Page 16 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

6

The night was endless. Aubrey, along with the other women, retired early, and Jarah watched them go with a twinge of envy. He and his father and brothers were required to stay until all the guests had departed. Leaders from neighboring kingdoms were staying in the palace, and that meant business from breakfast to dinner for the next few days. He would need a little sleep, at least.

He received the final guests’ well-wishes, contained a sigh of relief—it would not do to be overheard—and started for his suite.

“Jarah,” Cyril called. He turned to find his father and two brothers following him.

“A drink before you retire to your wife.”

That was not a fatherly request but a command from his king. When he’d been young, there hadn’t been much difference, but time had softened his father.

“Of course.”

Mikal smirked and Jarah shot him a warning look as he joined them in their father’s study. His younger brother had been the most vocal to oppose the wedding. Zev, on the other hand, simply clapped him on the back and told him that regular sex might help lighten his mood.

Zev closed the door behind them and sighed as he flounced into a chair. “As delightful as this evening was, I got rather tired of people telling me that I should stay home and marry.”

Mikal snorted and rolled his eyes, and Zev glared at him. “I’m not worried, Mikal. They have you on the chopping block next.”

“I’d rather not have my marriage called the chopping block,” Jarah said wryly.

“Rihamel might be on the chopping block now that the crown prince has married an American,” Mikal growled.

“One more word against my wife, and you will regret it,” Jarah said softly as he made himself a drink.

“Enough,” Cyril sighed. “There was a time when the three of you could do nothing without each other. Now all you do is bicker. Jarah and his wife are ushering in the next generation. We will be glad of that.”

Mikal waved his hand. “And this vineyard that you bought? Did you even look into it? It won’t bring in enough revenue in the next ten years to cover what you paid for it.”

“It was a wedding present.” Jarah knew he’d paid an extraordinary sum. Mostly because Aubrey’s grandmother hadn’t wanted to sell it to someone overseas.

When it was done, Aubrey had smiled. Really smiled. It was the happiest that he’d seen her since she’d agreed to marry him.

The moment bothered him, even now. He needed her to see that being married to him was not a prison sentence. He would be a good husband.

“Zev, as much as you would like to leave Rihamel, this week is important. We still have guests, and it’s important to present our family as a united front. You will stay through next weekend,” Cyril commanded as he slowly took his seat on the couch.

“And we’ll be giving Jarah time to enjoy this first week of his marriage?” Zev asked in a light tone. “Relieve some of his duties so he can make his foreign wife feel more at home?”

Cyril hesitated. “I’m sure Jarah has told Aubrey what to expect, and when the other leaders go home, he will have more time to attend to her.”

Jarah grimaced. Zev caught the look and snorted. “Looks like Jarah didn’t tell Aubrey anything. I guess she’ll learn soon enough what to expect from this family. Support in literally nothing that doesn’t serve them.”

“Zev,” Cyril said sharply, but Jarah’s youngest brother was already standing. Tipping his drink back, he drained it and walked out.

“I’ll talk to him,” Jarah said as he stood as well. “And then I should retire. My wife is waiting,” he added, to support the charade of their loving relationship. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Mikal will speak to him,” Cyril said as he motioned for Jarah to sit. “I need a word with you in private.”

Mikal looked annoyed at the idea of saying anything to Zev, but he didn’t question his father. Alone, Cyril raised an eyebrow. If his father thought to give him some words of wisdom for tonight, he was a little late. There was already a child on the way.

“I did not say anything before because I did not wish to give you cause to back out of your decision. A child needs his father around,” Cyril said heavily. “But I must point out that marrying an American will not go over well with our people and our neighbors. We are a proud kingdom, and many of our connections had hoped you would wed their daughter or niece or granddaughter.”

“Your point comes a little late, Father,” Jarah said stiffly.

“I merely wish to share some advice. Integrate Aubrey into your public events. Involve her. Teach her some of our traditions and give her a chance to win over the people. By the time the child comes, she should be beloved.”

Jarah thought back to Aubrey’s range of emotions. He wasn’t at all certain she was going to win over the people with her quick tongue and sassiness.

---