by Erin Snihur
“You would have been ten now,” Kasin whispered to the portrait of his sister, Carmen. Her dark eyes had been full of mischief the day the portrait had been taken, only a few months before the attack.
Scanning the other tombs that housed his younger brothers and parents, Kasin’s voice echoes in the silence of the catacombs. Kneeling before Carmen’s tomb, Kasin glances from her tomb to the others, heart breaking, just as it did that horrific day five years ago.
“I should have been there. To protect you. All of you,” Kasin began, “Instead, I was off shirking my responsibilities. Can you ever forgive me?”
A small hand on Kasin’s shoulder has him tensing and Amira’s whispered voice shatters his very soul.
“Can you forgive yourself, Kasin?”
Amira wasn’t sure why she had followed Kasin to the palace catacombs. At first, she claimed she only wanted to make sure Kasin didn’t drink, but then when she stopped before the guarded tomb, Amira understood completely. He was seeking closure, not the numbness alcohol could give him.
Amira had heard his words. Heard the suffering and weight of guilt he carried. She had thought to leave before he noticed her presence, but couldn’t. He needed comfort. Comfort only she could give him.
When she asked him the question about forgiveness, Amira wondered if he would yell at her to go away. He was so quiet for so long before he slowly rose from his kneeling position and turned to face her. His eyes were rimmed with redness. He had been crying. Amira had never seen Kasin cry before. He’d always been better at controlling his emotions in front of others. Now, like the catacombs, his emotions were unsealed.
“How can I possibly be forgiven, Amira? After everything I’ve done? To you? To my family? Tell me how?” Kasin’s voice rasped as he tried to suppress the choking sobs that threatened to come up.
Scanning the tombs and the portraits of Kasin’s family, Amira shook her head. “I don’t know, Kasin, but what I do know is that your family loved you very much. They would never wish for you to be filled with such grief and vengefulness for so long. Your father, he would be so proud of you and what you’ve accomplished for Masarat. Your mother, well, she would be tickled at the fact that we married. I remember her telling me once that you and I would make her beautiful grandchildren one day.”
Kasin’s lips curled into a smile as she continued her words, “Your brothers would take this opportunity to tell you to buck up and be the strong and kind-hearted brother they knew you to be. Carmen, well, I’m sure she would have something clever to say and make everyone laugh.”
“The attack wasn’t your fault, Kasin. The men who caused it are to blame. I care about you too much to let you wallow in your grief,” Amira finished her speech as Kasin finally stared into her eyes. Amira gasped when he did. His eyes, still dark, but they reminded her of the way they used to be when they were younger. Dark, yet bright and so full of life and love.
Amira watched as Kasin took a step closer, not intimidated by the way his eyes darkened, Amira continued, “You also need to set aside this feeling of revenge. I couldn’t bear it if something were to happen while you’re off trying to put an end to…”
Words trailing off, Amira feels as though a part of her body disentangles from herself and watches as Kasin’s arms wrap around her before pulling her into his chest. Not waiting for her to reject him, Kasin’s mouth meets hers and for a split second, Amira was certain she had died and gone to heaven. But then, the tingles and burning feeling began to lick at her skin as Kasin deepened the kiss.
Just as she moaned in pleasure at the way his mouth possessively took hers, Kasin pulled away and leaned his forehead against her own. Staring into each other’s eyes, Kasin’s mouth grinned a tiny bit as he asked, “You care about me?”
“Of course,” Amira whispered, “As my…”
“As what? A brother or perhaps, a friend??” Kasin crooned back, interrupting her confused words, distracting her as his fingers ran from her back to her lower back, just above her bottom, caressing and tentivaley squeezing it every so often.
“No…of course not! I would never let someone like that take such liberties,” Amira protested as Kasin’s nose softly bumped against hers and he leaned in, his lips only lightly brushing against hers as he whispered.
“Then what am I, Amira?” At her hesitation, Kasin growled possessively and pulled her tighter against his rock solid form. “Say it.”
“My husband,” Amira whispered, so faint, in a normal setting, it would have been impossible to hear, but in the catacombs, the echo of her words rang out as Kasin struck.
17
Had Amira always tasted this sweet? Kasin inwardly wondered as she broke away from their long, winded kiss.
Breathing heavily, Amira’s hooded, violet eyes seemed to take in the silence of the catacombs before turning back to him. Biting her bottom lip, Amira blushed. “Kasin, this is a holy place.”
Chuckling, Kasin brushed his nose against hers one last time before nodding. “Invite me into the master chambers.”
Staring at him in confusion, Amira blushes. “They are your chambers, Kasin.”
“Our chambers.” Kasin growled against her lips as he took her bottom lip and sucked it between his teeth with a little nibble before pulling away in frustration. “I will only enter if you invite me in, zawja. When I do enter our chambers, we will not be leaving them for a long time.”
Understanding seemed to cross over Amira’s violet eyes as her pale skin blushed further and her eyes were downcast. Not wanting her to be ashamed of the feelings of desire coursing through her body, Kasin raised her face by her chin and smiled.
“Invite me in, Amira, my princess.”
Her nod was all the consent, Kasin needed. His guilt and doubt remained in the catacombs. All he needed from this moment on was Amira. His princess.
Amira stared at herself in the master bathroom mirror. Was it possible to look frightened and aroused at the same time? Her violet eyes seemed to say yes. Washing her hands as if on autopilot, Amira takes one last look at herself draped in the silk robe Kasin handed her before telling her to take a few minutes for herself in the bathroom.
Tightening the belt around her waist for the third time, Amira inwardly snorts at the way she was behaving. Like a chicken. Since Kasin’s return into her life, Amira knew from his subtle touches and quick kisses that being in his bed would be perfect.
Was she capable of such passion? Amira believed Kasin when he said he had lied to the media and effectively her over the last few years, but what about before they were married. He must be more experienced than she was. Being a virgin and a wife to a man for five years certainly made her brain spin.
Controlling her breathing, Amira stepped out of the bathroom and was instantly frozen in spot by the sight of lightly scented candles all around the room and the bed was covered in rose petals.
“You used to read those awful romance novels and I swear, every cover had the image of a man and woman lying on a bed of rose petals,” Kasin’s voice answered her unspoken question from the doors of the chambers. He stood there silently, arms crossed over his chest as his newly brightened eyes hungrily devoured her in the robe.
“I’m surprised you remembered,” Amira murmured.
Shrugging, Kasin remained where he was standing as she took another step into the lightly accented room. “I remember everything there is to know about you, Amira.”
Blushing, Amira turned her gaze back to the bed and its implications. Biting her bottom lip, she faced Kasin, still confused as to why he was guarding the door.
“Expecting someone?” she asked lightly.
Eyes darkening with desire, Amira watched as Kasin visibly swallowed before his husky voice answered, “No. I’m giving you the chance to send me away by keeping my distance.”
“I’ve waited a long time for you, Kasin. I don’t think we need to wait any longer,” Amira answered back with a whisper.
As a switch was flipped, Kasin�
�s face morphed into a soft smile as he slowly approached her and drew her into his strong grasp. Brushing his nose against hers, Kasin whispered, “I love you, zawja.”
“And I you, alzawj.”
Groaning in relief, Kasin softly kisses her nose, then around her lips as he whispers, “I will give you the kind of honeymoon you deserve soon, Amira, but right now, I find I have no control when it comes to you.”
Feeling her fingers move with a mind of their own, Amira moans when Kasin’s lips finally touched hers and she delves her fingers into his dark hair, trying to pull him in tighter as they mold to one another. With his hands clasping her small bottom, Kasin picks her up swiftly and Amira’s legs wrapped around his waist instinctively. Gasping into his searching mouth as his bulge brushes against her naked core, Amira shivers when Kasin lays her down on the bed.
Pulling back, Kasin stares down at her as he stands between her legs. Groaning as her fingers brush against his dress shirt, trying to grasp and undo the buttons, Kasin mutters, “Naughty minx.”
Grinning, Amira squirms back and finds herself kneeling before Kasin as he looms over her. Blushing, Amira whispers back, fingers swiftly unbuttoning his shirt, revealing his hard chest and trim waist, “You have no idea.”
Before he can stop her, Amira is brushing aside his shirt and her hands trace his chest until they stop at the bulge of his pants. Breathing harshly, Kasin’s hands move to stop hers as Amira began unbuttoning the dark pants.
“Amira, what are you…” His words trailed off as she stares up at him mischievously.
“Have you ever been given a blowjob before, Kasin?”
Gasping out a harsh laugh, Kasin swallows and brushes aside one of her pale strands, “Of course, before our marriage, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Tonight should be about you, Amira.”
“I can share.” Amira murmurs and before he has a chance to stop her, she slowly unbuttons the last button with a pop and slides the zipper down all the way. Satisfied with the tense expression on Kasin’s face, Amira giggles innocently.
“I’ve read a lot of books in the last five years, Kasin. You’d be surprised.”
“I know.” Kasin growls as she slowly pulls his pants and boxers down. “I’ve had you monitored. Everything you’ve read, I’ve read.”
Gasping in shock, Amira pulls her attention away from the hard and throbbing erection in his pants and stares up at her husband. “Even the…”
Kasin laughs huskily as he winks down at her and lovingly caresses her hair and interrupts, “Yes, princess, even the erotica. Who knew my wife was such a dirty girl.”
Blushing an even brighter shade of red, Amira ignores his husky chuckles and tugs his pants and boxers down with one swift movement. A little noise of frustration escapes Kasin’s mouth as his obvious bulge bounces in freedom. Amira stares. She’d seen Kasin’s cock once before. When he was a teenager, climbing the palace walls for all of Masarat to see. Now, it was truly something to behold. So thick and long. A tiny jewel of liquid leaked out and instinctively, Amira wets her lips causing Kasin to groan and his cock to jerk on its own.
“Careful, princess. If you keep making those faces and wetting your lips, I won’t be able to last much longer.”
Briefly meeting Kasin’s gaze, Amira parts her lips slightly and gently guides Kasin’s member between her lips. Placing a soft kiss on the tip, Amira shudders at the taste. Decadent and salty. So very naughty. Kasin’s hands thread through her hair as he holds her in place, as though he’s scared to let her take him any further into her mouth.
Gazing up at him through hooded eyes, Amira sucks softly on the tip of his cock, moaning softly as her tongue sweeps away the drop of precum. Kasin’s breath deepens as his hips thrust instinctually and before he can stop her, Amira’s hands take hold of him by the base and balls, squeezing softly. Caught off guard, Amira moans once more as Kasin’s hands loosen in her hair and she slides another inch into her mouth. In and out, Amira finds her rhythm as Kasin curses softly through gritted teeth.
Warm liquid pools in her core further as Kasin pulls her robe aside and clutches one of her breasts tightly in his own hand. Thumbing her nipple causes Amira to gasp with Kasin still firmly planted in her mouth as it opens wider, Kasin thrusts further into her mouth.
“You’re a natural, Amira, keep going like that,” Kasin growls as she swallows with his cock halfway in her mouth. Feeling his balls tighten in her hand, Kasin thrusts one last time before pulling Amira off of his cock. Moisture continues to drip from the tip and Amira pouts as she strokes at the base.
“Your turn, Amira,” Kasin murmurs and nods to the bed. “Lie back.”
Obeying, Amira lies back in the bed, robe now completely throne aside as Kasin stands over the bed staring down at her naked form.
“Perfect.”
“I could say the same about you,” Amira murmurs back. Collapsing at her side on the bed, Kasin grins and kisses her lips.
“Good girl,” Kasin mutters against her lips. Trailing his kisses down her neck, Amira gasps as his lips settle over her breasts. Both hands lightly squeeze and massage the plump flesh, while his mouth suckles and nibbles at the protruding peaks.
Squirming under his ministrations, Amira gasps and begs for mercy while Kasin grins softly and bites teasingly against her nipple. “You haven’t seen anything yet, Amira.”
Still teasing her nipples, Amira gasps as Kasin’s hand moves down her stomach and comes to rest on her core. One finger probing between her lips while his thumb rubs and presses against her protruding clit, Amira shudders against Kasin’s touch. Hips rising to grind against his fingers as he pushes them in and out of her sopping wet pussy, Amira bites her lip to keep from crying out.
“Let go, Amira,” Kasin orders as he picks up speed of his fingering thrusts and adds another finger.
The pressure building is too much. Amira’s matching thrusts are no match. Just at the peak of her pleasure, Kasin stops and pushes himself between her legs. Gasping at the feeling of the tip of his cock pressing against her wet lips, Amira shudders when his eyes meet hers. Dark and filled with desire, Kasin doesn’t give her a second to react before he is thrusting inside of her, ripping any last shred of her innocence away.
Now firmly inside her, Amira groans as Kasin’s body begins to move and her legs wrap instinctually around his waist. Fingers delving into his hair as he leans his body over hers, Amira gasps with every thrust as she tries to meet them. Body now completing covering hers, Amira meets Kasin’s lips as his body thrusts into hers one final time before eruption.
Then, pleasure.
18
Sheik Kasin Almasi stalks into his throne room, nodding to his counsel members and the members of the media whose cameras follow his steady march. Dressed in an impeccable suit and headpiece, Kasin waited until he stood before the throne to nod to the remainder of the room, allowing everyone else to take their seats, before he himself sat on his throne.
“Welcome men and women of the press and members of my counsel. I know this is very sudden, so I shall make this brief,” Kasin’s voice boomed as the cameras zoom in on him.
“I know many of you will remember that five years ago horror struck our country. The lives of my family and the lives of my beloved people were taken. Thankfully, our people and country have rebuilt,” Kasin’s words float through the room and at the nods of his agreeing counsel members, Kasin stands. Others in the crowd seemed to gaze around in confusion.
They all thought this was going to be a regular press conference. Some even thought Kasin would be announcing his intended proposal with one of Malik’s sisters.
Smiling to the crowd, Kasin keeps his hands behind his back as he continues, “It has been a difficult five years. There have been constant threats to both myself and my wife.”
The room was so silent a pin could have been heard as it dropped the second he says the word ‘wife’. Then chaos erupts. The press stand at attention and begin firing questions at each othe
r as they pan their cameras between Kasin and his stunned and confused counsel. His counsel members are in shock as they whisper heatedly amongst themselves.
Trying to calm the crowd, Kasin finally whistles sharply with two fingers in his mouth gaining the crowd’s attention and silence. It was a neat trick his father had taught him. A happy memory he now looked in on without the throbbing need for a drink, though he was still recovering.
Once everyone is silent, Kasin’s hands are perfectly viewable, his golden wedding ring on display. Motioning with his hand to Abel who stands at the back of the room, Kasin waves his hands around the room, urging the others to sit.
“Five years ago, I married a woman I’ve loved since we were young children playing in the palace gardens. I couldn’t bare for my new wife to fall to the clutches of the insurgents. You will all remember the turmoil Masarat was under during that time. So I kept my wife away. Hidden. I lied to my people and to my counsel by portraying myself as a different man. I do apologize to my people for my actions, but at the time, I was trying to protect the one person that I had left. I will always regret not being strong enough to bring her home sooner.”
When Kasin’s eyes meet Amira’s violet ones, he knew he had made the right decision. Smiling, Kasin motions with his hand to the back doors.
“I’d like to formally introduce the Sheikha of Masarat, Amira Almasi. My wife,” Kasin says, his voice booming.
Epilogue
Crown Prince Tariq Abadi of Hattan watched as his once dark and depressed friend, Kasin, laughed and joked with the rest of their friends while his wife, Amira, held their friends baby, Xavier. Tariq could see the look of possessiveness in his friend’s eyes. No doubt, the couple, who had up until recently been estranged, would be welcoming their own bundle of joy in a few months.
