Page 54 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

Never, ever...

But then she saw the confusion and urgency in Bedra’s eyes, and knew that to sit as he entered would embarrass her and cause great offence. So Violet pushed herself up from the cushion, watching the drapes part, expecting a stranger.

An arrogant, ruthless stranger who had hurt her right to her core.

But she held back a gasp when she saw the same man who had left her this morning, dressed in the same robes.

It was the same Sahir.

His robes were less pristine, hiskafirwas gone and his complexion had a grey tinge, and when he saw her she saw a spark of something in his eyes that looked like relief.

On the maids’ quiet urging she briefly bowed her head, then returned her gaze to his.

Violet was standing.

Sahir had considered more than a thousand ways he might find her.

Sobbing on a bed, frantic with panic or even lunging at him in crazed anger.

Not once—not even for a second—had he expected to be met with such dignity.

Her blonde hair was tousled, her silk gown somewhat crushed, but she looked as elegant and beautiful as she had last night, as captivating as when she had climbed from that taxi.She looked angry, rather than scared, but pale, and her lips were white, her blue eyes glinting as if they were striking flint.

Shewasscared, though. Of that he was certain.

‘Are you okay?’

It was possibly the most ridiculous question, because nothing about this was okay, but he wanted to deal with the practical first.

She didn’t answer.

‘Violet...’ He inhaled deeply, dragging air into lungs that in recent hours had felt too taut to breathe.Seeing her again, he wanted so badly to reach for her, to take her in his arms, yet protocol did not allow for that and her stance warned him not to, for she stood ramrod-straight.

‘I apologise.’

He saw her blink, and young Amal seemed to start a little. Perhaps he should have cleared the room first.

‘I have just come from the palace. I spoke briefly with the King and his aide. It would seem there has been a misunderstanding.’

‘Sahir...’ She put up a hand and corrected herself. ‘Your Highness.’

For the first time she used his title, though he knew that the courtesy was not for his benefit, but for the maids.Her voice was clear and determined, but it held the tiniest tremble, which she seemed to swallow down.

‘May we speak alone?’ she asked.

‘Of course.’

But there were certain traditions, and Bedra approached with a goblet for him. He nodded and took it.

He watched as Amal handed Violet a goblet too.

‘Shukran,’she said, and he was surprised to hear her thank Amal in Arabic.

‘She has taken no refreshment,’ Bedra informed him quietly.

He nodded, and though he knew they should both drink now, then replace the goblets on the tray, he saw Violet made no attempt to do so. Downing his wine, he replaced his own goblet and asked the maids to leave.

They stood there, staring silently as they heard the bells, and then softer bells, as the women made their way to the far end of the abode and finally they were alone.

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