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“Professor Kahveci?”
Anisah was startled at hearing the soldier speak her name.
How did this man know –
Her face paled. What if...something had happened to Tarif, and these men had been tasked to take her to wherever the sheikh was?
Clearing her throat, she tried to keep her voice even as she answered them. “Yes, I’m Professor Anisah Kahveci.”
“We have been asked to escort you to the palace as soon as possible, Professor.”
It was like having her worst misgivings confirmed, and Anisah felt herself going faint. “Is it Tarif?” she whispered. “Did something happen to him?”
“We are not at liberty to discuss, Professor...”
Anisah didn’t hear the rest of the soldier’s words. All she knew was that the man was stalling – and it reminded her of the way nurses and doctors tended to avoid answering a terminally ill patient’s question about his chances of survival.
“Please come with us peacefully, Professor.”
“Yes, of course.” Did the soldier think she was the type to fall into hysterics at the first sign of bad news? “I just need to ask the faculty for a temp to take over my class. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes—-” She stopped speaking when an alarming thought suddenly occurred to her. What if she didn’t have a few minutes to spare? What if Tarif needed her now?
“Forget I said that,” she heard herself say. “Just give me five seconds.” Rushing back inside, Anisah started stuffing her things back into her bag while informing the students of her emergency. “Therefore, I’m dismissing you early. If you have any questions about today’s lecture, please refer them to Professor Thorne—-”
Hands suddenly shot up in the air while those who were unable to restrain themselves simply started asking her questions.
Has something happened at the palace?
Was it Sheikh Tarif?
Could they do anything to help?
Although her students’ curiosity was palpable, so was the genuine concern in their eyes, and her eyes stung as she sought to reassure them. “Thank you for your concern, but there is no need to worry. I promise to keep everyone posted,” she said gruffly.
Anisah was whisked into a waiting vehicle outside the university as soon as she left the classroom, and the ride back to the palace was spent in silence. Anisah closed her eyes and started to pray. Heavenly One. Please. Let him be fine.
Anisah expected the soldiers to take her straight to the palace’s in-house health clinic or the sheikh’s private chamber, but instead she found herself escorted all the way to the security room. There, she found all five sheikhs waiting – all of them looking handsome and powerful – but the truth was, she only had eyes for one man.
She rushed unthinkingly to Tarif as he rose to his feet. “I t-thought something happened to you.”
The sheikh only pulled a chair out for her in answer. “Please take a seat, anisdi.” His tone was cold, his gaze inscrutable, and confusion swirled around her even as she found herself doing as he bid.
“Tarif?”
The sheikh’s jaw clenched, but he did not even look at her as he reclaimed the seat next to Anisah.
“Thank you for joining us, Lady Anisah.” The king’s words gave her an excuse to look away, and she seized it gratefully, turning to Khalil while her body grew rigid in her struggle to keep her emotions in check. Why wouldn’t he look at her? Why couldn’t she stop feeling something was wrong? Why?
“We have invited you here to clarify certain matters.” It was the kingdom’s army commander who spoke this time, and Anisah forced herself to concentrate on Altair’s words. “Our technician will be playing several videos, and we would appreciate if you could answer a few of our questions afterwards. Do you agree?”
“Yes, of course.” Her fingers laced with each other on her lap. She still didn’t know what this was all about. The only thing she knew was that Tarif was not looking at her.
A technician stood up to play the first video, which showed Anisah fighting against those who tried to attack the queen.
“Is this you, anisdi?”
“Nem, alshaykh.”
The second footage showed the palace’s outer gates swinging open and thus allowing the mob entry to the royal family’s residence. The person taking the video suddenly swung his camera towards one side, and this time she saw the gatehouse’s doors bursting open.
