Page 38 of Her Vow to Be His Desert Queen

He certainly wasn’t in love with her any more.

‘This has nothing to do with love, Galen,’ he said curtly. ‘I chose her because she is just what my court and my country needs. I will explain when you get here.’

Again, there was a silence.

Galen had changed since he’d met his wife, Solace, becoming much more relaxed and open. He ruled with a lighter touch than he once had and Khalil was sure it had something to do with his beautiful wife.

He was in love, he’d told Khalil and Augustine when they’d commented on his good mood, and, while Khalil had been pleased for him, love wasn’t anything he could allow himself.

‘I look forward to it,’ Galen said, still sounding suspiciously neutral. ‘So tell me, what kind of celebration are you thinking?’

Khalil gave him a few thoughts, and five minutes later the call ended with Galen promising to get his events team—which was far better than Khalil’s own—in contact with some of Khalil’s staff so they could start planning.

After that, Khalil pulled up Augustine’s number because his other friend needed to know and he should hear it from Khalil personally.

‘Khal,’ Augustine answered in his rich, melted-honey voice. ‘It’s been a while. How are things at home?’

Unlike Khalil’s own reign, Augustine’s had been calm and relatively untroubled. His father had been a good king, and Augustine looked to be carrying on the tradition. He’d mentioned once to Galen and Khalil that he’d been thinking of abdicating, though he refused to tell them why. But he hadn’t abdicated yet, and Khalil was starting to wonder if it was all just a bluff.

‘Fine,’ Khalil said. ‘I assume you’re coming next month?’

‘But of course.’ Augustine sounded amused for some reason. Then again, Augustine always sounded as if he was enjoying some kind of private joke that no one else was privy to. ‘Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.’

‘Good. Because I will be throwing a ball to celebrate my marriage.’

‘Your marriage?’ Augustine sounded surprised, as well he might. ‘When did this happen? Has Galen been putting ideas into your head?’

‘It will be happening tomorrow,’ Khalil said. ‘And no, it is not Galen. It is merely time. My country needs a queen and I need heirs.’

‘Ah, heirs,’ Augustine drawled. ‘That old chestnut. Well, better you than me. So, do I know your fiancée? Or perhaps a better question: is she someone I’ve slept with? Could be awkward if so.’

It was a joke and Khalil treated it the way he treated all Augustine’s jokes. He ignored it. ‘It is Sidonie. Do you remember her? We were friends years ago at Oxford.’

‘Her? Really?’ More surprise echoed in his friend’s voice.

And Khalil found he had the same response to Augustine that he’d had to Galen. ‘Why is that so surprising?’ he enquired, his tone dangerously soft.

‘Only because I thought you’d have claimed her years ago.’

You should have. Instead, you broke her heart and left her for five years.

That ache, that flaw in what could surely not be his heart, throbbed.

He ignored it. ‘And I was not going to,’ he said stiffly. ‘My situation has changed, however.’

‘Has it? You took your time.’

A lecture from Sidonie was one thing. A lecture from Augustine was quite another.

‘I did not ask for—’

‘Or did she refuse you?’

Khalil’s jaw went tight with unexpected temper. He didn’t want to get into the particulars of what had happened with Sidonie, especially given how poorly he’d treated her. ‘The ball will be—’

‘Oh, so she did,’ Augustine interrupted a second time, more amusement in his voice. ‘What happened? Were you not convincing enough?’

‘She has not refused.’ Khalil held on to his temper but only just. ‘She has accepted my proposal.’

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