Page 87 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘Of course.’ The King actually gave a small laugh, but then made it clear he was done. ‘Goodnight, Miss Lewis.’

Damn!She screwed up her face as he walked off.

‘Violet?’ Sahir’s calm voice allowed her to open her eyes. ‘Well done.’

‘I shouldn’t have...’

‘I have to go.’ They looked right into each other’s eyes, because here that was all they could do. ‘I’ll see you in the morning.’

‘Yes.’

‘You can stop smiling now,’ he said gently, and Violet nodded, remembering the night they had met when he’d taken her into the garden.

She was brave, Sahir thought as she walked off into the unknown.

‘The King is ready,’ Aadil informed him.

‘Thank you.’

He knew a measured approach was needed with his father, and that emotion had no place inside these stone walls.

It had arrived, though, Sahir knew.

He’d just have to hide it for now—get through this meeting, remain icily calm.

‘Your Highness...’

Hakaam stepped out of the star and Sahir stood politely as the teller, as always, briefed him on the skies before his meeting with the King.

‘Neptune is in conjunction with Mercury. There may be deception...’

‘I see.’

‘Irrational thinking. Emotions flaring.’

‘Thank you.’ Sahir gave him a polite smile.

There would be no emotions flaring. He’d face his father with calm, and go through tomorrow’s schedule.

Violet was referred to only once.

‘Your guest is very talkative,’ his father said.

‘And very forgiving,’ Sahir said. ‘I could think of words other than “hair-raising” to describe her journey to the desert.’

‘I did what I could to give you a short holiday.’

Sahir looked up and met the challenge of his father’s eyes, which were as cold as black ice, in a face he’d barely seen smile.

This could have been him in twenty years’ time, Sahir knew. It might have been him had Violet not come into his life, warm and effusive, volatile...

Perhaps Hakaam was correct.

His thoughts were somewhat irrational, he knew, for he was glimpsing a future—and not the one he was destined for.

‘It’s time to get back to business, Sahir.’

‘I understand.’

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