by Holly Rayner
“Sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought into this,” Steph said, and Mehdi shrugged.
“Yes, well. Enough about me. Tell me a little more about you. What did you do back in the States? I don’t think I even know what state you’re from!”
Steph smiled, thinking about the humid Vermont air as she sat out in the dry desert heat. The shade certainly helped, and Mehdi’s courtyard was filled with various vegetation that seemed to cool the area. She made a mental note to ask him about how that worked later.
“I’m from Vermont. It’s a bit south of Canada and a bit north of Boston. Very humid summers, though nothing compared to this. The heat here is a whole other level.”
“Yes. I imagine it is. What did you do in Vermont?”
His eyes were engaged, and Steph realized he was truly curious about her. She wasn’t sure how much of herself she was willing to share. After all, her time with Mehdi seemed so limited.
“I worked at a bank. It was what my father wanted me to do, so it’s what I did.”
“Again with that loyalty to your family’s wishes. You are more El Farahn than you think, Steph.”
She smiled at that. “I suppose I may be. They have always been the best to me, so I feel like they deserve my best in return. It didn’t occur to me until now that I might actually be able to do things my own way, though.”
Mehdi leaned in, his expression impish. “Fun, isn’t it?” he asked.
Her smile deepened. “Yes, it is,” she agreed, though her smile faltered.
“What is it?” he asked, his brow furrowing.
“I just feel bad. My parents must be worried sick right about now, and I don’t have my phone. At least then I could text them that I’m okay, you know? The longer I’m gone, the more they’ll worry.”
Mehdi pulled out a cellphone and handed it to her. “Text them. Tell them that you need a few days to think and clear your head. At least that way they’ll know you’re okay.”
Steph held the phone in her hand, wondering what she could possibly say that wouldn’t drive her mother into a rage. Knowing there was nothing for it, she tapped in her mother’s number and the message Mehdi had suggested, then hesitated before pressing send.
“A few days?” she asked, looking up at him.
Mehdi smiled. “You can stay with me at the palace, of course. We have a guest room and plenty of provisions for you. It would be no trouble whatsoever.”
Steph’s heart fluttered at his offer. She would get to spend more time with Mehdi, which, if she were being honest, was all she wanted to do. She inhaled and pressed send, exhaling after the message had been sent. Then she handed the phone back to Mehdi, who pocketed it with a grin.
“There now. Your parents know you’re safe. They might be mad, but they love you and they’ll get over it. Now why don’t you try to enjoy yourself for a little bit. Have you ever gotten to let loose before?”
Steph shrugged. “Not really. I’ve had expectations put on me my whole life, especially since my father was wealthy. I had to behave a certain way, lest it hurt his image.”
“You come from a wealthy background?” Mehdi asked, surprised.
“Yes. Why does that surprise you?”
“Because a girl who comes from money wouldn’t need an arranged marriage,” he said.
“Ah, you figured that part out, huh? Yes, but notice I said that I was wealthy. The stock market crash took everything we had, and my dad had to rebuild from scratch. It wasn’t enough, in their minds, to support me in my future, so my parents looked toward an arranged marriage. Personally, I think that’s just an excuse though. My mother always intended for me to be married this way.”
Mehdi nodded. “That’s very likely. It is custom here for a girl of middle income to arrange a better situation for herself. I can understand why your mother would want that kind of security for you.”
“You can?” she asked. “Then why would you do all of this?” She waved a hand around them, gesturing toward the palace and the courtyard.
Mehdi cleared his throat. “I don’t know. It just seemed like the right thing to do?”
“Subtext: you’re not going to tell me?”
“Correct,” Mehdi said with a maddeningly handsome grin.
They sat in comfortable silence for a bit, enjoying the cool air of the immediate area, knowing that the walls beyond were steaming with heat. After a while, servants came to clean up the dishes. Steph assumed they would be parting ways at that point, but Mehdi didn’t move, and soon, another round of plates were brought in.
Steph laughed. “I couldn’t possibly eat another bite!”
“Oh, I think you’ll change your mind. Everyone always has room for dessert,” Mehdi said, watching as plates of chocolate-filled pastries and custard cakes mingled with baklava and various puddings.
“I suppose they do,” Steph agreed, filling her plate and taking one of everything.
They enjoyed lighter conversation over dessert, Mehdi talking about what it was like growing up in the palace and how easy it was to get lost at first. He explained the history of the palace itself before launching into a full-blown history lesson about El Farah. Steph found herself on the edge of her seat as she listened to him recant the tale of their shared heritage.
“It wasn’t until 1859 when the monarchy was dispelled and parliament was put into place. It wasn’t a violent thing, really. My great-great-great-grandfather was a very amiable man, and he saw the needs of his people. He knew that the best thing was to let them find a form of governance that worked for the most people, and he happily gave up his reign. Because of this, the people revered him and allowed him to maintain his status as sheikh, albeit in a ceremonial sense.”
“So that’s how you came to be in the position you’re in,” Steph said, and Mehdi nodded.
“Yes. The government has a fund that goes toward maintaining this residence, though I do try to live simply, knowing my livelihood comes from the kindness of my people.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” Steph said, and Mehdi shrugged.
“It’s important as a ruler to be mindful of your people’s welfare. I may not be a ruler in the true sense of the word, but my family has ingrained in me that sense of duty. I will not abuse it, as long as I live.”
Steph stared at Mehdi with a new sense of respect in her eyes. He was becoming more and more appealing with every word that came from his perfect mouth.
She was in serious danger of losing her heart to the benevolent Sheikh.
NINE
Steph
By the time they finished eating dessert, it was already early evening. The sun was sinking toward the sandy horizon when Mehdi offered to give Steph a more in-depth tour of the palace, which she readily accepted.
Had Mehdi not been born into royalty, he could easily have been a tour guide. His in-depth knowledge of El Farah’s history was impressive, and he left no detail out as he showed her the various ballrooms, living rooms, and even a hookah bar. The faint scent of flavored tobacco tickled Steph’s nostrils, and she sneezed.
“This room hasn’t been used in quite some time,” Mehdi said, pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket and handing it to her.
“Do you have a whole supply of these?” Steph asked, and Mehdi grinned.
“I’m afraid you’re the first woman I’ve ever used them on. I would thank you for the excuse, but I would prefer you not use them for your tears.”
Steph thought back to that fountain, where she had felt so lost and alone. Being with Mehdi, even as her parents’ wrath sat in the back of her mind, she felt freer than she had ever felt before. She wiped her nose delicately and pocketed the handkerchief, determined to get it back to him…someday.
Her feet were beginning to ache from so much walking. Judging by the windows, night had fallen in the time it had taken to tour the palace.
Mehdi glanced out a window. “Ah, we should be good now. Come on. There’s one last place I want to show you.”
&
nbsp; He led her toward an ancient tower, the doorway at the bottom revealing only a narrow, winding stone staircase. Mehdi waved a hand at the door.
“Ladies first,” he said.
Steph cast a wary glance up the tall, steep staircase before taking her first step, Mehdi close behind her.
“If I fall you’re going to catch me, right?”
“I would always catch you,” Mehdi answered, and Steph’s heart fluttered.
After what seemed like an eternity of climbing, Steph saw an opening at the top, and she picked up her pace. When she got there, she looked up and held a hand to her mouth in astonishment.
The tower’s ceiling was made entirely of glass, so, much like she had in the aquarium, Steph felt like she was a part of her surroundings, this time enveloped in the sky. With no light pollution, she could see millions of stars streaking in glorious patterns all around her, stopped only by the dark mass of desert below. She felt Mehdi stand next to her.
“This is…unreal,” she breathed.
“Yes. I think that is a good word for it. It’s the one part of the palace I actually like. My ancestors were very interested in astronomy and the study of the skies, so they built this tower as a way to observe them while staying safe from the elements. They were able to learn much from this room.”
“I can imagine so,” she said, gazing around until her eyes landed on the most beautiful thing in the room.
Mehdi was staring up as well, but he seemed to feel her gaze on him, because he glanced down and met her regard, staring deeply into her eyes.
“Why did you do this, really?” she asked.
Mehdi’s expression clouded, and he frowned before answering.
“I too was placed in an arranged marriage. It only lasted a few weeks, as the woman was not at all a match for me, and we ended up getting a divorce. The whole affair was broadcast all over the papers. She threw as much mud at my name as she possibly could. After that, I developed a true dislike of the idea, and I thought I might have a chance to rescue you from the same fate.”
Steph tried to imagine Mehdi marrying another woman, and it left a sour taste in her mouth. It was good to piece together the part of his past he had been hiding, though, and she placed a supportive hand on his arm, unable to resist touching him under the starlight.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that,” she said.
Mehdi shrugged, though he didn’t seem to mind her hand on him, and Steph let it linger a moment longer before forcing herself to drop it.
“It’s all right. All of life’s experiences teach us who we are and who we want to be—and who we want to be with,” he said, gazing down at her once more.
A heavy pause passed between them, and Steph thought about just going that extra distance and pressing her lips to his perfect mouth. But the moment of opportunity passed, and Mehdi broke the trance by looking back up one more time.
“This is a far better place to make wishes than by the edge of a fountain with tears. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Steph looked up again, trying to take in every detail of the moment. Since meeting Mehdi, her whole world had opened up, and she had only known him a day. If she could wish for anything, it would be for just another day with him to live the way she had always wanted.
“Yes, a much better place,” she whispered.
They enjoyed the stars for a few minutes more before Steph found herself unable to hold back an enormous yawn.
“I’ve exhausted you. I’m sorry,” Mehdi said. “Are you hungry at all since our meal?”
Steph laughed. “Absolutely not. I am stuffed and happy,” she said.
Mehdi smiled. “Good. Since you’ve agreed to stay with us here a while longer, why don’t I escort you to your room so you can get some well-earned rest? It’s been quite a stressful few days for you, and I imagine jet lag is still a factor as well. Did you get any sleep last night?”
Steph thought about how she had woken up with Mehdi on her mind and nodded.
“Some,” she said.
Mehdi nodded. “But not much, I imagine. Come. I’ll lead the way down, so if you fall you can land safely on me.”
“That’s very gallant of you,” she said with a grin, and Mehdi’s smile broadened, revealing a dimple even in the dark.
Dear lord, he was attractive.
“I should hope so. I am a sheikh after all. I do have a Prince Charming reputation to uphold, do I not?”
“I think you can be whoever you want to be. There’s no need to put on an act with me.”
Mehdi turned and looked up at her from the stone steps. His eyes were filled with an emotion Steph didn’t recognize, and she knew she had struck a chord with him somewhere.
“Thank you, Steph,” he said, his voice husky.
He turned quickly and led the way back down the tower, seeming to collect himself on the way. By the time they reached the ground level he was back to his normal, jovial self. He asked her more about Vermont, and Steph regaled him with stories of the countryside, where she’d spent her childhood going to the state fair and helping raise baby chicks and goats.
“That sounds very rustic,” Mehdi said, and Steph nodded.
“It was. There aren’t a lot of people in my town, so we all generally know one another. Country life has its pros and cons. For one thing, we all have each other’s back if we get into trouble. On the other hand, everyone is a gossip and there isn’t a soul in town who doesn’t know your business.”
Mehdi nodded. “This city can be a little like that, though maybe that’s just my perspective because everyone seems to think that my life is their business. I suppose when they’re funding my existence, they are entitled to print about my behavior and love life.”
“Has there been much to report?” Steph asked.
She couldn’t help herself. Since Mehdi had told her he had been married, a whole slew of questions had flooded her mind, but she didn’t want to pry too much. It was clear that opening up was fairly difficult for him, and the last thing she wanted to do was break that trust.
Mehdi’s grin was wry as he glanced down at her. “Besides being placed in a terrible marriage that ended in a sticky divorce? No. I’m afraid that experience has made me a little skittish when it comes to love.”
“I understand,” Steph said, and she did. Even if her heart did sink at his statement.
Perhaps Mehdi really was just being kind, rescuing her because he would do it for anyone. She had begun to think that there might be something more between them, but perhaps she was wrong.
Before she could think more on the subject, Steph found herself staring at the guest-room door.
“Here we are,” Mehdi said, taking a step back.
Steph opened the door, turning back to face him. “Thank you again, for everything. This has been the experience of a lifetime.”
Mehdi gave her a gentle, respectful bow, and when he looked up at her his eyes were filled with impish humor. “It’s my pleasure. After all, how often does a king with no real power get to rescue anyone anyway? Hardly ever.”
Steph laughed. “I don’t think you’re giving yourself much credit. It sounds like you have the needs of your people in the back of your mind, always. You even welcomed me as one of your own, even though I’d never set foot in El Farah before yesterday.”
“You will always be welcome here, Steph, no matter what. Please know that,” he said earnestly.
They shared another heavy pause—so much unspoken that neither was willing to be the first to say—before Steph reached for the door and held it ready to close.
“Have a good night, Mehdi.”
“And you. I’ll have breakfast ready for us in the morning, and then perhaps we can go on another adventure?”
“That sounds wonderful,” she said, feeling a tingle of excitement for whatever Mehdi had planned.
“Good. Sleep sweet, Steph.”
“Good night,” she said, finally closing the door before he had a chance to walk away.
Mehdi had just told her that he was cautious when it came to love. He had been through a terrible divorce, which was something that could have very easily happened to her if he hadn’t stepped in to help. Throwing herself at him could very well put an abrupt end to her little adventure, and that was the last thing she wanted.