The Sheikh's Forbidden Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 1) (16 page)

Aliyah's eyes filled with a soft and generously compassionate expression. "I mean you and Zayed," Aliyah said gently.

"What about your brother and me?" Chloe asked.

The corner of Aliyah's mouth creased into a patient smile. "You do know how much you mean to him, don't you?"

Chloe gasped and then quickly took a sip of coffee. Placing the cup down, she looked at Aliyah. "I...have noticed that he seems pleased to have me here," Chloe said hesitantly.

Aliyah's brow rose. "I think he's more than pleased to have you here, Chloe," Aliyah said. "I'm under the impression that he is trying to woo you?"

Chloe laughed. "Woo me?"

"I believe that is the expression, is it not? Wooing seems to be quite common in the West."

Chloe shook her head. "I suppose you could describe it like that. It's not a word I hear very often."

"Nevertheless, that is what he has been trying to do." Aliyah rested her elbows on the table, leaned forward and peered earnestly at Chloe. "My brother is very much in love with you, Chloe."

The directness of the statement took Chloe by surprise, especially coming out of the mouth of someone like Aliyah, who seemed so often to be diplomatic and indirect in everything she said. Chloe was beginning to get the distinct impression that Zayed's sister was a very perceptive young woman in her own right.

Chloe turned her head and looked at the beautiful greenery of the garden. She felt suddenly dizzy, and she wasn't sure if was because of what Aliyah had said to her, or the intoxicating beauty of the surroundings.

"Very much so," Aliyah added.

Chloe turned back to Aliyah. "Why do you say that?"

"Because Zayed himself told me."

"He told you that!" Chloe exclaimed.

Aliyah nodded without saying anything further. The eyes of the two women met, and a silent agreement seemed to pass between them. Because, Chloe knew that what Aliyah had said to her was the truth.
 

Zayed loved Chloe.

And, it seemed that everyone around them could see that.

Chloe sighed slowly and looked at Aliyah. Zayed's sister was waiting patiently for a response, but Chloe didn't know what she could say. She could admit that Zayed was hardly ever from her thoughts; that every time he came near her she felt more alive than she had ever felt before; that no-one else made her feel like that.

But, what was the point? Chloe knew she was about to exit Zayed's life forever. At least, that was the way it seemed right now.

Aliyah raised a brow. "Chloe? Are you feeling alright?" she asked.

Chloe dragged herself out of her reverie. "Sorry, Aliyah. It's just that what you said has thrown me for a loop."

Aliyah's brows furrowed. "Loop?"

"Sorry. It's an expression. It means you confused me a little."

"I'm sorry if I did that. But, I feel that I owe it to you and to Zayed to tell you what I know to be the truth," Aliyah said.

Chloe reached across and curled her fingers around Aliyah's arm. "I know you mean well. And, I'm glad you told me." Chloe sighed and shook her head. "It's just that Zayed and I live in such different worlds. We are separated by such huge distances."

"Love conquers all differences and all distances, Chloe," Aliyah said.

"You're right. But, Zayed and I have so much to come to terms with."

Aliyah shook her head and furrowed her brows. "Are you telling me you do not love my brother?"

Chloe felt her mouth open, and she was sure she had just lost the sensation in her legs. "I...uh...don't know how to answer that, Aliyah," Chloe stuttered.

Aliyah shrugged. "I'm sure Zayed has made his feelings plain to you. So, I think it is a fair question," Aliyah said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Chloe nodded and had to agree with Aliyah's ruthless logic. "I suppose you're right," Chloe said realizing that she would never win any argument with this amazing young woman. "It is a fair question."

Aliyah leaned back on her chair. "I am being rude. Forgive me," she said. "My brothers amorous activities are none of my concern."

Chloe frowned. "Is that what you really think? That I am just another one of his many lovers?"

Aliyah sighed. "I have no illusions about Zayed. He has had his fair share of casual relationships. That is true. But, I thought, with you, things may have been very different."

"Are you saying they aren't?"

Aliyah shook her head. "I'm afraid I have already said too much. In any case, my father has already pronounced on the matter. I was merely trying to save Zayed from a fate he has already rejected."

Chloe felt herself jolted, as if someone had hammered a hand against the front of her chest. "What do you mean?"

Aliyah peered at Chloe. "I thought you knew."

"Knew what?"

Aliyah picked up a napkin and wiped the corner of her mouth. She placed the napkin down on the table and looked at Chloe. "I believe Zayed loves you Chloe. And that you love him."

Chloe felt her throat tighten and she was sure she was going to start crying if this torture didn't stop. "What fate are you talking about, Aliyah?" Chloe pleaded.

Aliyah breathed out a long sigh. "When you and Zayed were away at the caves my father issued a decree. And, like all such things, none of his children has the power to challenge or refuse the decree."

"No-one has told me about this," Chloe said.

"He did it only last night. My father was in a rage about what he saw as a betrayal by Zayed. He found out that Zayed had taken you off by himself, without honoring the instructions given to Raz."

"But that was Zayed's doing. Raz did nothing wrong."

"My father is a proud man. He has ruled this kingdom with a fair but firm hand. As he has done with all this children."

Chloe's shoulders sagged. "I know he doesn't like me," she said softly.

Aliyah shook her head. "He hardly knows you. I know he has been less than friendly to you. But, he is like that with almost everyone. He feels he has to show that he is the one who must be respected."

Chloe looked at Aliyah sharply. "But, what about love? Doesn't that have to be respected?" she said her voice rising to an unnatural pitch in the quietness of the terrace.

Aliyah smiled. "I knew it," she said triumphantly. "You do love Zayed!" she exclaimed.

Chloe exhaled. "I do, Aliyah. But, I don't know what I can do about it. What fate are you talking about? What has your father done?"

Aliyah looked suddenly concerned. She glanced at Chloe as if weighing what she was about to say. After a pause Aliyah seemed to have found the courage to say what she had to say. Looking at Aliyah's expression Chloe knew it wasn't going to be good news.

Aliyah glanced behind her and then locked her gaze upon Chloe's eager features. "My father has decreed that Zayed must marry," Aliyah said slowly.

"Marry!" Chloe exclaimed. "Who?"

"There is a tribe my father has had connections with since he was a young man. Traditions count for everything in our country." Aliyah paused then declared with a note of finality. "The daughter of a family elder has been chosen as the bride for Zayed."

Chloe felt a hole open up beneath her and she was sure she was going to fall all the way to the core of the earth.

Zayed was going to marry?

Chloe couldn't believe what she was hearing. All along he had been tricking her, lying to her with his sweet words and his passionate caresses. Had he taken Chloe to the caves so that he could have one last fling before he was lost to her forever?

How dare he!
 

Aliyah seemed to have faded a long way into the distance. The world was spinning and Chloe felt her stomach heave. There was a roaring in her ears and from somewhere in the distance she heard voices. People were arriving for breakfast. Chloe glanced back into the interior of the palace and saw King Kamal and his wife, Beatrice making their way toward the terrace.

In an instant, Chloe knew she had to leave; had to get away from these cruel people who had no idea what they were doing to her. Chloe glanced at Aliyah who looked as if she were about to say something else, but there was nothing Chloe wanted to here, nothing that could take away the hurt that she was feeling right now.

Chloe threw her napkin onto the table and stood up. "You have to excuse me, Aliyah. I feel rather unwell," Chloe blurted out.

"But, Chloe, there is one more thing I have to tell you," Aliyah said urgently.
 

Chloe glanced at the advancing figures of Zayed's parents. "You've told me everything I need to know, Aliyah. Thank you. I know you mean well, but I have to leave," Chloe stated.

Chloe thrust the chair back, the wooden legs making a loud scraping noise on the marble floor of the terrace.
 

She turned and raced toward the garden, thrusting the branches of the trees away from her, pushing her way through the bushes.
 

She was suddenly eager to be lost; desperate to put as much distance as possible between her and the man, King Kamal, who seemed hell-bent on ruining her chance of happiness with the only man she loved.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Zayed had to find Chloe.
 

He knew that now with absolute certainty.

First thing in the morning he had raced to her room and found it empty. Chloe's things were still in the room, so he knew she hadn't left the palace.

He had slammed the door to her room behind him and started down the corridor. He had to find her; had to tell her what he had resolved. There was no going back now. His father would have to understand, even if it meant giving up his destiny, rejecting everything that Zayed had been brought up to expect as his birthright.

He had hardly slept the whole night. Visions of the woman he loved had tormented his mind. Memories of how stupid and insensitive he had been had driven him mad for most of the night. The emotion had sent him tossing and turning on the bed all night. One word echoed in his mind throughout the night.

Love.

The truth was he did love Chloe. But, he had messed up once again, just as he had done all those years ago. It had taken many hours of thinking before he managed to regain his resolve. There was only one thing to do, and he knew just what it was.

Finally, he had showered and dressed urgently. He raced through the palace to the breakfast table on the terrace, expecting to find the same scene he and Chloe had been a part of mere days before. But, instead of finding his entire family around the table laughing and joking with Chloe, he found his parents and Aliyah talking seriously and very quietly.

His father looked up as Zayed stepped out onto the terrace. His mother, Beatrice, stood up and hugged her son. She smiled at Zayed, and there was a searching look in her eyes as she spoke to him. "Did your trip go as well as you hoped?"

Zayed was momentarily lost for words. After a pause, he nodded. "I believe Chloe enjoyed the trip."

Zayed looked down at Aliyah and saw his sister's unusually pale face and furrowed brows. Zayed tried to catch Aliyah's attention, but she turned quickly away from him.
 

Zayed looked down at his father who had, of course, not risen to greet him. "Good morning, father," Zayed said taking his seat at the table directly opposite his mother. Like his sister, Beatrice looked worried. What did both women know that was causing them to behave like this?

For a few minutes, nothing was said as they all helped themselves to the food on the table. Eventually, Zayed couldn't take the silence any longer.

"Has anyone seen Chloe, this morning?" he asked.

The heavy silence prompted by his question convinced Zayed that something was going on. He had to know.

His mother, ever the mediator, smiled at Zayed. "I saw her earlier. She was having breakfast with Aliyah," she said, turning to her daughter. "Isn't that right?"

Zayed lifted a brow. "Well, Aliyah? Have you spoken to Chloe?"

Aliyah shifted in her seat and nodded slowly. "I have spoken with Chloe. She was here a short while ago."

Zayed looked around the terrace and the garden. "Where did she go?"

"She had things to attend to," Aliyah explained.

Zayed frowned. "Like what?"

Aliyah hesitated. "I believe she said she had to speak with her boss, Andrew," she said.

King Kamal grunted.

Zayed turned to his father. "I suppose you are happy that she will be leaving, father?"

Kamal gave Zayed a stern look. "It was inevitable that she would leave in such a fashion."

Zayed stood quickly, thrusting the chair away with a firm shove of the back of his knees. "I have to find Chloe," he said. He started to turn, but Kamal extended an imperious arm, and Zayed froze, as if controlled by a reflex.
 

"Sit down, my son," Kamal said softly.

Zayed hesitated and looked down at his father. Kamal gave Zayed one long look and Zayed slowly regained his seat.

Kamal took a long sip of his coffee and slowly placed the cup down on the saucer. He turned to Zayed. Father and son had exchanged words in exactly this manner for many years. Zayed knew when his father was unhappy about something; could tell when bad news was about to be given. He had that familiar sensation in his gut, right now.

Zayed glanced at Beatrice and Aliyah. They both smiled wanly at him, already sensing what was about to happen.

Kamal sighed loudly and then peered at Zayed. "You disobeyed me, Zayed."

"How" Zayed blurted out. He saw his mother flinch at the harsh sound of his voice.

Kamal's brows furrowed. "I explicitly asked you not accompany that woman to the caves without your brother being present."

Zayed's shoulders stiffened. "That woman has a name."

"I'm aware that the American woman has a name."

"Her name is Chloe," Zayed stated. "And yes, she is American, although I fail to see how that is important."

Kamal paused and lowered his head as if composing himself. "Miss Stirling said that she wanted to see the wonders that our kingdom has to offer. I allowed myself to be persuaded that this might be in the best interests of our kingdom."