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He couldn’t blur the lines of what he wanted from Daisy. She was right to insist on boundaries being in place. With every fast-moving step of the steed beneath him, his certainty grew that their marriage would only succeed if he insisted on structure. Formality. He’d been mistaken to let his interest in Daisy as a woman cloud what he needed from her.
Before he met her, he’d been preparing to marry, and his wife, whomever he chose, would have simply been a ceremonial addition to his life. Someone with whom he would have perfunctory sex for the sake of continuing the family line and then leave to her own devices.
He’d had no intention of having his bride installed in the apartment beside his own. That had been for Daisy, because to have her in his palace but any further from him felt wrong. His first instinct—and it had been a failure.
She was beautiful and desirable but how he felt about her personal charms was irrelevant now she was pregnant with his child. He wouldn’t make the same mistake his father did. He wouldn’t let affection for a woman weaken him.
He rode on, his face a mask of resolve. With every day that passed, he would conquer this.
It was some time around three when Daisy began to feel the exhaustion from the early start. Zahrah had woken her for the rukbar before day’s break, so she could dress in a special ceremonial robe and be prepared for the procedures of the day.
‘You’ll sit beside Sariq. You won’t need to say anything, though people will no doubt be very excited to see you. Some might ask to touch your belly—it is considered extreme good fortune to do so to any pregnant woman here in Haleth. But you, carrying the royal heir, your stomach would be seen as very fortunate.’
Daisy had found it hard to smile since the morning after she’d slept with Sariq. Having not seen him since then, she found that smile had felt even heavier, but she lifted it now, turning to see Zahrah. ‘You haven’t asked to touch my stomach.’
‘I presumed you wouldn’t want me to.’
Daisy lifted her shoulders. ‘It’s just a tummy.’
Zahrah extended a hand, her fingertips shaking a little, and it was in that moment Daisy understood the momentousness of this child she was carrying. Any child was special and important, but their baby meant so much to the entire country. Sariq had said as much at the embassy in Manhattan but she could see that for herself now. For Zahrah and she had become friends, yet the enormity of touching Daisy’s pregnant belly was obviously overwhelming for Zahrah.
The sky was still dark when Zahrah led her towards the ancient rooms that bordered the courtyard where they’d had the ball a few nights earlier. Her eyes found the spot where they’d danced and ghosts of his touch lifted goose bumps over her skin.
‘Here,’ Zahrah murmured. It was only as Daisy approached she saw Sariq locked in serious conversation with Malik. He turned towards her, so she had only a moment to still her heart and calm her features. It was the first time she’d seen him since he’d carried her back to her bed. Since she’d asked him to stay and he’d left.
Just sex. Just tonight.
He’d been true to his word.
‘Your Highness.’ Malik bowed low.
Sariq said nothing.
Uncertainty squeezed her gut. ‘Good morning.’
At that, Sariq nodded, his eyes holding hers for a moment too long before he turned back to Malik and finished his conversation. Daisy felt as though she were on a roller coaster, hurtling over the highest point at great speed.
‘I’ll be fine,’ she assured Zahrah. ‘You should go back to bed.’
Zahrah’s smile was so normal. Daisy wished it could tether her back to her real self, to the woman she’d been before she realised how she felt. ‘I’ll be to the side of the room,’ Zahrah murmured. ‘If there’s anything you need, just turn to me and I will come.’
Daisy nodded, but having this kind of attention bestowed on her still felt unusual. ‘You’re so kind to me.’
Zahrah smiled. ‘You’re easy to be kind to.’ And she reached down and squeezed Daisy’s hand. ‘You’ll be good at this. Have courage.’
It was a relief that Daisy’s nervousness could be attributed to the rukbar she was about to take part in and not the first sighting of her husband in days.
Sariq spoke in his native tongue, which she was getting very proficient at understanding, if not speaking. ‘Leave us now.’
Zahrah and Malik both moved further along, towards the doors that would lead to the room.
Now, Sariq offered a tight smile that was more like a grimace. ‘You remembered.’
It was a strange thing to say. She lifted her eyes to his and felt as though she’d been scorched. ‘You’re still happy for me to be a part of this?’
Something flashed in his eyes and her stomach dropped. He wasn’t happy. She didn’t know how she knew it but she did. Waves of uncertainty lashed at her sides. ‘The people will be gratified by your attendance.’ It was so insufficient. The people. Not him.
A noise sounded, like banging against a door. ‘That’s our signal. Ready?’
