with royalty was over and, for her, it had been more than enough.
The driver wove through streets that narrowed, then drove through impressive open gates. A long curved driveway circled through trees and blooming plants she couldn’t identify.
Liana straightened and glanced around. Okay, so maybe the condo used by the staff of the American School had really impressive grounds. Or maybe this was part of the school itself. Or maybe a park. That was it. They were driving through a park and…
They rounded a curve in the drive. In front of them was the white building they’d admired just a few minutes before. Up close it was even more impressive, with several stories and wide balconies. A dozen or so guards stood at attention by a huge double door.
“Mommy? Where are we?” Bethany asked.
Liana didn’t have an answer. Either the condo was much nicer than anything she was used to, or their driver had just brought them to the royal palace.
She looked at the man behind the wheel. “There’s been a mistake.”
He shook his head and grinned. “No mistake. His Highness said to bring you home, so here you are. Welcome to the royal palace of El Bahar.”
Before Liana could decide what to do next, a tall man in a gray suit strode out to the cab and opened the door.
“Good,” Prince Malik said. “You’re here. Come, we’ll get you settled.”
Chapter Two
L iana couldn’t tell if they were in a really big foyer or a smallish living room. She decided it was probably the former, because this was, after all, a palace, and she doubted it had smallish anythings.
A bubble of hysteria threatened to choke her, even as she told herself it would be best for everyone if she stayed calm. Screaming like a crazy woman wouldn’t do anything except upset her daughter.
Without her even being aware of leaving the cab, she and Bethany had been ushered out of the car and into this mystery room just past the main double doors. She could hear conversation behind her and had the bad feeling that their luggage had been removed from the cab and taken who knows where.
This isn’t happening, she told herself firmly. Really. We’re not being kidnapped, nor is this anything more than a simple misunderstanding.
“Mommy, look!”
Liana followed Bethany’s gaze as her daughter stared up at an oval ceiling depicting the night sky. Glittering stars twinkled down at them, and, on what she assumed was the east side of the room, the first hint of sunrise glowed faint pink against the inky darkness. The entire picture was edged in gold paint. Or maybe real gold…she couldn’t tell. The walls were the same dark color as the ceiling, but the color came from hundreds of tiny tiles. More tiles covered the floor in a pattern showing a dragon guarding a kingdom she suspected was El Bahar.
“You think the ceiling is something,” Liana murmured, “look at what you’re standing on.”
Bethany did so, then jumped back to study the large, dangerous-looking creature.
“I stepped on his tail,” her daughter whispered. “Do you think he’s mad?”
“People have stepped on more than that,” Prince Malik said as he walked into the room. “Welcome. I trust your cab ride was pleasant enough?”
“It was fine,” Liana said, determined to ignore the way her blood seemed to sing as it flowed hotter and faster throughout her body. Yes, the prince was rugged and fabulously good-looking—and well, a prince. But she refused to let herself be distracted by him. By any of this. And how had he had time to get to the palace ahead of them, let alone time to change his clothes? Or had he been wearing that gray suit under his robes?
“You will find the palace very comfortable,” Prince Malik said.
Liana wasn’t sure if he was making a statement or issuing an order. Not that it mattered. “It’s lovely. The palace, I mean,” she said. “Impressive and not where we want to live.”
Bethany came up beside her, and Liana put her arm around her slender daughter. “I am a teacher for the American School. As such, I was promised housing there. I don’t know why you’ve brought me to the palace or what you hope to gain by it, but I insist that you allow us to go there now.”
Malik waved his hand, as if brushing aside her comments. “You’ll be much happier here. The rooms are larger and you may explore as you like. Transportation will be provided each morning and evening to take you to and from the school.”
Liana felt as if she had a bit part in a bad movie, but she was determined not to give in to her threatening hysteria before she had all the facts. “Have we been kidnapped?”
Malik looked insulted by the question. “Of course not,” he said, drawing himself up to his full and impressive height. “I am Crown Prince Malik Khan of El Bahar. I bestow on you the honor of being my guest at the royal palace.”
Liana pressed her lips together, not sure how to respond to that. A soft, snuffling sound interrupted her thoughts. She turned and saw a golden retriever hovering just outside the main door. Its tail wagged frantically, but it didn’t step inside the palace.
Bethany caught sight of the dog and clapped her hands together. “Mommy, can I go pet the dog?”
Liana glanced at Malik. “Is it friendly?”
“Yes. Sam belongs to my nephews, all of whom are much younger than Bethany. He’s very good with children. She will be safe.”
Liana nodded at her daughter. “Go ahead, but stay within sight of the open door.”
Her daughter walked slowly toward the retriever, holding out her hand for the animal to sniff. Sam took a quick whiff, then licked the offered fingers, all the while wiggling with excitement at the thought of a new playmate.
Liana took the opportunity of her daughter’s distraction to step closer to the prince, not because she wanted to be even more under his spell, but because she didn’t want Bethany to hear what she had to say.
“We are not staying here,” she informed Malik. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but your conduct is completely unacceptable. I am an American citizen and a guest of your country for the next two years. As such, I expect to obey El Baharian law. In return I wish to be treated with respect and courtesy, neither of which includes holding me anywhere against my will.”
“You do not understand,” Malik said patiently. “It is better for you to be at the palace.”
He looked too intelligent not to get her point, which meant he wasn’t listening. It was a trait shared by many men. Perhaps it was exacerbated by his royal status. Regardless, she had to get through to him.
Liana opened her mouth to speak, then closed it. A whisper of a memory drifted through her mind. She tried to shake it off, but it would not be denied. Then, despite the potential peril of her situation, she couldn’t help laughing softly.
“Your Highness, you do not want to play this game with me. I’ve seen the movie.”
He
