One Desert Night - By Maggie Cox Page 0,57

of the toast glanced her way. Should she have said Your Highness, instead of addressing him so personally? But he was smiling, and for a moment she breathed a little easier.

'Thank you, my sister...and you also, Gina. Like I said earlier, I am very glad to be home again. I've returned with some important news.'

Gina's reprieve from anxiety was not yet over. Her insides tightened painfully. Was this where he announced that he was officially engaged to the Emir's daughter? If so, was she willing to remain in Kabuyadir as his mistress, knowing that he would never wholly be hers? Returning her glass to the table, she nervously brushed an imaginary piece of lint from the long sleeve of the aquamarine top that matched her long silk skirt.

Her expression equally concerned, Farida's voice was falsely bright. 'Perhaps we should enjoy our meal before you tell us your news, Zahir?'

He frowned. 'It is most unlike you not to want to hear my news straight away, Farida.' Narrowing his gaze, he silently assessed her for a moment. 'I think you must have undergone a serious change of character while I've been gone if that is the case.'

'Not at all. I have simply been much more at peace with Gina here to keep me company. I've very much enjoyed working alongside her on the inventory. It has really helped me find some purpose at last. These things have occupied my time and my mind much more than idle speculation about what news you might bring from Kajistan.'

'So to ponder on the news I bring from that place is "idle speculation"?' He grinned. 'You really know how to deflate a man's ego, my sister! Well, whatever else is happening, it is very good to learn that you are in a much better place and that your spirits have lifted. Now—regardless—I will tell all.'

With her tummy full of fluttering butterflies, Gina held onto her drinking glass as though it was an anchor in wildly stormy seas. Again, her appetite for any sustenance other than Zahir's drugging, passionate kisses fled.

'As you know, I had talked about the possibility of marriage with the Emir's daughter.'

'And I believe I told you I did not think that was such a good idea,' the girl at Gina's side piped up accusingly.

At the side of Zahir's bronzed cheekbone a muscle ticked irritably. 'As always, sister, your views are never kept hidden from me. In a strange sort of way I suppose I appreciate it that you care enough to share them with me.'

The corners of his mouth were duelling with a smile again, and Gina wondered how that was possible when he was just about to break her heart into a million shattered pieces.

'All right, Zahir. Just put us out of our misery and get on with it, will you?'

Now his sister's voice was petulant. In answer, Zahir wiped his hands on his fine linen napkin, then let it drop back down onto the table again. 'My news is that I will not be getting engaged to the Emir's daughter after all.'

'You won't? I mean, you're not?' Farida's brown eyes were twin mirrors of stunned surprise.

Meanwhile, after the unbearable tension of waiting for his announcement, Gina almost crumpled with relief.

With a heartfelt sigh, Zahir studied both girls. 'The most surprising thing happened. I learned that the Emir does not want to relegate his beloved only daughter to a loveless marriage—no matter how influential or beneficial. It seems he is much influenced by the legend attached to our infamous family jewel, and is breaking with his family's tradition by now believing that she should only marry a man who adores her. Also, he does not believe it would be a good thing for a descendant of my father to go against the prophecy and marry merely for convenience or dynastic alliance. He admitted he fears possible "supernatural" repercussions if I were to go against it. So...' an intriguing but puzzling little half-smile played about his lips '...it seems there will be no dynastic marriage to bring our two powerful kingdoms together after all.'

'That's wonderful!'

At her brother's reproving glance Farida blushed, then quickly tried to play down her obvious delight.

'I don't mean it's wonderful that our kingdoms will not benefit from a marriage between our houses. I just mean that it's great that the Emir believes his daughter should only marry a man who adores her. I am happy for her...that's what I meant. Underneath her dull exterior she's a sweet girl, and