8Khalid“Meet your new mother,” my father’s gruff voice rumbled through the room, a pale woman standing beside him, holding a cane in her hand. “Her name is Isabella.”I glared at her, scoffing and crossing my arms in my hand. So this is why he was absent from the Palace for three months. He went and married someone else even though mother was his wife. Zain squeezed my shoulder, giving me a look to behave and stepped ahead to introduce himself. Father smiled proudly at him, even ruffling his hair. He never did that to me. “Pst, pst, Khal!” I glanced over my shoulder at the curls of Zayed’s hair. He was hiding behind a pillar and calling me over to play with horses. I smiled at his dimple and was about to sneak over to him when my father’s voice stopped me. “Khalid Al Latif,” I mentally winced at his harsh tone saying my full name. “Have I not taught you any manners?” I clenched my jaw and glared at his dark eyes. Isabella was smiling in my direction but she wasn’t looking at me
9KhalidI watched Valeria turn around, her hands brushing the empty oak wood table. I told her where all the paint tubes and brushes were kept with large bottles of paint placed in the shelf at the corner of the room. I had decorated the walls with some of my smaller paintings, stacks of panels and canvases stored at the back of the studio. Faint scent of the paint thinner and oil lingered in the air. Her hand touched the large pillars on our left with heavy doors open. The view was nothing but endless sand dunes. I remembered sitting there at night and staring at the sky. “It feels different in this room,” Valeria muttered. I walked beside her, warning her about the chaise lounge before she could stumble into it. The end of her cane gently tapping against it. It was navy blue in color, looking black in certain lighting. The arms of chaise were intricate in gold, making it look elegant. It was the only piece of furniture which stood out the most in my art studio. I never painted
10KhalidI watched in surprised awe when my muse grinned, turning away and walking to the dining area with a bounce in her step. Valeria Dunne was something else. She made me feel everything that had been dead and buried under my rotten body for so long.I had to remind myself that we were there for the painting. And nothing else.I shouldn’t—I couldn’t have feelings for her.I followed Valeria, entering the lantern lit area. The table was low and, on either side, deep red satin coverings were placed. Valeria was moving her head in a different direction when plates of steaming exotic food with delicious scent were placed on the carved table, teasing both of us to devour everything. Instead of sitting across her, I sat beside her, crossing my legs which brushed with her bare knees. The lantern lights cast a soft glow, making the area look more intimate. The staff left as soon as the platter of food was placed, giving us privacy and to have their own food in the castle dining area. I h
11ValeriaI hummed sleepily, snuggling closer to the warm heat that surrounded me. Strong hands traced the skin of my arms, going up and down to the crooks of my elbows. I shivered, tingles of heat following the path of his touch. I could feel his burning gaze on me as he traced my cheekbones. My lashes fluttered when his hand descended down to my slender neck. Lower. To the soft peak of my breasts. “Khalid…” I sighed, my voice sultry because of the sleep. I felt his breath fanning on my neck, our bodies touching each other, when his hand trailed across the neckline of my dress. “Mhmm,” he hummed, his voice hoarse and masculine. My toes curled hearing his rich voice. “Good morning, Valeria.”My name had never sounded so beautiful. So soft yet hot. His tongue wrapped around my name, striking a chord deep in my belly. Khalid’s hand traced the curve of my body in the soft fabric of the dress. I took a deep breath when his hand found the hem of my dress, trailing it up to reveal the s
12 KhalidI answered the phone and closed the doors of my room behind me.“How is my dear brother doing?” Zain, my elder brother and the Sultan of Azmia drawled in his deep voice. I rolled my eyes. Zain cockblocked me with Valeria just to ask me how I am doing? “What do you want, Zain? I was… I was doing something important.” Or I was about to, anyway. “Something important or someone?” I could hear the smirk in his voice. “Someone important,” I corrected him. “Now, tell me, why are you calling me? You know I am at the oasis.”“You have never brought anyone at the oasis before. Not even your own brother. Not even Zara.” He couldn’t hide the disbelief in his tone. I scratched the back of my neck. “I am painting.”“Are you painting that someone important? Or are you painting on her?” I planned to do that soon. “Zain, I do not want to talk about this with you right now. Why did you call? Is Nasrin okay? Jadati (grandmother)?” I heard him sigh through the phone. “Yes, everyone is
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
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