Altair - Marian Tee Page 0,55

his involvement. And so with this, Sheikh Farigha revealed to the entire world his former dealings with Tamara, and his testimony proved to be the final nail in the defendant's coffin. The older woman was sentenced to solitary confinement for life, and when asked if she had any final words to say, she only asked to speak to her son in private. What she said, however, would forever remain a secret between Tarif and his mother.

Saul, on the other hand, was tried and convicted without any fanfare. His was an expedited process, with the palace granting Agent 53 special powers to decide the man's fate.

And 53 chose death.

She was not the only one he had abused, and she truly believed it was what he deserved. But as she watched his head fall from the chopping block, the emptiness in her didn't change, and she knew then something was wrong. Saul's death was supposed to free her, but it did not. She had lost herself in her bitterness over the past, and now...she just wasn't sure what to live for anymore.

Altair was not surprised when his department received 53's request for a leave of absence, but what did make him feel wary was when 53 came to the palace and requested to speak with Safiya.

53 didn't blame the sheikh for feeling reluctant and wary, but she was surprised when Altair spoke to the princess on loudspeaker, and she heard how Safiya agreed to speak to her without hesitation.

Say sorry, mean it, and then get the hell out.

That had been 53's plan.

But then the younger woman had come rushing in to wrap her arms around 53—-

"I'm just so glad you're alive."

And Altair, seeing the two women hug and cry in each other's arms, knew then—-

That, right there...

That was what made a good life.

A YEAR CAME TO PASS. Rayyan and Hyacinth had finally announced their engagement a month ago, and the world was further shocked to know that the two had been in a relationship for years. Kyria was pregnant again, and so was the queen. Anisah and Tarif, on the other hand, were proud parents to a newborn son.

As for Altair and Hyacinth...

Today was their wedding day, and everyone in the church had tears in their eyes as they watched the kingdom's beloved hero lift a visibly shaking hand to slowly slide his ring on Safiya's finger.

Vanna, Altair's mother, had long given up keeping her tears in check, and as she watched her oldest son gently pull his bride into his arms for their first kiss as husband and wife, she just couldn't help but wish...

I wish you were here, Hadwin.

She closed her eyes, and it was at that moment she felt the gentlest breeze touch her skin—-

And she could almost swear that it was her own husband kissing her cheek—-

Could almost swear she heard his beloved voice whisper in her ear—-

I am, my love. Always.

A GRAND CELEBRATION followed shortly after the wedding, and it was nearly midnight by the time Safiya, accompanied by her bridesmaids, left to prepare for her wedding night. As tradition dictated, Altair forced himself to cool his heels for about an hour, and his visible impatience had his brothers ribbing him relentlessly about possibly ruining his bride's wedding night.

When it was finally time for Altair to leave, more than a couple well-meaning guests actually waylaid him, all of them being so moved by the princess' delicate beauty that they had forced themselves to muster the courage to speak to the sheikh. 'Please be gentle, alshaykh' was their only wish, and to this Altair managed to respond in a similarly grave manner.

Nem. I shall.

It was understandable that they thought his princess shy and demure. That was truly how she was...except of course when it was just the two of them.

Like now.

Altair had taken a quick shower before joining his bride in his chamber. While he had cared enough to throw a silk robe over his nakedness, his beloved was already lying naked on his bed, and her sex was already dewy with need.

"Please, beloved. We have waited for so long."

And just like that, Altair forgot about keeping his cool and gently introducing his bride to the ultimate act of lovemaking.

In mere seconds, the sheikh was completely naked, and the sight of him looming over her and poised between her legs all but knocked the breath out of her lungs.

Beautiful, she thought dazedly.

He was so, so beautiful-—

But the thought was quickly forgotten, with Safiya crying out as the sheikh's