Page 20 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

She rose from bed, her overtaxed muscles protesting. That she was naked didn’t bother her. Kain had seen every inch of her now. That he loved her dips and curves had restored her confidence, making her feel beautiful again.

She rubbed a hand over her flat stomach. That they hadn’t used protection in the shower was unforgiveable. His seed could even now be creating a baby. That she imagined a son with a dark stare and a brilliant mind, or a girl with black hair and clever eyes shouldn’t fill her with sudden longing.

A heatwave of dizziness hit her then. Tabari hadn’t used any protection, either. What ifhe’dimpregnated her?Shit.How long since she’d had her period? She’d been so stressed about everything she hadn’t even thought about her cycle. She had to be at least three weeks overdue and it’d been four weeks since Tabari had violated her.

She couldn’t leave the palace and find a drugstore to buy a pregnancy test. She’d need to find a discreet doctor, one who wouldn’t report back to Kain.

She stepped into the bathroom and splashed her face with cool water. Her glittering eyes stared accusingly back at her.

What you have you done?

She glared at her reflection. It wasn’t all her fault. Tabari hadn’t cared about any repercussions; he’d only cared about sating his lust. She closed her eyes, fighting sudden anxiety while the room did a slow spin around her. Her pulse accelerated sharply, heat rising in her face.

Shit.She was going to be sick.

She bent over the toilet and emptied the contents of her stomach into the bowl, swaying then as she flushed away all evidence of her nausea. She blinked as her reflection came back into view above the vanity’s mirror. She looked washed out and pale, her eyes huge and darker than ever in her face.

She spun away and grabbed a light cotton robe from off a hook on the wall, covering her nakedness. She needed some kind of plan. But first, she needed some breakfast, some sustenance that would help to think…to strategize. And to calm her unsettled and now empty stomach.

She tied the belt of her cotton robe around her waist as she walked into the kitchen, when the noise of someone in the suite made her pause.

Kain?

Her wavering smile faded at seeing a thirty-something year old female servant who was diligently using a cloth to dust decorative dishes on stained glass shelving above the kitchen countertops.

The woman sensed Zania behind her, and spun around with a warm smile hovering on her lips. “Good morning, Sheikha Zania. I’m Esma. I’ll be looking after your rooms and anything you might need from now on—if I meet your satisfaction, of course.”

Zania managed to smile in return. How strange to be going from personal maid, to having a personal maid herself. “Good morning.” She cleared her throat. “I’m not your sheikha. Please, just call me Zania.”

The other woman blinked. “Though it’s considered protocol, I’ll try to remember using only your first name when no one else is around.” Her eyes narrowed suddenly, as though becoming aware Zania didn’t look well. She hurried forward. “Are you okay? Would you like me to make you some herbal tea?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.” She sighed heavily. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

As Esma put a teapot on the burner and added tea leaves and a few cardamom pods to the water, she said, “Oh, I almost forgot, Kain left you a note. I’ll put it on the tray with your tea.”

“Thank you Esma.” Her smile wobbled a little, her emotions a little fractured. “I know this might sound a little crazy, but I don’t know any other women here and I’m kind of hoping we can become friends.” The kind of solid friendship she’d had with Aisha before she’d ruined things between them.

The teapot suddenly whistled, and Esma lifted it off the burner and poured the dark liquid into a cup before setting the still half-full teapot onto a tray alongside the cup. Steam lifted lazily into the air when she looked at Zania and said, “I’d really like that.”

Zania released a breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. “Good. I was once in a similar position as you, an employee and friend to Sheikha Aisha.” She laughed. “Well, less employee and more friend, really.”

Esma nodded, then carried the tray to a nearby table and put it down. “The people here are happy that our sheikh chose a commoner as his future wife.” She clapped a hand to her mouth. “Not that I’m implying you’re common!”

Zania laughed, secretly pleased that at least some of Kain’s people approved of her. She sat at the table and breathed in the strong, spiced scent of the tea. “It’s all right, Esma. My lack of royal blood is the least of my problems right now.”

Esma pulled a folded note out of the little pocket of her apron and set it down onto the tray. “I heard the rumors. To many of us, it just makes you more human…more likeable.”

Zania picked up the delicate gold cup and took an appreciative sip of the tea. It immediately helped to settle her stomach. “I didn’t think of it like that.”

The other woman nodded, some strands of her raven-black hair falling free from her hijab. “I’ll leave you to drink your tea and read your note in peace while I tidy your bedroom and bathroom.”

“Thank you, Esma.”

She took another sip of her tea, then waited until her servant disappeared into the bedroom before unfolding the note and silently reading it.

Dearest Shortcake,

You looked so peaceful sleeping this morning I didn’t dare wake you. Last night was magical, a night I won’t soon forget…if ever. We were meant to be, I believe that now. I only hope you believe that too.

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