Kaye’s eyes were wide as saucers as Amalia and Jamir led the tour through the sprawling palace. They even took her through several private chambers that had once belonged to ancestors long since passed. Amir seemed content to walk along in silence, relishing the sensation of being back home.

“Why did Amir leave?” Kaye asked, glancing his way.

His eyes met hers for the briefest moment before he looked back at his parents, waiting to hear their answer. His mother frowned, stopping their progress. She glared at Amir for several long moments before she turned back to answer Kaye’s question.

“Because he is a fool. And our youngest son, so he can do as he pleases.”

Kaye looked up at Amir in surprise.

“You didn’t tell me you had siblings!”

“It didn’t seem important,” he said with a shrug.

Amalia scoffed.

“He is the youngest of ten, Kaye. And not once did he think to mention them?”

“Feels like that would be pertinent to the plot of the show,” Kaye mused, all eyes boring into Amir.

He seemed entirely unfazed by this attention.

“We don’t want our audience getting confused by the number of siblings I have running around. Besides, I’m not the only one who left. They’re currently scattered all over the world, last time I checked.”

Amalia nodded.

“One is in Australia, one in Kenya…actually, come to think of it, we might have every continent covered at the moment. Jayla is currently on a scientific expedition in Antarctica.”

“That’s got to be a world record, right? All the members of one family covering every continent?”

Jamir grinned.

“I’ll have to make a call and see. We haven’t made the history books for anything interesting yet, have we my dear?”

“Perhaps as the most fertile royal couple, but beyond that, no, I don’t believe so.”

Was Amir blushing? She watched him carefully as his parents affectionately teased one another, their tour getting underway once more. It didn’t get past Kaye that they had all ignored properly answering her question.

Why had Amir chosen to leave?

“Lunch, anyone?” Amalia asked.

“Yes, please. I’m famished!” Amir said.

“You’re always famished. It’s a wonder you don’t weigh as much as an airplane.”

“It’s because I simply eat truckloads of vegetables, Mother.”

“Ha!” Amalia turned back to Kaye. “Talk about a bunch of lies! This boy would sneak more treats out of the kitchen than any other child I had. He has a notorious sweet tooth.”

“Don’t forget steak. That’s all he’s fed me, so far. I’m starting to feel bad for cows everywhere.”

“Steak?” Jamir asked, confused.

“It’s something we don’t really eat in Al Rayyan. That’s why I like it so much,” Amir explained.

Jamir grunted, stepping forward as a pair of servants opened a doorway to a covered desert garden. The vegetation was sparse, but the whole area was decorated with statues and stonework that would have made the ancient rulers proud. It was unlike anything Kaye had ever seen. Beneath the covered area, large, silent fans controlled the temperature around a circular table that was already set for four.

“You were expecting us,” Kaye noted.

Amalia nodded.

“Of course. We had to prepare for the roles, didn’t we?”

Kaye grinned.

“We’re going to have to try extra hard to get back into them, tomorrow. I already like you too much.”

“Aw, see Amir? This is a girl with some manners. You could learn a thing or two from her.”

“Yes, Mother,” Amir said sarcastically, his eyes sparkling as he sat down across from Kaye.

A waiter approached and poured them all glasses of an iridescent pink drink. Kaye eyed it a little warily.

“This is a sparkling wine made from a particular grape grown in the southern region of Al Rayyan. I think you’ll like it a lot,” Amalia said.

Kaye lifted the glass by the stem and took a sip. It was a sweet, crisp wine that perfectly staved off the heat hovering just out of reach, as though they had managed to create a perfectly cool, invisible bubble.

“This is amazing!” Kaye beamed, and Amalia nodded.

“Nothing but the best for our future daughter-in-law.”

At that, Kaye’s joyful expression faltered.

“You know about the wedding?” she asked.

Amir cleared his throat, and his father stared at him with a curious expression.

“Of course. You’re having a television wedding. I skimmed the script.”

Kaye and Amir exchanged a glance, and in that moment, she realized that he wasn’t being entirely truthful with his parents. They assumed that all of this was for show, when in reality, they would truly be man and wife…even if it was still quite fake. On paper, it would be official.

“Of course, I just didn’t realize that we would be giving away our big plotline all this time. Don’t you go running to the tabloids to give them all the spoilers, now.”

“Isn’t the show entirely about your fake engagement that’s leading to a fake marriage?” Amalia asked, sharp as a tack.

“Uh…” Kaye said, unhelpfully.

“Mother, Kaye is simply trying to make conversation, and you are hounding her like a wolf. Yes, we know the premise of the show. Can we move on?”

“Why did you agree to do it?” Kaye asked, unable to help herself.

She knew Amir wanted to change the subject, but she was fascinated. Why would these people, who clearly had to have better things to do with their time, be willing to be a part of an American reality show?

Jamir took a sip, savoring the flavor of the wine before he answered.

“When Amir came to us with this project, I admit that we doubled over laughing for quite some time before we were able to discern that he was being serious.”

Amalia nodded.

“At least a full ten minutes. When he kept glaring at us, we realized he was actually planning on pursuing this silly project.”

“It’s not that silly of a project,” Amir protested.

Jamir smiled benevolently at his youngest son.

“Of course, son. It’s a capital venture that’s going to help your business. We’re all on board for helping you with whatever dream you may chase, even something as ridiculous as American reality television.”

“Thank you, Father,” Amir said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Before they could continue their conversation, the waiter returned with a series of plated foods. Everything smelled delicious, wafts of foreign spices tickling Kaye’s nostrils as he set the plates down around the table.

“This is a traditional Al Rayyan luncheon. We tend to enjoy a variety of spiced meats, though apparently none of them measure up to steak,” Jamir said, emphasizing the last word.

“You’ve clearly never tried my steak, Father. I assure you, you would be amazed.”

“I’m sure I would,” Jamir said.

Kaye watched as Amir’s family bantered between themselves, the love in their eyes evident even as they teased and cajoled each other. She thought about what it would be like when they went to film with her family, and dismissed the thought. Even thinking about calling them to give them a head’s up was out of the question. She had to hold on to the hope that the element of surprise would make them agree to the project, because she knew if asked, the answer would be a definitive and resounding no.

Amalia gestured toward the steaming plates of food.

“Eat, everyone, eat! Amir looks as though he’s wasting away.”

“And you look ever-radiant, Mother,” Amir replied.

Amalia rolled her eyes.

“What a suck-up. Can you believe this boy? My youngest child, and he thinks he still has to pull this nonsense.”

“I will never pass up a chance to compliment my own mother. You raised me to do so, if you’ll remember.”

“That I did. I’m glad you’ve remembered at least some of your manners, you rascal child.”

“Gentle reminder that I am thirty-two years old.”

Kaye’s head bounced back and forth as mother and son teased one another, their eyes filled with love as they did so. Heeding Amalia’s call, she scooped some food from each dish, loading her fork up with delicious meat before taking a bite. The spice combined with the fact that it melted in her mouth had her nearly groaning. It was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted…except for Amir’s steak.

Her thoughts drifted back to when she had been living off of stale carbs, and she sent up a quick note of thanks towards the heavens for the meals she had indulged in since crossing paths with Amir. The rest of the meal passed pleasantly, with Amalia and Jamir regaling Kaye with embarrassing childhood stories from the Amir chronicles, all while he crossed his arms and took the verbal beating admirably.

As the main dish plates were removed, a pie dusted with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and nutmeg was placed on the table. Amir glanced up at his mother.

“You remembered!”

“My son’s favorite pie? Of course I remembered. You haven’t been away that long.”

“It’s been nearly ten years, dearest,” Jamir reminded her.

She waved a dismissive hand.

“Time flies. My son’s tastes will never truly change. He is a Sheikh of Al Rayyan. If all of his siblings pass, he will be the rightful heir to this throne.”

“That would take quite the feat,” Jamir noted.

“So it would. Be that as it may, it would seem we are roped into quite the shenanigan. I hope you’ll forgive me for my future acting, Kaye. Just know, I already like you better than Amir.”

“Mother!” Amir protested.

Kaye grinned as a slice of the cinnamon pastry was placed on a plate and set in front of her.

“I completely understand,” she said, taking a bite.

Once their meal was finished, Amalia insisted that Amir show Kaye to her quarters.

“Your wish is my command,” Amir said, with an overstated bow.

“Kaye, get some rest. If there is anything you need, you’ll find a bell located under your bedside table,” Amalia said.

“You are a gracious host, Your Highness,” Kaye thanked, followed by a respectful bow.

“Just don’t forget to learn our anthem by tomorrow. Otherwise, my character will have to kick you out.”

“Yes ma’am,” Kaye replied, the corner of her lip twitching.

Amir led the way from the gardens, then, directing Kaye down a series of hallways that were decorated with fashionable rugs, tables, and statues. There seemed to be a big thing about statues in Al Rayyan, Kaye noticed. She made a mental note to ask about it later.

Amir stopped in front of a door, turning the knob and pressing it open. Inside was a massive room with an enormous bed, two side tables, and another door that presumably led to a bathroom. Kaye’s suitcase was sitting at the end of the bed.

“Welcome. As my mother said, get some rest and we’ll get ready to film in the morning.”

“Thanks Amir,” she said, turning to face him.

“Of course.”

He seemed distracted, as though he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. It made Kaye curious, but she reminded herself that she wasn’t in the business of Amir’s feelings. In fact, she would do better to stay as far away from them as possible.

“Until then,” she said, feeling awkward.

Amir nodded, then turned and walked away. He didn’t look back as Kaye closed the door, wondering at his pensive mood.