couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. ‘‘What have you told my family?’’
Nothing yet, thank God. ‘‘Just that you were very ill, and they needed to come quickly.’’
‘‘Ah.’’ Fatima gently disengaged her hands, putting distance between them. ‘‘When do they arrive?’’
‘‘Later today.’’
‘‘Will you tell Mother about what I…did?’’
He’d been asking himself the same thing. What did one do in this circumstance? ‘‘No,’’ he decided quickly, and knew it was the right decision. There was absolutely no reason to bring more shame to her, or on the family. ‘‘But you have to know this behavior—what you did—isn’t acceptable. The choice you made, that’s not a valid option. You are loved by all. Your life is of great value—’’
‘‘Please,’’ she pleaded, fresh tears welling. ‘‘Please don’t. I won’t do it again, I won’t try anything like that again. I just felt so ashamed, so horrible about what happened at the market yesterday. I’d never mean to hurt the princess and yet—’’ She broke off, shook her head, tears spilling. ‘‘Maybe I did lose her on purpose. I don’t know anymore—’’
He hugged her. That any member of his family should hurt so hurt him. ‘‘The princess returned safe. Do not worry, or blame yourself anymore. You must get rest. You need to take care of yourself.’’
She nodded slowly, fatigue etched in the tightness at her eyes and mouth. ‘‘Maybe I’ll go with Mother to New York for awhile. Maybe a change of pace…’’
‘‘I’ll arrange it for you.’’ Malik kissed her forehead, and stood. ‘‘You’ve nothing to worry about, Fatima. Just get some rest. Everything will work out.’’
‘‘Malik.’’ Her voice stopped him at the door. He turned around to face her. Fatima’s eyes looked huge in her pale face. ‘‘I…can I ask a favor, please?’’
He nodded.
‘‘Would you consider taking the princess to Zefd for a few days…just while Mother is here? It’d be easier to pack and leave for NY without worrying about Mother saying something to Princess Chantal. I know Mother will be disappointed that I didn’t—’’ She broke off, frowned, drew a deep breath. ‘‘You see, Mother had also hoped you and I…and she doesn’t know about your engagement to Princess Chantal.’’
He nodded. ‘‘I understand. I’d planned on taking the princess there next week, we’ll just go a few days early. You’re comfortable explaining my absence to your mother?’’
Fatima smiled weakly. ‘‘Yes. And thank you, cousin.’’
Malik stopped by Nicolette’s room personally to tell her they were going to visit another home of his for a few days. Nicolette saw the shadows in his eyes, felt his strain. ‘‘How is Fatima?’’
He shook his head.
His silence put knots in her stomach. ‘‘If she’s ill, we shouldn’t go—’’
‘‘She’ll be herself soon. I don’t want you to worry. You have enough on your mind.’’
‘‘But—’’
‘‘No.’’ This time he was adamant, his tone forceful. ‘‘I do not want to discuss this further. Have Alea pack. Tell her you are going to Zefd.’’
Several hours later Nicolette and Malik left noisy, congested Atiq behind, traveling in a luxuriously outfitted four wheel drive vehicle, the interior seats leather, the windows tinted, the middle console between two of the passenger seats built to house a mini refrigerator, a stereo, and a DVD player.
Malik sat silent the first half hour of the trip, staring blindly out the window. Nicolette knew he wasn’t angry with her. Rather he was wrestling internally, in a battle with himself.
Finally she wouldn’t let him sit in silence any longer. He’d had over an hour to beat himself up. Now he’d have to talk to her.
‘‘I’ve never seen a four-wheel drive vehicle like this,’’ she said, her voice breaking the heavy silence.
‘‘It’s custom,’’ he answered, his expression even more brooding. ‘‘Built for the desert. To handle the dunes if necessary.’’
‘‘It’s quite plush. You could live in here.’’
‘‘If necessary.’’
He wasn’t making this easy, but Nicolette doggedly inspected the entertainment system, remembering the hidden speakers and stereo system in her room at the palace. ‘‘Lots of interesting gadgets.’’
‘‘A king should be entitled to a few play things.’’
She cocked her head, hearing the anger and self-loathing in his voice. What had happened last night? What had happened with his cousin? ‘‘Please tell me about Fatima.’’
‘‘There’s nothing to say.’’
Pain deepened his voice and Nic’s heart ached. ‘‘I’ve been worried,’’ she said softly. ‘‘And I know you care about her very much.’’
Malik continued to stare out the windows. The hills were giving way to steep red tinted mountains. ‘‘She’s going to go to New York for a while, spend time with her family there. She agrees with me that she needs a change—’’
‘‘And until then, we’re leaving her alone?’’
‘‘She won’t be alone. Her mother and sister are arriving from America this afternoon.’’
Nic assessed the situation, understanding suddenly that she was being sent away deliberately before Fatima’s mother arrived. ‘‘You didn’t want me to meet your aunt.’’
‘‘Fatima wanted to avoid any potential problems.’’
‘‘Meeting your aunt would have created problems?’’
He turned his head, met her gaze. ‘‘My aunt wished me to marry my cousin, and Fatima, wisely wanted to save you, and herself, from further embarrassment.’’
So that explained Fatima’s hostility. Nic exhaled slowly, thinking of the past week, all the time the two had been forced to spend together. Fatima must have felt hurt, and humiliated. ‘‘I didn’t know.’’
He made a rough sound, impatient, angry. ‘‘I didn’t, either.’’
Her lips parted in surprise but Malik’s pained expression stilled the words on her lips, leaving them unspoken. He looked staggered even now. Nicolette had never seen him so quiet, so closed. It was as if he’d gone inward and shut all his emotions down.
Something horrible must have happened last night…‘‘I’m sorry, Malik. I really am.’’
‘‘I am, too.’’
Nicolette
