13ValeriaI tried not to tremble when I felt his tall, large body looming over me. I knew Khalid could see how aroused I was, naked in front of him, while he was fully clothed in a room filled with paints and brushes. I clenched and unclenched my fingers in a fist when a cool breeze whispered through the room, roving over my bare body, making my skin prickle. How will I be able to sit still for hours? I could feel the tension increasing in my body. My arms and shoulders feeling heavy, as if someone was physically pushing me down. I felt small. Almost afraid. Like the night—No. Khalid is with me. He is a good person. I am okay. I am safe. I am fine. The sound of charcoal moving across the canvas made me well aware of his burning gaze. He had already started sketching me. Khalid Al Latif was taking a nude sketch of me. Should I look at him? But I could only hear whispers of the charcoal, and it made my body tense with nervousness. I didn’t know what to do, where to look, my eyes h
14Valeria“I am thinking of stripping you naked and ravishing you in the desert.”I swallowed the lump in my throat after hearing Khalid’s words. He certainly had a way with them. Even though I had reached my peak a few moments ago, my body wanted him again. It was crazy how much he affected me. It was even crazier that I was about to ask him to strip me naked and ravish me in the desert.But my words died in my throat when I heard the rustling of water. We were close to the lake he wanted to take me to. Khalid helped me down the horse, and I felt embarrassed to look in his direction, remembering how he had told me to ride his hand or wait for his… argh, so so arrogant. Even though a small part of me enjoyed when he demanded me to do it.“Is it safe to swim here?” I asked, the scent of fresh water and cool air kissing my bare skin.Khalid pressed his hand on my lower back as he led me to the lake. “Very safe. Even the local kids come here to swim now and then. Why?” His hot lips pr
15KhalidI poured myself a glass of whiskey as she stood awkwardly near my bed. I watched her with half-lidded eyes, still angry yet concerned for her. “How are you feeling?” I said, stepping closer to her, the scent of fresh roses and something feminine surrounding her. Valeria looked in my direction, her fingers closed together in front of her. She was nervous. Hm, she should be. “Good!” she said, nodding. “I am good! How are you?” “I am quite furious but worried,” I replied truthfully, taking a sip of the alcohol. I sat down in the armchair near the nightstand, cool wind blowing from the balcony caressing my skin.“Why are you furious and worried?” “Come here and I will tell you.”She looked in my direction, her gaze narrowing. “That sounds like a trap.”I chuckled and swallowed the contents of the glass, leaving a burning sensation in my throat. I kept it on the table and looked at her, spreading my legs. “Come here, my sweet one,” I purred in a low voice, seeing the effec
16Khalid“Do you really want to know, Valeria?” She nodded, her soft face peering up at me as I moved back to remove my tee shirt. I had never told anyone about it. Not a single soul, but I wanted to let her know. Even though it meant becoming awfully vulnerable. I wanted to let Valeria know about the scars on my back. Taking a deep breath, I turned, showing her my back. “The reason I didn’t want to join you in the lake is because of my back. I… I never remove my shirt because of it.”“Okay,” she said, sitting up and waiting for me to continue. “Touch my back, Valeria,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. I clenched my jaw when I felt the soft pads of her fingers on my back. I tried not to recoil as her gentle hands moved around, freezing when they met the bumpy and scratchy skin. I tensed, feeling both of her hands on my back. Valeria gasped, “Khalid…”I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Who… why, what… who did this to you?” “My father,” I said, my shoulders feeling heavy. “Everyo
17ValeriaI loved how Khalid tasted; musky, salty, and masculine. The groan of his pleasure resonated through my body, making me wet. His cock was hard, but the skin was velvety soft as I moved my hand back and forth. I wanted to taste him again and hear him moan. Leaning down, I licked his length again, this time taking the tip in my mouth and gently sucking on it. “Valeria,” Khalid moaned, his hand weaving in my hair and holding it as I repeated my actions. I must be doing something right, making him moan like that. It was the sexiest sound I had ever heard. I wanted to hear it again and again. I parted my lips and bobbed my head back and forth over him, taking his aching cock inside my hot mouth as much as I could. Hollowing my cheeks, I sucked on him, loving the way he tightened his hold on my hair and guided me to do it slowly. His sharp inhales and groans made it pleasurable for both of us. I would do anything to hear him groan like that. KhalidThe tips of her copper hair
18Khalid(Khalid first person. Valeria third person)“Did you enjoy the food?” I asked, helping her wash her hands in the sink. The dress I had sent to her room felt like a second skin over her, dipping over her curves and making her look stunning in the ruby color. I had managed not to stare too long at her cleavage throughout the dinner and haul her over my lap, but slowly my patience was diminishing.“I loved it. Especially the spicy curry and the sweet dessert,” she beamed, her cheeks, nose and ears turning red because she had spicy food. I patted her palms dry with a hand towel. “I am glad you did. Would you like to come to the palace next week?” “The palace?”“My home. Nasrin, my sister-in-law is having a baby shower and we are holding a modest party—well, not modest actually. We are holding a celebration and my brother invited you to come along with me. If you want.”Why am I nervous?Maybe because she will get to meet my family?Zara had called earlier, interrupting us, to
19Valeria“Yes.” I begged, “Please, Khalid.”I had never heard my voice full of lust. All Khalid had to do was be in my presence, and it turned me into such a wanton woman. Even though I was a little nervous and afraid, I trusted Khalid to be gentle. I knew he would never hurt me like he had. Khalid wouldn’t even dare to think about that. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I spread my thighs, feeling the hardened length of him brushing over my calf. I felt the walls of my sex clench as instinct drew me closer towards him. When I felt him pull away, I frowned at the loss of his heat and his musky scent. “What happened?” He let out a sigh, kissing my knee softly. “I need to get a condom from my room. I will be—”I closed my hand around his, stopping him from retreating. “There’s no need. I am on pills,” I replied truthfully.Khalid(Khalid first person. Valeria third person)I had never had sex without a condom in thirty-two years of my life. I was too afraid of the repercussions of a
20Khalid (Khalid first person, Valeria third person)I wanted to do everything for her. To her. Anything and everything she asked, I would offer it to her. I took her lithe body in my lap, softly kissing her pale, slender neck. Valeria’s hands feathered through my hair, sighing at my hot mouth licking her neck and nipping at the skin softly.Knowing she was being so open to a man, especially me, for the first time, made me twitch in my boxers. My kisses turned rough and the primal part of me knew I had to claim her, mark her. I gave her a hickey on her collarbone, rubbing the red mark with my thumb, soothing it. My gleaming obsidian eyes peered up at her. My heart and mind were racing at the erotic sight of her, so beautiful and wanton in the soft glow of the lamps and moonlight. Her russet waves gleamed, the splattering of freckles making me smile. “Khalid,” she repeated, her voice smoky, urging me to do every filthy things I wanted to do to her. Hearing the pure lust in her voic
Explicit Bonus SceneNote: This scene has a bit of anal play with a use of sex toy.Elena“How much… longer?” I gasped, scrunching the sheets with my fingers. My knees buckled at the new sensation of being touched and—oh.Zayed’s fingers moved inside me, teasing and twisting them as various sensations of being invaded at such a part of my body. “Shh, my little witch,” he crooned, his hot breath on my neck making me shiver. His other hand soothed the burn of his spanking on my cheeks from moments ago when he was driving inside me, shooting his load in my pussy, which I felt sliding down my inner thigh. “You’re doing so well, my Sheikha,” he praised me, more cold lube coated over my puckered hole. “Take a deep breath.”I did, biting my lip and gasping when he spanked me at the same time I felt the cold press of something bulbous and held my breath. Zayed hushed my whimpers, ordering me to take another deep breath and relax when he slowly pushed the small toy inside me. Perspiration for
Epilogue“Finally, the pretty witch has graced me with her precious presence.”I hummed and sat on his lap, snuggling into his chest. “It’s supposed to be sleeping beauty.”He peered down at me, stroking my hair. “I know, but you are my darling witch.”“You made me stay up all night,” I glared at his handsome face, caressing the scar on his brow from the day The Golden Palace had fallen. “You weren’t complaining, love,” he smirked, kissing my hand that glinted with a small ruby ring. I bit my lip looking at it and asked, “Are you sure about marrying me, Sheikh Zayed?”He raised his brow and turned me around so I could straddle his hips, his eyes lowering to his shirt I had worn, unbuttoning it with his expert fingers. “I proposed to you when we were sixteen, my enchantress. It feels like a dream to marry you… even though you can be annoying sometimes.” I glared at him but he chuckled and continued, “But I have never been surer than ever before, Elena. My Sheikha.”I smiled and kissed
33ElenaMy heart shattered seeing The Golden Palace fall to the ground, dust and debris rolling in waves even when we were waiting at the stables that were far away from the palace. I clutched my heart and closed my eyes, praying, hoping he was safe. He was alive. Yes, I hated him for his antics, paralyzing me before running into the palace and keeping me safe with others. The absolute idiot. But I wanted him back, to kiss me again and hold my hand, flash me his boyish dimpled grin. “He is okay, Elena,” Valeria whispered softly, touching my shoulder and giving me a side hug. “She’s right,” Khalid said. “He is too stubborn to die.”“He will be okay,” Zain said, “He promised he would save Riaz so he will. I have sent your guards to look at the explosion. We will find him ourselves if we have to.”I thanked them for their support and stood up, shaking off my nerves. “I will come too.”They knew better than to stop me.The Golden Palace was in a shambles with each step we took closer
32ZayedI held my breath with each turn we took, my heartbeat pounding in my ears with the anticipation of finding Imran and relief to find Riaz. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill Imran if he touched Riaz. That kid was forced into this world and deserved nothing that had happened to him. “You love that Elena, hm?” I eyed Hamid and nodded. We had already looked for Riaz in the dungeons, but he wasn’t there, so we were looking in the empty library. “She suits you well, son, but you need to stop poisoning her from protecting you.”“This was the last time,” I promised and added, “I don’t enjoy it, but I don’t want her getting hurt because of the choices I made. Mistakes I made.”“If you love someone, all you have to do is be honest with them. That’s why she wanted to be here with you, because she wanted to keep you safe just as much as you want to keep her safe. If not more.”I stayed quiet, hearing his words, processing them and following him out of the library. Swallowing the lump in my th
31ZayedI was surprised to see the dark-haired man sitting beside Rahim and talking to him. He looked very familiar, but I didn’t know where I had seen him. He was tall with a thin shirt hugging his lean, muscular frame, and he looked like he was in his late twenties or early thirties. “Ah, Zayed,” Rahim finally noticed me standing by his tent. “This is my friend I wanted you to meet.”The man stood up, smiling at me, his golden-brown eyes twinkling in the morning sunlight as he bowed. “I have heard so much about you, Sheikh Zayed.”“See?” I turned around to see Elena enter the tent, her hands tying her golden hair in a ponytail. She was wearing my shirt and pants, rolled up at the hem as I hadn’t planned a perfect kidnapping. “Everyone knows about your pranks—oh, it’s you.”The stranger tilted his head and I resisted the urge to step between them, ripping my shirt and puffing my chest at him like some wild animal. “It is me?”“You two know each other?” I asked Elena, frowning when
30ZaraI caressed the bump on my stomach, feeling the excited kicks of my baby. Hayden had guessed that it was a girl while I had guessed the baby’s gender to be a boy. A little prince like him. Like us. With my dark black hair and his sparkling blue eyes. “You should thank me for not killing him off, you know.” I straightened up on the armchair when he entered the room. A small space, enough for a bed and a bathroom without locks with a tiny window to breathe fresh air. They separated me from my family with Aya, who was thankfully sleeping on the bed, curled around her stuffed toy. I had woken up in the room the day before, my head groggy, and I knew he had drugged me and everyone else. But why?“Maybe I should thank you for sparing my life too,” I replied with a smile, but he was smart enough to catch the sarcasm. Imran chuckled, walking closer to me, his men keeping guard on the door. “One day, princess, I will hear you begging.”“I pity you, Prince Imran.” I looked at him for
29Zayed“Ah, so glad to see you are okay.”Riaz stayed in the tent when Rahim stood up from the chair and smiled at me. He wasn’t present when I had run away from the Maahnoor palace. “What are you doing here?” “Here?” He looked around the tent, the table strewn with papers and maps and blueprints of Maahnoor palace. “You mean, in the middle of the desert, Sheikh Zayed?”“Where were you?” I poured a glass of water for him and handed it to him, leaning on the table, looking at him. He was dressed in his usual white clothes, his grey hair untousled with a warm look on his face. “I was trying to find the place where they took Nasir.”I frowned at him and he continued, “Nasir, the tiger? Unfortunately, I couldn’t find him and headed back. Before I reached the Maahnoor palace, I heard a commotion and saw you leaving the palace on a horse with Elena. At first, I thought you went out… for privacy, but news about Prince Imran travelled fast and I stayed hidden until this kid approached me.
PART FOUR“I love you, you infuriating, cold witch.” 28ElenaThe first thing I noticed when I started getting conscious was the cool heat, like sweltering summer heat during the night. It was cool but made me sweat, my entire body stiff and throat parched.I forced my lids to open, blinking at the empty bed. A small whimper tore out of my burning throat as I tried to sit up, my legs and hands straining with taut muscles. How long was I unconscious for?My eyes adjusted to the light pouring in from the open flap of the tent. By the looks of it, it was afternoon, and someone had taken a great care to build such a tent with a private bath area, small closet and a table. It looked like a royal tent.Royal… wedding. Memories came flashing back at me. Blood on the floor, Imran, Zara crying, missing my shot, and Zayed. He poisoned me. Handed me that wine, knowing what was going to happen and sided with Imran, who had fooled us all since the beginning and conspired against Azmia all that tim
27ElenaThe mood in the ceremonial hall was a cross between joy and confusion as everyone watched Imran and Iesha get married. The musicians were playing their instruments and food was great with a constant flow of arak, but everyone was shaken up by the events of the day before. I hadn’t even dared to look for Zayed after he had left the room early in the morning. I kept his promise of not following him even though I really wanted to, but how could I move when he told me he wished to marry me? I was too stunned by his confession to even breathe. I hadn’t left the bed until the maids asked to dress me for the wedding, even drawing a bath for me. When I had asked them about Zayed, they didn’t know where he was. “I heard Nasir will be sent back to a zoo,” Rahim said, standing beside me. “I will miss him.”I chuckled. “We can adopt and keep him in The Golden Palace. I am sure Zara would love that.”We both glanced at the pregnant princess talking with other ladies, Hayden keeping a c