by Jones, Sarah
"Why not?"
The Sheik was slow to answer, and Louise was about to give up waiting to hear him say something when he whispered.
"Because I can not stay away from you.
- Said ...
"Listen to what I have to say, gazelle. He skirted her shoulder with his fingertips, shivering. "I will not let you go." I want you by my side.
Louise's mouth felt dry. Did you really hear that? Oh God, did he love her, too?
"We'll just live without thinking of anything else." I know you like to be by my side, and to me it's the same.
It was not what she expected to hear. But it was necessary. She was not naive enough to believe that this man, the powerful Sheikh, would love her that easily. But he knew he was being honest, and she did not want to leave now.
"I'll stand by your side, my prince," she said with a broad smile.
Said kissed her lips with a delicacy that surprised her. Shee could have sworn there was some feeling in the gesture.
- We need to sleep. Tomorrow we will return to the palace. He pulled her into his arm and wrapped her around his waist, his hand massaging her.
Louise was smiling in the dark, alone, because Said no longer saw her, but the truth was that she was undeniably happy.
Hamed's Sheik led Lady Louise back to the palace as the sun rose in the sky bringing the scorching heat under their heads. Before they left, however, she could not resist bathed in the lake again, this time without being ashamed of her nakedness, while Said, in the shadow of a palm tree, watched the scene in fascination. It certainly was a different morning for both of them, especially for Louise, who now knew some important things, without the shadow of doubt marring her mind. She was certain that she wanted to be with Said and that he would be happy in the desert. Things had become different the night before, when the Sheik revealed he could not leave her.
"We could stay here forever," she said, as she dressed, shortly after.
"I like it a lot, gazelle." But my people need me. I answered, helping her tie the knots on the back of her dress.
Said was remarkably worried about the kingdom. He did not like to stay out of the palace for long without knowing what was happening there. Perhaps this was the result of the many recommendations his father had made before he died, telling him to keep order and control of the kingdom, since only then would peace flourish.
Making sure Louise was well, leaning on his chest, Said fed her along the way, leaving the lady ashamed when at some point she offered him what was left of the figs of the night before. Despite her firmness, Louise looked a little tired, in view of the hectic night she had been in the arms of the Sheikh, who had awakened her a few times, tormented her with kisses and caresses, awakening her to make love again. For her, it was interesting the voracious desire of that man, who never seemed to be satisfied. She could then understand his need to seek out women who would satisfy him, even if she did not agree to such an attitude.
"We'll be there before night" Said said, breaking the monotonous silence.
"Some parts of my body are aching terribly." Louise rubbed her thigh, feeling numb.
The Sheik laughed, massaging her leg, trying to make her feel better.
"You can rest for as long as you wish, Louise." There will be plenty of time for me to have you again, with a light pressure on the lady's back, Said began to relax her. The heat, but also by the animal's shaking, which made her swear that her bones were being dissolved along the way.
By late afternoon, the two were already in the mediations of the kingdom. Louise sighed with relief as she saw the palace further on, realizing that now her life would be there. The truth frightened her a little, to know that this place was her new home and that she would not return to England.
The guards spotted them and went to the entrance of the camp, where they helped them to get down from the animal and the lady feeling that she could stay for a few days without being able to sit down. With all her dignity, left Said talking to the men and turned back to the palace, willing to dive into a tub of warm water and stay there for a few hours.
Because she deserved it!
I found the servants lighting the candles in the corridors, and some of them, upon seeing her, smiled, while others looked at her in alarm. Louise did not understand the reaction of the women, but she did not bother to ask what was happening. At that moment I wondered why the corridors of the palace were so long and her room so far away.
To hersurprise, as she stepped into her room, she found Karida packing the pillows on the bed. Seeing her, the servant took a step back, startled, but then smiled as she recognized her.
"You're back!" The woman commented, hands up.
Louise opened her mouth to respond, but gave up, her gaze drawn to the bed, which was so appealing, looking very soft and comfortable.
"I need to bathe, Karida. Can you get lukewarm water? She asked, eager to get rid of the sand-covered dress.
The servant nodded, going to the copper bathtub on the other side of the room, preparing the soap and oils. Then she ran outside, probably heading for the kitchen.
The lady dragged herself to the bed and fell on her stomach, groaning at the contact with the soft, pleasant blanket. Her eyes slowly closed and everything began to grow silent, until she fell asleep completely.
It was agreed shortly after, by Karida and two other guards, who carried a boiler with warm water. Louise stood quickly, waiting until the men left the room.
"I'll help you get undressed," Karida said, turning Louise on her back and beginning to break the ties.
When the dress fell to her feet, Louise ran into the tub, sighing at the water's temperature. She leaned on the edge and relaxed her muscles, grateful to the heavens for her bones to be in place, despite the pains in each of her limbs.
"Should I bring your dinner?" Karida asked, appearing at her side. - You can eat while you bathe.
- I can? Louise asked with her mouth open. It would be heaven!
- Of course! I'll arrange it now. The servant left the room in search of food.
Louise took advantage of the moment to rub her body, removing the grains of sand that accumulated on her skin and encountered reddish marks on her thighs and breasts, a memory of the intense moments that had lived with Sheik.
***
"I was worried about you. I thought you would not come back" Karida said timidly, on her knees beside the tub, while Louise devoured the pieces of mutton.
"Why did you think that?" She asked, pinching a piece of bread.
The woman hesitated, staring at the door, afraid that someone would hear.
"I thought my lord was taking you to another camp, to another man," she said, lowering her gaze.
Louise understood her thinking and mentally admitted that in reality at some point she had come to think of it. Thank God I was wrong.
"Sheikh took me to an oasis, Karida," she confided, smiling, and saw the servant frown in confusion.
"I would never have guessed that such a thing would ever happen" Karida commented, grinning.
The lady handed the tray to the servant and decided it was time to dry, the water was getting cold and what Louise most wanted now was to fall asleep in her bed. She had her back to Karida, embarrassed to reveal the marks of passion on her body, but eventually remembered that there were also marks on her buttocks, because the other night had discovered that Said had a wild feeling for that part of her anatomy.
"Can I help you with anything else?" Karida offered, beside the bed, helping Louise remove the blankets to bed.
"I need to ask you something, Karida. Lady caught her hand, preventing her from moving away.
"Whatever you wish, miss."
Louise shrugged her shoulders and stared at the woman, hoping to get something more on a certain subject.
"You know I'm an archaeologist, do not you?" I search for lost things, old things, and I came to the desert in search of a kingdom. Seeing her nod, Louise continued. "What do you know about
Al-Delhi, Karida?"
The woman was silent, but then she shrugged and said, "I know what I heard when I was a child, about the death of all people and the disappearance of the kingdom on the sands of the desert." Karida, do you believe the story is real?" Louise kept asking.
"It's just a legend, miss. No one has ever found anything that proves otherwise.
The lady nodded. Already imagined such an answer, but she had to know, to hear someone else tell her. Now, perhaps, it was enough to quiet her heart.
***
Three weeks later, on a particularly hot day, Louise helped the women organize the dozens of pillows scattered around the palace, especially in the dining room, where the lady indicated some changes, removing most of the rugs from the wall, which left the place stuffy. The women accepted Louise's help with enthusiasm, encouraged by the idea of changing some things in the palace. Two days ago they had cleaned the kitchen and decided that they would only prepare the food in there. The animals meat would be prepared outside.
The lady's posture was admirable, and she seemed determined and happy to guide all those women, often learning things she would never know if she were still in England. The truth was that as the days went by, she was becoming more and more like that people, recognizing that culture as her own.
Said was pleased with her work and often praised her, saying that he was excited to see her like that, wandering around the palace, issuing orders, as if she were the one to whom all should obey. Frightened, the lady had wondered how he could get excited about something so strange. The Sheik, amused, had led Louise in broad daylight to the cistern where, by undressing her and kissing her from head to toe, giving her as much pleasure as she would ever be told, she allowed her to lead the rhythm.
He had surrendered unashamedly to the still embarrassed touches of Louise, who had skirted his penis with her small hand, teasing him while his dark eyes locked on his. Then the lady understood what he meant when he talked about getting excited by thinking of her by issuing orders. Oh, yes, she could do that. It was so easy and she was ecstatic to order in the ear of Sheikh to follow the movements of her hand and, seeing him so close to release, push it against the wall, to crouch and take it between the breasts as he himself had said he wanted.
After washing, the Sheikh had kissed her gently, whispering in her ear how much she had made him happy, promising that he would soon repay her.
"What do I do with the ones left over, miss?" One of the women asked, holding the cushions under her arms.
"Take them to the embroidery room. We can restore them. It was obvious that the cushions had not been replaced for some time, indicating the lack of a feminine presence. Well, now Louise was there and it did not look like Said would mind the change of simple cushions.
Another reality that pleased Louise was to be able to move freely, not only by the palace, but also by the camp, where she went every day to visit the woman who recently had the baby. The lady spent some time talking to the mother while she held the baby in her arms, remembering that she had already seen him come to the world for a month. It pleased her to feel the warmth of the small body asleep against hers as she ran her hand through his thick dark hair, which looked as thin as a feather. Other women also went to the tent offering tea and fruit, all cheerful and willing to know more about the lady. It was evident to Louise that everyone knew exactly who she was and what had happened to her. And what surprised her most was that now they accepted her and treated her as one of them.
She had to confess, with great pride, that she had learned a great deal about how to run a tent, something she could never imagine in her entire life in England. She knew, still with a little difficulty, how to skin a lamb and prepare the meat, besides making the hummus, a type of very appetizing pasta made with grains. Yes, she was becoming a true Arab woman, and of course she was interested in history and archeology, something that was in her soul. She'd thought to start to make some notes, research on desert life, just for her, maybe a diary. Said would not need to know that.
- Ms? Najila called to her, standing in front of her.
Louise, distracted, looked at her and noticed the frightened servant.
"Sheikh waits for you in the throne room."
The lady left a pillow in the hands of Najila and went into the hall, wondering what might have made Said call her at that time of day. Oh, no, no! If he wanted to make love in that moment, she would simply refuse! He would delay her work, and even if he tried to seduce her with his kisses, she would not give in. It had been the same a week ago, when he had taken her to the fountain garden, saying that he wanted only to have his company. With a small kiss on her mouth and his hands on her waist, he had managed to lay her down on the floor, leaving her naked on hr clothes as he slid his cock between her breasts, then using her excellent oral skills to satisfy him. Afraid to be seen, Louise had packed her clothes and tried to dress, disconcerted by the hungry gaze of Said, who was smiling from ear to hear.
Louise stood in front of the guards in the doorway and saw inside the room, Said standing with her back to her.
- Did you ask for me? I warn you, if you try to seduce me, I'll bite you or maybe scream" she said, her arms folded, trying to look angry.
When Said turned to her, Louise noticed something different about him. There was a shadow beneath his face, his lips drawn, his gaze serious. She had seldom seen him like this, either when he had saved her or when he had returned from Aban's execution.
- What happened? She asked, approaching.
Sheikh put his hand in front of her, preventing her from getting any closer.
"Someone wants to see you, Louise," he said, sighing.
- Who? Her heart was aching against her chest, and she already felt her legs soften when she heard a voice behind her from the doorway.
- It's me, Louise.
Her whole body froze as she recognized that voice. Her eyes were on Said's face, which was gone. Louise gathered her courage to turn around, running into a man with a mustache and white hair, dressed in brown clothes, leaning on a cane.
- Father? She asked, her voice sounding weak.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Sheik of Hamed led lady Louise back to the Palace, as the sun appeared in the sky bringing scorching heat under their heads. Before they left, however, she couldn't resist bathing in the Lake again, this time without feeling ashamed of their nakedness, as Said in the shade of a date palm tree, watching the scene fascinated. That certainly was different for the two morning, mainly to Louise, who was sure that she wished to remain near Said and she would be happy in that desert. Things had become different in the night before, when the Sheik revealed can't leave her.
— We could stay here forever — she said, while dressed, shortly after.
— The idea pleases me very much, Gazelle. But my people need me. — He replied, helping her to tie the knots on the back of the dress.
Followed to Hamed faster, Said notably concerned with the Kingdom. Didn't like to stay too long outside the Palace, without knowing what was happening there. Maybe it was a result of the numerous recommendations that the father had made before he died, telling him to keep order and control of the Kingdom, since only then peace would have thrived.
Making sure that Louise was well supported in his chest, Said fed her along the way, leaving the lady embarrassed when, at one point, he offered him what remained of the figs from the night before. Although stand firm, Louise looked a little tired, because of the busy night in this had been in the arms of the Sheik, the Praesidium a few times, tormenting her with kisses and caresses, awakening her to make love again. For her, it was interesting the voracious desire that man, who never seemed to be sated. Couldn't then understand your need in search for women who satisfy, even if I didn't agree with such an attitude.
— We will arrive before the night — Said said, breaking the silence monotonous.
— Some parts of my body ache terribly. All I can think about is my bed. — Louise ru
bbed her thigh, feeling numb.
The Sheik laughed, massaging her leg, trying to make her feel better.
— You can relax for as long as you want, Louise. There will be plenty of time for me to have you again. — With a light pressure on the back of the lady, Said began to relax her. The discomfort was great, caused not only by the heat, but also by the the animal that made her swear that their bones were being dissolved in the way.
In the late afternoon, the two were already in mediations in the Kingdom. Louise sighed relieved to see the Palace ahead, realizing that now, finally, her life would be there. A bit scared knowing that that place was your new home and they weren't coming back to England. For the sake of Said.
The guards spotted and went to the entrance of the camp, where they helped down the animal, the lady felt that it could be a few days without being able to sit down with all his dignity, let Said I had a conversation with the men and turned to the Palace, ready to soak in a tub of warm water and stay there for a few hours.
Well, she deserved it!
Found the handmaids lighting the candles in the halls, and some of them, to sight-in, smiled, while others looked frightened. Louise didn't understand the reaction of women, but didn't bother to ask what was going on. At that time wondered about the reason of the Palace corridors are so long and your room stay far away.
To his surprise, when entering in your room accommodations, found Karida fixing the cushions on the bed. Seeing her, the servant took a step back, startled, then smiled to acknowledge her.
— The Lady's back! — the woman commented, hands up.
Louise opened her mouth to answer, but gave up, his gaze being drawn to the bed, which was so attractive, looking very soft and comfortable.
— I need to bathe, Karida. Can get warm water? — asked, anxious to get rid of the dress covered in sand.
The servant went along, going to the bath of copper, on the other side of the room, making SOAP and oils. Then ran out, probably heading to the kitchen.