AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, habibte. I’m grateful to my parents for showing me the futility of love. The futility of fantasy and romance and dreams. I was born to be King to my country – that is my duty, and it is my love. That is all I care about – what’s best for Ras el Kida.”
Chloe’s eyes swept shut for a moment as more pieces slid into place. He wanted to do what was best for Ras el Kida, and that meant providing the country with an heir – and for that, she was instrumental.
There was nothing more between them. She had to remember that, even when her foolish heart was galloping hard and fast inside of her.
This wasn’t love; it was dynasty.
9
“YOUR HIGHNESS,” AYSHA BOWED low as she approached Chloe, drawing her attention away from the book she was reading (she was well-past the Beast now, and had moved onto the story of a bird, with wide wings that glistened silver underneath, that flew high over the desert, singing the song of a thousand children laughing).
“What is it, Aysha?”
“Mister Amit has asked to see you.” An infinitesimal frown showed a hint of disapproval, and Chloe was instantly intrigued. “I have told him you are working.”
“I’m reading a book of fairy tales,” Chloe chided with a small smile.
“Yes.”
“You don’t think he should have come here?”
Aysha chose her words carefully. “I think he shouldn’t call on you.”
Chloe arched a brow. “You know his relationship to my husband,” she said boldly, sounding unaffected by the fact her husband had a child with another woman. “He’s family, Aysha. As far as I’m concerned, he can call anytime he likes.”
Aysha’s frown deepened. “But you are Sheikha…”
“Amit is one of the only people I know here at the palace. Would you deprive me a friend?”
“He’s a twelve year old boy…”
“And I enjoy his company.” Chloe stood, her expression showing determination. “Where is he?”
“Waiting outside.”
“You left him in the hallway?” She said, disbelief on her face. “Aysha,” she reprimanded gently. “He is family.” She said the word with reverence – odd, given that she hadn’t known enough of family to intrinsically rely on it so deeply.
“Yes, your highness,” Aysha said with a sigh of disagreement. “I’ll let him in.”
“Don’t bother,” Chloe softened her rejoinder with a smile. “I’ll go.”
“Your highness!” Ayshas’ exasperation was evident. “It’s not appropriate --,”
Chloe laughed. “I want to go for a walk, Aysha. I was just going to finish my chapter and then go out, anyway.”
“As you wish.”
Chloe knew Aysha well enough to know that her servant was showing utter frustration, and even though she didn’t agree with her, she appreciated her servant’s concern.
Spontaneously, Chloe leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Aysha’s cheek. “You take good care of me.”
Aysha’s eyes sparkled. “Will you return for dinner?”
Chloe’s heart turned over. Raffa. He rarely joined her for dinner, but each night she wondered if he would appear earlier, to sit opposite her and talk with her, to smile at her, to eat with her before they went to bed.
“Yes.” Heat simmered in her blood. “I won’t be long.”
When she stepped into the wide hallway, with its golden wallpaper and huge arrangements of native flowers, she found Amit leaning against a wall. Twelve was a funny age. Not yet an adult, but no longer a child, there was an awkward in-between-ness about the boy that pulled at the fibers of her heart.
