In this, they were united. In this, they were alike.
But only this.
He looked down at his skin and an image came to him of her own, pressed against it, so pale and fair – the perfect opposite.
The first time he saw Sophia, she’d been just a girl. A tiny little sprite with blonde hair that fell all the way down her back, skinny with enormous blue eyes, half the size of her face it had seemed. Malik had been twelve, Sophia eight, and she had eyes only for Addan.
He came into the grand hall to find them bent over an ancient book, her hair falling like a curtain, sunlight streaming in through the window overhead, and he’d stood, frozen in the doorframe. All he could do was stare at this creature, who looked almost like a desert fairy brought to life- the same colour as the sands beyond the palace, and just as mysterious.
Addan whispered something and she laughed, her voice peeling towards him, and he instantly saw another little girl, a girl who’d been lost- like a fair ghost. She lifted her head to say something to Addan and Malik had instinctively shifted into the shadows, wanting to look and not yet be seen.
Her voice was too low to catch but it was obvious she was trying to speak in Abu Fayan, though her accent was dreadful.
Addan simply nodded encouragingly and answered in English.
She smiled, her cheeks glowing pink, and Malik felt something unpleasant and cross unfurl in his gut.
He left without introducing himself.
Later in her visit, he’d met her quite by accident. She’d been running through the marble corridors that were a feature of the East wing and he’d stepped out of the gym, having been playing tennis, and they’d collided.
She’d skidded across the corridor, bumping into an ancient statue and almost setting it flying.
He’d steadied it and crouched down to her at the same time. “You should not be running in here!” His voice had been furious, even to his own ears. He reminded himself of his uncle – how often had he been chastised for doing exactly that?
Her lower lip jutted out and for a second he thought she might cry. Then, she’d scrambled to her feet and slammed her hands onto her hips, glaring at him.
“Yeah, well, you should wear a cowbell or something, if you’re going to sneak around like that.”
“I was simply exiting a room and did not expect a little tornado to burst through me.”
“I’m not a tornado,” she snapped. “And I’m playing tag. Running is kind of the point.”
“Well take your game somewhere more sensible. Perhaps the courtyard?”
She pouted. “It’s hot out there.”
“Yes. This is a hot country. What’s your point?”
She’d glared at him and then laughed. “He was right about you. You can be a real grump.”
She had skipped away without waiting to see the look on his face.
Chapter 6
TWO DAYS PASSED AND she refused to go to him. She refused to seek him out. She refused to even let him know she was thinking of him.
Her temper didn’t abate.
How dare he act as though her only function within this marriage was to incubate a royal heir? She’d been chosen for this role by his father, and groomed for it almost since birth. She had studied this country, its politics, its history, almost her whole life. To be told she had no counsel to offer by its ruler – her own husband! – stung.
“You don’t think the necklace is too much?” she murmured thoughtfully, thinking longingly of the simple one Addan had given her that she preferred for all occasions, while staring at her reflection in the mirror as one of her servants clipped the diamond choker in place.
“It goes with the tiara,” the servant said, bowing low and stepping backwards.
Sophia’s eyes lifted to the delicate diamond crown that had been placed on her head. Despite its lace-like construction, it was heavy – filled with gems and cast of platinum gold – but her hair had been braided through it, weaving in and out of the bottom so that it was at one with her head. And yes, the servant was right. The choker was indeed a perfect match.
Her eyes shifted to the girl in the reflection