Anna: I love you! I am not leaving you! I am only seeking safety. I need to go home. Not leaving you! S
Omar to Anna: You are my wife! Don’t go!
Anna to Omar: I have too Y. Deal with the rebels. Come and get me. I will be waiting for you. A
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Even without my passport, the people at the consulate helped me get through customs in time for the flight my mother had booked. As the plane taxied down the runway, I looked out at the tarmac and once again began crying. I was doubting every decision I’d made since meeting Omar Khalid and my heart felt broken in half. He’d not responded to my last text and I knew I had a solid twenty hours of dead air time and no contact from anyone I knew or loved.
I dug in my purse and found the bottle of tranquilizers the doctor had given me after the abduction. I’d not needed all of them, but I sure did now. As soon as we were in the air I asked for water and took two of them, hoping they would knock me out.
I was in a hazy state of sedated and not quite asleep when an official uniformed man knelt next to my seat. “Anna Khalid?” He asked.
“Potts. Not Khalid yet.” I mumbled.
He looked at the little booklet in his hands and nodded once, “Yes, miss Potts. Forgive me. Here is your passport. His Majesty delivered it to me just before I boarded. He also wanted you to have this.”
The official who I now assumed was one of the pilots handed me a small bag with ribbon handles. As he departed, I rubbed at my eyes and wished I wasn’t so foggy from the pills. I tucked my passport into my purse, and then I looked in the bag. There was a note inside, folded in three parts, and also a small ring box.
The ring box held both my rings, the engagement and the sapphire, and I immediately put them back on. I’d missed them and had wished I hadn’t been so hasty in my defiance. Then I opened the note. It was also hand written, like the short one earlier had been, and also in Omar’s perfect penmanship.
Anna, my love, my heart, my one and true reason for living. Our exchange last night and then today caused the ground at my feet to disappear. I’ve fallen into a void of hopelessness at your loss. I am angry at your defiance, but I do understand. Although, I plan on punishing you appropriately when you return to me. The loss of you in my life, in my bed, in my heart, has made me half a man.
Rest assured my love, I will retrieve you. I will claim you once again as mine and mine alone. Be safe in the arms of your family and stay true to your word to wait on me. I will vanquish the rebels and make my country a safe place for you to dwell yet again. For you to reign at my side as their new Queen. Queen Khalid.
The moment you are home, and safe, message me so that I may rest. I am bereft at our separation my love. My heart is broken and I will not be the same until you are returned to me.
Yours forever, Omar.
I held the parchment to my chest and wept in earnest. My heart was shattered and I didn’t know if I could function or go on in a life without him. I cried myself into a tranquilizer induced stupor and I slept through almost the entire flight.
It was almost dark when we landed in San Francisco, and I wearily made my way to the connecting flight. I got a Starbucks mocha on my way through the airport and sipped on it as I wandered. It was nice to be on American soil again. It was nice to see so many other white people in western clothes and speaking English. Having a mocha was the best treat I could have never imagined, and I relished holding the warm paper cup.
Anna: IN SF! 5 hours and I’m home!
Mom: Dad has a limo waiting for you. I’m waiting up.
Anna to Omar: I’m in America. 5 hrs. Home. Thank you for note, passport and rings. I miss you! Heart aches.
Omar to Anna: I am half a man with you gone.
Anna to Omar: That still makes you more than any other man.
Omar to Anna: That is why you are meant to be mine. Soon I will gather you home. I will not stand for this separation to last.
Anna to Omar: I am forever yours. Waiting for you.
Omar to Anna: I love you Goddess.
The flight to Boston seemed short in comparison to the international one, but nevertheless, by the time I got home it was the middle of the night. True to my mom’s word, she was up and greeted me with open arms and wet cheeks.
“I was so worried about you. I am so happy you’re home.”
“Me too mom.”
I went to bed, in my own bed and my own room that felt completely foreign to me. Nothing felt as if it were me. I realized I was an entirely new person after Omar claimed me and changed me into the woman I was now. I didn’t understand how a few short months could alter who I was so dramatically. It was as if the girl that once inhabited this room had died, and she’d been only someone I knew, not really me.
Anna: Home with mom. Hurry Omar. I am dying without you.
Omar: Soon love. I will conquer and then gather you home.
I fell asleep with my phone in my hand and tears in my eyes.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The fall semester started a month after my flight from Dubai. Much to Julie’s delight and the chagrin of her newly evicted roommate, I moved back into the apartment we’d shared before my leave. I was able to get into all the classes I needed to get my last few credits so that I could actually graduate from Harvard law. I wouldn’t graduate with honors, like I’d been on track to do, but at least I would get my degree and could take the BAR exam.
I was melancholy and morose and I sunk into a silent pit where all I could do was study and focus on school work. The only time I poked my head up and out of the pit of goo was when Omar either called or messaged. Today my phone rang and it was his handsome face lighting up not only the screen of my phone, but also the recesses of my dark heart.
“Hey you!” I greeted.
“Hello my beautiful wife.”
“I’m not really your wife yet. But you know what? When the captain of the plane called me, Anna Khalid, I gotta say it felt right.”
“That is because you are mine Anna. Never forget that. You were born to be mine and to carry my name. How are you my love? How close to graduation are you?”
I shook my head, “Another four months. I’m studying hard though. It seems all I can do. Well, other than think about you. How is the war going?”
“We’ve routed out another nest of infidels and I am confident that within the next month we will have decimated this hive. They will be no more, and you will be safe to return to our country.”
I was glad he couldn’t see my expression. I kept my tone light, “That is good news. I hope you’re being safe? How is Armand?”
“My men are protecting me as they should. I am taking precautions, but I am also exacting my own personal revenge on the rebels. I am satisfying my need for retribution with my own hands. But yes my love, I am as safe as can be expected given I’ve declared war and I am a general of my men.”
“Mmm-muh, that is good. I would die if anything happened to you. What about Armand?”
“He is healing. His arm is still not functioning as he was once accustomed, but he is battling his way through the rehabilitation. Only his expression tells me how much pain he is in. He is a stoic warrior however and I feel he will regain full mobility in time. I’ve implemented the best care money can buy for him.”
“You are a wonderful leader Omar. One of the most just and benevolent men I’ve ever met.”
“It is because of you my love. Because of your enormous heart and how you showed me what true love meant. “
I giggled sarcastically, “You are such a romantic Omar. Who talks like that? What man of your stature talks like that? I love you so much.”
As he did every time we spoke, he asked, “Will you not return home now my love?”
I was silent for so long he sniffed and then asked if I was still there. “I can’t yet darling. Too focused. Let me finish school. You do what you need. Only a few months longer. I want you to be certain you’ve found all of the rebels and we will no
longer have to deal with that threat. Then I will come back to you.”
Then it was his turn to be silent until I made sure we were still connected. “Anna, I must ask you one question. I need an honest answer.”
“Of course Omar, anything.”
“Are you remaining true to me? Faithful in our union?”
I was indignant with my much too fast reply, “Yes Omar, I am not seeking another man. I am not entertaining another man. I only ache for you. Can I ask you the same?”
His reply confused me, “I am a man Anna. I have different needs than you.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Language woman! Watch your tone when addressing me.”
My tone was now taunting, “Seriously Omar, what are you going to do about it all the way over there?”
His voice went deeper and he growled into the phone, “Anna, I intend to remind you who your master is, not only in the bedroom.”
I exhaled dramatically, “Omar, let it go already. It’s me, be real. Please? And stop dodging the question. Are you being true to me? I really won’t stand to be one of many. If I cannot be your only, I won’t be at all.”
His voice softened even though his words were ominous, “I do not appreciate your tone Anna, but you are right, there is little I can do in this moment..”
“Still dodging the question Omar.” I stated flatly.
He chuckled, “You are too intelligent for your own good female.” He swallowed roughly a couple of times and then admitted, “I met with a female who’d served me in the past, before you.” I was quiet, but I knew he could hear my breaths since I was fighting with my lungs to work.
“Anna, do not despair my love. I was unable with her.”
“You?” I said in shock, although my heart thrilled at his confession.
“I would wish to never speak of it again. Just know my body failed me for the first time ever. Apparently you’ve poisoned me, or cast a spell on me.”
We talked on for a few more minutes, and finally said our goodbyes. I was much too pleased with his confession and it buoyed my depressed state. I’d not been entirely honest with him. I had gone on one date at Julie’s arguments that I should at least try another guy, just to see if I could shake the cloud of Omar.
John and I had gone out for a nice dinner and even the conversation had been pleasant enough. I liked him and unbelievably we found a lot of similarities between our growing up years and current lives. I had too much wine too, and by the time he walked me to my door, my inhibitions were down. He’d kissed me then, holding me tightly and insisting passionately that I respond.
Much like Omar discovered about his body, mine didn’t react at all to John’s advances. Mine in fact had felt as if it had dried up like a parched desert in reaction to the other man’s ardor. We’d left it at that and even though John had called me repeatedly to go on another date. I’d declined with a small grin, knowing that I did indeed belong, lock-stock and barrel to the Arabian prince for whom I would someday bear his name.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Part of me was enjoying my new found freedom. I was only twenty five and really hadn’t lived that much. My time with Omar had matured me rapidly given all the trauma and drama, but aside from those episodes of horror, I really hadn’t lived. I hadn’t made any huge life choices or subsequently failed or made any major mistakes.
I continued to ponder the ramifications of becoming a Queen to a populous of mostly American hating Arab people. I knew our country wasn’t much better in regards to how the majority felt about the populous of the Middle East and even though the Arabians in general were our allies, I still felt a lot of reverse prejudice. I didn’t have any towards the race of the man I adored, but even the coldness from his sister lingered in my thoughts.
I hadn’t understood her words the day after the attack on the ceremony, but her tone and her meaning were clear enough. She blamed me. It was the American she assumed who had brought this kind of attack on her brother and family.
Was it me, the white skinned invader who’d endangered Omar’s life?
I still felt insignificant to the big picture. I still felt as if I were nothing more than someone Omar kept company with, hidden away in his palace, and that I alone had no impact on their nation. What if I did? What if I was the one who ruined their regime?
I continued to study, and Omar and I talked or chatted every couple of days. He didn’t offer me many details apart from the continued chasing of the infidels. I’d been happy he’d murdered the ones who’d abducted me and then battered my body and injured my sanity. I still had nightmares on occasion and I found comfort in knowing that those men were all dead. I was however, having some trouble with the thought that there was no system of law or justice implemented between Omar’s vengeance and the rebels.
What if he was out slaughtering innocents with mistaken identities? There was no-one to fight for them or argue and plead their cases. I struggled with the reality of the situation. I was warring with myself as I continued to study America’s in depth justice system, and my desire to return to Omar.
I felt split down the middle with what I knew and what my intellect was telling me versus what my heart and body ached for. I wanted nothing less than to be in Omar’s bed again, safe in his protection. How could I judge him for blindly killing any he thought might be rebels?
Julie and I discussed it too, and she seemed to lean more towards Omar’s side and the apparent need to rid the planet of insane terrorists. So, I let it go and decided that what was right in my home country wasn’t correct in Omar’s.
I went home from campus for Thanksgiving and my dad joined us for a private dinner at home. Mom and I cooked all week in preparation and it was nice to sit at a table with just the three of us. We chatted conversationally and my dad even turned off his phone. He and mom seemed closer than I remembered and I was about to concede that maybe he was trying to change.
But then he asked, “Anna, I’ve been thinking about it and I want you to come back and work for me once you finish at Harvard. Whadya say kiddo? Let’s give it another shot?”
“Dad, I’m not permanently back. I still plan on joining Omar after he quashes the rebellion.”
“Anna, they will never be finished. They love to war. There will be one after another of these uprisings. Trust me darling, it will never be over. They are an uncivilized lot. If you ask me I think we should just bomb the whole place and be done with them.”
I was shocked at his attitude. I’d made so many new friends and I felt very close to Omar and his people. I’d in fact begun to think more like they were my people, and less as if I were a visitor.
“Um dad, I’m offended. Sorry, but did you not hear me when I said I was in love with Omar? I plan on marrying him. Someday you will be a grandfather to his children.”
My dad sort of scoffed, “Thank god you didn’t already marry that. Kids? With him? Now you’re just testing the boundaries of my patience. Trust me Anna, they are all liars and he won’t follow through with the whole marriage thing now that he’s had you.”
I was growing ever angrier at my dad’s ignorance, “Do you hear yourself? You sound like all the other fear mongers out there, spreading lies and propaganda. What is different about the rebels in Arabia versus the mob of killers here in the states? Aren’t we fighting a similar war here on our turf? There isn’t a night that goes by when the news isn’t showing another death from a shooting or a drive by. A random child is killed, or an innocent civilian. It’s no different over there. There will always be danger, everywhere.”
I was in full on debate mode now and I was mad. My mom on the other hand was beginning to clear the table and muttered, “Do we have to have this discussion now? It’s supposed to be a day of thankfulness.”
“Melinda, it’s too late. Our attorney daughter has thrown down the gauntlet.” My dad declared. He loved to debate and I was not about to shrink away now.
“Yeah mom, too late. I’m fu
cking pissed off that dad would talk about my fiancé that way.”
My dad smacked the table with his palm, “Anna, language! You are a lady!” Mom jumped and dropped a plate. It shattered with a loud cracking that in turn made me jump. My mom began crying and my dad rolled his eyes before telling her to sit down. He got the broom and began sweeping up the mess and for way too long, we were all silent.
After dad did a final sweep, he flatly stated, “Anna, I’ve given this a lot of thought. I don’t think I will ever be okay with you marrying Khalid. Never. Period. I think you need to make plans to stay here and find someone else.”
My hackles rose and I narrowed my eyes, “Not your choice dad. What are you saying? Are you disowning me if I do this?”
He squared his shoulders and pursed his lips, “If that will make you stay, then yes.”
My mom’s hand went to her mouth in shock and she gasped, “Richard!”
He gave my mother a look that could best be described as malevolent, “Melinda, you back me up or you’re on the list too. I’d do better to divorce you and take my losses.”
I was quite taken aback at my father’s statement and I turned to my mom, “Mom, I’ll take care of you. Don’t listen to him. You can live with me in Dubai. You liked the palace in the clouds, didn’t you?”
My mom was near hysterical as she darted looks between me and my dad. Then she jumped up and fled the room. My dad watched her go and I stood to follow.
“Anna, sit. I have more to say.”
I hesitated only a second and then sat down. I had more to say too. He sat and glared at me, “I’ve been biting my tongue ever since we returned. You have no idea what it did to me to see you in that condition Anna. No idea! And then I hear you were shot at, and once again almost killed. What will it take for you to realize Khalid is no good for you? He is only using you Anna, that’s all it is. Why don’t you see it?”
The Sheikh's Virgin Mistress 3 (Jatar Sheikh Series Book 3) Page 6
