“Then do it.” She caressed his hips, urging him with another kiss to surrender to the lust she knew he felt.
But he pulled away again, brushing his thumb against her swollen bottom lip. “No,habibti.” He turned his head to one side, looking out over the horizon. “Look.”
And she did. But what she saw wasn’t what she’d expected to see. The sky was dark, but not a natural dark, it was bruised with the rising cloud of sand as it swirled in winds which they had yet to feel the full strength of.
“Khamseen…” she said.
He nodded. “We must go now.”
He took her hand, and they ran back toward the trees, the wind suddenly coming upon them, lifting the palms up and down, as if urging them to move faster. The wind tugged at their clothes, swirled her hair around her face, plastering it against her cheeks and eyes until she couldn’t see anymore. She could only follow his lead, only respond to the grip of his hand over hers as they ran for their lives.
Chapter 6
The rising winds shrieked through the branches of the trees as if they’d been roused by the devil. The giant palm fronds, usually so stately, rose and fell with force, slapping against Gabrielle’s arm as she sheltered from their blows.
Zavian went ahead, pushing the branches and leaves aside for her, his other arm around her shoulders as if worried she’d be blown away.
Eventually, they emerged to find his people in a state of panic, searching for them. There was chaos all around as the tents were quickly taken down and packed away. Zavian and Gabrielle were ushered into the main cave, and the doors slammed on them. While the others sought shelter in the network of caves, Zavian stuffed the gaps around the ancient wooden door to prevent the sand from filtering through. Together they passed along the passage and into the main area.
Gabrielle had been in other caves but never this one. This was reserved for the royal family. And, as she looked around, she realized that it had been prepared recently for her.
She turned to Zavian. “You planned this.”
He walked to the torches placed around the walls in sconces and lit them. One by one, the flickering light grew, illuminating the bed which took up half the space, and the seating and dining areas which took up the other half. Everything was fresh, everything readied for use. There was fresh water flowing into the tap from the hillside, as well as bottled water. Off to one side, in a cold store, was food and wine, enough to see them safely through a week if necessary. They had everything they needed.
He glanced at her while he lit the final light. “Yes, of course.”
Anger filled her veins, replacing the lust which had ignited only minutes before. “How dare you? You play me like a toy, forcing me to come here to be with you, trapping me in your palace, to ensure you get what you want.”
He didn’t reply. Instead, he poured some water and dunked his face and head into it, ridding himself of the sand. He tossed his head back, and water spattered onto the floor and across to her. He pushed his fingers through his hair and wiped his face dry before turning to her.
“I’d do the same if I were you. Otherwise, the sand will irritate your eyes.”
“I don’t need the sand! You’re enough to irritate me!”
“I’m sure,” he replied calmly. “But I’d still wash your face. Your eyes are red.”
“That’s because you’re driving me crazy!” she said as she poured water into the bowl to relieve her stinging eyes. She patted her face dry. “You planned everything. How could you, Zavian?”
He sat down and stretched an arm along the back of the sofa. “I know you consider me to be all-powerful, but believe me, I cannot control the desertkhamseen.”
She narrowed her eyes in response. “No, but you must have known it was forecast, and yet you decided to make the trip out here anyway.”
He shrugged. “That sounds irresponsible. Do you really consider I would do such a thing?”
“Itisirresponsible, and I’m sure Naseer won’t be impressed. Your country must come first, always.”
The upward tilt of his lips dropped suddenly. “Believe me, it does.”
Her anger was halted by the seriousness of his expression, which she didn’t understand. “You’re a contradiction,” she said. “A manipulative, controlling contradiction.”
“I’m not sure you’re allowed to insult your king,” he replied mildly.
She grunted and twisted her hair off her face, looping it onto itself. “You’re not a king here, now, with me.”
His eyes darkened. He rose, and her heart stopped as he walked past her and opened a bottle of wine. He poured two glasses and returned to her.
“There’s food, too, if you’re hungry.”