Page 51 of Liam

The King’s chuckle had Taamira looking up from their hands. “Really? I did not know that. I thought it was an arranged marriage.”

“It was, but I knew the moment I saw her that she was the love of my life. My parents raised me to think of women as second to men, but my Nuha would not tolerate that. She told me that only when I proved to her I saw her as equal would I have her heart.”

“What did you do?”

Liam heard the interest in his woman’s voice and knew she had never heard this story before.

“I wooed her. I listened, and she became my biggest advisor in all things, from government policy to state occasions. She became my world, and then you and Abdul came along, and I did not think my life could be any happier.”

The King was animated, but it dropped, and Liam saw genuine grief on his face. “And then she became sick, and she faded from me, and I lost her. I let my grief steal everything she had taught me, everything she had given me. I turned away from you when I should have held you both close.

“Yet while you thrived, Abdul was weaker, and I let him become that. Allowed the people around me to raise my children how they saw fit instead of treasuring the memory of my wife and doing what she would want.”

He looked up at Taamira, taking her hands in his and holding them while he looked at her closely. “I failed you and Abdul, and for that, I am truly sorry. Abdul has become a weak man, but I know his heart is the same as it was, I just hope I am not too late. As for you, my beautiful daughter, you’re a true leader and I never saw it. You epitomise everything Nuha was, and I see her spirit inside you. I am so proud of the woman you have become.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” Her voice was clogged with emotion and Liam wanted nothing more than to hold her close.

“I want you to know how proud I am of you and how sorry I am that I allowed this estrangement to last. You will always have a place in the palace, and I fully support the voice you are giving to the women of our country. I know your mother would be so proud too and support you.

“Therefore, I am looking into new laws and some changes to how we do things in Eyan. I want to start small so as not to cause outrage, but I will begin by opening up education to both sexes based on merit. I am also changing the laws around domestic abuse. I would be honoured if you would help me.”

Taamira closed the gap between herself and her father, throwing her arms around him and surprising both the King and his guards who froze for second before relaxing.

The look of pure joy on the King’s face could not be faked, and Liam glanced at Jack, who shrugged.

“I would love to help, but I have to tell you, I will not be returning to Eyan.” She reached back and snagged Liam’s hand in hers. “My life is in the UK now, with Liam.”

King Saud looked up at Liam, assessing him and Liam held his gaze without flinching. “He looks at you as I once looked at Nuha. Do you love my daughter?”

“With every bone in my body,” Liam stated clearly as Taamira brought his hand to her cheek.

“That is all a father can ask. You will bring her to Eyan when it is safe, and we will visit.”

The King did not ask, he told Liam it was happening, and Liam let him have that. He had given Taamira her family back in some small way today, and for that reason, he would allow the man to order him around just this once.

“I will when I’m certain it’s safe to do so.”

King Saud stood, his bearing stable and upright. “Yes, it is not safe at the moment. I fear we have a snake in our beautiful garden. I have my own men looking into it, and if they find anything, they are under orders from me to share the information with you. I want my family back.”

“Do you have any leads?” Liam turned his gaze to the King’s guard.

“We will send over everything we have to a secure email address.”

Liam nodded and watched as the party headed to the door.

Taamira had looped her arm with her father’s and stopped to give him a light kiss on his cheek at the door. “Will you watch me give my speech tomorrow?”

Liam heard the uncertainty in her voice and knew it would take time for her to trust her father’s change, as it would him.

“I would not miss it. Now, I must speak with my son and rectify the damage I have done to him also.”

They watched the King enter the elevator and give them a quick smile before the doors closed, and he was gone.

Liam closed the door tightly and laid his arm around Taamira’s shoulder, pulling her close. “That was unexpected.”

“It was, and yet for the first time since my mother died, he is acting like the father I remember when I was growing up.”

“How old were you when she died?”