such familiarity. “Whatever we are outside that door, when we are together intimately, you are always my man, ya habibi, and I will always be first and foremost your woman.”
His expression turned nearly beatific. “Yes. I do. I am certain of it.”
“What?” she asked, feeling like she’d missed something.
“I love you, habibti. I was not certain because I’ve never experienced anything like what you make me feel, but my heart is yours, from the moment our eyes met unto eternity.”
She stopped, her heart going so fast she heard the rush in her ears. “You love me?”
“Yes. It happened so quickly, but you are perfect for me. Everything about you matches something in me.”
“I’ll never have a pedigree.”
“And I thank God for it. You help me to see with my heart, not my position.”
“I wasn’t born to be a princess.”
“But you were, born to be my emira.”
She was out of arguments. “I love you, too, Sayed, so much.”
“One day, you will carry my child.”
“Yes. You’ll be such a wonderful father.”
“I had a very good example, just as you did for being mother to our children.”
“We went from single to plural pretty fast.”
“I’ve got a dream.”
“Of lots of babies?” she asked a little worried.
“Not lots, just maybe four?”
“Four? Wow, you do realize I was an only child, right?”
“But you have so much love to give.”
That was one truth she could no longer deny. Gone were the days when Liyah denied her emotions. “You’re being persuasive again.”
He turned and grabbed something off the bed and handed it to her. “Thank you for marrying me.”
She smiled and stepped back from the box. “Just a second.”
She’d asked Hasiba to make sure Liyah’s gift for Sayed had been dropped off in the suite. She found it on the desk, wrapped in burgundy paper, the royal crest holding the gold ribbon together instead of a bow.
She rushed back into the room and offered it to him. “Thank you for marrying me.”
“Your love is all the gift I need,” he said fervently.
“Ditto.”
He smiled and opened the gift, his expression going very solemn as he opened the jeweler’s box. It was a traditional wedding bracelet, of the type brides gave their husband in Zeena Sahra. Though it was not leather, or hand woven from her hair.
It had something to do with their Bedouin roots, but all Liyah knew was that she approved the symbolism of it.
“The eternal circle of love and commitment,” Sayed said with satisfaction.
“Yes, because I will always love you and am in this thing for life.”
“As am I.” He slipped the heavy platinum masculine bracelet on, a single ruby for his royal house offset left of center on the top.
She’d used the last of her savings to buy it and couldn’t think of a better use of her mother’s final gift to Liyah.
“Now it is your turn.”
“Is it?” she asked, so full of love and happiness she didn’t think any gift could add to it.
“Yes. I remember you once told me, we are supposed to keep things even.”
She laughed, remembering. “That was about getting naked.”
“We will get to that.”
“Promise?” she teased.
“Oh, yes. Now, open your gift.”
Liyah tore the paper off the flat box and pulled off its lid, but was a little confused when she saw it was filled with legal documents. “What are these?”
“You know the hotel where I proposed?”
“Yes.” She’d loved the rooftop restaurant.
“I bought it for you.”
“You bought me a hotel?”
“It’s in your blood, but you’ll have to keep a general manager as your duties as emira will not allow for a full-time occupation outside of the palace.”
“Your mother explained.” Queen Durrah had been giving Liyah “princess lessons” daily since she agreed to marry Sayed.
“And you do not mind?”
“No, Sayed. When I say I love you, I mean the you that is emir, too.”
“You are amazing, habibti. Intee albi.”
“And you are my heart. We’ll beat for each other. I love you so much, Sayed.”
“As I love you. With everything that I am or ever will be.”
“I know it.”
“You do?”
“The proof is in the pudding, as they say.” Her heart was so full it was hard to get the words out, but she did. “First you gave me the gift of family, both my father and your own parents, cousins and aunt. Then there’s the hotel—the grand romantic gesture the men in your family are known for.”
“I should have realized I loved you when I started negotiations for the hotel.”
“Maybe.”
“Perhaps you need a little more proof.” Sayed’s meaning was clear in the hunger glowing in his espresso eyes.
“I’ll never say no to that type of proof.”
Nor would she ever balk at giving it. Love had turned her from repressed into passionately expressive.
And Sayed adored her that way. He said so.
They made love throughout the night, taking turns expressing their spiritual affection in carnal ways no less beautiful than the emotion that flowed between them.
Ultimately, Hena Amari had gifted Liyah with Sayed, her final request leading her daughter to London where fate ordained she connect with the other half of her soul.
Liyah whispered a prayer of gratitude as she slipped into sleep, wrapped in the arms of her one true
