by Holly Rayner
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
The Sheikh’s Virgin Bride
Holly Rayner
Contents
Holly Rayner
The Sheikh’s Virgin Bride
Want More?
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilogue
Holly Rayner
The Sheikh’s Contract Bride
Introduction
Want More?
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Lara Hunter & Holly Rayner
The Sheikh’s Forbidden Tryst
Introduction
Want More?
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Epilogue
Holly Rayner
The Sheikh’s Christmas Triplets
Introduction
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Also by Holly Rayner
The Sheikh’s Virgin Bride
Holly Rayner
Copyright 2017 by Holly Rayner
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part by any means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the explicit written permission of the author.
All characters depicted in this fictional work are consenting adults, of at least eighteen years of age. Any resemblance to persons living or deceased, particular businesses, events, or exact locations are entirely coincidental.
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Chapter One
Rashid
Here goes nothing.
As I waited outside the room for Hilmi to let me in, I went over what I’d say when they offered me the position of head of state. “It’s an honor and a privilege” seemed like a good place to start, although “I’ve looked forward to this day since I can remember” wouldn’t have been far off.
Indeed, my mother’s favorite childhood story of me was about how my father, wearing his most illustrious ceremonial robe, would pat my cooing head, saying “And one day, my son, you too will lead our people.”
Yes, I’d been waiting for this moment for every day of my 28 years—raised for it, groomed for it. And now that I was here, sitting with my back straight as a board in the velvet seat outside the great hall where I was to be crowned, the moment felt surreal.
“Rashid.”
I looked up to see Hilmi. He looked graver than I would’ve expected, and didn’t return my smile as he approached me. He had been the last supreme council member to enter the great hall, meaning it was now time for me to go in, too.
With a twist of foreboding in my gut, I rose and followed him into the hall. I’d been in the room a handful of times before, and yet, as always, I had to take a minute to pause, to take in the room that was more-than-deserving of its name. Although it was small, its soaring vaulted ceilings and golden walls and floors made it seem anything but.
At the circular black marble table, the supreme council was seated, all eight members. Although I recognized the men, and some were even my father’s closest friends, they all showed me about as much friendly recognition as Hilmi had. It was only when I sat down that I noticed my father wasn’t there with us. Already, Hilmi was rising, directing his beady gaze at me.
“As we all know, we are
here to discuss Rashid’s accession to the throne, slated to occur in two weeks’ time.” His black eyes grew hooded. “Most of all, we are here to stress a tenet of his being awarded the position—one which we believe has been overlooked.”
Now, Hilmi had my full attention.
I sat up straighter and scanned the other council members’ faces, but their expressions were as stoic as ever, revealing nothing, as if a bunch of statues were presiding over this meeting.
When the slightly stooped form of Nabil rose, my heart fell. The man had always made me feel uncomfortable; now that he was the one reading out whatever “tenet” the council wanted to be stressed, I was downright worried.
Nabil’s stare burned into me for a good minute before his dry, gravelly voice sounded, echoing in the room.
“Before being named the ruling sheikh, Rashid must first marry a virgin, in accordance with our law.”
His words were ludicrous—and yet, his close-set eyes were boring into me as if daring me to protest.
Unintimidated, I rose.
“Surely you can’t be serious? I thought we had done away with that archaic drivel.”
Nabil didn’t even blink.
“The law is rooted in tradition. Every leader of Zayed-Kharan has followed it, including your father.”
I leaned over the table slightly, towards him. “Yes, about my father. Why is he not here? He wouldn’t stand for this either.”
Hilmi spoke once again. “He wasn’t able to make it, but he was informed of this meeting’s intent. And agreed to it.” His words filling the hall were the slamming down of a judge’s gavel.
I took a step back, my chair screeching over the floor. My gaze swept around the room to the elaborate frescos on the golden walls, then back to the eight officials who were so expressionlessly still that they looked like paintings themselves.
I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly. “I can’t believe this. If following this law was expected of me all along, why was I not informed of it, or at least given time to find such a bride?”
Both Hilmi and Nabil had sat down, their eyes—along with everyone else’s—glued on me.
“As it has always been our law, we assumed that you would have been aware, or been informed by your father. When it was brought to our attention that this was not the case, we acted as swiftly as possible,” Nabil explained, his tone blasé.
As my glare bore into Nabil’s, I remembered. A few months ago. It had been strange, father’s taking me aside at the family meal. What he had said had been even stranger. His face had formed a fierce scowl, his words had been abrupt, exasperated: “Rashid, this can only go on for so long. I’m getting ill. It will be your turn to rule, soon. Make sure you do everything that is necessary.”
I had looked into his aging yet intense face and promised him: “Of course, Father. For the family, for you, anything that is necessary.”
But now, in front of these impassive, condescending figures, I had to stop myself from slamming my fist on the marble table.
“Finding a virgin to marry…in only two weeks’ time? It’s impossible.”
At this, all council members rose.
“This is our verdict. Obey it, or the position will go to Idris,” Hilmi insisted.
And then, the blue-robed bunch dispersed. As they left, all the tension evaporated; they chatted to each other easily, as if they hadn’t just declared that if I didn’t do what was necessary, the crown would go to my family’s enemy.
When I walked out of the room, I didn’t look at anyone. No, I strode out of there with my head held high and my mouth twisted into a determined scowl.
It was almost fitting, who was lounging outside the room on the seat mere steps away from what had just happened, where I had been sitting before. At the sight of me, he lolled his head to the opposite side and sneered.
“Rashid.”
I clenched my teeth and spat out his name as the vile thing it was. “Idris.”
Out went his hand, rotating in the direction of the grand hall. “Ah, the idiosyncrasies of politics.”
“I’m sure you’d know all about them.”
He gave me a sarcastic, brief smile. “As a respected member of one of Zayed-Kharan’s oldest, most powerful families, I do have my share of informants, of course.”
Having informants was the understatement of the century. Similar to when they’d ruled, the Antars’ money largely went to their own interests, which, in this case, meant altering the secession of the throne and finding out any details on how to sabotage me, by any means necessary.
“So, you know of my dilemma, then.”
An inclination of his head, which sent his long, black beard spilling over his shoulder.
“Yes, pity. I’ve had many a virgin at my disposal for that very purpose.”
I stopped the retort surging up in my throat. Idris’s exploits with virginal women were well-known across the kingdom. As were his family’s ruthless policies for their own self-promotion.
“I would donate one to your cause, of course. Only, I’ve quite used them all up.” Catching my eye, he threw his head back into a disgusting cackle, his many chins wobbling in glee.
I turned on my heel, but not before the words could spill out. “You can laugh now, Idris, but hear this: you may have won this battle, but I will win the war. I will have that crown, no matter what it takes. I will find a suitable bride and do everything in my power to ensure that the likes of you and your family don’t ever rule this country again.”
Idris leapt up and strode to stand in front of me so that we were nose to nose, his dark eyes glimmering.
“Strong words from Zayed-Kharan’s most beloved prince. The only problem is that you share your father’s stubbornness. Yes, it’s really a pity. Because I know you, Rashid. And I know just how you’ve been resisting rules since before you could walk. Plus, you won’t take just any woman to be your wife, no. And there isn’t a worthy wife left for you in this country—I’ve made sure of that.”
In a flash, I realized the implication of his words—the real reason the past few months had seen Idris and his men scouring the country for virginal women. He had known about this law far before I had, had prepared for this. Idris and his family had actually planned this.
“You…” I moved to raise my fist, but he just bared those hideous yellow teeth of his in a grin.
“Careful, Rashid.”
I followed his gaze. Behind me, Nabil had stopped, had his beady little eyes locked on me. I took a step back.
“This isn’t over,” I growled.
As I walked away down the hallway, I didn’t look back. There was no need to see Nabil and Idris exchange a knowing look; it really it didn’t matter who was working with Idris, only that he didn’t win.
This wasn’t over. No, it wasn’t even close.
Chapter Two
Lacie
I woke up parched and gasping. A glass of water didn’t help much, only cleared my head enough so that I could despair in peace.
God, hadn’t experiencing that humiliation at Nadia’s bachelorette party last night been enough? Now, I also had to endure an even worse nightmare—a ten-hour shift at work while horrendously hungover.
My reflection looked worse than I’d feared. My face was a battleground of last night’s makeup due to my nighttime sobbing; if anyone saw me now, the fact that I was “New York’s oldest virgin” would surprise no one.
It took all the strength I had to wash off my face, put on my work clothes, and attempt to make my hair look presentable. Today was Sunday, when no one except those with seriously sucky jobs worked. I had one of those jobs, but I put up with it because I had my parents to look after.
My mother’s condition wasn’t getting any better, and I needed money, lots of it. And calling in sick to work, no matter how good the reason, wasn’t the way to get it.
So, with a granola bar for breakfast and a cab to get me there on time, I made it to the airport, my workplace. The sign on top
of the store—Sunny’s Mobiles—flickered dismally as I approached the illuminated glass box.
Yes, this was where I’d spend my next ten hours. My one sobering thought, as I scanned the disarray of products and papers last night’s employee had left behind, was that today couldn’t go much worse than yesterday.
It that was all I had to cling on to for sanity for the next few hours, it would have to do.
Chapter Three
Rashid
As soon as I got home, I called my father. Our phone call went less well than I’d hoped.
“Are you really surprised, Rashid?” was his response after my rant against the council and what had happened at our meeting.
At my mention of the possibility of Idris getting the position instead of me, I could almost hear my father fervently shaking his head.
“You can’t let that happen.”
“I know I can’t let that happen. I just don’t know why I was informed of this rule at the very last minute, nor how in the world I’m supposed to find a virgin fiancée in less than two weeks.”
Silence, then, “Rashid, do you really feel that you were informed at the last minute?”
At my father’s quiet, simple question, my body sagged. Sure, he and my mother had tried to foist a whole bunch of boring, timid girls on me over the past few years, but I’d only assumed that they had been worried about my prolific dating spree, and had wanted to reign me in.
“It’s fine, Father. I’ll figure this out.”
“You know what is at stake, my son. Not just for you and me, but for our whole family. For the kingdom.”
I nodded grimly and closed my eyes. Father didn’t need to say it, what letting Zayed-Kharan fall into the hands of Idris and his family, the Antars, would mean. Their corrupted ruling had nearly caused the whole country to fall into ruin. It had been my family—my father, in fact—who had stopped them. If once again they were allowed to do what they wanted, their first order of business would be to banish my family, and who would save Zayed-Kharan then?
“I know, Father. I know how to handle this,” I said finally.
