have already been …’ he paused before he used the word that was new to his vocabulary ‘… weaned at two weeks of age.’
‘And he agreed to reduce it?’
‘Not for my daughters’ sake.’ Emir’s voice deepened in hate. ‘Only, I believe, because his wife is pregnant. Only because I reminded him that the rule would apply to his infant too.’ He gave a rare smile. ‘Perhaps Queen Natasha found out about it.’
Amy smiled back. She looked at him and was curious—more curious than she had ever been about a man. There was just so much about him she did not know, so much she had wrongly assumed. These past weeks it had not been bottles and cups on his mind, it had been their welfare. That this proud King had gone to his enemy to ask a favour spoke volumes, but it just confused her more.
‘Natasha is English, like you.’ Emir broke into her thoughts. ‘And would be just as opposed, I presume.’ His smile was wry now. ‘Poor Rakhal!’
‘Poor Natasha,’ was Amy’s response. ‘If Rakhal is as stubborn as you.’
He told her some more about what would happen—that they would set off soon and would take lunch at the oasis. ‘It must be soon,’ Emir said, ‘for the winds are gathering and we have to make it to the oasis today, so all this can take place before their first birthday.’
He did have their best interests at heart, Amy realised, even if he did not always show it. At every turn he confused her, for when the twins woke from that nap it was Emir who went to them, who helped her wrap them in shawls. When she saw him smile down at Clemira as they headed outside he was like the Emir she had once seen.
As they turned to the right of the tent Amy felt her heart sink at the familiar sound of horses whinnying—it was a sound that had once been pleasing to her, but now it only brought terror.
‘Horses?’ She looked at the beasts. ‘We’re riding to the oasis?’
‘Of course.’ He handed her Clemira, oblivious to the panic in her voice.
‘Your Highness …’
‘Emir,’ he conceded.
‘Emir—I can’t. I thought we’d be driving.’
‘Driving?’ He shot out an incredulous laugh. ‘You really have no idea what this is about.’
‘I honestly don’t think I can ride,’ Amy said.
‘Walk, then.’ Emir shrugged. ‘Though I suggest you walk alongside a horse, for it will only be a short time before you surely decide you’re not so precious.’
‘It’s not that!’ He was so arrogant, so difficult to speak to at times. She certainly wasn’t going to tell him about her accident. She didn’t want a lecture on how it was better to get back on a horse, or some withering comment, or—worse—questions. ‘I’m nervous around horses,’ she offered.
Emir just shrugged. ‘I will travel alone, then,’ he said. ‘You will help me to secure the twins.’
Amy bristled. He certainly wasn’t going to baby her—after all, he didn’t even pander to the twins. She wondered if they would fight and struggle as she secured them, but instead the girls were delighted with this new game—giggling as he balanced each one against his chest. It was Amy who was struggling as she wrapped a sash over his shoulder and tied a knot low on his waist, for she had never been closer to him.
‘That’s Clemira.’ She did her best to keep her voice light, hoped he would not notice her shaking fingers as she wrapped the second twin and was glad to walk around to his back so he would not see her blush. She lifted his kafeya a little, ran the cloth behind it. Her fingers paused as she felt dark skin. She bit on her lip as she saw the nape of his neck, resisting the urge to linger.
‘Done?’ he asked.
‘Nearly.’ She finished the knot on his shoulder. ‘Are you sure you can manage them both?’
‘I have carried much more.’ He indicated to Raul, the groundsman, to bring over his horse. As he mounted with ease the twins started to get upset—perhaps realising that they were leaving Amy behind.
‘They will be fine,’ Emir said.
But wasn’t it her job to make this transition easier for them? As painful as it would be, she wanted to be there for the girls when they were handed over to strangers—wanted this last bit of time with them.
‘I’ll come.’ The words tumbled out. ‘It will be better for the girls if I ride along beside them and give them their lunch.’
‘It is up to you.’ Emir’s voice did not betray the fact that he was relieved. He had privately been wondering how he would manage—not the ride, but the time at the oasis.
When he saw her tentativeness as she approached her animal, saw that her fear was real, he halted their departure for a moment and called to Raul, translating for Amy. ‘I have asked him to bring Layyinah. She is, as her name attests, the most gentle mare.’
Layyinah was gorgeous—white and elegant, and more beautiful than any horse Amy had seen. She had huge eyes and nostrils, her forehead was broad, and Amy ran a hand over a magnificent mane.
‘She’s beautiful,’ Amy said. ‘I mean seriously beautiful.’
‘Pure Arabian,’ Emir explained. ‘That bulge between her eyes is her jibbah. There is more …’ he did not know the word ‘… more room that helps with her breathing in the hot air. They are built for this land. In our horses we put a lot of trust and they return it. She will look after you.’
Amy actually wanted to get on, although she was incredibly nervous. The once familiar action took her a couple of attempts, and though her robes had enough cloth in them to allow for decency it felt strange to be climbing onto a horse wearing them. But Emir had managed, Amy told herself. As she took to the saddle she was glad he had mounted his horse first, because he was there beside her, surprisingly patient and encouraging, as she took a moment to settle. The horse moved a few steps as it became accustomed to a new rider.
‘Kef.’ Emir leant over and pulled at the rein. ‘It means stop,’ he explained, and waited till Amy had her breath back. ‘How does it feel?’
‘Good,’ Amy admitted. ‘It feels scary, but good.’
‘We will take it slowly,’ Emir said. ‘There is nothing to be nervous about.’
Oh, there was—but she chose not to tell him.
As they set off, even though it felt different riding on sand, the motion was soon familiar, and Amy realised how much she had missed riding. It had been a huge part of her life but she had never considered resuming it. Had never envisiaged the day she would be brave enough to try again—unexpectedly, that day was here.
She breathed in the warm air, felt the beauty of her surrounds, and for the first time she put anger and her questions aside, just drank in the moment. She heard Emir talk to his children, heard their chatter and laughter as they set off on an adventure. It was nicer just to enjoy rather than think about where this journey would take them.
‘It’s
