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Sayed waited until the dessert dishes had been taken away before he rose from his chair only to drop to one knee beside hers.
Even knowing he was prompted by the need to prevent more scandal, and maybe save some face in the wake of Tahira’s defection, Liyah was overwhelmed with emotion.
“Aaliyah Amari, will you do me the very great honor of agreeing to become my emira and lead the people of Zeena Sahra by my side?”
His words put the weight of reality on this fantasy moment. Sayed was putting more trust in her than she could imagine. He wasn’t just asking because it was expedient.
He had to believe in Liyah as a person to trust her with the position of his emira, much less his wife.
“Liyah?” he prompted softly, typically not sounding worried, but patient.
She smiled, feeling the hot track of tears on her cheeks. She hadn’t even known she was crying. “Yes, oh, yes, Sayed. I want that more than anything.”
“I am so pleased.” Then showing the influence of many years spent living in the States, he leaned forward and sealed the deal with a kiss.
The restaurant erupted into applause, camera flashes going from phones as well as reporters strategically waiting in the wings.
Liyah didn’t care. If sharing her life with Sayed meant sharing it with the rest of the world, too, then so be it.
As he leaned back, she whispered quietly for his ears alone, “I love you. I just thought you should know.”
His dark eyes heated and filled with definite pleasure. “Thank you. I will always treasure that gift.”
She hadn’t expected him to return the words. Liyah knew Sayed didn’t love her, but his genuine appreciation of her feelings gave her hope for the future and certainty that even if he never fell in love with her, she would always have his regard and consideration.
This man would always be faithful?his “three-year drought” proved that?but just as importantly, he valued her affection. He would not take Liyah’s love for granted, even if he never returned it.
*
Sayed waited for the video call to connect. He’d sent Yusuf to London the day before with an envelope to deliver to Gene Chatsfield.
The call connected and Gene’s distinguished features filled Sayed’s screen. “Sheikh Sayed, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Yusuf has delivered my package.”
“If you mean this…” The older man lifted the heavy-duty envelope sealed with Sayed’s royal family symbol set in crimson wax. “Yes.”
“Inside you will find several papers.”
Gene’s confusion was apparent, but he seemed too preoccupied to be nervous. “Shall I open it, then?”
“Yes.”
Gene’s face paled as he read the documents in front of him. “You know where she is? My daughter?”
“So now you are claiming her?”
“Denial was a knee-jerk reaction caused by similar situations in the past, none of which ended up being what they claimed.”
“You decided Aaliyah’s was?”
“She left the locket. I’d given it to her mother. Nothing more than a trinket to me, but she kept it all those years and passed it on to her daughter
.” Gene swallowed, as if emotion was getting the best of him. “She’d left my picture behind hers. I looked when I remembered.”
“If you need further proof, Aaliyah’s DNA report is there, as well. Running your own will provide an undeniable match.”
“You know I will, because in my position I cannot afford to take anything on word alone.”
