EPILOGUE
THREE MONTHS LATER
She knew what he was about to do. And she was happy.
Eva stood atop the dune and looked down at Riaz's camp. It was almost sundown and the air was beginning to cool. This was her favorite part of the day. He knew that, and she was sure that was why he had arranged to meet her here at this place which had become so important to her these past three months.
Eva smiled as she turned and gazed out toward the setting sun. The sky was beginning to turn rose red and the distant dunes were changing color, darkening into a deep orange hue.
Eva thought about everything that had happened since she'd agreed to stay with him. She recalled the days and the nights.
Especially the nights.
She and Riaz had become so close now, that her doubts about whether she should stay with him now seemed like a form of madness.
A beautiful madness.
But all those uncertainties had been swept away now.
She was sure, now. Sure of one thing. The words he'd said to her when he'd come to her in the desert had been true.
So very true.
Eva belonged by Riaz's side.
There was nowhere else she would rather be, she realized. Not any more. Not after what they'd shared.
He had been right. She belonged with him.
And his true place was by her side.
They had come together so much during these past months, that the idea of not being with Riaz seemed impossible, somehow unreal to Eva.
Not once had Riaz asked her when she was planning to leave. Even after she had found out almost everything about him. Even after she'd satisfied every part of her curiosity about how he lived.
Her previous need to uncover all his secrets had disappeared, to be replaced by a deep respect, a genuine affection.
No.
She knew that wasn't true.
Eva breathed in deep and sighed softly, feeling contentment ease through her entire being.
There was much more than affection in her heart for this extraordinary man, she told herself.
There was love.
He had declared his love to her many times these past months. At first, Eva had felt embarrassed by his declarations. Almost disbelieving.
But he hadn't stopped telling her he loved her. And eventually, she had believed him, accepting the truth of his heartfelt declarations.
For her part, she had held back. Telling him how she felt about him hadn't come easy. His conviction had been so strong, that hers, by comparison had seemed shockingly lukewarm.
But, at last, during one night of extraordinary passion, swept away with emotion, she had confessed her feelings to him. And he had reacted with an almost physical joy.
After that, the nights together had taken on a whole new aspect. The final barrier had been broken down. All that remained was a pure, intense connection. Every part of Eva's world had been transformed.
Now, she relished every night in his bed, knowing the pleasure to come.
Eva turned and saw Riaz heading toward her. He was dressed in white desert robes. For her part she was dressed in similar loose robes. She had taken on the outward appearance of a woman of the desert.
He called her a desert princess.
Eva still found that mildly amusing. As if she could ever be a princess, she told herself.
But, every time he'd described her like that, she had seen the expression in his eyes. He believed she was a princess of the desert and that was enough for him.
The desert breeze swept across the top of the dune, causing her robes to shift loosely around her body.
Then Riaz was by her side.
"You wanted me to meet you here?" she said.
Riaz nodded slowly, curling an arm around her, drawing her close to him. "I want to ask you something."
Eva peered at him, lifting a curious brow. "Really," she said in a flat. "And what exactly would that be?"
Riaz smiled. "I think you know."
Eva sighed softly. She'd been right. He had something to say to her and she knew what it was. A short time ago, such a proposal would have seemed impossible.
But not now.
After all they had been through together, there really was only one way for this to end.
Riaz took her in his arms. "Eva." His eyes narrowed. "Habibti," he murmured. The sound of that word made her quiver slightly. She'd come to love the sound of it. She was his beloved. Just as he was her beloved.
"Eva. Will you grant me the greatest honor a man can hope for and consent to become my wife?"
There was nothing shocking about those words. All she felt was a tremendous relief, a wonderful sense of joy and inevitability.
Eva ran a hand gently down the side of his face. She smiled at him and nodded. "I will, Riaz."
His features lit with an inner glow. He smiled joyfully and drew her closer. She felt the strength of his embrace and let herself sink into it.
Then, Riaz kissed her.
Joy filled her heart. There would be so much more of this to come, she told herself.
Years of such joy.
This was where she belonged, she told herself.
This was the place destiny had chosen for her.
And she was happy.
THE END