by Celia Kyle
“What did I tell you?” Nabila released another of those uplifting giggles after Amy took mercy on the poor pin cushion. “Isn’t he brilliant?”
“You might be biased, but I can’t deny he was a great help,” Amy agreed and gave him a grateful smile.
Nabila sighed and rubbed her bulging stomach. “It’s such a shame the princes weren’t allowed to train for a proper career. The world is bereft an excellent doctor.”
Tahvo joined the conversation. “If anything, I would have been a researcher.”
“We need those too,” Amy chimed in. When their eyes met, the heat in his gaze practically singed the air between them.
Nabila’s grin widened. “See, Tahvo? Even Amy agrees. You’re perfect.”
The woman’s boasting couldn’t have been more obvious. She was trying to make Tahvo seem irresistible. The part that troubled Amy most was that it was working.
Chapter 6
Shon shoved his paperwork aside, an aggravated sigh escaping his lips. He’d read the same paragraph three times and was still no closer to actually understanding it. He was simply too distracted to bother with foreign matters right now.
Not when he could practically hear Tahvo rattling off all his medical expertise to the good doctor. After the glint he’d seen in his twin’s eye at breakfast, he had no doubt Tahvo was doing everything in his power to win over Amy.
After all, that’s what they did. They competed. Pushed each other. And in the past, it had always been for their own betterment. Without Tahvo, Shon never would have summited Everest or joined the Dakari Grand Prix. Skydiving, boat racing, academics—they were all up for grabs, as far the twins were concerned.
Even women. They spent practically all of their time together, so it wasn’t rare for them to be interested in the same lovely lady. And just as it was with all of their “competitions,” their policy had always been a good-natured “may the best man win.” When one of them had clearly won, the other moved on to another challenge.
But never in his life had Shon wanted to win so damn much.
Every time he closed his eyes, he could see the doctor’s curves, her golden tresses, her wide, steely eyes glinting with ferocity and determination. She was special, and Tahvo knew it, too. In fact, he’d probably already tried something with her.
An unfamiliar twinge of jealousy twisted like a dagger in Shon’s stomach. He couldn’t—he wouldn’t—let a woman come between him and his brother. Then again, if Tahvo had yet to claim her…
Shon shoved out of his chair and stomped toward the wide doors of his office. If he was lucky, Amy and Tahvo would still be with Nabila so he could see how far his brother had progressed in winning over the good doctor. Then Shon would formulate a plan to beat his brother out of the ultimate prize—Amy in his bed.
Shon was barely aware of his surroundings as he stalked the familiar paths of the palace. Every thought was focused on Amy or Tahvo, or both of them together. He quickened his pace until he reached Nabila’s door. Her chipper voice invited him in when he knocked softly.
Opening the door, Shon’s attention zeroed in on Tahvo. He stood far too close to Amy, grinning down at her as if she’d just said something funny. The moment Tahvo noticed Shon in the doorway, his smile fell away and wariness lit in his dark eyes.
“Wow, the real royal treatment,” Nabila said, beaming at Shon. “I get two princes for the price of one.”
“Is something wrong?” Suspicion glinted off Tahvo’s every word.
Shon crossed the room and sat on the edge of Nabila’s bed, as close to Amy as he could. “No, I simply wanted to check on my sister-in-law. How are you feeling today?”
Nabila rubbed her bulging stomach. “Better, actually.”
“And it shows,” Amy added. “Vitals are all good.”
“And how was your night, doctor?” Shon asked, his gaze shifting to hers and holding it pointedly.
Amy shrugged. “I wasn’t murdered in my sleep, so I suppose I can’t complain too much.”
Shon felt Tahvo glaring at him—obviously he was still angry Shon had taken Amy to the harem—but he ignored it. He was far more interested in the electricity that sparked between his knee and Amy’s hip as she brushed past him to help reposition Nabila.
“I just need you to sit up a little more so I can check the baby’s heartbeat, okay?”
Shon quickly jumped into to assist, pressing his side into Amy’s as he helped Nabila scoot into position.
“Amy, I would like to apologize again for leaving you in the harem last night. It was thoughtless, and I should have known better.” Shon took her hand and waited until she focused on him. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Just past Amy, Nabila raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Amy stared at him for an endless moment, her eyes widening slightly before she finally tore her gaze away from him. “It’s over now, but thank you for your apology.”
Quickly jamming the stethoscope tips in her ears, she bent over and pressed the cool circular plate against Nabila’s belly. Tahvo gave Shon one last hot glare before turning his full attention to Amy. The happiness Shon had felt over Amy’s forgiveness was short-lived, as anxiety over Nabila’s child kicked in full force. Together he and his brother watched the doctor’s face for any sign of worry. When a small smile quirked her lips, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
“I’d say we have a marked improvement from yesterday,” Amy said as she straightened and started removing her gloves. “Nabila, you need to keep your stress level low.”
“Anything I can do to help with that?” Shon asked.
“Or me?” Tahvo added hastily.
Nabila glanced from one brother to the other, then to Amy, then back to Shon. “I do have a sort of silly request.”
“Anything,” Shon said. And he meant it. He would do anything for his queen although he couldn’t help feeling suspicious of the mischievous glint in her eye.
“Do you remember the song you sang at my wedding? The one about the warrior queen who found true love?”
Shon nodded. “Your favorite.”
Nabila smiled. “Will you sing it for me? It always makes me feel better.”
Tahvo’s expression clouded over and Shon grinned at his sister-in-law’s wily ways. “Of course,” he replied, clearing his throat before launching into the epic ballad.
It was a slow, lilting melody, and Nabila hummed along with him as he sang in their ancient language. Amy would have no idea what the words meant, but much like with an Italian opera, knowing the language wasn’t necessary if the singer was skilled at imbuing the words with meaning. And Shon was skilled.
Slowly, the story of a warrior princess, strong and brave, unfolded. Leading her army onto the battle field, she was felled by an enemy soldier, but before the brute could deliver the coup de grâce, the king of all the lands cut the enemy down where he stood. The king carried the princess to safety and they fell in love.
As he sang, Amy packed her doctor’s bag and scribbled notes on a clipboard. Every so often, he’d catch her pausing to listen and watch him from the corner of her eye. A small, possibly impressed smile played on her luscious lips.
Tahvo listened too, but he seemed more irritated than impressed. He crossed his arms tightly over his chest while Nabila’s upper body swayed as she fell into the rhythm of the words. Words he sang at her wedding so many years ago. As the song drew to a close, he held the final note, allowing it to soar and echo through the room.
All was still for a moment and then Nabila began applauding, quickly followed by Amy. Tahvo simply scowled at Shon.
“What language was that?” Amy asked almost breathlessly.
Oh, what he wouldn’t give to hear her speak like that in his ear as they lay in his big bed together.
“Alnamar,” Shon said. “It’s our ancient language”
“Shon knows eight languages fluently,” Nabila chimed in. “My brothers are so very talented. Don’t you agree, Amy?”
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��So I’m learning.” Amy smiled at her patient and then pulled some vials from the front pocket of her bag and turned to Tahvo. His face lit up like the sun rising over the dunes, which set Shon’s teeth on edge.
“What can I do?” he asked before she’d said a word.
“Can you take these samples to the courier personally? I want to get the results as quickly as possible, and who knows how long the lab will take to process them.”
Tahvo hedged, glancing from his brother to Amy uncertainly. Finally, his shoulders slumped in defeat and Shon knew he’d won. But for the first time in his life, the sense of victory he felt was tempered by a pang of guilt.
“Of course,” Tahvo said. “Right away.”
“Thank you so much.” Amy smiled and laid a hand on his bicep, which perked up Tahvo while irritating Shon.
Tahvo moved slowly toward the door. He glanced over his shoulder at them several times before he finally edged out of the room, glaring at Shon as the massive door swung shut. With a sigh of relief, Shon turned to Amy.
“While he’s off running errands, I’ll escort you to your new quarters. Far from the harem.”
Amy’s brow creased as she glanced toward Nabila. “I don’t know…”
Nabila flapped a hand at her. “I’m fine, really. I haven’t felt better in weeks! You’re a miracle worker, Dr. Sullivan.”
“Amy.”
“Amy,” Nabila said, smiling happily. “Amy, I swear I will follow your orders to the letter. I will have some of my favorite tea, maybe read a little, all while remaining in bed as instructed. And I promise I won’t allow anything or anyone to upset me, just as you ordered.”
Amy pursed her lips and then gave a small nod. “Okay. But don’t hesitate for a second to call me on my cell if you have any strange symptoms. Deal?”
Nabila grinned and pressed a button that would bring a servant to fetch her tea. “Deal. Now go get settled in your new quarters.”
“Sounds good to me,” Amy said, turning to grab her bag, but Shon already held it in his hand.
Just as they left the queen’s quarters, Shon could have sworn Nabila winked at him.
Chapter 7
The muffled whumpf of the heavy door closing behind them set Amy’s heart racing. Being alone with Shon had an effect on her she wasn’t entirely sure she liked. She didn’t hate it—it was mostly just confusing because her body reacted the same way when she was in Tahvo’s presence. Needing to break the tension between them, Amy cleared her throat.
“What was that song about? It was quite beautiful, but I didn’t understand a word of it.”
Shon smiled but stopped short before answering. He leaned his weight against a door only two down from the queen’s, which opened to a sumptuous room. Waving his arm wide, much like a game show hostess, he stood just far enough into the wide entryway that her body brushed against his as she passed. Tingles radiated out from where her arm touched the broad expanse of his chest.
“Wow,” she breathed as she took in her new quarters.
Like the rest of the palace, the room was breathtaking. A wide canopy bed stood in the middle of the room, its golden spindles setting off the gorgeous reds and oranges in the swaths of fabrics draped around it. Scalloped windows offered a stunning view of the dunes beyond the palace as well as a cooling breeze. Amy stood at one and took a deep lungful of the crisp desert air, savoring the alkaline scent.
When she turned back to the room, ready to fend off her feelings for Shon, she found him halfway reclining on a pile of plush pillows that matched the draperies. They surrounded a low table loaded with an array of breads, fruits and cheeses. He patted a pillow far too close to his, beckoning her. She couldn’t resist.
“Come eat and I’ll tell you about the song.”
“This is all for me?” she balked as she settled next to him, her skin warming from the proximity.
“And me, if you’re willing to share.” He shot her a mischievous grin that did nothing to slow down her thumping heart.
“I think I can handle that,” she said, dragging her gaze away from those perfect teeth.
As she reached for a piece of flatbread, she couldn’t stop herself from peeking at the bed, standing so close and yet so far away. Her cheeks heated up, and the only way to hide it was to stuff some bread into her mouth. Shon chuckled softly and started talking.
“The song is an ancient one of our people, but to me, it’s Nabila’s song.”
“Because she’s a princess?” Amy mumbled through a mouthful of food.
“Yes, but it’s more than that. The princess of the song is wounded in battle. She’s saved by her true love and they run away to a cave by the sea while she heals. They fall desperately in love as he tends to her battle wounds.”
Amy dipped her next hunk of bread in honey and moaned in delight over the flavors. Shon cleared his throat and continued speaking, his voice tighter than before.
“Only in the case of Nabila and Zafar, the roles were reversed. I think she loves it so much because of that.”
Amy wanted to ask for more details of their relationship, but decided that might seem pushy. Besides, all of her energy was focused on ignoring the bed—or more accurately, ignoring the vision in her head of Shon lying in her bed and patting the spot next to him, just as he’d done a few minutes earlier. With every bite he took, she imagined his lips on her body.
Stop that! She was there to do a job, not act like a horny teenager.
“Do you like the breakfast? I had it specially prepared for you.”
Shon’s voice broke through her naughty thoughts and she swallowed hard, forcing herself to look up into his dark, tempting eyes.
“It’s delicious,” she said, struggling to swallow past the sudden dryness in her throat. “Everything here is so… amazing.”
She stuffed another piece of bread in her mouth before she could confess just how amazing everything—and everyone—was. The room, the food, and most of all the men. Every time she became intrigued by one, the other would appear and show her just how equally amazing he was in every way. Shon with his brash, mischievous nature and Tahvo with his cool, intellectual air. They both appealed to her, and the more she tried to decide which she liked more, the more torn she became.
“You’ve seen my life and my home,” Shon said, dipping a fig into the pot of honey, “but I know almost nothing about you.”
Amy tried not to smile at his interest in her. She failed.
“What do you want to know?”
“Tell me about your work. How did you become the world’s leading shifter obstetrician? That’s an impressive feat for a human.”
She dipped her tongue into the corner of her mouth, partly to catch a drip of honey there, but also to stall a little. She’d never been good at accepting accolades. When Shon gave them to her, she felt more exposed than she could remember.
“I sort of fell into it.” She reached for a slice of apple, took a bite, and chewed as she thought about how to explain her career choices. “I’d always wanted to be a doctor, ever since I was a little girl. It drove my mom crazy when I used up all the bandages in the house on my dolls.”
Shon’s laugh sent ripples of desire coursing through her. Amy cleared her throat in a vain effort to clear her mind.
“During my residency, I realized I had a knack for obstetrics. I loved working with women and helping them bring new lives into this world. It gave me… hope.”
A glaze of honey shimmered on Shon’s lips, and for a moment, Amy could only think of licking them clean. With a hard shake of her head, she continued her story, if only to stop herself from launching into his arms.
“One late night, a pregnant shifter came into the hospital and I delivered her pup all on my own. For whatever reason, the human nurses and doctors wouldn’t go near her, but I couldn’t not help. Soon I had shifters of all types contacting me when no one else could help—would help. It took a lot of study and practice, but I finally managed to earn the respect and trust o
f the shifter world. Still, something was missing. Like I was meant to do more with my life.”
Shon nodded and then said softly, “I know exactly what you mean.”
Their eyes locked and Amy forgot to breathe. The room shifted around her, leaving her feeling completely unbalanced, but in a good way.
“Through my work, I discovered that, even in the shifter communities around the world, very few doctors have trained to deal with complicated pregnancies and births. It’s a small niche, but one I’m passionate about. So many poor shifter women have no access to quality care that I just had to do something.”
Shon sat up a little, interest flashing in those dark eyes. “Is that why you founded Prenatal Care for All?”
“Yes. I could work myself into the ground catering to wealthy shifter women, but I refuse to turn my back on those who can’t afford to fly me into their remote villages. So for about half the year, I work for families such as yours, who will pay large sums for my expertise. I take a small salary, and the rest is funneled into PCA. That and donations are how I can help the less fortunate of your kind.”
Shon stared into her eyes, holding her captive without touching her. “That’s truly incredible,” he said, his voice low, slow and all-too-sinful.
A fresh wave of need rolled through her body and she sat up a little straighter, reminding herself yet again that he was a temptation she shouldn’t give in to. Not when she had a job to do. But then he reached across the table, dipped a fresh fig into the pot of honey and held it out to her.
“Taste it,” he commanded, his tone soft but firm.
He was making his move—a rather obvious one at that—and if he’d been any other man, she might have laughed. But with this man, in this setting, nothing could have been sexier.
Golden honey dribbled down his fingers and her mouth filled with saliva as she thought about taking each of those digits into her mouth and slowly sucking them clean. Instead, she leaned forward just enough to take the end of the fig into her mouth. She held it in her mouth for a fraction of a second—all the while staring up at Shon—before biting into the juicy flesh.