AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His dark eyebrows lowered like a storm cloud. “And you think that negates the words, after you’ve already agreed to be my bride in front of all the world? When you’ve signed a contract stating that you were here seeking marriage? When you told me, in every way possible, that you were mine?”
“
But I never meant—” But at his murderous expression, she took a deep breath. “Fine. So I spoke the vows. No one knows but us. We could just pretend it never happened!”
His eyes were hard. “You might be good at pretending, Beth Farraday. But I am not. I am bound by honor to speak the truth, both as a man and as a king. I do not speak lies.” He turned away. “My marriage isn’t just a whim. It’s about the future of my nation. I chose you over Laila because I thought you could help unify my people. While you were just thinking of fun trips and raising cash—” his voice was tight “—your reckless lie could start a new civil war.”
Horror went through her. She gulped.
“So what do we do?”
His jaw was tense as he looked at her. “If you are pregnant, I can never divorce you. It is the law in Samarqara. A king cannot divorce the mother of his heir. Not for any reason.”
Beth looked up with an intake of breath. She could actually remain his wife? In spite of the way she’d lied? For a moment, her soul thrilled.
Then she heard the flatness of his voice.
He thought she’d trapped him into marriage. Selfishly. Stupidly. For money.
Her shoulders sagged as she sat on the bed, still naked, covered with a sheet.
“You can divorce me if you want to,” she said in a small voice. “I mean, you should. I deserve it.”
Omar looked down at her, saying nothing, as the shadows of the room deepened in the late afternoon.
She looked up at him pleadingly, blinking back tears. “Please. Forgive me. I’ll do anything.”
“Yes,” he said slowly. Stepping closer, he looked down at her without touching her. She had the vision of his dark face, his burning eyes. “You will.”
Omar abruptly went to the bedroom door. He looked out at the two guards.
“Make sure Miss Farraday does not leave the tower until the banquet.” He looked at the vizier, hovering like a ghoul in the hallway. “We have much to discuss.”
“Yes, sire.” Standing in the doorway, the vizier looked back furiously at Beth, still shivering on the bed. “If I had my way, Miss Farraday, you’d be thrown into prison for the rest of your life.”
Her stomach turned to ice. Prison?
“Enough.” Omar turned to her. His voice was cold. “Your clothes are in the queen’s chambers. The royal engagement banquet is in three hours. Be ready.”
“But, Omar,” she choked out. “You can’t still want me to—”
He left without another word, closing the door behind him.
Alone, Beth stumbled up from bed. Grabbing her formal gown and headdress off the floor, she rushed through the adjoining door to the queen’s bedchamber and dropped them on the bed. Going to the walk-in closet, she grabbed the first clothing she saw, a silk robe. Tying the belt, she paced the sumptuous suite, feeling like a prisoner in spite of the lavish surroundings.
If I had my way, Miss Farraday, you’d be thrown into prison for the rest of your life.
Omar might be furious, but he wouldn’t throw her into prison.
Would he?
Heart pounding, she went out to the balcony. As the sun lowered to the west, she looked down at the sea and palace gardens. A long, hard drop. No escape there, unless she truly wanted to end it all.
When she thought of the look in Omar’s eyes, when he’d discovered her deception... A razor blade lifted to her throat. They were married now. For all she knew she could be pregnant.
There was a quiet knock at the door. Going back inside to answer it, she saw a young girl, perhaps seventeen, dressed in the modest garb of a palace maid. Coming into the queen’s bedchamber, the girl bowed respectfully. “I’m Rayah, Your Highness. The king sent me to serve you.”
Beth looked at the floor. “You don’t want to serve someone like me.”
