Altair - Marian Tee Page 0,29

princess' choice of words.

"—-will be solved."

Chapter Thirteen

Dear Mama,

Although we've never really talked about it, I can feel the change in Altair. I think...I think he already loves me, Mama. He hasn't said the words, but I see it in his eyes. He loves me, Mama. He loves me.

KHALIL AND THE OTHER sheikhs listened in pensive silence as Altair relayed his latest progress report. Sheikh Mahmud still refused to see or speak to his own daughter without providing any reason while the palace's team of cryptanalysts remained hard at work in decoding the letter Safiya had sent to her father.

While this lack of news was disquieting, the Emir Sheikh found himself dwelling more on another issue altogether, and so as soon as Altair ended his report—-

"It's been almost two years since Mahmud was placed under house arrest," Khalil said quietly. "Since it also follows that you've been engaged for the same length of time..."

Altair stiffened. "Just get to the point, Your Majesty."

"Do you not think it's time for the princess to join us here in the palace?" The king was privately prepared for his cousin to take offense to his meddling, but instead Altair visibly relaxed in his seat, and Khalil, glancing at the other sheikhs, saw that he was not alone in his surprise.

"She does not care then?" Tarif's tone was outright incredulous.

"We have discussed it," Altair said smoothly, "and we have found our way to settle the matter."

Malik studied his brother with interest. It was rare for Altair to act glib, and when he did, it usually meant the other sheikh had something to hide. Something that, while not evil in any way, one wouldn't normally expect for Altair to do...

And in this case, Malik, although he was never to know it, was absolutely correct.

Altair was already in the backseat of his limousine when he finally allowed his features to contort in a grimace. Khalil's sudden inquiry about the princess had definitely caught him off guard, and it was only thanks to his battle-honed control that he had kept himself from slipping up.

But while he trusted his brothers implicitly, and he understood the reason behind the king's concern, he just wasn't the fucking type to talk, and more so when that matter was involved.

Memories drifted into his mind, and the sheikh shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he felt his cock stir into life under his robe.

He still vividly remembered that day when Safiya had returned to the base earlier than usual: he had been at a meeting with his commanding officers when she had come rushing inside his office and brought everything to a standstill. He remembered his mood instantly turning grim when he had taken the dazed expression on his betrothed's face, remembered abruptly dismissing everyone so that he could be alone with her and find out what was wrong.

He had been ready to go to hell for her, and all he had been waiting for was for her to give him a name. But as soon as they were alone, she hadn't even said a single word - or allowed him one. As soon as the last of his officers left, and the door had fallen shut behind him, Safiya had literally thrown herself at him: slender arms locking around his neck, legs around his waist, and her lips seducing his to open—-

And when her tongue had driven inside his mouth, well...

That had been it for him, Altair acknowledged wryly to himself. Since that was the first time the princess had come on to him in such a manner, his brain cells had ceased to function at that point, and he had found himself more than matching her hunger as he kissed her back and sucked on her tongue.

And when she had started moaning, God...

The memory had Altair feeling a little hot under the collar, and just as he shifted in his seat for the second time—-

His mobile phone played out a text alert he had assigned exclusively to Safiya's number, and Altair's heart pounded against his chest.

Safiya: Are you busy?

Altair: Restless again?

Safiya: Nem.

Altair: I'm two hours away.

Safiya: Perfect. My classes will be done by then.

Altair: Where do you want to meet?

Safiya: I'll be waiting for you by the gates.

Altair: And the driver?

Safiya: Will be happy to have a little break?

Altair: Noted.

ELLA COULDN'T HELP rolling her eyes when she saw Safiya cross and uncross her legs for the nth time...in the past ten minutes. Could the other princess get any more obvious? While Ella herself was