Page 55 of The Sheikh's Secret Heir

“Go,” I say with mock severity, pushing him playfully towards the door. “I’ll be there soon.”

“Counting every second,” Faiz replies, his eyes lingering on me with undisguised adoration before he finally exits.

Alone again, I draw in a deep breath. Today, I step into a new chapter with the man I love — into a future that is wild and expansive but built on love.

Esme returns, smiling. “You ready for this?”

“Yes,” I say, surprised at how confident I feel. I’m more than ready. In fact, I don’t want to wait another minute.

We climb into the car in the garage, and the driver whisks us through the palace gates and to the royal pavilion. People pack the streets, pushing for a view of the wedding party — which, I realize, is me. How odd. I’m about to become royalty, and yet it’s the last thing on my mind, the least important part about this whole day.

Faiz is already waiting under the wedding arch, Ali next to him. Our guests are packed onto the lawn on chairs, hundreds of friends and acquaintances whose names I can never keep straight. The soft rustle of my bridal gown whispers secrets with each step I take up the marbled steps and onto the pavilion. My parents stand to one side, their faces a canvas of pride andjoy, cameras flashing like a storm of fireflies around them. It’s surreal, this moment, as if I am both spectator and spectacle in the grand theater of Zahrania’s royal wedding that has drawn eyes from across the globe.

My gaze locks onto Faiz, standing regal and handsome at the altar. There’s a softness in his face that is reserved just for me. As our eyes meet, it feels like we’re alone, sheltered in our own sphere where the hum of the broadcast fades into silence.

We touch hands, and the moments blur by, time becoming inconsequential. When it’s time to say my vows, they flow from me as smooth as river water, each word springing from the truth in my heart.

“Today, I join my life with yours,” I begin. “Not as a doctor or as a queen, but simply as Tara, a woman who loves you more than she ever thought possible.”

Faiz listens, his expression rapt, and when he speaks, his words are medicine to any lingering fears of inadequacy that once haunted me. “Tara, you are the unexpected chapter in my story, the strength in my weaknesses, the light in my shadows. I vow to love you, to learn with you, and to share all that I am — for today, for tomorrow, for as long as we both shall live.”

His promise rings true, resonating in the depths of my soul. We exchange rings, simple bands that feel heavy with significance, and the audience erupts into applause, but it’s the silent communication between us that speaks volumes. Our vows are not just words; they are the keystones of the life we are building together — one filled with mutual respect, shared responsibilities, and a love that transcends the boundaries of our very different worlds.

As we turn to face the people of Zahrania, their cheers envelop us, but inside, I’m already far ahead, dreaming of what lies beyond this perfect day — the quiet mornings with Faiz, the challenges we’ll face head-on, the intimate nights wrapped in each other’s arms, and the legacy we will create, not just for ourselves, but for a country that has become a part of me.

“Ready for our first dance?” Faiz holds my hand lightly. “My queen?”

Heat fills my cheeks. “Lead the way.”

He does so, taking us further into the grounds, away from where the onlookers on the street can see us. It’s only us and our guests here on the dance floor under a huge tent. The music swells around us, and Faiz’s hand is warm around mine, his eyes reflecting the soft glow of hundreds of fairy lights strung above the dance floor. We move together, our first dance as husband and wife, an intimate waltz amid a sea of faces. Our guests circle us, a blur of colors and smiles, but it feels like we’re alone in our own private world.

I lay my head against my husband’s shoulder, allowing myself to be guided by the steady assurance of his movements. His scent, a comforting mix of sandalwood and the fresh outdoors, fills my senses.

“You are everything I never knew I needed,” he whispers in my ear.

A laugh escapes me, light and free, as I look up into his face, so open and vulnerable in this shared moment. It’s a side of him few get to see, the man behind the prince, and it’s all mine to cherish. My heart swells, love mingling with a joy that is almost too much to handle.

As the song draws to an end, we pause, our gazes locked. Applause surrounds us, but it’s the connection between us that sings loudest, and I can tell from Faiz’s eyes that he’s thinking about the same thing that I am.

“Let’s tell them,” I say, a sudden boldness taking hold. Faiz nods, his hand tightening around mine.

We gather our families and guests close, the inner circle that has supported us through whispers of scandal and shared our clandestine joys. Ali, with his bright, curious eyes, clutches at my dress, while our parents exchange knowing looks, as if sensing the magnitude of the news we’re about to share.

“Everyone,” Faiz begins, his voice carrying over the hum of conversation, “we have something very special to announce.”

My pulse quickens, and I grip his hand tighter. This is it — the leap into a new unknown, the next chapter of our story. I can’t help but glance at Ali, wondering how he will react to the news that he’s going to be a big brother.

“Faiz and I…” I say, “we’re expecting a baby.”

There’s a split-second silence, a collective intake of breath, before the tent erupts into cheers and congratulations. Esme squeals, pulling me into a tight hug, while Faiz’s mother wipes away tears of joy.

Ali tugs at my hand, his expression one of awe. “Really? A baby?” he asks, his mouth hanging open wide.

“Really,” I assure him, bending down to his level. “You’re going to be the best big brother.”

His arms wrap around my neck in a fierce hug, and I hold him close, feeling his excitement vibrating through him. When Istand again, Faiz wraps an arm around me, his pride evident for all to see.

The evening is a whirlwind of photos, laughter, hugs, and cake. There are too many wonderful moments to grasp onto, and I’m counting on the wedding photos to remind me of all the wonderful things we’ve been living. Eventually, it’s time to go. Ali will be staying with the sheikh and sheikha while Faiz and I enjoy our honeymoon. I kiss him goodbye — my son — and give him a hug that’s a little longer than the one I give anyone else.

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