The Sheikh’s Tempted Prisoner by Holly Rayner Page 0,40
professed their love for one another many times that day already.
Marissa blinked as she looked from Lily to Atnan and back to Lily.
“Is that…the Sheikh?” she asked, her voice growing more astonished with every passing minute.
Lily laughed, and Atnan stood, giving Marissa a respectful bow.
“Atnan Shadid, at your service. Please enjoy your new car, and know that whatever you knew about me before your trip has changed quite significantly in the past week—mostly thanks to your friend.”
Lily smiled as Marissa continued to look at them both in disbelief.
“Well, this is definitely the strangest homecoming I’ve ever had. Can I get you two anything? Tea? Coffee?”
Lily glanced back at Atnan, ready to move on.
“No, thanks. We just came by to grab my things. I’ll be staying with Atnan until I can find myself a job. Let’s grab lunch soon, okay?”
Lily reached for Atnan’s hand and gave Marissa one last wave as they headed out the door, leaving her bewildered friend to wonder until they met again. Atnan opened Lily’s door for her before heading to his own side, and as they slid into the car, they smiled at one another.
“To new adventures?” she asked.
He clasped her hand in his, smiling.
“To new adventures!”
And they drove off, to face a new day, a new life, and a new love.
Chapter Sixteen
The next couple of days passed in a blur of passion, relaxation, and complete and total joy. Still, Lily watched Atnan closely, and on the third day, she made an observation.
“You haven’t yet reached out to your father,” she said.
Atnan was chewing on a piece of wheat toast and jam. He continued to do so, not looking up. She walked over to him, running her hands along his shoulder blades. When she found them tense, her eyebrows knit together in concern.
“What is it, Atnan? I thought you were excited at the prospect of seeing your father again.”
She walked around the kitchen island to face him. When he looked up, his eyes were sad.
“Of course I am. I’ve wanted to see him for months. It’s just…”
Lily waited as he collected his thoughts. He sighed.
“When I was in exile, I considered my father’s lack of communication his way of protecting me. I worked hard to convince myself that his silence was a kindness. Now that I’m out, now that the papers have declared me innocent, why would he be silent now?”
Lily realized what was bothering him, then.
“You’ve been waiting for him to reach out to you first,” she said, and Atnan gave an almost imperceptible nod.
“Perhaps he is waiting for you to do the same,” Lily suggested. “The two of you might have a standoff for the next twenty years if you don’t take the first step.”
Atnan leaned back in his chair, his eyes cloudy as he looked out the window. Lily walked back around and gently turned his chair, forcing him to face her. She cupped his face in her hands, her eyes searching his.
“It’s time for you to face your father, Atnan. Come on. Let’s go to the palace. There’s no use putting it off.”
She walked away from him, picking up a set of car keys from a side table and standing by the door. Atnan didn’t move.
“What if he…”
Lily shook her head.
“I don’t want to hear any ‘what ifs.’ Nothing will ever be as bad as what you can imagine. Let’s go. You are far overdue for this meeting.”
He stared at her for a moment, debating with himself. His shoulders lowered after a while, and he stood, facing her as he reached the door.
“I hope you’re right,” he said, his tone ominous.
“Since when have I not been right?”
“Well, there was that time involving a rickety staircase,” he replied, his tone dry.
Lily laughed, opening the door and grasping his hand as she pulled him out of the apartment.
“Fair enough, but you can’t say that didn’t end happily.”
“Indeed I can’t,” he agreed, allowing himself to be led to the elevator, where Lily pressed the button.
Atnan was silent as he took the keys from her in the garage, knowing she had no idea where the palace was situated. The car ride was tense as he wound his way through traffic, taking a highway Lily had never been on before. Eventually, Atnan pulled off at an exit and drove down winding roads until a large white structure appeared from behind the foliage.
It was tucked away between the trees, a hidden treasure of creamy white with silver domes. They pulled up to a black iron gate, and a