CHAPTER SIX
‘SAFIYAH.’KARIMFOUNDhimself crossing the dais to stand before her instead of simply summoning her with a gesture.
He heard the murmur of voices as people noted his action, and he didn’t care. The previous Sheikhs of Assara might have moved for no one, but Karim would rule in his own way. He’d wanted to go to her from the moment she’d paced decorously into the room, like some exquisite medieval illumination come to life.
She glowed in jewel tones, her long dress of gold brocade revealing amber and red depths when she moved. The tiara of old gold and rubies turned the sensual woman he knew into a regal beauty. The matching chandelier earrings drew attention to the delicate line of her slender neck. Her air of shuttered stillness made him want to muss her hair with his hands as he tasted those luscious lips again and brought her to frenzied, rapturous life.
Drawing back from her passionate kiss, pretending to be unmoved by it, had been appallingly difficult. Fortunately pride and his once-bruised ego had come to the rescue.
‘Your Majesty.’
She sank into a curtsey so low that the shimmering gown rippled across the floor around her like a molten lake. Head bent, she stayed there, awaiting his pleasure. But despite the profound gesture of obeisance there was an indefinable air of challenge about her.
This woman kept her own counsel and tried to maintain her distance. When he’d spent a little time with her and Tarek he’d been even more aware of the wall she’d built around herself.
He reached down and touched her hand, felt her flinch, and then, as he slid his hand around her wrist, the quick flutter of her pulse.
‘You may rise.’
She did, but even so kept her eyes downcast. Anyone observing would see a beautiful queen, modestly showing respect for her new Sheikh. But Karim was close enough to read the swift rise and fall of her breasts and see the tiny tremors that ran through her.
Not so indifferent, my fine beauty, no matter how you try to hide it.
‘You look magnificent.’ His voice deepened in appreciation.
She lifted her eyes then. The velvety brown looked darker than usual, without the gold highlights he used to admire. They looked soul-deep and…worried? Despite his impatience, the idea disturbed him. What had she to worry about now he’d come to her rescue?
He told himself not to be taken in.
His feelings for her were too confused.
Once he’d been well on the way to being enchanted by Safiyah. He’d believed her gentle, honest and sweet. Then he’d wanted to hate her for deserting him.
Since meeting her again he’d experienced a mixture of distrust, anger, lust and a surprising protectiveness. Whatever else, she’d proved herself courageous when danger threatened her son. Or was she just grasping, scheming to retain her privileged position?
But marriage had beenhisidea, not hers.
He didn’t trust her, didn’t want to like her, and yet his hunger for her was tempered by reluctant admiration. It took guts for her to face him again, to consent to marry him and carry it off with such panache.
He lifted her hand and kissed it. A whisper of a kiss, yet he felt the resonance of her shock in his own body.
Want. Need. Hunger.
Soon they’d be assuaged.
‘Come…’ He smiled down at her, not bothering to hide his satisfaction. ‘It’s time for our wedding.’
Safiyah closed the door to her apartments behind her and sagged back, grateful for the solid wood supporting her spine. She felt drained. The ceremony hadn’t taken long, but the celebrations had lasted hours. And that was just the first day. Tomorrow the celebrations continued—and the day after that.
Yet it wasn’t the hours in heavy brocade and jewels, performing her royal duties, that had exhausted her. It was stress. The knowledge that she was now Karim’swife!
A sob rose and she stifled it, pushing away from the door, making herself walk into her rooms though every limb felt shaky.
It was a paper marriage. It didn’t mean anything except that Tarek was safe. And that she’d have to keep on playing the public role of adoring, compliant spouse of a man who didn’t give a damn about her.
Again that tangle of emotions rose, almost choking her. She swallowed, blinked back the heat glazing her eyes, and kept walking.
Usually her maid would be there, but Safiyah had known she wouldn’t be able to face anyone and had dismissed her for the night. Now she half wished she hadn’t. Just unpinning the tiara would take ages. But better to wrestle with it and her overwrought emotions alone.