Page 26 of Seduced By the Sheikh

With each passing day, Soraiya had got to know him a little better. At first, their physical relationship had eclipsed everything. It was far better than anything Soraiya could ever have believed and she got the impression Zak felt the same. And no wonder. She could just imagine how she’d been described to him before they were married. A buttoned-up, dutiful virgin with more brains than beauty. Well, at least she was no longer a virgin. And Zak declared she was beautiful, although after a lifetime of being told she was plain she couldn’t quite believe it. She felt Zak wanted her to be beautiful, and she was fine with that. She knew he was grateful that by marrying her, they would inherit valuable land on her next birthday. Land that would give Sirun crucial access to the sea and a deep-water port—advantages which already had seen other countries approach them to discuss trade partnerships. It would transform Sirun’s fortunes. And she was proud that she could bring such an opportunity for wealth to Zak and his country. Her country now.

But there was still something niggling her, because Zak himself remained an enigma. He’d revealed little about himself or his family, and she didn’t know why. She hated mysteries and felt at a loss to know how to reply when people asked after her mother-in-law. She knew she’d have to bring it up with him, because evasive answers created yet more mystery and rumors, which were no doubt worse than the actual truth. But she’d decided it could wait. Their relationship was perfect, and she didn’t want to rock it. But, with her sister-in-law, Sarah, visiting, she thought she’d see what she knew.

Soraiya looked up into the cloudless sky as the distant thrumming sound of a helicopter grew louder. She stood back in the shelter of the palace and watched it land. She hadn’t seen Sarah since the wedding, and was looking forward to her visit. She’d been so supportive and had talked with her online over the past few months. But now she was paying a visit out of the blue, even though she was near her baby’s due date. All she’d told her was that she wanted to speak to her in person. It seemed everyone had secrets, including Sarah.

“Sarah!” exclaimed Soraiya, as the other woman carefully stepped out of the helicopter.

Sarah waved and walked over to her, one hand clamped against her hair amid the turbulence of the helicopter downdraft, while the other one supported her pregnant belly.

“Soraiya!” said Sarah, as she climbed the steps carefully to greet Soraiya. Sarah lightly clasped Soraiya’s shoulders and kissed her on both cheeks. “You’re looking so well! Married life obviously agrees with you.”

Soraiya laughed. “And you!” They went inside, into the cool of Soraiya’s private drawing room. “Although I’m surprised you decided to travel so close to your due date.”

Sarah shrugged. “You sound like Kadar. But it’s only a short flight. And besides, I wanted to talk about something with you.”

Soraiya signaled for the maid to serve them drinks and sat down, making Sarah comfortable with cushions behind her back and under her knees.

Sarah laughed. “I feel like an artifact! Something which needs to be nestled in tissue paper to survive.”

Soraiya shrugged. “You are indeed a treasure. And I don’t want Kadar and Zak demanding to know why I didn’t treat you like one.”

Sarah pulled a face. “To be honest, I appreciate it. I just feel silly. I’m not used to such fuss being made of me.”

“Not even now you and Kadar are leaders of your tribe?”

“I don’t know about fuss. It’s been more like hard work, to be honest.” She took a sip of her tea before placing it on the table beside her. “But it wasn’t about that I wanted to talk.”

“Not your family?”

“Actually, yes. Our family. Our mother-in-law—Sheikha Alishaba—to be precise.” Sarah paused and stirred her coffee again, although it had been stirred twice already. “Has Zak talked about her with you?”

Soraiya shook her head. “He’s said nothing. Whenever I try to talk about her, he clams up. And whatever happened seems to have been dealt with. So…” She shrugged. “I haven’t pushed it.”

“Hm,” said Sarah. “I’m not so sure that everything has been dealt with. Pushed under the carpet more like. I heard through my relatives that Alishaba is living in Paris. They say that she lives the high life in luxury and that there were rumors about where she got her money.”

“I know at first Zak was very against me doing the work his mother had done when his father had been alive.”

“I don’t know the details, but I know that the brothers feel she betrayed them both. She stole from them. But it’s not that that worries me.”

“What is it, Sarah?”

“I’ve heard rumors that Sheikha Alishaba has been talking about you. She’s been seen dining at a trendy restaurant with your mother’s family. Your cousin, to be precise.”

Soraiya’s eyes widened. “My cousin? But how do you know this?”

“I have family in Paris and the restaurant in question is the kind of place you go to so you can be seen.” She hesitated. “So people will talk about you. And they are.”

“They’re talking? About what?”

“My aunt says that there is gossip concerning you and your father.”

Soraiya frowned. “My father? But he’s at home in Ra’nan. Everyone knows there was no love lost between my mother and father.”

“I thought you might understand the message better than I do. So I wanted to pass it on. Sheikha Alishaba is saying that Zak will never gain access to the land. That your father will never allow you to inherit it.”

“But that’s entirely wrong! My father will! It’s all arranged. It’ll happen on my birthday, in a few months’ time. My grandmother’s will is quite clear.”

“Well, that sounds satisfactory, then.” But Soraiya noticed the shadow didn’t lift from Sarah’s face. “I thought I should pass the rumor on to you in person before anyone else does. In case it meant anything to you.”

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