At one point, she seemed to rouse, telling him to leave her on her couch before fully relaxing back into his arms. Talib worried what she would think when she found out he hadn’t taken her home, and he’d hoped she’d sleep most of the way back to Jawhara. He did not relish the idea of being on the receiving end of her wrath. She was strong-minded when she wanted to be.
He made his way past the flight crew and between the seats to the bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he removed her shoes, and she immediately rolled over onto her side. He covered her with a blanket before returning to the main cabin to get ready for takeoff.
Talib took his own seat in the plane and placed a call to Kam. “We are on our way. We will be there tomorrow night.”
“I have already notified the palace physician. Bring her directly here when you arrive.”
“Of course, sir.”
Talib relaxed in his seat, pleased to be returning to his homeland, and hoped that the beautiful young woman sleeping in the bed would find Jawhara just as beautiful as he did. She was going to be his sheikha, and it would not do for the country’s ruler to have a bride who detested her new home.
After the plane had taken off and reached cruising altitude, Talib reclined his chair and had just closed his eyes when he heard the bedroom door open. He looked and saw Erin stumble from the room. Talib remained calm, sitting in the plush chair and waiting to see what she would say. She glanced around at her surroundings and out the windows before speaking.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To Jawhara. To the sheikh.”
Erin walked toward him and sank down into a seat across from him. He waited for her to speak. Judging from the look on her face, his words were slowly sinking in. “So he knows?”
“That you are carrying the next ruler of Jawhara? Yes.”
Erin nodded. She still looked exhausted, but at least now they knew why. “What was his response?”
“This”—Talib gestured to the plane—“is his response.”
Erin sighed. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Kam has proven already that he’s highhanded and expects everyone to do what he commands—”
“As the leader of Jawhara, he is well within his rights to expect his subjects to do as he commands.” Talib did not want to hear her disparage his ruler.
Leaning back in her seat, Erin started to yawn before she clapped her hand over her mouth. Giving him an apologetic look, she said, “While that may be true of his subjects, we’ve only actually met that one time. I mean, I’ve seen more of you than I have of him.”
Talib moved quickly, leaning forward to place his hand on her knee to silence her. “As the mother of his child, the heir to the throne, you most definitely fall under his authority, and it would be best if you understood that now before we land.”
Erin stared at his hand on her knee, and he pulled it back. Lifting her head to glare at him, she said, “It would have been nice to be able to tell him myself. I’d only just found out.” She raised her hand to stop him from speaking. “And for the record, being kidnapped was never on my bucket list.”
Rubbing her hands over her arms, she looked around the main cabin. “Well, at least I can see my cousin again.”
Talib shook his head. “I’m afraid that will not be possible.”
“What? Why? Did something happen to her? Is Shira okay?”
Talib spoke quickly to reassure her. “She returned to the United States with Khalil earlier today. That is why the jet was available.”
“Shira’s home? But I thought…”
“I’m sure the sheikh will be happy to explain everything once we arrive. Allow me to call for something to eat.”
While Talib arranged for a tray to be brought to her, Erin remained silent. He could only assume that she was contemplating the direction her life was currently headed. She was carrying the ruler of Jawhara’s child, and her life was now forever changed.
Talib set the tray in front of her. “Eat. Then you should try to sleep. This is a fourteen-hour flight. It will be evening when we arrive in Jawhara. You will have lost a day over the course of the journey.”
Rubbing at her stomach, Erin looked down at the soup he had set in front of her. “I’m not sure I can eat. I haven’t been able to keep anything down.”
“Try it,” he coaxed. “I think you will find that it might help you.”
Giving him a suspicious look, she took a spoonful. She waited, eyes closed. Then she took another bite. With a smile, she began to eat. “I can’t believe my stomach isn’t rebelling. This is amazing. Thank you.”
When she finished, Talib removed the tray and then gestured for her to return to the bedroom. “Please, sleep. Whatever is bothering you will look better once you have rested,” he said gently. “His Majesty wishes you to rest, for both you and the baby you carry.”