CHAPTER SEVEN
“What is it like in Dashan?” Olivia’s fingers were drawing figures of eight against his chest; Zamir smiled as each movement tickled him almost unbearably.
“It is hot,” he responded after a brief pause. “But quite stunning.”
“That tells me nothing,” she chided lightly.
“What do you want to know, beautiful Olivia,” he pushed, catching her hand and lifting it to his lips.
“What do you do there? What are the people like?”
“The people are good. Our culture is ancient, and very superstitious. Religion is a big part of life in Dashan. We have sacred temples and people live with peace in their hearts. We are fortunate that much of the war that is common to our region does not touch us.”
“Why do you think that is?”
His smile was cynical. “We do not have veins of oil beneath our sand. But we have diamonds. Diamonds and gold are everywhere. They bring us great prosperity, but no interest from any other country. We are left to govern in the best interests of our people.”
“I’m intrigued,” she said.
“Careful. I could speak about Dashan all evening,” he warned thickly. “For I am very proud of my country.”
“I would like to hear about it,” she responded truthfully.
“My great, great grandfather founded a university in each province. He was a very educated man, sent to study in England. A rumour, though perhaps it is just a rumour, that my father likes to repeat, is that he was friends with Mr Tolkien.”
She arched her brows. “A truly awesome claim, if true.”
“Yes, you may guess that I have never investigated it fully for fear of discovering it to be just a fantasy.”
She smiled.
“He believed our nation would prosper only when each of our citizens has access to the kind of education he received. And so he poured money into schools and libraries, and we now have one of the highest rates of graduations in the world.”
“I didn’t know that,” she said truthfully.
“We are modest,” he said with a joking shrug of his shoulders.
“Oh, yes, very modest.” She pushed off the mattress and came to straddle him. Despite having spent the morning in bed, she felt a need for him that was insatiable and unquenchable.
“And what about your grandfather? Your father?”
“Both truly impressive men.” He ran his hands down her arms. “My grandfather had a similar devotion to learning. My father brought balance to our Kingdom. He invested heavily in military, recognising that we had become a nation that was vulnerable and enviable. He also gave our educated youth a purpose. Many join the military as a way to give back to the country that has helped them.”
“You make it sound so idealistic.”
“Yes,” he nodded. “For me, it is.”
“What about your mother,” Olivia said softly, leaning forward and putting a hand on either side of his face so that he couldn’t look away.
“What about her?” It was a subject he didn’t welcome, but because Olivia was broaching it, he did not shirk away as he otherwise might have.
“You don’t talk about her, but I know you think of her often.”
“How do you know this?”
Her smile was enigmatic. “Because I know you.” She ran her finger over his lips. “And because I too have lost a mother, and I know how impossible it is to get through a day without something or other reminding you of her.”
“Yes,” he agreed, exhaling a slow breath. “I was only four when she died, and yet I can see her in my mind’s eye as clear as if I was with her only yestserday.”