Zayed tried to school his features into something more appropriate. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s all right.’ She sighed and leaned back against the sofa. ‘I just have to consider if it’s something I’m willing to give up.’
‘There are worse things than being a slave to such an emotion.’
She glanced at him curiously. ‘Is that how you see it? As some form of slavery?’
Zayed shrugged. ‘It traps you. Takes you hostage.’
‘You’ve been in love, then?’
‘No, not romantically. But I’ve lost people I’ve loved, and I don’t want to feel that...vulnerable again.’ His hands tightened into fists. He felt vulnerable enough just admitting that much.
Olivia nodded slowly. ‘I suppose I can understand that.’
‘Can you?’ He felt a wave of relief, then a flicker of hope. ‘Then...?’
‘I need to think about it,’ Olivia said. ‘We’re talking about a life decision, Zayed, not something to be decided in a moment.’
‘Of course.’
‘Although I understand your need to have this issue resolved as quickly as possible.’
He smiled, letting it linger. ‘Your understandin
g is very considerate, Olivia.’
She smiled back, and there it was, the spark that always seemed to be snapping between them, kindling into flame. He wanted her all over again, and he let her see it in his eyes.
‘We would be good together, Olivia. We are good together.’
‘In that way,’ she murmured, looking away. ‘Yes.’
‘It is not to be discounted.’ He paused, wanting to convince her, to seal the deal, no matter what she said about needing to think. ‘I believe I could make you happy.’ He realised as he spoke the words that he meant them. He could make her happy and, moreover, he wanted to make her happy. Over the last few weeks he’d enjoyed seeing that shy smile bloom across her face. Last night he’d loved feeling her come alive in his arms. She’d lived a quiet, sheltered life, a life of restraint and shadows. He would be able to give her so much more once he was restored to his throne. And he would be restored. Soon. Very soon.
Olivia nodded, seeming lost in thought, her gaze averted from his. Zayed wished he knew what she was thinking. He wished he knew how to convince her.
‘Why don’t you come with me tomorrow?’ he said impulsively. Olivia at least turned back to look at him.
‘Come with you? Where?’
‘I’m touring some nearby villages, to reassure the people.’
Olivia frowned. ‘Should you really have me accompany you when it hasn’t been decided?’
Probably not, but Zayed wanted her there. Wanted to show his people as well as Olivia herself that she could be his Queen. That she was his Queen.
‘It would be an opportunity for you to see what your role would be, and for my people to see you.’
‘And if we dissolve the marriage...?’
He shrugged. ‘Then I will explain.’ He leaned forward, urgent now. ‘But give us a chance, Olivia. Give Kalidar a chance.’
Olivia let out a long, low breath and nodded slowly. ‘All right,’ she said, and it sounded like a concession rather than something she might look forward to. ‘I’ll go with you.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE WIND WHIPPED Olivia’s hair away from her face as the Jeep bumped over the desert dunes. They’d touched down in a helicopter an hour ago and had been travelling steadily since then under a bright blue sky and lemon-yellow sun. After the cool alpine temperatures at Rubyhan, the desert heat felt overwhelming, like entering a furnace. At least the breeze from the open-top Jeep helped.