by Jones, Sarah
Louise stared at her.
"Are you saying you were engaged?"
She nodded.
Hanin fought beside my father. The tears returned, and this time Louise had to support her. "Hanin is gone first, and then my father. I could not bury them.
"Aban rescued you and brought you here," Louise said.
Alisha trembled in her arms, and the lady realized it again.
"Ah, here you are. Aban appeared at the entrance to the garden and walked to where the women were. He smiled but still looked nervous. "Sabah wishes to see you."
The girl parted from Louise, standing before Aban, and with a quick greeting left the garden. The man continued where he was and changed his expression, meeting Louise's gaze, peering at her from head to toe.
She stood up and tried to pass him, but the man caught her by the arm, preventing her from continuing. Louise tried to get rid of his hand, but he began to chant phrases in an ancient language, of which few words she could understand.
- Let me go. Louise pushed him away and seized the moment to run out of the garden, barely looking back.
She crossed the corridor toward the kitchen with her heart leaping, startled by what had just happened. By the way, what had just happened?
She turned in a corridor, encountering Said and two other men talking. When she saw them, she tried to disguise and return, but the Sheik perceived her presence and, dispatching the men, went to her.
"You look scared." He touched her shoulder, examining her expression.
Louise denied vehemently, smiling at him. I did not want to worry him.
- I am fine. I was going to help Karida.
Said, still serious, slid his hand down her arm and, finally, laced his fingers to Louise's gently.
"I miss you," he confessed. - I'm dying to touch you again.
"Me too," she admitted, blushing. She stood on tiptoe and placed a light kiss on the Sheik's lips.
Sighing, Said got out of it and ran his hand through her hair.
- Camp issues have taken a lot of time. I can not fail to fulfill my obligations. He turned to her and stared at her. "As soon as it's all over, I want you back in my arms, my body in yours.
"What do you intend to do about the riots?" She asked, trying to change the subject. It was difficult to remain stable while Said spoke so openly of things ... pleasurable.
"I have not found a solution yet. For the first time in years, I would like to have my father's help. He would know what to do in a situation like this, "he confessed, leaning against the wall, his head bowed.
Louise looked at the tall, strong man in such an inferior position and felt obliged to say something. Anything that would help him understand how good it was for that people and that yes, there would be a solution to the problem. But the words did not come, and everything she thought to say became vague quickly, useless.
"I have to go to the kitchen," she informed him.
Said said nothing and did not even move, which made Louise even more nervous. That was why she cursed softly and came back to him, grabbing him by the shirt and putting her lips to his. She kissed him with pleasure, thrusting her tongue against the Sheikh's lips, ruling, telling him she wanted him. When he started trying to overlap, she simply walked away.
As for Said, he stood there, still affected by the movement of Louise's body as he went. It took some time for him to finally realize how interesting her attitude had been.
Chapter twenty-three
At the end of that day, Said was called urgently to the camp. A revolt, led by two men, had begun. Exalted, they screamed for the presence of the Sheikh and the solution to the onslaught that was brewing.
Soon Said appeared and, in a superior attitude, ordered the guards to stay at a distance, since he was willing to talk to the men and solve the problem.
When Louise heard, through the conversations of maids, what happened, sneaked away from the kitchen outside the palace, plunging into the midst of dozens of people, covering her face with the veil so as not to be discovered. I wanted to see what would happen. She was nervous about Said.
Contrary to what she imagined, the Sheikh seemed calm before those two men with unfriendly expressions. From where she was, infiltrated by a group of women, Louise could hear part of the conversation between Said and the men.
"The plague is between us, sir" one of the men, with dark skin and red robe, began, raising his hands to the sky. - Allah wants us to fight evil and spread it out of our land.
Said looked over the man's shoulders, to the people who murmured, agreeing with him.
"Go on" he ordered, willing to know what was happening there.
"The sand will be marked with blood if they do not leave." There is no place for them in our camp, sir" the other man said, making it clear what the situation was.
The Sheik sighed, seeing how the men had managed to influence the other people in the camp, urging them to revolt as well. A rumble began among the people on the right who said something about expulsion, and others who talked about death. The guards advanced, but Said raised his hand, motioning for them to stop.
"I gave them shelter and food, welcomed the Sultan's daughter, and pledged myself to protect her until all was settled. I did my duty, as I had been taught since I was a young man"he said, his voice high, for all to hear. "It is not necessary that we come into conflict, everyone will have what it takes to live.
More screams and words, some agreeing and others still afraid. Louise, in the midst of the people, brought her hand to her chest, distressed to see Said being harassed in that way. It hurt her to see him being harshly questioned by his own people, being a source of mistrust and revolt. If she could tell those people who Said really was, she would do it without hesitation. But she was aware that she could not interfere in that way, because she was not part of them, she did not have the blood of that land. Then she just continued to watch as the men turned their backs on Said, leaving one last ultimatum.
"At sunrise the next day, if they do not leave, our people will unite to do so," said the taller man, receiving support from other people.
And Said stood alone in the midst of the people, watching them as they turned their backs to him, some with compassionate eyes, others visibly confused. He did not blame them, understood the situation, and accepted their feelings. But what bothered him most was that he could not find a workable solution to the problem. It was obvious that he did not approve of the Aban people's stay in his kingdom, and that he did so only for his honor and customs, which obliged him to provide Alisha. He also wanted to see them leaving. It worried him now to know what would happen.
The Sheik was awakened from his reflections by a little girl in a dark blue tunic, pulling at his pants, looking at him with wide eyes. He, not quite knowing what to do, crouched down, staying in her height, who smiled in delight.
"Are you lost, Princess?" He asked, holding her little hand.
The girl, who did not appear to be more than four years old, confirmed, frowning. He did not seem afraid.
"Well, then we'll find your mother." He took her by the arms and stood up, placing her on his lap.
"It's loud," she said, clinging to his shoulders.
Said smiled, walking toward the tents, away from a group of women staring at him. One caught his attention, for his curious and searching look ...
- Why are you here? He asked, approaching.
The woman shrugged and began to walk beside him.
"Who is this princess?"
The little girl grinned and offered her arms to Louise, who was caught by surprise by the child hugging her.
"Oh, well ..." She looked at Said, who just laughed, leading her through a row of tents.
- Talisi. A young woman appeared in front of them, shouting, taking the girl from Louise's arms and hugging her desperately. "Thank you, sir." She lowered her head in honor of Sheikh and smiled at Louise before running back, the girl on her shoulders waving at them.
"You're good wi
th children," Louise said shortly afterward.
Said barely looked at her as he answered.
"I like them" he said simply. "Let's go back to the palace, I'm willing to punish you for leaving that way, and without telling me."
She frowned. "I wanted to see what was happening," she protested.
Both walked to the entrance of the palace.
Curiosity kills some people, Louise.
"I was not curious." I was afraid something would happen to you" she confessed, stopping to stare at him.
Said also stopped and approached. He took her hands and kissed her sweetly.
"Nothing will happen to me, I assure you. His gaze was intense and sent shivers to Louise."And thanks for being by my side."
"I'll always be by your side, Said," Louise said, taking his hand and bringing it to her lips, repeating his gesture.
Said swallowed, frightened by the shock of energy that reverberated through his body, going directly to his heart.
***
In the middle of the night, Louise woke up disoriented, feeling her mouth dry. She had slept hoping that Said would come to her and wait until late at night when she succumbed to sleep.
She felt suffocated and decided she needed fresh air. Maybe she meets Said.
She put on her light tunic and slipped on her slippers, lighting the candle beside the bed. She walked out of the room, into the dark hallway. Cold went through her skin, and she shrank, deciding that yes, would go to Said. Why should there be no such thing? She had already accepted that she loved him and wanted him. He had not touched her for days.
She left the room behind her and entered a new corridor, pleased that there was no guard wake as he had done before. She heard some muttered lines that seemed to come from the corridor next to Said's room.
Louise leaned against the wall and craned her neck to see Aban and Alisha talking, the man visibly nervous, pointing to the face of the young woman, who seemed to cry, holding the little candle in her hands.
First Louise wanted to believe it was just a simple conversation, but when she heard Aban's next sentence, her opinion changed.
"I told you to wrap it up." You must marry him, Alisha. Only then will we have control of the kingdom.
"I can not ..." she said, still crying.
Louise saw Aban shake Alisha's shoulders violently.
- Yes, you will. Or I'll kill you like I did to your father. I will not hesitate for a moment. He twisted her arm, making her moan.
- Let her go! Louise screamed, appearing in the hallway. "Do not touch her!
Aban looked at her in alarm, pushing Alisha to the corner.
"Do not get into it!" He started toward Louise, who was desperate. "I always imagined that the filthy Englishwoman would be against my plans." You will learn exactly where you belong.
The man was getting closer, and Louise did not know what to do. Her legs did not respond to her mind, who was shouting for her to run.
When Aban's hands were near her face, Alisha threw herself on his back, punching him in the face, unbalancing him.
Louise threw the candle to the floor and ran to help, kicking the man's legs. He struggled, trying to knock them down, and the lady screamed, trying to get the guard's attention.
Aban threw Alisha against the wall and grabbed Louise by the throat, choking her.
"It will be so easy to kill you" he said between his teeth, feeling the woman's body soften in his hands. Before he could take his life, however, he was arrested by Said, who was running desperately, wielding his scimitar, ready to kill Aban.
The frightened man let the Englishwoman fall to the floor and stepped back in time for the guards who came to Said to hold him against the wall. The Sheik bypassed Louise, who was unconscious, and went straight to Aban, ready to fulfill his greatest desire: to kill him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
"Arrest him," Said ordered, pulling the blade from Aban's neck, pushing him toward the guards.
Immobile, the man stepped out of the corridor charged by the guards, still trying to break free, struggling.
Sheikh put his scimitar back together and knelt beside Louise, who was now beginning to awaken. He held her in his arms and waited until she returned to reality, blinking dazed.
Louise looked at Said and calmed down quickly, knowing that she had been saved by him. In the faint light of the little candle forgotten on the floor, she caught a glimpse of Alisha's shadow, curled up against the wall, her body shaking as she cried softly.
- Are you alright? Said asked, running his hand over the Englishwoman's face, looking for some injury.
She leaned against him and stood, still a little dizzy.
- Where is he? Louise asked looking for Aban.
"The guards took him," said the Sheikh. He had not killed him just because of Louise, he would not have done it in front of her.
Slowly, the Englishwoman went to Alisha, touching her on the shoulder, seeking her gaze.
- Please I beg you. She dropped to her knees in front of him, hiding her face with her hands. - I had no choice. If I did not, he'd kill me.
Disconcerted, the lady looked at Said, who was looking at her with an expression of anger. It was obvious that he was not willing to pity the young woman.
"Tell me everything that happened, Alisha," Louise urged, taking her by the shoulders.
"We will not harm you." Just tell us what happened.
Sighing, she wiped the tears from her face and, with a hesitant look, began to talk.
"Our kingdom was strong and secure, we never had any threats from anyone, we were proud of our people," she said, stopping to study the Sheik's reaction. "But one night while we slept we were attacked by men dressed in black, who used the scimitars against us. I slept in my tent when I was attacked. They dragged me to my father's tent, and I saw him being killed ... right in front of me.
Louise held her breath, anticipating the rest of the story.
"Did Aban do that?" She asked, encouraging her.
Alisha confirmed, wiping the tears on the sleeve of her dress.
"He threatened me, and when Hanin tried to save me ..." She shut up, falling into a compulsive cry.
Said, who watched everything very closely, looked at Louise, studying her reaction. Given the way she comforted her, the lady was on Alisha's side.
"Why my kingdom?" What was Aban's plan? He asked, losing the little control he had.
Alisha cringed in front of him.
"I do not know why he chose Hamed, my prince. And as for the plan, he wanted me to marry you and have power over the kingdom, so he would own it too, "she said, looking down at the Sheik's reaction.
Nervously, Said called for one of the guards, who appeared in seconds, armed with a scimitar, waiting only for the Sheik's order.
"Take her to the room" he said, pushing her toward the guard, who took her by the arms and carried her down the dark corridor. She did not fight, just sobbed softly, letting herself be taken.
When Said and Louise were alone, the lady stepped in front of him, who now had the small piece of candle in her hand.
"What will happen to Aban?" And Alisha? She asked anxiously.
The Sheik held her gently by the hand and made her walk beside him, straight into the throne room.
"He will receive his punishment at dawn, as the law of the kingdom dictates." At the look of Louise's astonishment Said said, "Alisha will be punished, too."
"You can not do that," she argued, almost shouting. "She was forced to do everything.
She lied when she could have come to me and asked for help.
"How can you say something like that?" Alisha was scared, saw the people she loved being killed! Louise snapped nervously.
Said left the candle with the others, lying on the ground, and faced Louise. "The laws of the kingdom were imposed many years before my father ruled, and never, even once, were disobeyed. No matter how wrong it may seem to you, Louise, because, anyway, I will fulfill my obligation - and turn
ed his back on Louise, leaving the room, leaving her alone again.
***
"Open the door," she asked, her head held high, her shoulders straight, the same posture she'd learned from her father, which seemed to be a haunting feature of the family.
The guard, much taller and burly than she, wielding her menacing scimitar in front of her body, barely moved, and only frowning at the Lady's command.
Louise sighed, putting her hands on her waist, narrowing her eyes at the man. Well, at least it was remarkable how her fear, before imminent, had been overwhelmed by her courage. She no longer feared that man.
"I need to see you. It will be quick” she insisted. "I'll just exchange a few words with you"
The man looked away at the wall, ignoring her.
"Now you know you're making a mistake!" She snapped angrily, pointing her finger at the guard. - I'll talk to Sheikh and...
"Let her pass." Said's voice came from the dark hallway, and when Louise turned to see him, he was gone.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Angrily, the guard stepped aside, allowing the lady to pass.
Upon entering the room, Louise found Alisha curled under the window, clutching her knees. Seeing her, the Sultan's young daughter seemed even more frightened.
"Oh, please, miss" she whimpered in despair.
Kneeling beside her, Louise tried to remain calm. Said gave her a vote of confidence by allowing her to be there and it was obvious she needed to do the right thing, get more information about Aban's plan, and try to help Alisha, of course.
"Will he kill me?" The girl asked terrified.
"I will not allow it" Louise assured her, desperately asking the heavens that she could actually keep that promise. "I'll make him see that Aban used you and that there was no other choice.
"I beg you to help me, miss. All I want is to go back to what's left of my people.