Fuck.

Because God's answer was painfully better than anything he could've asked for, and agony ripped through Zahir as he took one last look at his Alysse.

I'm sorry, habibti.

It was so damn easy to imagine what she would think upon finding him gone.

And what she would go through when she realized a man like him was impossible to reach.

But neither of them had a choice.

Because this was the only way to ensure her safety.

Wait for me, my love.

He turned and walked away.

And with every step, he found himself shedding the part of him that had learned to love—-

Until he was once again the old Zahir.

One last time.

For king and country.

Chapter Thirteen

ONE LAST TIME.

It was the promise that Zahir had held close to his heart in the past three weeks.

One last time.

Three simple words, but because they were founded on Zahir's faith that God would see him through—-

One last time.

He was able to charm a woman whose beauty hid unchecked greed and a soulless obsession with vanity.

Seduce her without actually crossing any lines.

And if everyone played their cards right tonight—-

One last time.

He would finally meetEl Diabloin his fabled home, and only one of them would come out of it alive.

One last time.

The stage was set. And the Crown Prince of Kivr had even loaned him a ten-fucking-carat diamond ring to pull out all stops. He would even get down on his knee if he had to. He just wanted this to be over.

One last time.

Memories of her attempted to invade his mind, but Zahir shoved them all away. Tonight was do-or-die, and it was imperative that he thought of one woman and one woman alone.

The doors to the ballroom opened, and Zahir turned, expecting the Black Dove to finally make her grand entrance.

But instead, it was the last person he expected, and his entire world crashed to a halt.