Page 25 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Riaz glanced urgently toward Eva, seeking some reassurance perhaps that she was still okay. All she could do was look at him and smile nervously, relief flooding through her. She had never been so glad to see anyone in her life, she realised.

"I'm okay," Eva told him quietly.

She saw Riaz's nostrils flare, his jaw tighten and then he faced the three men, blasting them with words. It was as if the men knew they had met an elemental force, emerging suddenly from the desert, intent on putting a stop to their madness. All three of them cowered before Riaz their entire demeanor suddenly transformed within moments.

All three took a few steps back from Riaz but he followed them, his stream of words unstoppable, and for once Eva would have paid any money to have been able to understand what he was saying.

One of the men raised a hand and tried to implore some moderation from the sheikh, perhaps trying to excuse his conduct, but Riaz was having none of it. He shouted the man down, and within moments all three had retreated back to their three horses.

They mounted quickly and then, within a few moments they were racing away in the direction from which they had come.

Riaz stood for a moment watching the men depart, almost as if he wanted to make sure that they were not about to change their mind. He was breathing heavily, obviously aroused to anger.

Maybe he was waiting to see if the men would change their mind. Eva realized there was little chance of that happening, now that Riaz was here.

Riaz ran toward Eva and wrapped his arms around her. She did nothing to prevent him from doing that, because right now it seemed like the only thing that made sense, as if it was the only thing she really wanted. She couldn't believe how good it felt to be suddenly in his arms, and for a moment she forgot that he was almost a stranger.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Riaz gasped.

Eva saw deep concern in his dark gaze. That concern looked utterly and completely genuine to her and for a moment she was taken aback.

"I'm fine, Riaz," she replied smiling up at him.

She heard him sigh with relief and she softened slightly into his embrace.

"I was right," he gasped.

Eva squinted up at him. "About what?"

"Those were Ahmed's men," Riaz explained.

"Ahmed's?"

Riaz nodded. "I should have expected this, especially after what he said back at the fort," he explained.

Eva felt vindicated for a moment. She had been right. The argument that Riaz and Ahmed had been about her.

Riaz guided her back towards his horse. "You must come with me," he ordered.

"What?"

Riaz nodded. "It is not safe for you to make this journey," he said.

Eva remembered her horse was lame. Maybe he was right. Perhaps she did have no other option but to go with him.

She explained about the horse and the fall. His eyes narrowed with deep concern. "You fell?"

"It was nothing," she said.

She saw Riaz examining her head for any sign of injury. "Even more reason for you to come with me. You must rest after your fall," he said.

Eva lowered her head slightly, feeling a slight dizziness. Yes. Maybe that would be the best idea, she told herself. Perhaps just for a short time, and then she would be on her way again.

He went across and examined her horse. Satisfied that he understood the problem, he led Eva's horse back to his own and tied the horse's reins to his own saddle. The horse still moved gingerly. She was sure that Riaz's men would know how to deal with the horse's injured leg.

Then, Riaz lifted Eva up carefully onto the saddle of his own horse and took his position in front of her.

"Put your arms around my chest," he ordered.

Eva hesitated for a moment, reluctant to simply follow his instructions, but when she considered it more closely it made complete sense. Maybe it would be good to hold onto him. At least until she had regained her composure. Her nerves were still raw after the encounter with the men.

Eva curled her arms around Riaz's torso, feeling the strength of his body beneath the white robe. She felt his body stiffen slightly as if he was savouring the sensation of her holding onto him. She leaned against him.

Riaz turned his head and grinned at her. "Okay?"

Eva nodded and then Riaz moved his mount forward and they started back toward the north-eastern desert.

In the direction of Riaz's encampment.

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