by Tee, Marian
“Of course it is,” the sheikh said flatly.
She watched him press her hand against his cheek, her heart thundering at the gesture.
“Tomorrow will be a difficult day, milady,” the sheikh said quietly. “Many will try to keep you from coming to the ball."
“Including you?”
“Not anymore,” the sheikh answered cryptically. “But that’s no longer the point. I will not be able to help you at all times, but...” His gaze became fiercely demanding. “You must not give up.”
Oh.
She said shakily, “It’s like you’re telling me not to give up on you, Your Highness.” She waited desperately for the sheikh to agree, but instead, his lips only curved in a smile that was as enigmatic as his next words.
“Only if it is what you truly want.” And then he was reaching for her breasts.
Scrambling for her pillow, she brought it back to her mouth and screamed into it.
His gaze still holding hers captive, the sheikh started massaging her breasts, his touch a mixture of reverence and hunger. “Would you like me to suck on your breasts?”
She could only moan at the question, but it seemed enough for the sheikh. He bent down, and his mouth replaced the hand on her breast while his other hand continued caressing its rosy-tipped twin.
Her dazed eyes rested on the sheikh's dark head as he suckled on her breast, sucking so hard it was almost as if he was only waiting to draw milk from the aching and swollen globe.
“Khal.” The sheikh's name slipped out of her lips, and a powerful shudder rocked his body just before he sucked even harder on her nipple.
The pressure was exquisite, and it had her eyes squeezing shut as another cry tore out of her throat. The sheikh moved to her other breast, sucking on her other nipple just as hard, and Ella pressed the pillow back to her mouth as she cried out loudly, “KHAL.”
The sheikh shuddered. “Temptress,” he accused, lifting his head to look at her, barely leashed desire in his eyes.
She gasped as he suddenly pulled held her up by the hips. Her lower body was now completely up in the air, her legs dangling down his arms, her pussy on his face.
Her heart hammered against her chest at the strange position. “Your Highness—-” Her words turned into a silent scream as the sheikh's mouth landed at the center of her core.
AAAAAAAAAAH.
The sheikh started eating her pussy, and there was nothing she could do but lie helpless against his devouring mouth. The position of her body made her unable to hold on to anything. All she could do was toss her head left and right while she felt herself being so beautifully eaten.
His tongue was relentless, thrusting in and out of her wetness like an agile little cock. She started to sob as the pleasure built inside her. Oh God, this was going to be so—-
The sheikh's mouth suddenly moved up, his teeth closing on her throbbing clitoris.
She came with another silent scream.
Oh God, Khal was so good at eating her!
The words pounded in her mind as she came, over and over, the dirty thought more than enough to prolong her orgasm for another tortuous minute. Her body shook, her eyes rolled back, her lips parted, but still the sheikh continued eating the sensitive nub of flesh.
A sigh of tired relief escaped her when the sheikh finally eased his mouth off her, and she felt herself being lowered back to the bed.
But it wasn’t over.
Her eyes flew open when she felt the sheikh nudging her legs to a wide V, and her eyes widened even more when she saw him positioning his fully engorged cock behind her entrance. “No.” The word came out an incredulous whisper. “Your Highness, you can’t—-”
She was unable to finish, the sheikh already sliding his cock into her, and her words turned into a moan.
Over her, the sheikh said pleasantly, “I’m not finished comforting you, milady.” And then he began pumping his cock hard and fast into her, so damn deep the head of his cock started brushing against her womb, making her fumble for the pillow so she could scream into it. She screamed with each thrust. She couldn’t stop screaming, every thrust rocking her world and sending her spinning into new heights of ecstasy.
But even as she had her second orgasm, it was still not over, the sheikh's idea of giving comfort lasting the entire night and well into the morning.
The sheikh had her on her fours, fucking her from behind. The sheikh had her on top, making her ride him and drawing so much comfort from it she had turned into a limp doll after. But even then, it was still not over. Even with her completely wilted, the sheikh managed to bring her body alive with his expert touch.
“Are you ready, ukhayyah?” the sheikh rasped from behind. He was seated on the bed, leaning against the headboard while she was on his lap, a wet, wanton mess who could only follow his every command.
She could barely shake her head. “Please, Your Highness.” She couldn’t remember ever feeling this tired.
But her words only made the sheikh laugh. “One last time, milady.” His fingers dipped between her legs. She tried to keep her thighs together, but the sheikh was too strong, and soon he was lining her folds, his fingers expertly rousing her extra-sensitive pussy. In moments, he had her trembling, desire winning over exhaustion.
Her head fell back as she felt him lift her up.
Another moment, and he was impaling her with his cock.
Aaaaaaaah.
She moaned at the sheikh's penetration, which was deeper than usual, and she kept moaning with every instance he impaled her with his giant cock. It was surreal, the way the sheikh could keep it erect the entire night, but she knew she couldn’t really complain.
He fucked her hard and long, and by the time it was over, she could no longer keep her eyes open, not even when her body jerked with their simultaneous orgasms, his seed pumping into her, mixing with her own come.
The sheikh gathered Ella protectively into his arms, and when he lifted her off the bed, she curled against his chest like a little kitten. He brought her to the Jacuzzi, which was already bubbling with soothingly hot water. She barely stirred as he stepped into the whirlpool bath with her, and the sheikh said softly, “Wake up, milady.”
He reached for the soap and began soaping her body from behind. She let out a sensual sound of pleasure, but her eyes remained closed, and his lips curved at the dreamy look on her face.
It was not a bad thing at all, the sheikh thought, to see his beautiful girl so wiped out at the pleasure he had given her.
Ella’s eyes fluttered open when she felt herself being placed on her feet. They were back in the bedroom, she realized, and the sheikh was toweling her dry. Outside her window, the sun was already shining brightly, and Ella realized drowsily that the day of the ball had finally come.
By the time the sheikh swept her back up in his arms, she was already nodding on her feet, and she could no longer keep her eyes open when the sheikh tucked her in.
When she felt the sheikh press his lips to her hair, it almost felt like a dream, and so did his last words.
“Come to the ball, ukhayyah.” The sheikh voice was quiet and tender, fierce and possessive, all at the same time. “I will be waiting to make you my bride.”
The Slippers
It was already five in the afternoon when I woke up, and I scrambled to my feet, knowing I had little time to waste. Why hadn’t anyone woken me up, I wondered in panic. The ball would be starting in an hour, and I still had so many things to clear up with the sheikh.
After taking a hasty shower, I didn’t even hesitate at my choice of clothes. I reached for the gown I had mended last night, no longer caring how I would look in it when the world saw me in my old gown and compared it to the fancier dresses of the other princesses.
Nothing mattered, I thought dreamily as I rushed down the stairs, except for the fact that the sheikh loved me. This ball would not be the bride hunt everyone thought it was. Instead, it would be an engagement ball—-
I froze
upon reaching the foot of the stairs, suddenly finding myself face to face with the entire royal family – the king, the queen, Lady Dezza...and Khal.
The king and queen had forced smiles on their faces. The sight made me nervous, making me remember a second too late that I had yet to curtsy. “Your Majesties.” My cheeks burned with embarrassment as I bent down.
“Good evening, daughter.” Henri’s voice was overly exuberant.
“Lady Dezza.” I tried to ignore the smirking look on my stepsister’s face while curtsying the second time. Finally, I faced the sheikh. “Your Highness.” After curtsying, I raised expectant eyes at him, waiting for him to say something – anything.
But he didn’t.
The sheikh's handsome face remained coldly expressionless, and my smile started to slip. “Khal?”
A forbidding look crossed his face, and he murmured icily, “Pray tell, milady. Have I ever given you leave to address me in such a way?”
I whitened at his censuring words. “No, but—-” I could only look at him, could only beg the sheikh with my eyes. Why are you like this again? Where was the man who had made love to me so tenderly and passionately last night?
But the sheikh only appeared bored as he drawled, “You’re wasting our time.” His gaze raked over me from head to toe, and his tone was contemptuous as he asked, “Surely that’s not what you’re wearing to the ball?”
His cruelty was an appalling shock, making me stammer like an idiot. “I’m sorry...I...I...” I shook my head in hurt confusion.
The sheikh turned his back on me. “There’s no point in you going if you’re this unprepared.” Facing the king and queen, he said stiffly, “If you will excuse me, Your Majesties, I’d like to take my leave first.”
When the sheikh was gone, Ruth stepped towards me, a look of dismay on her face. “I’m sorry, child.” She considered my dress, and her dismay turned into sadness. “Why did you lie to me about having a dress? Surely you do not truly believe this is appropriate?”
Coming to stand beside her, the king said awkwardly, “While I would like to say we can wait for you to prepare, I’m afraid we can’t do that, my dear. It would be the height of disrespect to have our guests waiting, especially since one of them could be the future princess—-” My gasp cut him off, and the king asked, “What is it?”
“The bride hunt is still on?” I asked faintly.
“It was never cancelled, milady.” Oblivious to my pain, the king glanced at Lady Dezza, asking, “Perhaps you could wait for Ella instead?”
I expected the older woman to refuse, but instead she said with a smile, “Of course. I shall take care of her. Off you go then.”
Henri was visibly relieved, but Ruth still asked me worriedly, “You don’t mind, my darling?”
“I’ll be all right,” I lied.
When they were gone, Lady Dezza startled me by reaching to pat my hand. “I’m sorry the sheikh led you on, my dear.” I flinched at her words, and she said hastily, “I do not mean to hurt you. Please know that as a woman I am on your side.”
“Thank you.” My voice was thread thin. “I’m not exactly sure what to do now.”
“Perhaps you’d like to go away for a while?” With my head bowed, I completely missed the scheming gleam in her eyes as she suggested, “I can help you with that if you wish.” When she saw me hesitate, she said softly, “It’s up to you, of course, but as someone who’s experienced a lot of heartbreaks, I can say that putting some distance between you and...” She paused delicately, as if unsure what other word to use to describe the sheikh without naming him.
I asked painfully, “Have I been so obvious?”
“It’s not your fault, my dear. My brother is an expert in seduction. You stood no chance.”
I bit my lip. “What about the king and queen?”
“Let me worry about them.” Lady Dezza gave me another kind smile. “So, would you like to go away?”
I PACKED LIGHTLY AND quickly, as Lady Dezza suggested. On my way out, I spied a package laid next to the door with my name on it. Not bothering to see what was inside, I simply picked it up and zipped the box with the rest of the contents inside my overnight bag.
A black car was waiting for me at the back of the palace, just as my stepsister promised. A pair of burly-looking men came out of the car the moment I appeared, and one of them opened the door for me.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, but the man only grunted.
A few moments later, and we were off, the car speeding down the driveway. As the distance between the palace and me grew, my heart felt heavier and heavier. To distract myself, I unzipped my bag, remembering the package I had yet to open.
Tearing the wrapper away, I took off the lid from the box—-
A pair of glass slippers rested on a bed of white silk.
Just like Cinderella, I thought dazedly.
The symbolic meaning wasn’t lost on me at all, and it wasn’t hard to guess who was the person behind the gift. Suddenly, memories of last night tumbled back into my mind, and this time I didn’t just remember the times we made love. This time, I also remembered the sheikh's words.
Come to the ball, ukhayyah. I will be waiting to make you my bride.
I cried out to the driver, “Please stop!”
The driver and his companion exchanged glances.
“Please take me back! Or drive me straight to the ball!”
“A moment, milady,” the other man said gruffly.
I watched him make a call, and straining my ears, I managed to hear the voice on the other end of the line. It was Lady Dezza, and as the man told her about my request, her answer was explicitly clear.
“No matter what happens, don’t let her come to the ball.”
I didn’t bother listening to the rest of what she had to say. Seeing the doors still unlocked and knowing I only had one chance to escape, I took the opportunity. Even with the car cruising down at full speed, I opened the door and jumped out.
The Chase
It was almost like a scene straight out from an action movie, only this time it was happening to her – in real life.
The men whom Lady Dezza had sent to drive her away from the palace now appeared equally intent to drive the life out of her body. They were shooting at her, and she wouldn’t have had any chance dodging their bullets if not for other men suddenly appearing and exchanging fire with them.
“Run, milady!” It was Charles and Jack, the soldiers frequently stationed outside the sheikh's study, and Ella realized all at once that it was the sheikh's men who had come to her rescue.
Without hesitation, she picked up her skirts and broke into a run, glass slippers clutched tightly to her chest. Her heartbeat raced as fast as her feet could carry her, and soon Ella found herself running straight into the woods. She knew a shortcut there, one that would lead her straight to the north wing, where the ball was taking place. Not even pausing for breath, she plodded on, ducking under thorny branches and skipping over roots that sought to trip her.
Somewhere along the way, she had kicked off her heels to run faster, and her feet started to bleed. But she didn’t stop, knowing that with the sounds of gunfire close behind, there was always a chance that Lady Dezza’s men would catch up with her.
She had almost reached then end of the woods when she heard the barks.
Oh God, they had set the dogs after her!
There was no way to lose those dogs, not when they could use her scent as their trail. She wanted to sob in terror, but she continued to run. The barking became louder, the gunfire closer, and she knew it was only a matter of time—-
And then she heard something else, the thunderous, galloping sounds of hooves stomping on the ground—-
She looked up just in time to see Sheikh Mik'hail tearing towards her way, riding a white steed like the proverbial knight in shining armor. “Come with me, milady!”
She hesitated, not knowing whether he was someone she could trust.
“You have
nothing to worry about. Khal has sent me to help his ukhayyah become his bride.”
Ella bit back a sob. Those words...those words were something Sheikh Mik'hail could only have known if Khal himself had told him.
When Sheikh Mik'hail offered his hand again, she took it and was immediately swung up on the saddle. His arms went around her as he reached for the reins, and with one nudge on the horse's flank, his steed began running towards the palace.
"Sheikh Mik'hail?"
"What is it?"
"Why are you on a horse?"
"I was in the stables when I received Khal's call," Mik'hail said with a grimace, "and the urgency in his tone made me decide there wasn't any time to lose."
By the time he finished talking, they had already reached the palace, and the sheikh swiftly helped Ella down.
"You are ready?" Mik'hail inquired gruffly.
Ella could only nod, not yet trusting herself to speak.
Her knees knocked against each other as they entered the palace, but just as they ascended the grand staircase leading to the ballroom, a couple of unsavory-looking men suddenly barred their way to the doors.
A grim look crossed Mik'hail's face. “You dare stand in my way?”
“We have our orders," one of the men sneered. "That girl can't—-"
The rest of what he had to say was anyone's guess, with Layla's sheikh planting his fist on the other man's face and immediately knocking him out unconscious.
In the wake of everyone's stunned silence, Mik'hail shot Ella an impatient glare. Run!
She recovered at once and ran past the other men to push the ballroom doors open.
Thousands of guests immediately turned her way, and their loud gasps of shock as they took in her appearance had the live orchestra music streaming from the balcony come to a screeching stop.
Is that the queen's daughter?
Look at her!
What does she think she's doing, coming here looking like that?