Page 109 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘You look beautiful,’ Sahir told her. ‘You always do.’

‘Thank you.’ She accepted his compliment. ‘I did make quite an effort.’ She looked at him, all trimmed and perfect, and she ached to kiss him, or pinch him—but of course did not. ‘You did too.’

He nodded, and they turned to Hakaam.

Sahir poured some sand into her palm and Violet found out how she should have reacted the last time he’d done so.

Hakaam spoke. ‘The sand always returns to the desert, but for now you share the wonders of the land.’

She carefully poured it back into Sahir’s palm and it was carefully returned to two vials. Her palm was dusted, and so too was Sahir’s, and both vials were sealed in golden wax by a very serious Hakaam as all the elders gathered round.

Violet closed her eyes when she thought of how she’d just brushed the sand to the floor and then kissed him.

Then Sahir gave her his promises.

‘I accept,’ Violet said.

She gave him her promises, and Sahir accepted them, adding that he would cherish them.

And, yes, there were more differences, and Hakaam had had to rework his charts. Because instead of being taken deep into the desert straight away, they were returning to the palace.

They stood outside the long doors and waited for them to be opened, and now Violet’s one condition was to be met.

‘This time, Ichooseto be photographed on the balcony,’ she said.

They walked out to cheers, and photographers in helicopters, who captured the groom gazing at his wife, and the bride in a gown that was shot with silver catching the late-afternoon breeze.

And then it seemed Sahir could not resist, because he turned her around and she stared.

‘You said no kissing.’

‘Just a small one.’

It was scandalous, delicious and perfect, and she felt Sahir grip her hand.

Things would be different now.

And how the people cheered to see their grumpy king smiling. To see their crown prince with his gorgeous bride.

Love was no longer a secret, or something to fear in a ruler.

Today they all agreed that love made the world better.

At last they were flown into the desert, and the helicopter left them. But instead of heading to the tent, to attempt making the first of the many, many babies Violet wanted, Sahir stopped them.

‘We have to check on the horses,’ he said.

‘On our wedding night?’

‘No maids, no groomsmen—just us.’

‘What’s the point of being a princess?’ she teased as they walked to the stables.

And there was Josie, squealing to be fed.

‘If you want a pet, it comes with responsibility,’ Sahir told her.

Then out she trotted, the gorgeous white foal, bounding towards her like an overgrown puppy, batting her lashes...

‘She’smine?’

This time she embraced her without hesitation...absolutely.

Violet trusted in love.

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