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Two weeks of conferences and consultations, of questions and answers, sped by. The decisions the family made would change their lives and the future of the country.
“You are uncertain,” Jarah noted, the evening after everything had been finalized, as he pulled Aubrey into the bedroom.
“Tired, but yes, I suppose I’m uncertain as well. Your father isn’t second-guessing his decision at all.”
“We will support you and will always stand by you,” Jarah said as he kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
Now that he’d said it once, he couldn’t stop saying it. Closing her eyes, she soaked it in. “I love you, too.”
“You should get some sleep before tomorrow.”
“It’s today, actually,” Aubrey said as she glanced at the clock. There were still a few hours before they had to be up, but she wasn’t sure she could sleep. “Are you certain this is the best course of action?”
Tomorrow at noon, the leaders of the neighboring kingdoms, including Yosef, would arrive in Rihamel for a regional meeting. During a photo shoot that had taken place in Hal Rabat while Jarah and Aubrey had been in the States, Zev had managed to win over two employees in the palace, promising them a new home in Rihamel if they told the truth about their sheikh. They were here already, and tomorrow, they would admit to the council of leaders that Yosef had intended to assault Aubrey.
The Ramzi family, it appeared, did not waste time when they had their minds set on something.
It would be a closed-door session. Aubrey didn’t want the news to get out, but she understood that it might not be contained forever. The important part was that she had support, and Yosef would face consequences for his actions.
No international meetings or ceremonies would take place on Hal Rabat soil while he was in power. Aubrey had insisted that the kingdom as a whole not suffer for what Yosef did, so there would be no sanctions or withdrawal of ally clauses, but the leaders would know what kind of man Yosef was.
Hopefully, that would be enough.
Cyril intended to bring one other piece of information to the council leaders.
“What about you? Are you ready for all this?” Aubrey asked as she turned in his arms and looked up at her husband. The Sheikh of Rihamel was announcing his retirement, effective at the end of the year. Jarah would be crowned sheikh. Mikal would take on the duties of crown prince until their son was of age. Cyril had smiled slyly at his two older sons when he made the announcement. Jarah had given a little huff of laughter—this was why his father had been including Mikal in policy discussions.
“I’ve been planning my retirement for some time now,” Cyril had said. “I wanted to give my son the time I didn’t have, to learn the lesson it took me far too long to accept. Love has just as much to do with ruling as duty does. Jarah, I know without a doubt, that you love your country, our family, and your wife and child. I am honored to be able to pass the crown to you.”
“There isn’t any doubt inside me that I can do this.” Jarah hugged Aubrey tightly to him and backed her toward their bed. “As long as you’re by my side.”
Tugging him down, she kissed him, putting all her love and support into it.
Her grandmother had been right after all. The vineyard had been her sanctuary when she was still learning about herself, but if she had stayed, she would have never realized her potential. She belonged with Jarah, with Rihamel.
And with the family she was creating.
