Page 26 of Death and Desire

“I wish I knew.” Violet shook the thoughts from her head. “When is dinner? I’m starving.”

Dina led them away from the fading sun.

Around every corridor, she expected to see Khalid, and yet, it was as if he’d vanished completely. Through dinner, she lamented his absence. James found a seat beside David and Isaac, and the three of them fell into conversation.

There was something unsettling about James, though he never directly said or did anything to indicate he would bring her harm. Perhaps she was just jaded. Her disinterest in him only drove his persistence.

When the meal ended, she bowed out for the evening, unable to take to the dance floor for fear James might follow through with his promise. He ruined dancing! How rude. Her one escape, stolen from her by his infernal, enamored determination.

When she reached her cabin, she leaned on the corridor wall beneath a soft glowing light. Exuberant strains of music echoed from the deck above, teasing her with a flowing melody. She swayed and wished she’d not been such a coward.

“Why are you not dancing with the others?” Khalid stepped from the shadows.

Her heartbeat quickened. “If you were a proper bodyguard, you would already know.”

“You should not let the American steal your joy.”

Violet’s jaw dropped open, but she quickly composed herself. “You’re far too observant.”

He shrugged one shoulder.

“Where have you been hiding? Slinking about in the shadows, spying on me?”

“It’s my job to watch you, is it not?”

“Yes, but I have not seen you since we left port.” She eyed him suspiciously.

“The requirement is that I watch you, not that you see me.”

Violet sighed at the twisting reply. “If you insist.”

The tempo changed, shifting to a slow, swaying waltz. Violet rocked to the rhythm, wishing she were on the dance floor, not hiding.

“Come.” Khalid extended his hand.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, sliding her palm into his. The heat of him sank into her bones.

Silence met her question as he led her to the stern of the ship, where the music mingled with the hum of the ship’s engine. When she looked out over the river, she gasped at the rippling waves reflecting a clear, star filled sky. Light from a waxing moon shone down, painting the ship and Khalid in a pale glow.

“What...” She squeaked in surprise when he drew her into his arms, resting his palm on her hip and cradling her hand in the other.

When he fell into step with the music, she smiled and relaxed into his embrace.

“You could have just asked me to dance, you know?” Violet teased.

“Would you have accepted?” He spun her, catching her unaware.

Breathless, she laughed. They fell into a delightful rhythm, and Violet basked in the stolen moment of serenity. The music. The moonlight. The man. In the distance, a glow of ethereal light played on the pyramids. It was perfect. Her heart expanded, absorbing every detail to commit it to memory.

“Such a mystery,” Violet said, studying his face as they moved together.

“What is?”

“You.” She smiled. “I know only your name and that you comehighly recommended.” She mimicked her father with the final two words.

Khalid’s lip twitched. “Perhaps not all mysteries are meant to be solved.”

“I beg to differ. All mysteries deserve to be solved.”

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