Page 54 of Death and Desire

He took her hand and squeezed it before bending down to press a kiss to her forehead. Then he laid down beside her and gathered her into his embrace.

Chapter Fourteen

The following morning, Violet woke alone. No sign of Khalid nor any indication he’d spent the night in her bed. After such an amorous encounter in the garden, she succumbed to the warm embrace of sleep and the man protecting her.

She vaguely remembered him pressing a kiss to her forehead and falling asleep in his arms. In the morning light, nothing had changed.

Except everything had changed. Her body hummed in appreciation of his touch, and the memory lingered like an enticing melody playing over and over in her mind.

Whatever curious pull she felt toward Khalid had now become a complicated arrangement. How was she to navigate her feelings for him when they came from different worlds? She sighed, wishing he was there. They needed to discuss it. Even though she was tempted to call for him through their unspoken bond, Violet hesitated.

Khalid would come to her. He always did.

Instead of wasting time endlessly mulling over something about which she had no control, Violet dressed in a simple, airy dress, perfect for touring the pyramids, then found Isaac and David seated on the restaurant’s veranda, enjoying tea and a lavish breakfast.

“Sister dear, we were worried about you.” Isaac stroked the cat perched in his lap. The dark feline turned her head to Violet, her golden eyes taking passive measure.

Her watchful gaze reminded Violet of Anubis. She shook him from her thoughts and smiled, taking a seat and selecting a sandwich from the plate in the center of the table.

“How was supper last evening?” Isaac asked. “Did Father inquire after us?”

Violet took a bite and chewed thoughtfully, allowing them to stew. They shifted in their seats and exchanged a worried glance.

“He said nothing to me.” She dabbed her mouth with a clean napkin.

David’s eyes narrowed. “You look...happy.”

Her face warmed under his scrutiny. “I am. It’s a lovely day, and you promised to take me to the pyramids.” She poured herself some tea. “Or had you forgotten?”

“Damn,” Isaac cursed, and his feline companion growled her disdain before leaping from his lap and ambling to the garden. “Must we?”

“You must.” Violet hummed with delight at their discomfort.

“What about your man, Khalid? Can’t he accompany you?” David asked. “We...have plans.”

“Plans?” Violet arched a brow, carefully hedging around the mention of her protector. “What plans have you made that supersede the promise you made to me?”

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