by Erin Snihur
“The good doctor had obviously never experienced the outdoors very much. I believe he spent too much time in his lab. So when he saw a gorilla face to face, I thought the man was going to strip out of all of his clothes and join the bloody animal and his troop,” Abel finished, laughing halfway through the story. “At one point, he actually managed to lure one of the younger gorillas within a few feet and fainted over the whole experience. My team and I had to carry the man out of five miles of jungle before he woke up again.”
Amira laughed and pressed her napkin to her mouth before murmuring, “Fascinating. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such impressive beasts before, other than on television. What an incredible experience it must have been.”
Abel shrugged and before he could continue, Kasin murmured, breaking his silence that had been going on for a while now, “Perhaps I could take you to the gorilla sanctuary the Crown sponsors in the mountains of Uganda. They are quite magnificent to behold.”
Amira stared at Kasin as he took a drink from his water glass, his dark eyes never leaving hers. Silence wore on amongst their small party and, at the shake of her head, Amira turned back to her now empty plate. Dinner was wonderful and provided a good enough distraction to distract Amira away from reality. She would never see the gorillas in Uganda with Kasin. She wanted her freedom first and foremost.
At Amira’s silence, a look seemed to pass between Kasin and Abel. Before she could decipher it, Abel stood and smiled cooly at Leeta, who blushed under his gaze, “The moon is full and beautiful this night. Allow me to escort you back to your quarters, Leeta.”
Amira watched as Leeta met her gaze and, at Amira’s nod of assent, the quiet girl stood and took Abel’s hand. Amira watched them go, observing the way Abel’s eyes seemed to heat up at her touch and before she knew it they were gone. And Amira was alone, with Kasin.
Standing quickly, Amira muttered, “Perhaps I’ll join them.”
“Amira.”
Kasin’s voice caressed her name and froze her on the spot. Turning back to her husband, who tilted his head and met her gaze with his dark eyes, Amira swallowed as her husband’s face morphed into a naughty smirk and he rose from his chair.
His casual dress shirt was open at the top, revealing a smooth, hard chest, and his face was smooth save for the light scruff of beard growth he’d neglected shaving for a few days. Straightening, Amira met his gaze and raised a questioning brow.
“Have you decided to sign the annulment papers?” Amira asked quickly, not giving him a chance to seduce her.
Kasin’s eyes filled with pain as he clenched his hands around the back of his chair and shook his head, “I cannot sign them, Amira.”
Exasperated, Amira spun around and marched toward the doors before stopping. The anger was building inside of her. It had been for five years. She needed to get this weight off her shoulders.
Spinning back around to face her husband who stared at her with those chilling dark eyes, Amira let loose the frustration she’d felt for the last five years, “Do you hate me? Is that why you’ve treated me this way for five years?”
Snorting, Kasin moved closer to her, but at Amira’s hand raising to stop him, Kasin stopped a few feet away, but close enough for Amira’s raised hand to brush against his chest.
“Never,” Kasin crooned, “How can you think that?”
“Why else would you marry me, abandoning me here in the mountains and have affair after affair for five years?” Amira shouted, this time, not letting anything stop her from continuing, “I didn’t want to believe it when I saw that first picture of you with that first woman. She was some sort of supermodel, I think. You were only in a few photos with her and, at first, I brushed it off. Kasin couldn’t do that. Not my Kasin. Not the Kasin who played with me as a child, who included the bastard daughter of one of his family’s closest allies in their childhood games.”
Amira continued, her eyes tearing up, “But then, more photos emerged. Woman after woman. It was so confusing. I tried to get in touch with you, but every time I did, I was redirected to your security officers who would take a message. At the beginning, I was confused. We had just gotten married. Why would you do this right after our marriage? But then I found out. Our marriage was made in secret. That’s why it all happened so fast. I had just attended your family’s funeral and then the next day I was standing at the altar and we were married. You needed my father’s money didn’t you? To rebuild Masarat and continue your downward spiral of women and alcohol.”
As Kasin opens his mouth to protest, Amira ignores him and continues with a glare, “I can’t find any record of our marriage online. That’s why you keep me here. If people found out that the alcoholic, playboy Sheik of Masarat has secretly been married all this time than I’m sure your people and counsel will turn on you.”
Breathing heavily over her speech, Amira wipes her tears away, “I won’t be a pawn in this sick game any longer, Kasin. I want to leave.”
Voice grating and cold, Kasin levelled her tear filled eyes with his dark ones as he spoke, “You are not a pawn. You are my Sheikha and you always will be.”
Shaking her head, Amira didn’t let Kasin move any closer. Instead, she pushed him away and rushed out of the room to her chambers.
Flinging herself on the bed, Amira cried loudly and deeply. It wasn’t until hours later that her sobs quieted and, with her head throbbing, Amira fell asleep, her nightmares filled with mountainside cages and cruel laughter.
She wanted to leave. She wanted her freedom. Freedom from him. Freedom from Masarat.
That was all Kasin heard going through his head as he watched Amira disappear up the stairs and heard the faint slam of her chambers doors closing. Clenching his fists, Kasin stalked out of the dining room and made it through the front doors of the mansion before coming across a guard who straightened at the realization of Kasin’s presence.
“Where can one find a drink on this miserable mountain?” Kasin growled and, at the guard’s motion toward the guards’ barracks, Kasin stalked off, intent on drinking until everything was forgotten.
Just like Amira has been forgotten for five years, his conscious chided. Go to her. Explain the truth.
Pushing that hissing voice aside, Kasin looked over his shoulder at the dark mansion before heading toward the barracks.
She will never understand the sacrifices I’ve made to ensure her safety.
9
Amira didn’t know what she was doing. She knew it was stupid, but it was the only way. Kasin wouldn’t let her leave. So she’d just have to take her own life into her own hands now. No longer will she live by the hand of a man.
Dressed in commoner clothes with a black hijab covering her blonde hair, Amira stared at herself in the mirror. She had been standing there for a few minutes.
Staring down at her left hand, Amira winced slightly at a twinge of pain in her heart as she removed her wedding ring. It was a beautiful emerald encased in gold with diamonds encircling it. It had been Kasin’s mother’s before her death. Amira remembered the exact moment she’d seen it for the first time.
Kasin’s mother never liked wearing jewelry; but in her quarters, her jewelry, mostly gifts from her husband, were on display in glass cases. Amira had loved spending hours staring at all the beautiful designs of jewelry. The ring had been her favorite, much to her step-mother’s amusement. The woman had always snidely commented on how Amira would never possess such beautiful objects. They were not meant for a child with such dirty blood.
Even though she had been born a bastard, Kasin had stood up to her step-mother for her. He’d claimed her blood was purer than any woman’s. Even as a child she’d been in awe of him. He had been so tall and quiet compared to her rambunctious brothers and his younger siblings. Never had she heard him scold another. Even her own step-mother.
In private, Kasin had whispered to Amira that one day, when they were older, he would give her the beautiful emerald ring on their wedding day. Amira had only
giggled at the time. Their friendship grew. Even when Kasin was sent to boarding school, when he returned they were often together. Perhaps that had been their father’s hopes. Amira’s father didn’t have any daughters with his wife. Perhaps this had been his plan all along. To have a true, blood connection to the throne, instead of years of friendship.
Miserably staring at the ring, Amira blinked back the tears that threatened to form as she placed the ring on the dresser. It would be wrong to take it with her. Packing the rest of her belongings in a backpack she’d stolen from the servants’ quarters, Amira collected what little money she had pooled together over the last few years and grimaced at the collection of jewels she planned on selling.
When she was finished, Amira glanced back at her ring, still sitting atop the dresser. In the early morning darkness, Amira was certain it shone without light. So beautiful. Biting her lip, Amira reached into her jewelry box and found an old chain. Sliding the ring through, Amira wrapped the chain around her neck and smiled at the ring. She would need a reminder of the happier times as she made her way through her new life. Hiding the ring beneath her blouse, Amira grasped the backpack and swung it on.
Tip-toeing through the palace hallways, Amira breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of only a few servants in the kitchens. Sneaking past them through the servants’ entrance, Amira kept her head down as she exited out of the servants’ entrance in the walls of the palace and raced to catch up with the cart and buggy. He’d just made his deliveries of food to the palace. Now, he just had one last stop. The village square, where a bus took workers to one of the larger cities.
Calling for the older man who rode the buggy, Amira whispered breathlessly, “Can you take me into the village, sir?”
With her face and hair covered, the old man briefly squinted at her in the dark, “Sit in the back.”
Bowing her thanks, Amira hopped into the back of the buggy and breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the mountain palace slowly disappear with every jostle as they descended the mountain.
It wasn’t until Amira was carefully seated on the old, rickety bus, she smiled. Hand reaching up to briefly touch the ring that rested beneath her hijab, Amira mournfully pleaded inwardly, I’m sorry, Kasin. Please forgive me for this.
Knock, knock.
Kasin groaned into his pillow. What could they possibly want now? Kasin had already refused breakfast or coffee in bed. His head pounded along with every knock that came at the door.
Snarling in a harsh whisper, Kasin called whoever it was to enter. At the sight of Abel, Kasin fell back into bed, head first.
“I found the hard stuff,” Kasin groaned into his pillow.
“I can see that,” Abel grumbled. “Is that why you didn’t join me for training this morning?”
Rolling his eyes, but slamming them shut when his friend thrust open the drapes, letting in the blinding sunlight, Kasin groaned again.
“Close the damn drapes,” Kasin snarled and flung the blankets over himself to block out the light.
“Get off your ass. Your wife has gone missing,” Abel hisses.
Freezing under the blankets, Kasin’s mind runs rampant as images of his seeing his family’s bodies and then instead of his family, in his arms is a deceased and broken Amira. Her pale hair bloodied from an attack.
Flinging the blankets off, Kasin struggles to stand as his blurry eyes land on Abel’s shifting form, “What are you talking about?”
“Leeta hasn’t seen Amira since last night. When she went to wake Amira for breakfast, she couldn’t find her. Amira’s bed was unmade. We thought she was with you, but when we searched the property, we couldn’t find her,” Abel muttered.
“Why didn’t Leeta assist Amira with her clothes the night before?” Kasin growled and rubbed the sleep from his face.
Abel sighs and runs his hand through his shorn hair, “That is my fault. Leeta and I have a history and last night, we…”
As he trailed off, Kasin inwardly stewed. His friend had a willing woman to bring to his bed, but Kasin couldn’t even convince his own wife to join him in their marital bed.
Who could blame her? Kasin thought inwardly, after the aftermath of their dinner the night before.
“Are you sure she isn’t on the estate somewhere? Or perhaps back in the village at the orphanage?” Kasin growled as he threw on a shirt and pants.
Abel watched, his voice solemn, “We’ve searched the entire household and sent guards to the village. According to a farmer who delivers food to the palace, a maid in a hijab asked to be shuttled to the village and he dropped her off so she could take the bus to the closest city.”
In his mind, Kasin heard Amira’s words, I won’t be a pawn in this sick game any longer, Kasin. I want to leave.
He knew it was his fault she had left. He had pushed her to disappear. Now, she was alone somewhere, unsafe and unprotected. He needed to find her. A darker side of his mind seethed, hand itching to punish Amira for acting so foolish. But he couldn’t imagine seeing that look of hurt on her face any longer.
Inwardly, Kasin prayed to the heavens. He would do anything to bring back his wife so that he could make amends. Kasin would do anything to make her smile. Like she used to when they were children.
Turning to Abel, Kasin nodded to the stoic man, “Ready the jet and pull our fractions off the hunt so that they might focus on finding Amira.”
Abel nodded and hesitated, but at Kasin’s pause his friend continued, “I should warn you as well. Crown Prince Tariq Abadi of Hattan has arrived in the capital. He claims he is here to ensure you are still alive. His words, of course.”
Groaning, Kasin ran his hands through his hair. “Hold him off. We need to find Amira first, then I will deal with Tariq.”
Mind racing, Kasin shook his head as Abel rushed off to do his Sheik’s bidding as Kasin scanned the bedroom before his eyes rested on the open closet doors and the unopened presents. Clenching his fists, Kasin knew what he had to do.
He had to tell Amira the truth. Even if it ruined any hope of them having a relationship in the future.
10
Amira hadn’t seen the capital of Masarat since her wedding day. Married in the dead of night didn’t leave much time for touring the city. At the time, everything was in turmoil. Kasin’s family had just been massacred and then he was marrying her. All for her father’s money so he could continue his lifestyle, Amira thought grimly.
Amira hadn’t traveled so far by bus before either. On her wedding night, she had taken a private plane to a landing strip at the base of the mountain. This time, she experienced what everyday type travellers experienced. The cramped seats and stuffy bus rides. Amira wouldn’t give it up for anything. It was all new to her. It was perfect. Because she was free.
As she walked the busy streets, Amira was amazed at the way the capital had grown. No longer were their bombed homes or market stalls. No longer did the walls of the capital’s palace lay crumbling at people’s feet. Stronger than ever, Kasin’s palace was a fortress hidden behind the walls. As she paused before one of the many gated entrances that led to the palace’s courtyard, Amira felt a twinge in her heart.
Had Kasin realized she was gone? Did he even care?
Shaking her head to rid herself of these thoughts, Amira pulled her wallet out of her book bag and counted the bills and change she had left. Not enough for a plane ticket. Amira didn’t even know where she would go. She had a passport and thankfully, it wouldn’t expire for another five years. As she stared at all the money she had left, Amira’s mind drifted to the jewels in her book bag.
Pulling out her phone and searching for the nearest jewelry store in Masarat’s capital, Amira began the trek in that direction. As she stood outside the immaculate and clean shop, Amira bit her lip nervously. What if they wouldn’t buy her jewels? What if they thought she stole them!
Shaking like a leaf, Amira hadn’t even noticed when a presence at her back crooned, “Are you going in or are you just bloc
king the exit for fun?”
The impatient and clearly tired voice was clear and Amira jumped back against the glass doors of the shop and stared at the handsome, towering man before her. The man’s grey eyes were piercing and Amira was certain she saw familiar shadows behind those eyes. His impeccable suit and stature reminded Amira so much of Kasin. At his back were two men in dark suits and sunglasses. They both stood behind this grey-eyed man like sentries. Amira knew who they were. Bodyguards. This man must be important.
Stuttering, Amira stepped aside from the door, “I apologize, sir. Please go in.”
The man stared at her for a moment before shrugging and reaching to pull open the doors for her as he ominously spoke, “You’ve come this far, you might as well go in first. I insist.”
Staring at the man and then at the opened doors, Amira’s heart thudded as her mind raced. At the man’s throat clearing, noting his impatience, Amira nodded and moved toward the doors, but not before looking behind her to thank him.
“Thank you, Mister...” Amira’s voice trailed off at the realization she didn’t even know the man’s name.
“Tariq Abadi and you’re welcome, little bird,” he crooned back with a wink as he followed behind her.
Amira stared through the glass cases at all the beautiful jewels. Inwardly, they all reminded Amira of the gifts Kasin would send from various jewelry shops after being photographed with a beautiful woman in the media. Another chip of her heart gave way. With her head held high, Amira pulled out her satchel of jewels and placed them on the counter before an older man with a thin white moustache, tanned, leathery skin and balding head.
His nose instantly turned down when he glanced up at Amira and seemed to sneer as he answered, “Yes? How may I help you?”
Trying to hold back her nervous stutter, Amira calmly produced a few smaller diamonds and a couple rubies that had fallen out from older pieces of jewelry.
