Page 28 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Riaz nodded. "Ahmed wanted you brought to his camp."

Although she already had guessed Ahmed's intentions, hearing Riaz say it out loud like that triggered indignation in Eva.

"Why?"

Riaz's eyes narrowed and he looked at her, a slightly disbelieving expression in his gaze. He was right. She knew why Ahmed would have done that. Was abduction just another one of the customs Eva would have to accept as a reality out here? Surely Riaz didn't condone that, she thought to herself.

Eva glanced at Riaz. One look at the disgust on his face told her all she needed to know about his opinion of Ahmed's actions. He would never resort to such low behavior.

They didn't speak for a few moments, their shared understanding causing a long silence. Now that it was so quiet, she could hear the soft sound of the shifting sands. Tiny whorls of sand floated off the sides of the dune upon which they were standing. It was as if the land was alive, moving silently beneath them.

Finally Riaz broke the silence. "Ahmed will be dealt with," he said in a flat, even voice.

Eva peered at Riaz, feeling shock at the abruptness of that statement. "What do you mean?"

Riaz's lips were suddenly a tight, thin line.

Eva turned and faced him. "What are you going to do?" she demanded.

Riaz continued to gaze steadily out across the desert. There was a distance in his eyes, a steely firmness, as if he was already seeing what he would do to get revenge.

Because that was what he was talking about, wasn't it? Revenge on Ahmed for daring to send his men after Eva. She wondered what that would look like, what he could possibly think of doing.

"You haven't answered me, Riaz," she said.

Hearing her say his name seemed to drag his attention back to her. Riaz looked at her. "There are ways of dealing with situations like this," he responded.

That sounded ominous, but before she could press him any further he'd turned away from her.

Eva followed behind him. "What ways?" she demanded.

Riaz whirled around and she could see the sudden fury in his gaze. She knew it wasn't a fury caused by her persistent questioning, probably more to do with the actions of Ahmed.

"Every desert leader has a duty to uphold the traditions of our ancestors," he said. His gaze became steady, penetrating her with an icy certainty. "Ahmed has stepped over the line many times before. But no-one has seen fit to remind him of the honor he has inherited. His obligations."

Eva hadn't seen him like this before. There was a worrying sense of contained violence in his entire demeanor. He towered over her and she was suddenly conscious of just how powerful his physique really was. But all of that anger was contained, held in check by every taut muscle in his body.

Riaz came closer and peered intently into her eyes. "Do you understand how much he insulted you by assuming that he could simply seize you like that?"

Eva frowned and lifted a shoulder. "It's even criminal, I expect."

Riaz smiled sardonically and glanced toward the eastern horizon. "Back in that world. Yes, it would be criminal," he scoffed. "But out here, there are different laws. We abide by a different rule. And Ahmed knows that fact, even if he ignores it." Riaz shook his head slowly. "We'll see what can be done. But, first I must get you to our encampment."

Eva grinned at him. "I'd almost forgotten," she joked, eager to try and lift his mood somehow.

Riaz seemed to sense what she was doing. His shoulders relaxed and he nodded. "We should get going," he said. "I want to get there before the sun sets." He peered at her. "Unless you want to spend the night out in the desert with me," he said, a sudden teasing tone in his voice.

Eva's eyes widened and she saw that he'd noticed the effect of his words. The corner of Riaz's mouth curled slightly with a smile.

Riaz went to the side of the horse and held out his hands. "Want a lift up?" he asked.

Eva squinted at him. "I think I can manage fine by myself," she replied.

Eva thrust a foot into the stirrup and lifted herself up. She turned and looked down at Riaz, realizing he'd probably been watching her rear as she'd lifted herself up onto the horse's saddle. All she could do in response was to frown at him and shake her head in pretend disapproval. That did nothing to wipe the smile off his face. She decided a shake of the head was all that was needed, so she didn't say anything.

Riaz lifted himself in front of her and seized the reins. He turned to Eva. "Ready for the last leg?"

Eva nodded.

Then, Riaz flicked the reins and the horse began to move down the side of the dune, with Eva's horse tagging along behind them.

Eva pushed away thoughts of Riaz's declaration up there a few moments before. She didn't want to think about what justice would mean out here. She wasn't even sure she wanted that. He didn't need to stand up for her. He'd already done enough as far as she was concerned.

With a quiet sigh she wrapped her arms around Riaz's torso and settled in for the remainder of the journey.

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