by Cara Albany
Suddenly, he turned to her and smiled. He'd realized she'd been looking at him, she told herself. Even worse, he'd probably been aware she was watching him all along, known instinctively for the last few moments that she'd been looking at him. Examining him. Sizing him up.
He lifted a brow. "Did I say how nice it is to see you again, Lori?" he asked quietly.
"You did, actually," she snapped.
"Well it is," he added.
There was a glint in his eye as he said those last words. "Okay," she replied in a flat voice.
Zafar lifted a hand to his face and rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. "I'm glad to say I am fully recovered after out last encounter," he said with a sly grin.
Lori glanced ahead toward Alaya and Kadir who seemed lost in conversation. "About that," she started to say but he interrupted her.
"It's no matter," he said dismissively. "That's all in the past. It was a misunderstanding."
Lori lowered her head, looking away from Zafar. "It wasn't right. I'd been on a long flight. Jet lag, and all that," she said, realizing that the explanation didn't sound at all convincing.
For a brief moment she was surprised at herself for even trying to do such a thing. Maybe she wanted today to go well, especially after her previous encounter with his royal highness, she told herself. The last thing Lori wanted was any ugly scenes. Not while she was a guest in Kadir's palace.
"I understand," he said. She glanced up at him and saw he was looking idly ahead, paying her almost no direct attention. "It can't be easy being in a foreign land, away from your home." He sighed. "It must seem all very overwhelming. Qazhar is so different to where you come from, I suppose. So very strange."
Lori nodded, saying nothing for a few moments.
Zafar turned and looked at her. "I forget. Where exactly did you say you come from?" he asked in an ironic tone of voice.
There was that shift again, she told herself. One moment he could be very polite and courteous, and then the next he could be almost patronizing, even mocking.
She felt something twist in her middle and she frowned at him. Irritation rose up inside her. The same sensation she'd felt when she'd overheard him passing judgment on her at the welcome reception. The same sensation she'd felt when he'd lifted her hand to his lips back there on the terrace.
"Idaho, originally," she said, noticing the blank expression in his eyes. "Then I went to college in New York. I specialized in the restoration of antiquities."
He nodded sagely. But she still felt he might be mocking her. "Interesting choice. What drew you to that?"
"It's a long story," she said.
Zafar gazed around the garden. "We've got plenty of time. Kadir and I will be here for the rest of the day."
That revelation took her by surprise. She'd been under the impression the prince's visit would be a brief one. She wondered what had changed his mind.
"You will?" she asked.
Zafar nodded. "I'm fascinated to see what you and Alaya have uncovered."
"Really," she stated incredulously. "Seriously?" she added containing the urge to put an ironic edge in her voice.
"Of course I'm interested." Then he fixed his gaze upon her. His brows were hooded in the shadow cast by the bright sunshine. There was a shimmering quality to the dark pools which regarded her with such intensity. "There are many things I'm interested in," he added cryptically in a deep voice.
Lori felt her heart quicken. Felt her throat tighten involuntarily. What did he think he was doing looking at her like that? With such familiarity.
Lori glanced ahead and saw that they were nearing the tent beneath which the excavation was taking place. When she looked back at Zafar, she saw he was still gauging her response. Still waiting, with barely disguised expectation, for her to say something. He knew he was playing with her. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying every little moment of this cat and mouse game, she told herself.
He was simply trying to get under her skin. That was what it was, she told herself.
Lori looked at Zafar. "It's impressive," she stated.
His brows furrowed. "What is?"
Zafar glanced toward the tent. "I didn't realize the work was so extensive. So significant."
"It's a big find," she said. "A major one."
"Kadir will be pleased," Zafar said casually. Once again there was a sudden shift in his tone to one that almost sounded world-weary. Even bored.
Didn't he know how much this meant to her and to Alaya?
"Kadir's palace is very beautiful," he continued. "I think he's been most generous in allowing you all to stay here for the duration of the excavation."
Then he looked at her, examining Lori with narrowed eyes and a dark gaze. She was sure she could see a flicker of mischief in that gaze. "Exactly how many of you are there? Kadir told me you've all taken possession of a whole wing of the palace. Is that right?"
Once again, a flash of indignation swelled up inside her. "Kadir has been very generous." Lori peered at Zafar. "As you say," she added with an edge to her voice. "There are six of us in the team. We had to stay here, since the palace is so isolated. It wouldn't have been practical for us all to stay anywhere else."
"It's just as well this isn't Kadir's main residence," Zafar said. "Otherwise, there might be practical problems with so many strangers staying in the palace," he said in a casual, almost disinterested tone.
What was wrong with him? Was this how he was like all the time? Rude and pompous one moment? Charming the next.
She wasn't going to take much more of his attitude. She just wasn't in the mood. Not today.
"We've all done our best to fit in," she said defensively. She smiled at Zafar. "Don't forget, this kind of life is pretty new for all of us."
"And you?" he asked.
She felt her face flush. "It's the first time I've ever stayed in a place like this," she said gazing across the facade of the palace. "I have to say it has been pretty amazing."
"I'm sure it has been," he said in flat voice.
Lori pursed her lips and frowned, determined not to rise to the bait. But, it proved impossible to resist.
"I would have thought someone of your exalted status, being a prince and all that, would have been interested in what we've found here," she said, laying heavy emphasis on some of the words.
She wanted him know she didn't approve of his attitude. Not one bit.
He glanced at her. Lori's gaze flickered down to his mouth, and she saw the corner of his mouth curl with the hint of an appreciative smile. His lips were full and slightly moist.
She held his gaze a moment, dead set on letting him know that she wasn't going to bossed around. That she didn't buy his act for one moment. She was convinced all his apparent disinterest was a cover for something else. Something he wasn't willing to reveal.
With a flash of approval in his eyes, he turned away from her. Did he like the fact that she was willing to stand up to him? "History hasn't always been of much interest to me," he admitted finally.
"But, surely your royal family must see the value in preserving the past. It must be important to them, even if not to you." she said.
"Did I give you that impression?" he asked.
She narrowed her eyes. "You did, actually."
He shrugged and said nothing in response to that comment.
Lori saw that Alaya and Kadir had reached the entrance to the tent.
"Some of my family are curious about such things," Zafar admitted. He ran a hand though his hair and sighed. It was a casual gesture, almost an indication that he was still bored. Or doing his best to pretend, Lori told herself.
But, for some reason she couldn't figure out, she'd found that movement curiously attractive. The gliding of his fingers as they snaked through his hair. His hair had an enticing, dark healthy sheen to it.
Every one of his movements was smooth and calm and slow. Almost languid.
"Don't your family take an interest in preservation?" Lori said
, her professional curiosity suddenly piqued. "I thought there were a lot of projects running in the kingdom to try and preserve as much of Qazhar's past as possible."
"Of course, there are," he replied. "I just don't get involved."
"Too busy enjoying the life of royal prince, I suppose," she snapped. The instant she said the words, she regretted uttering them.
Zafar paused thoughtfully for a few moments. He smiled faintly and titled his head slightly. Then he spoke: "As I said, Lori. It isn't something I concern myself with."
She gazed into his dark eyes
Then he glanced down at her and smiled blandly, politely. "I'm sure you and Alaya are doing an excellent job." His gaze lingered a few moments, as if he was waiting for her response to that casually uttered compliment.
Lori's jaw tightened. He was definitely patronizing her. She could feel it in her bones.
They reached the entrance to the tent. Alaya peered at Lori and then at Zafar. "You two were having quite a chat there," she observed.
"Miss Reithe was trying to persuade me of the virtues of what you have both uncovered," Zafar said to Alaya.
Kadir peered into the tent and breathed appreciatively. "Take a look, Zafar," he enthused.
Lori stepped back to allow Zafar to lean his head into the tent doorway. She watched his features carefully for any sign of a reaction.
There was none. His gaze remained steady. Impassive. There was a long pause and Lori saw Alaya squint inquiringly toward her. There would be questions to answer later, Lori reflected. Alaya looked like she wanted to know more about the conversation which had just taken place between Lori and the prince.
"What do you think?" Kadir asked Zafar.
Zafar nodded. "Quite pleasant," he said.
Lori couldn't prevent herself from gasping. "Pleasant?" She pushed forward, almost leaning against him. "Is that all? Pleasant?" She pointed toward the exposed floor, the brightly colored depiction of a horseback rider racing across a golden desert.
The mosaic had been executed with consummate skill by its anonymous creator a long time ago. Having been buried beneath the garden for centuries, the colors had been perfectly preserved. Even in the soft, shaded light of the tent the mosaic, which covered an area of about ten metres square, was luminous. Beautiful.
The vibrant blue colors of the rider's gown; the deep browns of the horse's body; the translucent coloring of the desert sands and bright blue sky. It was one of the most beautiful mosaics Lori had ever seen. And all the prince could say was that it was "pleasant"?
Zafar glanced at Lori and shrugged. "I've seen many like it."
"But not as old as this," Lori objected.
"There are many ancient sites across the kingdom. Most have this kind of decorative detail."
Lori gasped. "It's a bit more than just decorative detail," she snapped.
His gaze was steady on her, examining her, watching her reaction with intense curiosity. Lori looked at Alaya and saw that she also was watching her. Listening to what Lori was saying.
"I agree with Lori," Alaya said. "This is a very important find." She pointed beyond the boundary of the shallow pit which had been dug. "We think if we dig further out we will find remains of the original walls of what must have been one of the main rooms of the original palace."
Kadir nodded. "Perhaps we might have to arrange for further excavations to be carried out," he said smiling at Alaya. Kadir obviously thought that the prospect of Alaya having to remain in the palace for a while longer was good news.
Alaya nodded. "That is a possibility," she said. "Although it might involve a great deal of work. A larger team. More resources."
Kadir shrugged. "That's not going to be a problem. I'm sure you and your team are up to the task." Kadir leaned closer to Alaya. "Especially when they have such a competent and professional leader as yourself, Alaya," he said.
Alaya's cheeks flushed red and she shifted awkwardly on her heels. Lori smiled. Kadir was obviously intent upon trying to keep Alaya here at the palace, no matter what it took.
Lori glanced at Zafar and saw his brows furrowing. Lori heard Zafar draw in a deep breath and saw him lower his head.
If she wasn't mistaken, it looked like Zafar was trying to control his reaction to what he'd just heard, she told herself. Had he just disapproved of what Kadir had said to Alaya? Why would he do that? What did it matter to Zafar how Kadir felt about Alaya?
Alaya spent some time explaining some of the finer details of what had been found. As Lori listened to her, she was impressed, not for the first time, by Alaya's knowledge, her sheer passion for her work. But, even as she noted that, Lori also took notice of the fact that, as the time wore on, Prince Zafar became increasingly restless.
Was he bored by all this? How could he be indifferent to such beauty? If that was the case, why had he come here in the first place?
Finally, Alaya finished her presentation and they decided to head back to the cool of the palace interior where tea would be served.
Lori thought Zafar looked relieved that it was all over. He made a casual comment to that effect. Lori gave him a stern look, but he merely smiled back at her.
As they made their way across the lawn, Kadir announced they would all be sharing a private dinner that evening in the palace.
It would be just the four of them.
Lori thought it sounded quite cozy. And she could see just how much Kadir was looking forward to it by the way he kept close to Alaya as they all made their way back to the palace.
The only problem, as far as Lori was concerned, was that it would mean spending the evening in the company of the irritatingly arrogant and indifferent prince who seemed to be completely indifferent to the work which had been done by Alaya and her team.
It didn't matter that Lori got the distinct impression that Prince Zafar seemed more than curious about her. Perhaps too curious, she told herself.
But, she wasn't going to allow personal matters to interfere in her life. She'd worked too hard over the years to throw it all away by indulging the prince's whims.
Because, she knew that he couldn't possibly be serious about harboring any interest in her, could he?
FOUR
"What do you think of him?" Alaya asked Lori during the early part of the evening as they both prepared to go downstairs. Lori knew that Kadir and Zafar would be awaiting them. She and Alaya could have a few moments to share their thoughts about how the day had gone.
They were both seated on a sofa in Lori's suite, a small set of rooms which had been allocated to her on arrival at the palace. Alaya's suite was right next door to Lori's. For the past few weeks they'd gotten into the habit of talking together after a hard day's work.
"Who?" Lori asked.
Alaya frowned and then smiled. "Kadir, obviously," she said.
Lori thought for a moment. Alaya looked on expectantly. "He's cool," Lori replied.
Alaya lifted a brow. She seemed pleased. "Cool?" Alaya considered for a moment. "Is that good?"
"Sure it is," Lori answered. "He likes archeology, so he's okay in my books," Lori said. "It goes without saying. Any man who likes old things is fine by me."
Alaya nodded. "So, it's that simple. If a man enjoys what you do, then he's okay," she said.
"It's a good start, don't you think? What else is there?"
"Physical attraction. That's important, right?" Alaya said.
Lori knew where this was going. Alaya was a confident woman when it came to professional matters. But, with regard to men, it was different. She knew that Alaya had poured all of her energies into building her career. Maybe men had just taken a back seat. That sure sounded familiar, Lori reflected.
"And values," Alaya continued. "They're important, right?"
"Sure," Lori said.
Alaya was thoughtful for a few moments. Lori wondered how it had happened that she was being used as a sounding board for Alaya's relationship with Kadir.
Lori knew that her own history wit
h men wasn't exactly anything to boast about. It had been limited, much like that of Alaya. Study had dominated Lori's life. She'd never really had time to build any meaningful relationships. The last thing she wanted to do was give bad advice, especially since her own experience was hardly anything to write home about.
"And the prince?" Alaya asked.
Lori felt herself stiffen. "What about him?"
"Is he cool?" Alaya asked.
Lori frowned and then pouted her mouth disapprovingly. "Let's not get into that subject," she said, lifting a brow.
"He didn't seem particularly interested in the mosaic," Alaya said.
Lori shook her head. "That's putting it mildly."
"I wonder why he came, at all," Alaya wondered.
"I was asking that myself," Lori replied. "I can't say I understand him."
"He has a reputation," Alaya said.
"Really."
Alaya nodded. "He's quite the playboy."
Lori snorted. "I can't say I'm surprised at that. He does seem pretty full of himself."
"It must come with the royal upbringing," Alaya said. "I suppose his whole life he's been weighed down with expectations."
"And here I was thinking it must be hard being a regular, everyday sheikh, like Kadir," Lori said.
Alaya smiled. "Kadir seems to cope quite well."
Lori saw Alaya's smile. Alaya had genuine feelings for Kadir. For some reason, that just made Lori happy. Lori wondered just how close Alaya and Kadir had become since the whole team had temporarily moved into the palace.
Maybe Kadir had made secret visits to Alaya's rooms. Perhaps their relationship was much more developed than Lori had previously imagined.
Alaya peered thoughtfully at Lori. "Zafar paid quite a bit of attention to you."
Lori snorted. "Now you really are joking, right?"
Alaya shook her head, but didn't say anything, awaiting Lori's next words with great interest. Time to change the subject, Lori told herself.
Lori grinned. "Kadir wants you to stay here a while longer, doesn't he? Seemed to me that he's pretty pleased there're other things in the palace to excavate."
