Desert Rogues Part 2

Sadik found it impossible to concentrate after Cleo left. He muttered something about difficult women, then went in search of his father. The man had been married several times. Obviously Hassan knew how to control women far better than his son.

“She cannot be reasoned with,” he complained when he was shown into his father’s private office. “She defies me at every turn. She is headstrong. I do not know how to bend her to my will.”

His father leaned back in his large chair and motioned for Sadik to be seated on the opposite side of the desk. “If you insist a woman bend too far, you will break her spirit.”

Privately Sadik thought that might improve the situation. “She is planning on attending the university. I do not understand why being my wife and the mother of my children is not enough for her.”

“Have you considered that bettering herself is a far more productive way for her to spend her day than shopping? If she has interests, she’ll be happy in Bahania.”

“She will have our son to care for. That is interest enough.”

His father shook his head. “It is not so simple, my son. I wish it were. Women can be complex creatures.” He turned and stared out the window, at the formal gardens flourishing in the mild, fall temperatures.

“I do not want complex. I want obedient.”

Hassan returned his attention to Sadik and smiled. “Then you should not have married Cleo.”

“That’s what she said.”

“She is wise.”

Not the words Sadik had been looking for. “Then you agree with her decision to attend the university. You do not think I should forbid it.” No point in saying he’d already tried.

“You must do as you see best in your marriage,” his father said. “However, Cleo will not be dictated to without reason. She has already given in to you on the matter of getting married.”

“She had no choice.” Sadik was still bitter that Cleo had not been honored by his proposal.

“Exactly. Let her have a choice this time. Be wise, my son. Do not listen to your head as much as your heart.”

“My heart has nothing to do with this.”

The king shook his head. “The choice in that is yours, but I fear you will regret holding her back. How much of your concern about Cleo is that she will not have time to raise your children and how much of it is your fear that she will have a life away from you? One that she may come to enjoy more?”

Sadik ignored the questions, mostly because he didn’t like them. He was a royal prince of Bahania—he feared nothing.

His father’s phone rang. Sadik nodded and left. But he did not feel better for having spoken of his troubles. Uneasiness dogged him. Things with Cleo were not as he thought they would be. She was not grateful that he had married her, nor was she willing to do as he requested, no matter how reasonable the demand. She spoke of the university, and before their marriage she had even spoken of love.

He knew she wanted to take possession of his heart. That he could not allow. The price of love was loss. Losing Kamra had upset his world for many weeks, and although he refused to admit it to anyone but himself, Kamra had mattered far less than Cleo. He did not want to consider the destruction that would follow if his wife were to disappear from his life. He could not allow himself to be shattered that way, so he would not allow her to matter.

As he did every morning Sadik appeared promptly at seven forty-five. He carried a tray into the bedroom and set it carefully on the nightstand. He bent low and kissed Cleo on the mouth, then handed her the disgusting, purple protein drink he insisted she have each morning.

While she concentrated on sipping without gagging, he drew back the covers and pulled up her nightgown. He placed both his hands on her stomach and addressed her growing belly.

“Good morning, my son,” he murmured, his voice low and filled with affection. “Today we will discuss the ways of the desert. The desert is like a magnificent woman who will not be tamed. Treat her with respect and she will serve you all your days. Ignore her or underestimate her and she will destroy you.”

Cleo couldn’t help smiling. “You underestimate me all the time and I have yet to destroy you. Although I do think about slapping some sense into you from time to time.”

Sadik ignored her, although she saw the corners of his mouth twitch slightly.

“Your aunt, Princess Sabrina, was once foolish enough to go out in the desert by herself,” he continued. “She was trapped by a sandstorm and nearly died. You, my son, will never behave in such a manner. You and the desert will be one.”

Cleo choked down her protein drink and let Sadik’s words wash over her. She didn’t understand this morning ritual of his—mostly because she was sure their unborn child couldn’t understand anything that was being said. But she enjoyed the time with her husband. When he was like this, so kind and gentle, touching her, caring about her and the baby, she believed they might have a chance at making their marriage work.

Unfortunately, more times than not, Prince Sadik was stubborn and uncooperative.

She finished her drink about the same time he finished his “desert” lecture. Sadik rose and sat on the side of the bed.

“What are your plans for the day?” he asked.

“I’m meeting with my tutor.”

His expression tightened. “You are too intelligent to require a tutor.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or scream. On the one hand he hated that she insisted on starting at the university; on the other, he was insulted that she would need help getting up to speed.

“Sadik, while I appreciate the vote of confidence, the reality is that I was never much of a model student. I barely made it through some of my high school courses. The university can’t refuse me—I’m married to you. So to avoid embarrassment for everyone, I’m brushing up on a few subjects.”

Her husband’s gaze suddenly narrowed. “Who is your tutor and where will you be studying?”

For a second her foolish heart took flight. Sadik’s jealousy gave her reason to hope. But before she could read too much into the question, she reminded herself that he had made it clear he wasn’t about to fall in love with her. So being jealous was a knee-jerk response, not one that meant anything.

“A woman,” she said with a sigh. “Don’t get your panties all in a bunch. Even I know better than to hire a male tutor.”

“That is as it should be.” He rose and kissed her again, then touched her cheek. “I count the hours until I see you later today.”

She watched him leave. A part of her wished those words were true. He said them each morning, but they were simply a ritual without meaning. Like their marriage, she thought sadly, not knowing how to make things different. No matter how intensely she and Sadik made love, no matter how often, she couldn’t seem to touch more than his body. She wanted to believe there was a way to reach his heart, but so far she had no bright ideas. Maybe it was time for some expert advice.

Cleo had never flown in a helicopter before. She tried to stay calm and not think about the insanity of trusting her life to a giant flying bug. Rather than give in to her fear, she stared down at the endless stretch of desert. Somewhere in the sandy beige of the Bahanian wilderness sat a secret city hidden for over a thousand years.

The City of Thieves acted as a home base for thousands of wandering nomads. The residents had originally made their fortunes by stealing from desert travelers. Eventually they had realized it was far easier to offer protection to the merchants on the Silk Road than to take from them. Now the nomads protected the vast oil fields belonging to Bahania and neighboring El Bahar.

Cleo had read up on the City of Thieves, at least on the legends about the place. The city didn’t officially exist. In a way it was like Camelot—without the English accents.

Cleo smiled at her feeble joke, all the while trying not to feel apprehensive. Zara had returned from her honeymoon the previous day. As much as she wanted to deal with Zara over the phone, it didn’t seem fair. Not after all they’d been to each other. Her foster sister would want an explanation, and Cleo was going to give it to her. Maybe in defining all that had happened between Sadik and herself, she would come to understand it more clearly.

The helicopter moved lower. Cleo squinted against the bright sunlight. There, at the base of a mountain, she thought she saw something. Buildings maybe? They blended perfectly with the surrounding rock. Was it possible that a medieval city still functioned in these modern times?

The original stone huts had given way to an elaborate walled city, complete with a castle. The location had been decided by two factors: the geography that allowed a stone city to blend into the surroundings and a river flowing from an underground spring. The water circled the city, then dove beneath the earth to be cleansed and renewed.

Sabrina’s husband, Prince Kardal, ruled the city. Zara’s new husband, Rafe, was in charge of security. Although a Bahanian princess, Zara now called the City of Thieves her home.

Cleo pressed a hand against the window as the giant bug slowly lowered itself to the stone landing pad in front of the main doors to the palace. She could see vast fields, irrigated by the river, and corralled cattle and goats. In the distance several dozen nomads made their way back to the desert, after visiting the city.

Once the helicopter came to a stop, a uniformed guard opened the door, put out a step for her and bowed.

“Welcome to the City of Thieves, Princess Cleo,” he said, straightening and offering a hand to help her down.

Cleo rested her fingers lightly on his palm. She stepped onto the worn stone and saw a courtyard filled with a busy marketplace. She had the sense of stepping back in time—as if life in the city had been like this for a thousand years. After all, it probably had. She half expected to see a dancing scarecrow and tin man singing about visiting a wizard.

But instead of Technicolor creatures, the main doors of the palace opened to reveal Zara and Sabrina. They both rushed toward Cleo and gathered her close in a group hug that brought tears to Cleo’s eyes.

Zara stepped back first and glared at her sister. “Don’t for a moment think I’m ever going to forgive you for running off and getting married without telling me about it.”

Cleo winced. “I didn’t want to spoil your honeymoon. Are you really mad?”

Zara sighed. “No. I understand.” She looked at her sister’s bulging stomach. “It’s not like you had a lot of time to wait. I just wish I’d been there.”

“I would have liked that, too,” Cleo admitted as the weepy feeling started to get stronger.

Sabrina slipped between them both and drew them inside the castle. “Now, ladies, there will be no tears today. And no ill tempers. We’re going to have a fabulous ‘girls only’ day. We’re going to stretch out on sofas and eat fattening food, while we trash our husbands and talk about shoes. Are we in agreement?”

Zara smiled at Cleo. “Yes. I agree. And I’m really glad you’re here.”

For the first time since her marriage to Sadik, Cleo felt as if she could actually relax. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

Zara and Sabrina took Cleo on a tour of the castle before they settled down for their girl talk. While sections of the ancient structure had been modernized, there were still rooms and corridors constructed of stone, with slits for windows and no heating, cooling or air-conditioning.

“There are fireplaces,” Sabrina said as they strolled through a large guest bedroom. “The stone walls are thick enough to keep out the heat, and something about the way the place is built actually takes advantage of the night breezes to cool the place off. But you wouldn’t want to get lost around here. It’s big enough that it could literally take days to find you.”

“I’m still using a map,” Zara confessed. “I also have a cell phone that I’ve had to rely on more than once. It’s pretty embarrassing to phone Rafe and tell him to come find me.”

Sabrina laughed. “He hardly minds. You’re still newlyweds.”

Zara sighed with contentment. “You’re right. He doesn’t mind at all.”

Cleo smiled because she was expected to, but she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy for Zara’s and Sabrina’s happiness. They were both married to wonderful men who were completely devoted. They were—

A tall man dressed in traditional desert robes swept around a bend in the corridor. Cleo froze, then instinctively took a step back before recognizing the handsome prince. He nodded at both her and Zara, then swept Sabrina into his arms.

“How are you?” he demanded. “Do you feel well? Should you be resting? Are you hungry?”

Sabrina lightly touched her husband’s face, then stepped free of his embrace. “Kardal—I’m great. Really. You’ve got to stop doing this.”

“You’re my wife. Of course I’m concerned about you.”

“Yes, but if you make me crazy, I’ll be forced to stab you in your sleep. Now get back to work.”

He kissed her fiercely, then spun on his heel and retreated.

Zara glanced at Cleo. “Sabrina has a secret.”

The king of Bahania’s youngest daughter shrugged as she led the way down the corridor. They entered a large living area with several sofas pulled up around a large coffee table overflowing with trays containing a traditional English tea.

Cleo was still caught up in Kardal’s need to see his wife in the middle of the day. They had been married for almost two years. Should he be over that by now?

The envy she’d been feeling twisted in her chest, making her wish for things that weren’t going to happen—at least not in her marriage.

Sabrina sank down on one of the couches and motioned for the other women to do the same. But instead of leaning back, she sat forward and stared intently at Cleo.

“I’m pregnant,” she said.

Cleo had barely sat down, but she instantly sprang to her feet and hurried toward Sabrina. The two women hugged.

“I’m so happy for you,” Cleo said genuinely.

At least she could say that without feeling as if she were lying. She was happy Sabrina was going to have a baby. They could discuss infants and pregnancy to their hearts’ content without boring everyone else, and their children would grow and play together.

Tears glittered in Sabrina’s eyes. “I’m about two months along. I didn’t say anything when I first found out because there was so much other stuff going on, but I’m ready to let everyone know.” She brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “I don’t get it. I’m barely feeling any morning sickness, but I can’t seem to stop crying.”

“Hey, that happened to me all the time, too,” Cleo said, returning to the sofa and plopping down. She glanced at Zara. “Feeling any pressure?”

Zara chuckled. “Maybe a little. But Rafe and I have talked about kids, and while we want several, we both would like at least a year with just the two of us. We want to travel and adjust to being married.” Zara glanced around at the soaring thirty-foot ceilings and the eight-hundred-year-old tapestries on the walls. “Plus I have to get used to living in the City of Thieves.”

“That’s not a hardship,” Sabrina said with a wave of her hand. “It’s great here. To be honest, I hate being away from the castle.” She leaned forward and began pouring tea. “Please help yourself.”

Cleo eyed the table laden with all kinds of cakes, cookies, sandwiches and scones. There were also silver-trimmed glass bowls filled with different kinds of salad nestled on ice, and plates of fruit.

They discussed Sabrina’s pregnancy. Cleo mentioned the name of the doctor she was going to see for her monthly checkup, and Sabrina talked about the possibility of seeing a midwife from the village outside the main castle. The whole time they talked, Cleo could feel Zara watching her. Finally she turned to her foster sister.

“You might as well tell me what’s on your mind. You know you’re going to say it eventually.”

Zara tilted her head. She and Sabrina looked amazingly alike, with their long dark hair and big brown eyes. But while Sabrina was completely comfortable in her surroundings, Zara had the air of someone who expected to wake up from a dream at any moment.

“Are you happy with your life?” Zara asked.

The question surprised Cleo. It also made her choke as her herbal tea went down the wrong way.

Happy with her life? What was that? Cleo could recall specific events that had made her happy—an unexpected birthday party when she’d turned sixteen or a weekend trip with Zara. For her happiness came in measurements of hours, maybe even the occasional day, but never in terms of a life.

“I’m still adjusting,” she said, hedging.

Sabrina didn’t look any more convinced by her answer than Zara did. “How’s my brother treating you?”

She thought about his daily attentions each morning, when he brought her breakfast and talked to their unborn child. She thought of the tenderness of his embrace, when he pulled her close to make love with her.

“He’s good to me…in an arrogant-prince sort of way.”

Zara and Sabrina exchanged a glance. “Then why are your eyes so sad?” her former foster sister asked.

Cleo set down her tea. Part of her wanted to tell the truth because she needed to talk to someone. She felt a little strange about confiding her deepest feelings in front of Sabrina, but the odds were that Zara would tell her, anyway. Besides, Sabrina knew Sadik—maybe she could offer advice.

“He cares about the baby,” Cleo said slowly. “I know he has committed himself to the marriage.”

“But?” Zara promoted.

Cleo put her hand on her round belly. “We didn’t plan this. Once I went home, Sadik never bothered to get in touch with me. I’m not sure he would have ever thought of me again if I hadn’t shown back up on his radar scope. He wouldn’t have married me if I hadn’t gotten pregnant.”

Sabrina set down her cup, as well. “I get it,” she said sympathetically. “You’re in love with him. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. I mean I should have guessed.”

Zara looked stunned. She glanced from Cleo to Sabrina, then slowly shook her head. “No, I should have seen it. Oh, Cleo, you went and fell for him, didn’t you?”

For once her hormones seemed to be asleep because she managed to nod without breaking into tears. “I didn’t mean it to happen. Obviously, he doesn’t love me. He’s still in love with Kamra—he told me so,” she added quickly when Sabrina started to protest. “He gave her his heart, so he doesn’t have it to share with me. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do now. I asked the king if I could leave, but he won’t let me.”

“Of course not,” Sabrina said gently. “You’re carrying his first grandchild. Any child I have will be heir to the City of Thieves, and Zara’s children won’t be in line for the throne. Besides, the king really likes you, Cleo. He’s not going to let you walk away.”

“I found that out.” She spread her hands, palms up. “So I’m trapped. I love a man who won’t love me back. Maybe one of you would like to slap me and tell me to snap out of it. That or offer really good advice about how to make this work. I figure we’re in the marriage for the long haul. I’d like to make it a happy relationship. If not for us, then at least for our children.”

There was a long, awkward silence. So much for brilliant advice.

Sabrina stood and moved around the coffee table. She sat next to Cleo and took her hand. “Don’t give up on Sadik’s heart. I saw him with Kamra years ago and the thing is, I don’t remember anything. When they were together it was uninteresting. When you two are together sparks fly.”

“At the risk of telling you more than you want to know, that’s just about sex.”

Sabrina grinned. “You’ve had sex?” She touched Cleo’s belly. “No kidding. I think we’re all aware of that.” Her smile faded. “I meant what I said about Kamra. He never looked at her the way he looks at you. There’s definitely something between you. If it’s passion, then that’s something to build on.”

Sabrina squeezed her fingers. “Don’t forget how my brothers were raised. There were virtually no mother figures around. They were shuttled off to boarding school at a ridiculous age. They don’t know how to express their feelings. Sex may be all Sadik is capable of right now.”

“But he loved Kamra.” And he refused to love her.

“Did he love her?” Sabrina asked. “Or does he want to remember loving her? If he builds a shrine in his mind, then he gets to have happy memories. But what I remember is that she was spineless. I don’t think she ever had an opinion of her own. She would have made him crazy in a matter of months.”

“I make him crazy now.”

“Maybe, but in the best way possible. Don’t give up. Not on him or your marriage. I think you have the potential for something amazing.”

Cleo desperately wanted her sister-in-law’s words to be true. Given her current situation, she didn’t have any choice but to hope.

Chapter Thirteen

A t four that afternoon Sabrina and Zara walked Cleo to the entrance of the palace. Cleo could hear the approaching helicopter in the distance. She supposed that transportation-on-demand was one of the “princess perks.” It beat having to travel to the City of Thieves by car…or even camel.

“Just let me know when the childbirth classes start,” Zara was saying. “I’ll be there. Once you get close to delivery, we’ll have a helicopter standing by. When you’re within a week of delivering, I’ll move into the palace.”

Cleo hugged her sister close. “I know Rafe is going to hate me for taking you away from him, but thank you for offering to be with me. It means a lot.”

“Rafe understands,” Zara promised. “Besides, if he gets lonely, he can always come spend the night with me.”

Sabrina touched her own still-flat stomach. “My big request is that you both lie about how bad childbirth is. I want to hear happy, pain-free stories. Don’t tell me about screaming or blood or anything icky.”

Cleo laughed. “You got it. You’ll get the made-for-TV version.”

As the helicopter touched down, Sabrina and Zara promised to be in touch soon. Cleo waved goodbye, then headed for her ride. As she approached the buglike vehicle, she was surprised when the door opened and a familiar, tall man stepped down.

Flying in the face of common sense and all that was reasonable, her heart skipped into overdrive. It was as if the silly organ hadn’t figured out it was foolish to fall for a man still in love with someone else. But despite the lecture, Cleo couldn’t help but be happy at the sight of her husband.

He hurried toward her.

“I came to escort you home,” he said, bending down to kiss her lightly, before taking her hand in his. “Had you told me you wished to visit your sister and Sabrina, I would have come with you this morning.”

Startled, she couldn’t help asking, “Why?”

“So you would not make this journey alone.”

Cleo thought about the pilot and copilot who had accompanied her. She’d hardly been by herself. “I was fine.”

He frowned at her. “You are my wife. I expect better than ‘fine’ for you.”

She wasn’t sure what to say to that. Rather than speak, she allowed Sadik to help her into the helicopter. He fastened her seat belt, then settled next to her. Once they were airborne it was difficult to speak over the engine and the whipping of the rotors, but Cleo didn’t mind. It was enough to be next to Sadik, holding his hand.

Maybe Sabrina had been right. Maybe there was a chance that they could make it work. After all, the precious ghost of Kamra might still have possession of his heart, but it could not give him a child. A child would be a strong bond between them.

Cleo vowed then and there to release the past and her pain about his lingering affection for his late fiancée. Instead she would focus on all that was positive between them. They were going to have a child. Sadik had promised to be a supportive and faithful husband. They enjoyed each other’s company and there was great passion between them. Somehow she would make that enough.