Page 25 of Sheikh's Pregnant Fiancée

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Aubrey had vague impressions of a body pressed up against her, of hot breath in her ear, but Jarah was gone when she woke up. Disappointed, she reached across the bed. His side was cold.

Remembering that this morning was her first meeting with Silaah, who was going to train her how to act like a proper princess, she decided to take a shower, even though she’d had one last night, and try and find something to settle her stomach.

To her surprise, when she stepped out of the bedroom, Jarah was just setting a tray of breakfast foods on the table. “You’ll need to eat something before going to see Silaah and Bibi.”

For a moment, she just stared at him. How was it possible that he could look so put together? He was already in a suit and looking like he’d just stepped off the cover of a magazine.

She looked down at her wrinkled tank top and frowned. Maybe she should get some sexy lingerie. “I thought he was coming here to the palace.”

“No, he thinks that you might still be uncomfortable here. A car will be waiting to take you to his home.”

“Does he live on the grounds?”

“No, my father always said that Silaah wanted his independence. There was a time when he wanted his life outside the royal family. Obviously, he changed his mind, but he likes his home.”

“So he’s going to Princess Diaries me, right?”

“Excuse me?”

“Princess Diaries. It’s a movie where an awkward teenager gets a makeover and transforms into a stunning princess.”

“You are already stunning. Silaah is just going to teach you some of our customs. That’s all. No makeovers necessary. I’ve noticed you’ve only picked at breakfast all week. Hysani said that you don’t enjoy a big breakfast, so I ordered some fruit and yogurt. You need to eat.”

Again with the eating. All the man did was shove food in her mouth. Still, it was a kind gesture of him, and she did like yogurt. “Thank you. What will you be doing today?”

“This weekend, we’ve been invited to a gala in Hal Rabat with my father and Mikal. Normally Mikal doesn’t travel with us, as he is the successor if something were to happen to both Father and me, so I’ll be spending the next few days with security and preparing Silaah to handle whatever might arise while we’re gone.”

Aubrey frowned. He spoke so matter-of-factly about dying. She didn’t like it. “Shouldn’t Silaah be spending the day with you instead of me?”

“Most of the day, you’ll be working with Silaah’s wife, Bibi, but he wanted to give you an overview and get to know you better.”

“Oh.” Aubrey shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “That’s nice. When were you going to tell me that you were going to be gone all weekend?”

“Not just me,” he said absently as he filled a glass of water and placed it in front of her. “You’re my wife, so you’ll be attending as well.”

Was he serious? Aubrey stared at him, shocked. “That’s three days away. I barely know my way about Rihamel, and you want me to navigate Hal Rabat?”

“Under Silaah’s and Bibi’s tutelage, you will be ready. Take good care of our boy. I’ll try to be home for dinner. Something light, I think.”

At the reminder of her flight to the bathroom the other night, her face flushed, but he was gone before she could reply. It wasn’t her fault she couldn’t keep anything down. He was the one who’d knocked her up! Alone, she ate her breakfast, more out of annoyance than hunger. By the time the guards alerted her that her car was there, she was still at the table, staring into her empty bowl. She raced to get dressed.

“Punctuality,” Silaah said he greeted her. “The royal family is punctual.”

“Not fashionably late?”

He didn’t even crack a smile, and she sighed. “I’m sorry for being late and for joking about it. I only discovered this morning that I’m going to Hal Rabat with Jarah. I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be. By the time we are done, you will be more than ready. One of the reasons I asked to speak with you today is because I am very familiar with the political history between our kingdom and Hal Rabat. It wasn’t always such a peaceful one, and it’s important that you not do anything to upset the balance.”

Aubrey’s eyes widened. “I don’t think I should go.”

Finally, Silaah smiled, a soft one like the one he’d granted her at her wedding. “My dear, I know my cousin’s children quite well. Jarah would not have picked you, for even an indiscretion, if he did not see strength in you. He believes in you, and so do I. Come have a seat.”

She sat, hoping she was in good hands.

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