Erin yawned again and gave him a quick nod before returning to the bedroom. When Talib checked on her later, she was fast asleep, once again curled on her side.
Talib awakened her before the plane began its descent. He was pleased that she’d managed to sleep through most of the flight and noted that the dark circles under her eyes appeared to be lighter. She sat up, then rose and angled for the lavatory. Taking that as his cue, he returned to the main cabin to wait for her.
Moments later, she stepped out from the bedroom looking a bit worse for wear. Talib saw her and immediately ushered her into a chair and fastened her seatbelt. “We are preparing to land. Are you feeling any better?”
Erin shook her head. “Not really.” She swallowed convulsively.
Talib hoped that she would be able to hold off becoming sick until after they had landed.
Erin closed her eyes, only to open them again right away. She groaned. “The movement of the plane is making the nausea worse, and closing my eyes doubles the sensation. Oh boy.”
“Take shallow breaths and count your exhales. We will be landing soon.”
Erin did as she was told, and he watched her mouth the numbers until they felt the tires of the jet touch down on the tarmac. She sighed when the plane came to a stop. Talib stood and held out his hand to help her. “Come. His Majesty awaits.”
“Great,” Erin muttered under her breath. She wobbled as she stood, and he steadied her with a hand to her elbow. When she seemed okay, she gave him a quick nod, and he led her out to the awaiting limo.
The ride was quick, but Erin was beginning to look quite green, and he sent up a silent prayer that they would make it.
“Talib…”
“We are here.”
Erin nodded but didn’t speak as she continued to take shallow breaths. Opening the limo door, Talib helped her out of the car. He felt the welcome heat on his face, and he took in the scent of the fragrant flowers in front of the palace. He expected the sheikh to step outside at any moment, and he waited at attention. When Erin pulled her arm from his hold and rushed towards the nearest bushes, he cursed himself for failing in his duty to see to her safety. She was sick, tired, and nervous. He followed, standing guard and blocking her from view.
Upon Kamal’s arrival, he stepped away from the young woman currently throwing up in the bushes. The ruler of Jawhara nodded to him and started issuing commands to the waiting staff.
Kamal waited until Erin had finished, then he picked her up and carried her up the palace steps. Talib watched his sheikh climb the grand staircase with his precious bundle cradled against his chest.
12
KAMAL
Kamal barked orders at those he passed while cradling Erin to him. When he looked down at her, he saw tears leaking from beneath her eyelids, wetting the hair at her temples, and he pulled her closer to him.
“Habibti, please do not cry. The doctor is on his way. Whatever is wrong, he will help. I promise.”
Erin shook her head. “It’s not that. It’s everything. I’ve been so lonely without you. Without Shira. I didn’t mean to get pregnant.”
She began to cry harder, and Kamal was about to stop to console her, but it must have all become too much for her to handle. Kamal felt her body go lax, and he looked down at the beautiful woman he carried in his arms. Having her so near again had him feeling far more protective of her as he hugged her against his body. Despite having spent so little time with her, he’d missed her more than he’d imagined it was possible. Even his body was responding to her nearness, and in inappropriate ways, given how sick she appeared to be. Mentally chastising himself, he hurried his steps towards the rooms he had prepared for her arrival. Her breathing was slow and even, which was good, right? No. Something was definitely not right.
As he entered the room, he was pleased to see the palace physician already in attendance. Erin stirred as he laid her on the bed, and he bent to remove her shoes.
“Kam?”
“Shush. The doctor is here and will soon know what is wrong with you.”
“Your Majesty, may I examine her?” the physician requested.
Kamal backed away from the bed, coming to stand at the foot of it. When the doctor helped Erin to a sitting position and proceeded to unbutton her shirt, she grasped the sides together and looked at Kam, blushing furiously.
“Make him leave,” she implored the physician.
Before the physician could answer, Kam spoke up. “Erin, I am not leaving. Don’t even bother putting up a fight. That is my baby you are carrying, and I will be part of everything to do with his or her safety, as well as your own.”
Erin looked at him, clearly too tired and sick to continue fighting him, then dropped her eyes and her hands.
The physician eyed his ruler once before continuing to unbutton her top and then helped her lie back down. As he examined her, he asked her questions and Erin answered softly in single words whenever possible. After a thorough examination, the physician packed his instruments back into his bag and gently pulled a sheet over Erin, who had refused to meet the physician’s gaze or look at Kam during the exam.