city, and still he hadn’t come.

She’d resisted trying to find out what had detained him. She didn’t want to be one of those wives always pestering his office. She understood his business, respected it, and trusted him to turn up whenever he could. But she also understood that something unusual must have happened because she knew his schedule. And she also knew that he rarely changed it.

Soraiya was about to go in search of him, now really concerned that something had happened to him, when Zak appeared, his expression somber.

“Soraiya, forgive my lateness.” He came straight to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. His eyes narrowed as he inspected her face. “You look pale. Are you well?”

“I was worried. I thought…” She trailed off and shook her head. Perhaps she should tell him immediately, as he’d brought up her pallor. She liked he was aware of the subtle changes in her appearance. But on second thoughts she didn’t want to blurt it out. She wanted an evening to remember. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you’re here.” She moved away. “I’ll ring for dinner to be served.”

He nodded, but turned away with a distracted look on his face. She frowned as she rang for dinner and watched him. He seemed pre-occupied.

She went up behind him, put her arms around him, and pressed her cheek against his back, loving the feel of him in her arms, adoring their closeness and love. Because she knew she loved him in a way she’d never thought possible. He had never spoken of love before, but she knew he had feelings for her. And that was enough for now. She hoped the rest would come. Especially when she told him her news.

He caressed her hand and then turned in her arms. He lifted her chin with his finger and she struggled to hide her smile.

“What is it, habibti? You are hiding something from me.”

She couldn’t wait any longer.

She nodded. “I have something to tell you.”

She took in a deep breath and opened her eyes wide with excitement, but before she could continue, there was a sharp rap at the door. Zak sighed and glanced across the room. “I’m sorry, but this could be important. But tell me what you wanted to say first.”

She bit her lip in indecision, but didn’t want such momentous news blurted out before someone came in. She shook her head. “It can wait.”

“Enter!”

As soon as his vizier entered the room, Soraiya knew something serious had happened.

“Aabid? Please tell me the rumors are untrue.”

His grim voice shocked Soraiya. She looked at the vizier, who pursed his lips and shook his head. “I only wish they were. No, Your Highness, unfortunately you have a visitor.”

“Take her to the office. I’ll meet her there.”

The vizier looked across at Soraiya and then back to Zak. “She wants to meet you both. In her sitting room.”

“She doesn’t have a sitting room anymore and who she meets isn’t up to her. I will see her, deal with her, and then she will leave.”

“She was clear that this involves Her Highness, as well.”

Soraiya touched Zak’s arm. “What is this all about? Who wants to see us?”

Zak’s face was dark with anger. “Someone whom I do not wish you to meet.”

She frowned, puzzled. “But why?”

---