“No, please. I’ll be fine,” she insisted, barely managing to stand upright until he walked out.
“I’ll be right back, Chia. Yell if you need me.” He hurried out of her room and found Malek and Amanda heading towards him. Malek had the look of a sexually satisfied male and Amanda’s face was flushed, her full lips swollen. But her expression was resentful and angry.
“You stayed with her all night?” Amanda asked, eyeing his rumpled clothing.
“Yes, she’s in the bathroom. Please give her a few minutes before you come in and I’ll have her settled back in the bed.” Gone was the arrogant cockiness, in its place a quieter, stronger inner determination.
“Very well, we’ll have a breakfast tray sent up and be back to see her in about thirty minutes. Will that be enough time?” Malek stared at Jahan seeking a silent reassurance.
Jahan nodded and hurried back to Chia’s room. He stood outside the bathroom door, hearing her raw retching and entered and found her kneeling over the toilet. Her face was pale, as the dry heaves shook her body. He wet a wash cloth and gently wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead.
Her eyes were dulled with pain and misery as she stared up at him. Finally, the horrible spasms ended and he bent and picked her up. “I’m sorry, Jahan. The morning sickness has gotten worse and my head is killing me.” She blinked quickly furious at the rush of tears. She felt so helpless.
“Chia, stop. There is nothing to feel sorry for, I’m the one who is sorry. I have treated you horribly. I never meant to cause you such pain.” Deep remorse darkened his eyes.
Seeing the pained sincerity on his face, Chia brushed a stray lock of ebony hair out of his eyes. “I know, Jahan. You never meant to hurt me so badly.” She gave him a sad, wistful little smile and lay warily back against the pillows.
Each time he saw the beat of her heart at the base of her neck, she winced and pressed her fingers to her temples. He brought the cloth and laid it gently over her eyes, careful to keep it off her bandage.
Chapter Eight
Amanda could barely look at Malek. She was furious at him and at her treacherous body. All through the night Malek had taken her, forcing her body to respond. He’d known she could not fight the incredible feelings he aroused in her and had used it shamelessly to force her response. He erroneously thought things were back to normal, oblivious to her dark, resentful looks.
Amanda’s body throbbed, a heady tenderness between her legs she had not felt since their early years of marriage. Oh, he made sure she found her release each time they joined but even after she’d protested that she was sore, he’d taken her twice more, hard and deep. The smug look on his face hurt her unbearably. She loved him beyond belief, but she would not stay in a relationship where he used her physical responses to him to bring her back in line. She had thought he cared for her more than that.
Once Chia was better and things had settled between her and Jahan, Amanda planned on taking that trip to Ireland. She knew Malek and Jahan would be busy the next four to six months with the treaty negotiations with the mountain tribes and would be away from home quite a bit. If things had not improved for Chia by then, she would take them both and disappear in the Highlands of Scotland for a while before she went to Ireland.
Malek watched Amanda move stiffly towards the buffet in the dining room. He frowned as he recalled her words early this morning that she was too sore. He’d thought she was just trying to regain control and had ignored her protests. Now, he feared he had caused her pain.
Amanda felt sharp eyes on her and ignored him. She moved stiffly and would not hide it from him. In moments she had a tray full of tidbits and carried it up to Chia’s room. Mara offered to take it, but Amanda wanted to do something for her daughter, even something as trivial as bringing Chia her breakfast. Chia shifted slightly when the door opened. Her stomach rumbled mutinously at the odors wafting across her nose. “I’m not hungry,” she protested, her skin turning green.
Amanda chose a dry piece of unbuttered toast and asked Jahan to help Chia sit up. She watched the tender, loving care he lavished on Chia and sighed with relief. Perhaps he had learned. “Honey, you have to eat something. Try this toast, Chia. It helped me when I carried you.”
Chia reluctantly nibbled on the toast, pleasantly surprised when she was able to keep it down. Jahan sat at the dressing table and ate the scrambled eggs and the rest of the food Chia couldn’t stomach. Mara appeared a short time later with the doctor and removed the empty tray.
Amanda and Malek stepped into the hallway, but Dr. Kahn motioned for Jahan to stay. He firmly told both Chia and Jahan what they must do to make sure she did not become more upset. When Jahan brought up the wedding, she shifted restlessly but forced herself to stay calm. She must marry him and as the princess, she would be in a position of great power. She could bide her time. Amazing how it had always been her greatest desire for Jahan to fall in love with her and want to marry her, and now it was happening and she wanted to stop it.
Jahan had been so handsome as a young man. She still burned with humiliation when she remembered the way she’d thrown herself at him at the pool when she was twelve. She’d known he was expected and had deliberately untied her top, wanting to show him her breasts. She’d felt his eyes on her breasts whenever they’d come in contact that had foolishly thought he wanted her and she wanted him. When he’d touched her and she’d seen his erection pressing against the brief material of his swimming trunks, she’d been elated. When he’d fastened her top and become so cruel, her young heart had shattered. She had shut all feelings for him away after that, determined not to make a fool of herself in front of him again.
During her years of college she’d worked hard to forget and had come close several times to hopping in bed with some guy. Each time, she pulled back unable to go through with it, since her heart already belonged to Jahan. Even if he’d thrown it back in her face. Most of the young men she’d run with had been buddies and those who had stayed in her apartment had just needed a place to crash after too much drink.
If she’d known Jahan was having her followed she might have gone ahead and slept with one of them just to piss him off. If she didn’t feel so badly, she’d be furious all over again at his highhandedness. The man was positively medieval in his thinking. How could he bring his country into a more modern age if he was still stuck in the past?
Jahan cautiously made plans for the wedding, seeking Dr. Kahn’s approval for each step of their nuptials. He waited for Chia to protest, to scream and say she wouldn’t marry him. Seeing the sad acceptance on her face, he feared she had no fight left in her. He wanted her fiery temper to come back and tell him off.
Dr. Khan checked her pulse, not surprised to see it was somewhat elevated. “Just a few people, Jahan. Family only if you can manage it. Perhaps later, you can have a large reception and soothe those bruised political egos. For now Chia and your baby are more important.”
“I agree doctor. They are the only consideration here. Will next week be too soon?”
Chia forced herself to relax, next week was so soon. She could not run now. She had an obligation to her baby and her country. When Dr. Kahn gave his approval, she forced her body to take a calming breath. She might have felt better if she hadn’t caught the satisfied gleam in Jahan’s dark eyes.
As soon as Dr. Kahn left, Amanda and Malek came to Chia’s side. Chia clasped her mother’s hand and ignored her father. “Honey, are you feeling all right?” Amanda bent forward and brushed a kiss over her daughter’s pale cheek. Malek tried to brush Chia’s auburn hair off her forehead and flinched when she moved away.
“Chiandra,” Jahan chided softly, his eyes narrowing at the coldness she gave her father.
She glared defiantly at him, her heart pounding as her blood pressure soared.
Amanda immediately saw the Jahan was about to fall back into his old habits and flew to the door calling Dr. Kahn back. He raced back up the stairs, his eyes flying to Jahan’s set angry f
ace and the agitation on Chia’s. “Out!” he bellowed, sending everyone except Amanda from the room.
He quickly checked Chia, alarmed at her respiration and her blood pressure. He quickly dialed for an ambulance, fearing for her health. “What happened?”
Amanda stood, wringing her hands, her own fear for her only child chilling her to the bone. “She turned away from her father and Jahan started his domineering bullying again, she can’t handle the stress, doctor.”
“No, and she won’t be put through it again. I’m going to place her in a private ward and I will monitor her visitors. If seeing her father and Jahan upset her, then they will just have to stay away.” Dr. Kahn was furious with Jahan, he’d made it plain what kind of care Chia had to have in order to recover. Her pregnancy was precarious at best with the other traumas she had suffered recently.
“Thank you doctor,” Amanda sat down at Chia’s side terrified at her raspy breathing. She watched the doctor sedate her daughter again and hoped the drugs would help calm her and not harm the baby.
“Stay with her Amanda while I step outside and inform your husband and Jahan what I’m going to do. Jahan won’t be happy, but at this point, his happiness is not my concern.”
“What about the wedding?” Amanda couldn’t see how it was going to be possible for Chia to participate until she was better.
“If he wishes to wed her, they can have a ceremony by proxy. I will not have him jeopardize her health to satisfy political protocol.” The doctor moved out of the room and motioned for Malek and Jahan to move down to the other end of the landing.
“How is she?” Malek asked, his dark face creased with worry.
“When can I go back in?” Jahan impatiently demanded.
“You can’t, not now!” He held up his hand at Jahan’s protest. “No, now you listen to me. I warned you what would happen if Chia became upset, and yet you tried to force your will on her again.”
“She was rude to her father,” Jahan firmly stated.
“Jahan, it is not important right now,” Malek told him, more worried for Chia than his bruised heart.
“It is not permissible,” Jahan grimly insisted.
“I really don’t care what you consider permissible,” Dr. Kahn told Jahan coldly. “If you care more about your control over her and her actions then you do for the welfare of her and your unborn child, then I’m not sure if you should be allowed to marry her.”
“She will be mine!” he growled and stepped toward the room.
Malek stepped in front of him, blocking his way. “Wait,” he silently commanded.
Jahan halted, surprised at the command.
“Listen to what the doctor has to say, Jahan.” Malek admonished softly wishing he’d been a little slower to tie Chia to him.
“I’m putting her in the hospital in a private room. I will monitor her visitors, and neither of you can visit her for a while.”
“What about the wedding?” Jahan was so focused on claiming her, you didn’t see the disappointed look shared by Dr. Khan and Malek.
“If you insist, you can wed her by proxy. Aren’t you even concerned about her health? Aren’t you even concerned that she could lose your child?” Dr. Khan glared at the younger man.
“Lose the baby?” Shock froze Jahan as he stared at the doctor in disbelief. “I didn’t realize she was so ill.”
“You’re so focused on what you want, on your plans, you’ve not consulted Chiandra at all. Listen well, my prince.” Dr. Kahn spat with derision. “Chiandra must have rest to recover, if she’s upset in any way she may lose the baby. Her blood pressure is through the roof.”
“God, I didn’t realize,” he choked.
Malek clasped him on the back, looking at Jahan and seeing his own actions against Amanda. He’d done everything wrong the past couple of months. Now his daughter couldn’t stand the sight of him and his wife was so angry she ignored his presence. “Do what you must, Dr. Khan. Take care of my baby.”
Dr. Khan nodded and showed the ambulance attendants to Chia’s room. Soon they had her strapped to the gurney and were carrying her down the steps and IV in her arm. Amanda followed, her worried gaze flicking over Malek before sliding away. She rode in the ambulance not leaving Chia’s side.
“Can we at least come to the hospital?” Jahan asked quietly, his face haggard with pain. Chia had looked so fragile as they carried her away. He hadn’t realized there was a chance he might lose her or his child.
“If you wish. Just don’t expect to be able to see her right away.” Seeing the devastation on Jahan’s face, Dr. Kahn relented a bit. “She’ll need some things. Mara will know what to pack. Take care of your business and a little later bring her bag. By then I should have her stabilized and can be able to tell you more about her condition.”
“Take care of her, Doc.” Jahan pleaded, following the doctor slowly down the winding staircase.
Malek pulled him into his steady and poured him a shot of bourbon. “Drink.”
Jahan numbly tossed the fiery liquid down his throat. “I didn’t realize her condition was so serious.”
“Nor did I, Jahan. We’re so used to her amazing strength, it never occurred to either of us how fragile she could become.”
“I would never harm her. She means more to me than my own life.”
“Then you must stop ordering her about. She’s no longer the child who worshiped the ground you walked on,” Malek offered wryly.
“Please, she never felt that way,” Jahan protested in disbelief.
“Mm hmm. Until the summer of her twelfth birthday she thought you walked on water. Her mother and I grew thoroughly sick of hearing Jahan this and Jahan that. For some reason she never mentioned your name after that summer.”
Jahan shifted restlessly in the chair. He didn’t plan on enlightening Malek for the reason his daughter had changed. “Her hormones probably,” he offered not meeting Malek’s shrewd gaze.
“Perhaps. If you wish you may take care of your business while I have Mara pack something for Chia. Do you think you can be ready in an hour?”
“That will be sufficient. I have nothing that can’t wait until the end of next week when we begin our negotiations.”
“Then I will leave you to your thoughts.”
Jahan sat for a few moments, his regret for wasted time deep. He had thought Chia was experimenting with her new sexual awareness. He hadn’t dreamed she’d actually cared for him other than as a friend. Not that he would have acted on his desire for her. God, she’d only been twelve but he might have kept her affection and in time convinced her to love him. And then by the time she was old enough they could have been married.
Sighing, he pulled out his cell phone and called David. In minutes he was immersed in plans, his mind rushed to complete the last minute details of the upcoming negotiations. David had protested his decision to wed by proxy. Jahan was an important ruler, his wedding should have been a gala, political event.
Jahan ruthlessly cut him off. “My fiancé is in the hospital at this very moment, David. She can have no stress to hinder her recovery.”
“What will you do when the child is born a month early,” David dared to ask.
“I will do nothing, but thank the heavens for my good fortune on having a healthy child and a beautiful wife,” he growled.
“Is there a chance she might lose the child?”
“If she isn’t left alone to heal, yes she could lose the baby.”
“Hence the marriage by proxy. I’m assuming your presence upsets her.”
“Yes,” Jahan bleakly answered.
“Jahan, stop. Once you are wed, you can make it up to her. Show her how you truly feel about her,” David softly suggested.
Jahan’s brows rose. “And how is it you know how I feel?”
“Please, everyone has known how you felt about a certain auburn-haired hellion for years.”
“Be careful, David. That’s my future wife you’re talking about.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll make the arrangements for you to be wed tomorrow morning. I’ll stand in for you and Ms. Phillips can stand in for Chiandra.”
“Thank you, David.” Sighing, Jahan stood and moved towards the foyer, where Malek was waiting somewhat impatiently.
Jahan glanced down at his watch, noticing an hour had gone by. “I’m not late, am I?”
“No, no. I’m just anxious to get down there and see how she’s feeling.” Worry clouded his face and he looked every year of his age.
Malek drove quickly, but efficiently through the busy streets to the hospital. A new facility, one of Jahan’s many improvements for his country, it was state of the art.
They found a parking space in the garage and hurried inside. The woman recognized both Malek and Jahan and gave them the room number with a smile, room 314. In moments they stepped off the elevator and found Amanda sitting in the luxurious waiting area, the whole third floor was nothing but private rooms. Amanda took a step towards Malek, relief lifting her face before she closed herself off from him. She needed his support desperately, but after the night in his arms when he forced her response, she had to decide if that was the way she wanted to live for the rest of her life.
Jahan watched the by-play between them and realized he had caused a rift between two of his dearest friends. “Please Amanda, how is Chia? What has the doctor said?” Jahan raked his hand through his long hair, his feeling of helplessness not one he was familiar with.
“I haven’t seen Dr. Kahn since they admitted Chia. She started cramping in the ambulance and there was some blood. He was afraid she might miscarry and gave her a shot to help calm her down.” Tears slid down Amanda’s pale face as Malek pulled her close, his arms holding her tightly to his heart. As she tried to pull away, he whispered, “Not now love, fight with me later, after we get through this.
Nodding, she allowed her tense body to relax against him, pulling from his great strength.
Jahan stumbled to a chair and collapsed. “My god what have I done? I never dreamed she could lose the baby.”
Wild Desert Princess Page 4