The Sheikh’s Royal Wedding

by Cara Albany

  THE SHEIKH'S ROYAL WEDDING

  Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 22

  CARA ALBANY

  Their royal wedding was the start.

  It was also supposed to be the end.

  Chosen bride, Dakota Kelso believes she'll have a new life if she honors her past by marrying a stranger.

  The royal sheikh of Qazhar.

  It's supposed to be a convenient arrangement for them both.

  She won't be sharing the sheikh's bed.

  It will be a life of lies.

  And the comforts of palace life.

  That's good enough for her.

  But, not for royal sheikh, Zariq Al Kharif.

  His new wife is the ultimate challenge for the sheikh who is used to getting what he wants.

  And when dark shadows surface from a past that isn't what it seems,

  enemies must become lovers.

  The sheikh will claim forever the woman who agreed to be his wife.

  This is a new novel in the Qazhar Sheikhs series.

  The Qazhar Sheikhs series

  The Sheikh's Forbidden Bride

  The Sheikh's Pretend Bride

  The Sheikh's Rebellious Bride

  The Sheikh's Reunion Bride

  The Sheikh's Second Chance Bride

  The Sheikh's Baby Secret

  The Sheikh's Hesitant Bride

  The Sheikh's Desert Bride

  The Sheikh's Matchmaker Bride

  The Sheikh's Marriage Of Convenience

  The Sheikh's Desert Captive

  The Sheikh's Enemy Lover

  The Sheikh's Tempted Bride

  The Sheikh's Desert Princess

  The Sheikh's Bride of Convenience

  The Sheikh's Unexpected Bride

  The Sheikh's Marriage Deal

  The Sheikh's Royal Bride

  The Sheikh's Second Chance Seduction

  The Sheikh's Bride Arrangement

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  The Sheikh's Royal Wedding © 2018 Cara Albany

  THANK YOU

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  CHAPTER ONE

  "I take this man to be my lawfully wedded husband," Dakota Kelso announced and felt the nerves in her stomach twist. She glanced up at the elderly Qazhar religious official, the man who had just asked her to confirm her vows, and saw the stern look in his eyes. Maybe she shouldn't have insisted she speak that particular part of her marriage vows in English. But it had been important to her, and she'd held firm. Despite the resistance from some members of her new husband's family. From the media. And from Zariq, as well. He'd wanted her to speak only in the Qazhar language throughout the ceremony. But she had refused.

  Just like she had refused so many of his demands over the past few months since the wedding had been formally announced.

  Dakota glanced across at the man she'd just agreed to marry. The man who had been tormenting her these past weeks. The man who promised her a life of lies.

  Sheikh Zariq Al Kharif was staring resolutely ahead. His dark brows were furrowed. His full lips were twisted into his usual sardonic frown. He looked like he was angry about what she'd just said. Was he ignoring her? Even as she was uttering her sacred vows? Didn't he understand how important this was to her? What she was giving up in order to marry him?

  She felt a mild snap of indignation and drew in a sharp breath. That was so typical of the arrogant man she'd just agreed to wed.

  The elderly official resorted to the Qazhar language. His words echoed in the grand hall where the wedding was taking place. It was an enormous place, one of the ancient landmarks of Qazhar city. As large as a cathedral, its twin rows of marble pillars stretched up to an ornately decorated ceiling.

  Behind her, Dakota knew that the almost three hundred guests would be getting restless. After all, they were attending the most important royal wedding in Qazhar's recent history. And the ceremony had already been going on for almost an hour now. Some parts of the ceremony had been almost inexplicable to Dakota. The foreign language, the strange customs, the long speeches by various dignitaries. It had all combined to make her feel like a fish out of water.

  It was warm inside the hall. She felt the heat inside her white bridal gown. The tightness of the dress was almost unbearable. And she was sure Zariq would be sweltering inside his traditional Qazhar robe and headdress. Maybe not, she told herself. He was used the desert, after all. This was probably just another warm day. He stood there, dressed in flowing white robes, looking like something out of an exotic fantasy.

  As the elderly official continued speaking, Dakota heard distant voices from outside the hall. The crowds were gathered out there, she told herself. They'd been listening on the speakers which relayed the sounds of the wedding. When Dakota had spoken English, saying the words that sealed her fate, there had been cheers from the crowd outside. She knew the press would be lined up, ready to capture the images which would be sent around the world.

  Ancient protocols had forbidden cameras inside the hall. So there was no televising of the ceremony. Dakota figured that was some kind of relief.

  The elderly official lifted his arms and gestured to the heavens, delivering one final pronouncement. She didn't understand what he was saying. She only knew, by the tone of his voice, that it must be solemn and significant. And, he was sealing her fate. She'd just married one of the royal sheikhs of Qazhar.

  Then the elderly official reached across and gently took hold of Dakota's right hand. He took Zariq's right hand, too. Then the elderly man brought both hands together. He placed Zariq's hand across Dakota's. She felt a frisson of sensation at the touch of his hand, the heat of his skin. Dakota glanced at Zariq. Still, there was no expression in his eyes. They were as blank as they they'd been throughout the ceremony.

  Final words were pronounced as they joined hands. Upon the ending of the final speech, Zariq quickly tugged his hand away from Dakota's. Too quickly, she told herself. Was he so determined not to even touch the woman he'd been forced to marry? Was she so repugnant to him?

  With a gesture of his open arms, the official made it clear that she and Zariq should turn and face the gathered guests. She did this, awkwardly and hesitantly. She saw Zariq draw in a deep breath as he turned to face the rows of seated guests.

  Dakota forced herself to smile. Applause broke out in the hall. There were smiling faces all round. Then, Zariq surprised Dakota by reaching out a hand, making it clear he wanted her to take it. She did so, feeling his strong fingers curl around her hand.

  Then they were walking down the aisle between the two sets of seats which stretched all the way back to the grand doors which were being opened. Light flooded in, spreading a bright shaft along the length of the passageway to the doors.

  Zariq continued to hold her hand as he led her along the aisle. Dakota tried hard to look happy, in spite of the raw feeling of anxiety which was sweeping through her as she walked alongside Zariq. She recognized many of his family members. The Al Kharif family was one of the most influential in Qazhar. She'd met many of them since she'd arrived in Qazhar four months before. Not all were true royals. Unlike her husband. Zariq was a direct descendant, but had little chance of inheriting the throne. There were other Al Kharif members who were ahead of him in line for the throne.

  But he was still her royal husband. And that made her a royal wife. It was going to be
a long time before she would get used to that idea, she told herself as they reached the open doors.

  They paused at the open doors. She squinted at the bright sunshine and turned to Zariq. He leaned closer for a moment. She thought he was going to kiss her. But he didn't. Instead, he spoke, in a low conspiratorial tone of voice. "Smile for the cameras," he instructed her.

  Another momentary rush of indignation swept through her. But, unlike when they were in private, she knew she couldn't respond with a snarky remark of her own. Not now, anyway. There would be time for that later.

  Now, she turned to the gathered line of cameras and gave them her broadest smile. She held the smile for so long, she was sure her face was going to crack.

  Then she heard cries from raised voices demanding a kiss. Her heart raced as she turned to Zariq. His features were set in a bland, perfectly rehearsed grin.

  He leaned across and planted his lips on hers. There were screams of delight from the crowds outside. She knew that images of this kiss would be circling the globe within moments. That wasn't surprising. There had been worldwide interest in this wedding. The royal sheikh marrying the humble American who had been swept off her feet in a whirlwind romance that had seized the world's imagination.

  If only they knew the truth, she thought, as Zariq leaned his head back, ending the kiss for the cameras. If only they knew that sheikh and the American were the most bitter enemies. If only they knew the real reason she had been selected from the small number of real marriage prospects.

  Zariq let her hand go and took a step closer, wrapping his arm around her slim waist. She felt herself stiffen and hoped her tension wouldn't show in the images. Being a model by profession, she knew how to pretend for the cameras.

  They stood together for a few interminable moments and then they made their way to the waiting limo. The top had been opened out so that she and Zariq could be seen as they rode through the Qazhar city streets on the way back to his palace. Inwardly, she dreaded the journey. She was going to feel like she was on show. The prize the sheikh had just claimed.

  Then they were seated on the white leather and the limo started to move off. The streets were lined with thousands of Qazhar citizens. Dakota had seen this kind of thing on TV. She knew what was expected of her. She waved mechanically and smiled as best she could. The enthusiasm of the people was truly touching, if Dakota was being honest with herself.

  Alongside her, Zariq faced the other way and did exactly the same. He'd warned her about this part. He'd told her it would feel like it was going on forever. And he had been right. The limo moved slowly, allowing the crowds a view of the most famous couple in Qazhar.

  As she waved her hand at all those strangers, Dakota reflected on how all of this had happened. It had all started six months before when she'd been set up on a blind date in New York with a mysterious stranger. Elise, the friend who had set this up was someone she worked with in the fashion world. Elise's list of contacts was extensive.She was an obsessive matchmaker, and Dakota had watched over the last few years, in fascination, as Elise had successfully brought numerous unlikely couples together.

  But, Dakota had never thought for one moment that she herself would wind up being Elise's next victim. But she had.

  Dakota's first date with Zariq had been tempestuous and, if she being honest, quite disappointing. Knowing he was a sheikh, she'd expected him to be dominant and even demanding. But, he had been the exact opposite. The date in one of New York's most fashionable restaurants had gone smoothly enough. Zariq had been courteous and polite. But that had been all. After the meal, he had accompanied her to a musical show and then taken her back to her own apartment. He hadn't made a move on her. Hadn't even tried to kiss her.

  Afterwards, she had concluded it had been the strangest date she'd ever had.

  And then she'd heard nothing from him. Dakota had demanded an explanation from Elise but there had been none forthcoming from her friend.

  Then, a month later, Zariq had called on her. Out of the blue he had turned up at her apartment. He had taken her out, to the same restaurant. This time he had seemed more friendly, but she'd had the feeling that his new-found warmth was forced. Even fake.

  Finally, at the end of the evening, he had explained the purpose of his visit to New York. He had come to find a wife. And she was his choice. He had declared this with a straight face. She had almost laughed her head off, thinking it was all some kind of joke.

  But Zariq had had been absolutely serious. He had not smiled at her after she had laughed at his ridiculous suggestion. Because, it was ludicrous, she had told him. He had shaken his head and told her he was serious. He needed a wife and she had been chosen.

  At that point, she had realized this was no joke. Sensing the danger in her latest encounter with the sheikh, she had demanded that she be taken home. He had taken her to his limo. And it was inside there that he had given her the full explanation.

  Dakota drew her attention back to the happy, cheering crowds. Even as she thought about his explanation, it still seemed unreal. But, after his revelation, further investigation had proven he was speaking the truth.

  Four generations ago, Dakota's relatives on her father's side had left Qazhar and moved to England. Her father had fallen deeply in love with and married a beautiful English woman. From there they had made their way to America. Dakota had always been aware of her family roots. She'd always been proud of her distant connection to England and to Qazhar.

  But she'd had no idea of the incredible truth about her more distant ancestors.

  "You're doing a good job," Zariq said with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I know how hard this must be for you. I think you're wonderful," he added smiling broadly at her.

  She knew all of that had been for the benefit of the cameras. He would never have said anything like that with genuine sentiment. He was too cold and calculating for that.

  "Thank you, Zariq. That's so kind of you," she replied with equal sarcasm. Images on TV could allow people to lip read. She'd have to watch what she said to him. After all, this pretend romance had to be maintained at all costs. Even if they were enemies in private, they had to pretend to be lovers for the benefit of the public.

  She turned her attention back to the crowds which were beginning to thin out, now that the limo had reached a quieter part of town. It wouldn't take long to get to the palace from here. She felt relief at that thought. It would be good to get a few moments away from the limelight. She needed to take a breather before the wedding reception started.

  It had all been set up in the grand ballroom of the palace. It was going to be a long afternoon, and she knew it. Already her cheek muscles felt painful from all the smiling.

  The streets emptied and she sat back on the soft leather seat. Zariq sighed heavily. "That's over for now," he breathed.

  Dakota stretched her legs out. Her dainty feet were clad in elegant, very expensive designer shoes. She saw Zariq run his gaze down the length of her body. "You do look pretty special today," he announced.

  She shrugged. "You too." She took in the sight of his traditional gown. It seemed so out of place in the back seat of the limo. "Quite the sheikh, aren't you?"

  His eyes narrowed. She thought he was trying to judge whether she was teasing him. Of course she was, she told herself. That was how it had been since she'd arrived in Qazhar all those weeks ago. And that was how it was going to continue. If she had her own way.

  Zariq leaned back and took off his headdress. His dark hair fluttered in the wind as the limo picked up speed. Dakota had no intention of removing the carefully arranged veil inside which had been placed a crown of small, tightly-knit flowers.

  "The ceremony went smoothly," he observed.

  "It all went perfectly. This is all what you wanted, isn't it?" she asked.

  He frowned. "And you."

  She shook her head. "Let's not talk about that now."