The Sheikh's Desert Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 8)

by Albany,Cara

  Lucy looked so peaceful. Her even, pretty features were set into a soft, serene mask. Her breathing was quiet and regular. For a moment he gazed at her face, savoring the sight of her full lips, the graceful line of her jaw, the delicate arch of her brows. Loose strands of hair had fallen across one side of her mouth and he wanted to reach across and pull them away. But, the last thing he wanted to do was wake her. Not after what had happened last night.

  He was glad that the episode of panic which had seized her during the night had passed.

  After Lucy had fallen asleep Azim had turned the night-light down slightly in order to preserve the charge. The darkness inside the small cave had been almost total. But he had ensured there was still enough light to see by, just in case she woke up during the night.

  He hadn't forgotten Lucy's distress at waking during the night to find herself enshrouded in complete darkness. He remembered the episodes she'd suffered when they'd shared nights together. And he'd learned that it helped her to have even a small light on if she awoke unexpectedly.

  And, sure enough, during the night in the cave, she had yelled out once, waking Azim. He'd turned up the lamp and taken her briefly in his arms, calming her. He hated to see her suffer, felt sick when he'd seen the momentary terror in her eyes. She'd looked up at him as he'd cradled her in his arms, and for a moment he'd been transported back to two years before when she'd looked at him with just that exact same expression.

  Just as he'd done so many times before, last night he'd whispered to her as he held her close and he'd felt her body soften against him. Emotion had swelled in him, but all he could do was think about how he could settle her so she could go back to sleep. What she'd been through in the past twenty-four hours had been more than most women could bear. But, Lucy was strong.

  He knew that. Had always known that.

  Her night terror seemed at odds with the woman he knew her to be. But, he could still understand irrational fears. He had fears of his own. Especially one that involved losing Lucy again. But, as he held her, he drove his own selfish desires away to the back of his mind. All that mattered was making Lucy feel safe, ensuring she was okay.

  After a while she'd drifted off to sleep again and he'd eased her back down, resting her head against the pack. He was pleased she hadn't woken again during the night.

  Azim stood quietly and went outside. He looked up at the narrow line of sky he could see at the top of the cliffs. The night's darkness was being replaced by a deep blue. He stretched and felt the coolness of the air. He took in a deep breath. There was enough light for them to make a start. He attended to the pair of horses and then considered waking Lucy. Before he could go back into the cave he heard the sounds of her waking.

  Lucy emerged from the cave. Her eyes were heavy with sleep, her hair was dishevelled and her expression was ever so slightly grumpy, but he'd never seen anyone more beautiful in his life.

  "Good morning," he said enthusiastically.

  Lucy yawned and peered at him. She smiled and he felt his heart surge. She'd always looked beautiful in the mornings and now was no exception.

  "Is it late?" she asked looking up at the sky.

  "The sun just came up. I think we can eat something or just make a start. Whatever you like," he said.

  Lucy fussed with her hair. It was a simple gesture but one that fired need up inside him with the way it made her body move. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him right now?

  "I'll have some water and then we can get on our way," she said.

  He went inside and came out with a flask of water. She took it from him and drank. When she'd finished she handed it back to him. "About last night," she said.

  "It's okay. You don't need to explain. I remembered how you felt about the dark," he said.

  She seemed suddenly perplexed, as if he'd mentioned the wrong thing. Had he misunderstood her. Hadn't she been talking about waking up in a panic. "What do you mean?" she asked.

  "You woke up," he explained.

  "I did?" she replied seemingly surprised.

  "Don't you remember?"

  Lucy's eyes narrowed. "I did have a dream," she said. "I think it was about you," she added looking at Azim.

  He peered at her. "You did wake up. Once."

  "I did?"

  He nodded. "And I held you."

  "Oh," she said and he could that now she was embarrassed. "Okay," she said waving a dismissive hand. "I guess you hadn't forgotten, then."

  "How could I? Anyway, it was fine. You went back to sleep."

  Lucy wrapped her arms around herself. He knew that gesture, knew what it really meant. She wanted to change the subject.

  "Whenever you're ready, we can get going," he said starting to keep himself busy with one of the horses.

  "Okay. I'll give you hand," she said.

  Azim turned to her. "No need. I'll just get the packs back on the horses and we'll be off. We should make it to the site by late morning if we keep a steady pace. It'll give us a chance to catch up," he said. "I told you about me. Now, it's your turn."

  He saw her eyes widen at that statement. Maybe she didn't want to tell him what she'd been doing since he'd last seen her. Was she seeing someone else? Was she in a long-term relationship, one that she hadn't yet told him about? Was he assuming too much by just taking it for granted that she'd been with no-one else since she'd last seen Azim?

  She rushed back into the cave. Too quickly, he thought. Maybe she did have stuff she didn't want to share with him. He'd soon find out.

  They got their things packed up and soon they were on their horses and heading up the narrow valley. For a while she didn't say anything to Azim. He was content to ride by her side. The valley was mostly wide enough to accommodate two horses side by side. Occasionally the pass did narrow so that he had to let her go ahead of him, but that just gave him a chance to enjoy the sight of Lucy.

  Riding behind her he could savor her long neck, her finely muscled shoulders and arms, the way her hips shifted as she sat on the saddle. It was a guilty pleasure, but he refused to berate himself for taking every opportunity to enjoy watching her, to relish and appreciate the sheer splendor of her exquisite beauty.

  By the middle of the morning he knew they weren't far from the site of the statues. He drew alongside her as the pass widened. "So, tell me. What have you been doing since we last met?"

  Lucy glanced at him. "Not much," she said casually.

  Azim quirked a brow at her. "Really? Not much?"

  Lucy shrugged. "You know what I do. What my life is like."

  "That's the thing, Lucy. I don't," he said. "Tell me about it all. Where have you been?"

  Lucy's brows furrowed and he could tell she didn't welcome talking about herself. Just how much was she willing to share with him? How hard was she going to make him work? He recalled how stubborn she could be. How much he liked that when it came to the things that mattered, like lovemaking. But, right now, he wanted to know every detail of her life since he'd last seen her. He felt he had some right to know, even if she was obviously determined to keep so much to herself.

  Azim decided to try another tack. "How are your parents?"

  Lucy rolled her eyes. Now she really did look uncomfortable. "You know how they are, Azim. Dad has his business. You know. The one he tried to get me into."

  Azim laughed. "I never could see you as an accountant," he joked.

  "Yeah, right," Lucy said. "Look at me now. Can you imagine me behind a desk staring at spreadsheets all day long?"

  Azim grinned. "No. But, it didn't stop him trying, did it?"

  "He was only trying to protect me, I suppose."

  "What's wrong with that?" Azim challenged.

  Lucy glanced at him. "Nothing wrong with a father wanting to do the best for his daughter."

  "You're lucky to have such loving parents. But, they must worry about you when you go off into these kind of wild places."

  Lucy's brows furrowed with emotion. "I know they d
o. Every time I go back to the States we always end up having the same conversation and my dad tries one more time to tuck me safely behind a desk."

  "One day he might succeed," Azim suggested.

  "I think he's finally come around. He realizes his only child is not the kind to be tied down to a desk job."

  "It must have been a disappointment for him," Azim said.

  "Mom helped him see sense, I think."

  "Does she still have the bakery?" he asked.

  Lucy nodded as if she was almost embarrassed by the admission. "Well, they do live in a small town. And it is the only bakery in the place. So, I guess she enjoys having a monopoly. Dad understands that, as a business thing. As long as he doesn't have to get involved in baking cakes." Lucy grinned. "And, it helps that she gets to know all the town gossip, too. That's just an added bonus, as far as Mom is concerned."

  "They must wonder what they did to raise such an adventuress as you," he said.

  "Adventuress? Is that what you think I am?"

  Azim nodded. "Isn't that what you are?"

  Lucy squinted. "It sounds kinda exciting, I guess." She furrowed her brow in that cute way that always made something shift inside him. Lucy peered at him. "It sounds like something out of a fantasy novel," she said.

  Azim gazed at her. "You look perfectly real to me," he said.

  He saw her cheeks redden. She glanced away from him.

  "So you gave up an exciting life of accountancy for this?" he said gazing around.

  Lucy looked at Azim and she had a defiant look in her eyes with which he was all too familiar. "It's what I've always dreamed of doing. Isn't that all that matters."

  "Of course it is," he agreed. "You have to follow your destiny. That's what you're doing, isn't it?"

  He saw her eyes narrow slightly. Was she wondering just what he'd meant by that last remark?

  "I thought you'd understand what it means to follow your dreams," she said.

  He peered at her. "My dreams? How do you know what my dreams are?"

  "I could hardly have forgotten, could I?" she said. "All that stuff you used to say to me about obligation and duty to your kingdom. It sounded so grand."

  He felt sudden emotion rise in him, sensed the need to defend himself. Was she mocking him?

  "I meant every word I told you," he said trying to hide the indignation that had flared in him.

  "I know you did, Azim. That was the problem. Seemed to me it was more important than anything else."

  Azim stared at her. "Are you suggesting that my duties as a sheikh were more important than my feelings for you?"

  Lucy sighed. "Forget what I said. I didn't mean to offend you. As I said last night. The past is the past."

  Azim pulled his horse to a halt and she did the same. He gazed at her. "But, you see, Lucy. That's where you're wrong. I haven't forgotten one single thing from the past. Especially what you and I had together. How could I have forgotten such a thing?"

  Azim drew his horse closer and leaned toward Lucy. His gaze took possession of her suddenly hesitant blue eyes. She said nothing, merely glancing awkwardly toward him, as if waiting for him to say something else. He'd gone too far. He knew it because he could see the effect his words had had on her.

  Suddenly his attention was caught by something just at the edge of his field of vision.

  The flash of sunlight on metal.

  He whirled his head around and gazed up in the direction from where the light had come. Was someone up there? Were they being watched? He tried to focus on where the light had come from, but he couldn't see any sign of movement, or what had caused the bright flash.

  Lucy turned and looked in the same direction. "What is it, Azim?" she asked.

  He paused, squinting a while longer, straining his eyes to see anything that would confirm the suspicion that had taken hold of him.

  "Nothing," he replied.

  "Did you see something?" she insisted.

  Azim shook his head. "It's nothing."

  "Are we being followed?" she asked.

  Azim looked at Lucy. "I don't think so. It could have been anything. Just a reflection."

  Azim gazed up ahead. It wouldn't take them much longer to reach their destination. Then, once she'd obtained whatever she wanted, he would make sure they would get out of this mountain range as quickly as possible.

  "Let's get going again," he said, relieved that the distraction had temporarily ended what had been becoming an awkward conversation.

  Lucy nodded.

  Azim dug his heels into the flanks of his horse and started quickly forward. Lucy followed close behind.

  As far as Azim was concerned, he and Lucy had already overstayed their welcome and he couldn't wait to get back to the only place where he felt truly safe; the only place where he was sure he could virtually guarantee the safety of the woman who was following behind him.

  The desert called and he would do whatever it took protect his precious adventuress.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  They continued on for the rest of the morning. During the ride, Lucy kept glancing up at the cliff tops trying to spot any sign of what had alarmed Azim. She'd seen the worry on his face and that could only mean one thing, as far as Lucy was concerned. Jawad's men were watching Lucy and Azim. Why would they do that? What did they have in mind? Were they planning to cause trouble for Azim and Lucy?

  Even though she strained her neck repeatedly to see up to the top of the cliffs on either side, she didn't see any sign of Jawad's men. The thought that the men who'd held her captive might be tailing them caused a ball of worry to twist in her belly.

  As the morning progressed, they stopped every so often to take a drink of water and attend to the horses. The heat was starting to become oppressive and she had to cover her eyes with the broad brim of her hat. Once, as she tugged the hat down over her eyes, she caught Azim smiling at her.

  "That hat makes you look so cute," he said with a mischievous grin.

  She didn't know quite how to respond to that, so she tried to wave away the compliment. "The sun's too bright. I'm not used to it," she observed.

  Azim glanced up at the blue sky. "It's a nice day. Especially being here with you. That just makes it perfect."

  Lucy felt her face color and she busied herself with taking another drink. She was determined not to encourage even the most casual advances from Azim. There wasn't any point in going down that road, she told herself. Soon, they'd arrive at the site, she'd do what she'd come here to do, and then they'd be off. Job done. Back to Qazhar.

  And then?

  She grabbed the reins of her mount. "We best be going, Azim. I think we must be almost there," she added lifting a querying brow toward him. He was her guide and she just had to accept that.

  Azim nodded and took hold of his own reins. "You're right," he said a sudden sharpness in his voice. Was that disappointment on his features? Had she spoken too harshly to him, again?

  He started off quickly and she raced after him.

  She followed Azim and thought about what was awaiting her up ahead. She could have just high-tailed it out of these mountains with Azim, and left the site behind. But, she knew she would have regretted such a decision. She needed to know if the ancient statues had been damaged. The need to know was burning inside her. It meant too much for her to just turn her back on the truth.

  She hoped that Jawad had been lying; wanted to believe that it had all been part of his attempt to stand up to Azim. Any defiance by Jawad had more to do with facing up to what Azim represented. Authority. Tradition. Strength.

  The morning air was warmer now as they manoeuvred their way through the series of ravines and cuttings. The air was getting so warm now that Lucy had difficulty drawing a breath. Even with the movement of air it still felt like she was cutting her way through a wall of heat.

  Of course, for Azim it was all business as usual, she thought as she tailed behind him. Watching his robes billow in the wind she got a real sense of how
comfortable he felt in this harsh landscape. For him, this was entirely natural. It was his domain, the place where he felt truly at home.

  Lucy gave a sudden sigh of relief when they at last emerged out of the narrow ravine and into a cutting in the cliffs that stretched ahead of them for about a hundred yards and about fifty yards in width. Azim pulled his horse to a juddering halt and Lucy's mount slid to a sudden stop on the sand-covered floor, hooves digging deep into the soft earth.

  Lucy's heart started to hammer and her pulse raced with manic energy. Sheer excitement gripped her and she felt every nerve in her body quiver with a mixture of shock and awe.

  What she saw in front of her literally made her gasp out loud. Tears welled up and her throat tightened. She raised a hand to her mouth to suppress the groan that leapt from her lips.

  "My God!" she exclaimed.

  Azim twisted in his saddle and smiled at her. Even he looked impressed, she thought. "Look at that, Lucy," he said pointing straight ahead. "Isn't that a sight to behold."

  And, indeed it was, Lucy had to admit. She slid down off her horse, her boots sinking into the soft sand. Her legs felt weak, and she leaned a hand against her horse's flank to steady herself. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

  Lucy stood transfixed, staring in wonder at one of the most amazing things she'd ever seen.

  Azim dismounted and came over to her side, gazing up at the enormous statues which were carved into the high cliff in front them. Lucy was barely aware of his presence by her side as she lifted her head to take in the sheer enormity of what she was looking at.

  "It's intact," was all she could say in breathless tone.

  Azim smiled at her. "Completely undamaged."

  Lucy gasped and felt a tear race down her cheek. "I thought you said it had been destroyed," she said to Azim.

  "Jawad was lying," Azim replied, disgust filling his voice. "Nothing surprising there," he added with a shrug. "But, look at it. Isn't it amazing?"

  Lucy took a few steps toward the cliff carvings and tried to appreciate the awesome beauty of the object she was looking at.