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But she hadn’t failed. In her heart, she’d never wanted those careers or those degrees or those men.
Then, in Samarqara, when she’d finally found everything she’d ever dreamed of, a man she loved, a job she loved, a place she loved, she’d gotten so used to giving up, she didn’t even know how to put up a fight anymore.
Beth lifted her chin, her hands clenching.
Well, that would all change now.
Even if she tried and failed, even if she threw herself at Omar’s feet and he scorned her, he deserved to at least know that she loved him. And she deserved to tell him.
All this time Beth had thought she wasn’t worthy to be his wife. But she was. Because no one loved him more.
“Take me back to the airport,” she told the driver, who nodded and turned the wheel.
“You’re going back?” Edith said happily.
“I’m going to tell him. You’re right.” She hugged her sister. “I’m going to take the first flight back to Samarqara.”
Her phone rang. Thinking it was another reporter, she was going to ignore it. Then she saw the Samarqara country code.
Beth snatched up the phone. But it wasn’t Omar. It was someone even more startling.
“My lady, it’s Rayah,” the young maid said desperately. “You must come back to Samarqara. Please!”
“I am—but why? And why are you whispering?”
“I’m calling you from a closet in the tower so no one can hear. It’s not even dawn but the king’s wedding preparations have already started.”
Beth’s heart fell. “He’s marrying Laila already?”
“I overheard the vizier talking to her in the garden. They are planning to poison the king’s goblet in the wedding toast!”
“What?” Sitting up straight in the back seat of the limo, Beth gripped the phone. Her eyes went wide as she heard the details. Blood drained from her body. “You must warn the king!”
“I tried, my lady. But the king’s beyond all reason. He’s refusing to see anyone.”
“Tell the people—have them storm the palace!”
“It would only give the vizier a better excuse for a coup. He’s already blocking all access to the king. You’re the only one who can get past his guards now.”
“When will they do it?” Beth cried.
“The wedding will be private, tonight at midnight in the palace garden. As soon as they’re wed, they’ll kill him and seize the throne.”
“I’m on my way,” Beth cried. Hanging up, she tried to call Omar, but it went directly to voice mail. She tried again, but to no avail.
“What’s happened?” Edith demanded.
“Omar’s in danger.” Leaning forward to the driver, she begged him, “Hurry, please hurry!”
Checking her phone, she saw the next commercial flight to Samarqara didn’t leave for hours, and had a layover in Europe. She clawed back her hair.
Oh, why had she ever left him? All the thoughts of the future they could have had, if only she’d been brave enough to fight for it, flew through her mind.
“I’ll never make it in time!”
“Oh, yes, you will.” Edith’s eyes, identical to her own, shone with faith. “Now that you know you love him, nothing can stop you.”
As the limo drove past the private airport where she’d arrived, Beth had a sudden idea. “Turn here!”
