Sunday morning showered the desert kingdom of Ramil with sunlight, and for the second day of the sheikh’s birthday celebration, a lavish breakfast spread had been prepared in the safari hall, a long, glass tunnel that also served as the palace’s direct connection to the sheikh’s private wildlife preserve. Here, guests were able to dine while enjoying the sight of the sheikh’s beloved pets. There were lions and jaguars and even a small herd of elephants that the guests glimpsed in the distance. At the end of the tunnel was another enclosure, this time an indoor jungle paradise in which exotic species lived – rare snakes wrapped around tree branches, huge camel spiders crawling swiftly on the sand, while Egyptian uromastyx flicked their tails languidly atop large boulders.

It made a breathtaking sight, one Harper usually enjoyed immensely. But right now, she just wanted to see the sheikh.

She had fallen asleep by the time he had returned to their room and was gone by the time she woke up. If not for the note he had left by her bedside table, she wouldn’t even have known he had been there at all.

And as for the note---

Her cheeks flushed at the mere thought of it, and she hastily ducked her head before the guests could see her face. Damn sheikh. He wasn’t supposed to be that sweet. Or at least he shouldn’t be if he knew he’d be cooped up in his office for the rest of the day.

Her phone suddenly buzzed, and her heart swayed giddily, knowing that it could only be him.

Khalil: Miss me?

Harper: No comment. Everything okay there?

A secret memo had circulated among the palace’s staff this morning, and it was through it Harper had learned of the terrorist threat that had kept the sheikh away from her bed the previous night.

Khalil: Still waiting for verification.

Harper: Keep me posted?

Khalil: I will. Are you done there?

Harper: I need to stay here for about ten minutes more if I don’t want Ms. Snape to get mad.

Khalil: You know she’ll make you pay for that, don’t you?

Harper: She’ll only know if you tell her.

She paused then started typing again.

Harper: DON’T tell her, okay. Promise me!

Because he likely would, knowing how much the sheikh liked seeing her in hot water.

* * *

Hell of a way to celebrate this his birthday, the sheikh thought wearily as he put aside the latest report sent by the defense department. As for now, last night’s rumblings about terrorists finding a way to enter their kingdom hadn’t yet been completely confirmed but even so, the palace remained on high security alert. He and the other sheikhs had also stayed up the entire night, monitoring all the reports, their instincts telling them not to take anything lightly.

Where there was smoke, there was fire.

And his birthday celebration, where the world’s most powerful figures had convened, would definitely make a great place to light up the bloodiest type of fireworks. And if today wasn’t the target, then there was also tomorrow’s council, where all 120 sheikhs of Ramil would be meeting, his first time to address them as their king.

His phone buzzed, and the tension in Khalil’s form slightly eased. If not for his beautiful Harper, his mood would have been a lot worse, and it was never a good thing for the kingdom to see their leader tense. It was just one of the many little things in which his queen was of help to him, and his mood further lightened when he read her reply.

DON’T tell her, okay. Promise me!

Ah, his queen knew him so well.

Khalil: I should be done here in about the same time. Come join me then.

He was about to put his phone away when it buzzed again.

Harper: As you command, Your Majesty.

The sarcasm was so palpable in each word that Khalil’s lips twitched.

Harper: And FYI, I see what you did there.

The sheikh was about to reply when a knock sounded on his door.

“Enter.”

An aide stepped inside. After bowing to his king, the younger man informed him nervously that the Sheikh of Farigha wished a word with him.

Khalil frowned. Mahmud was one of his grandfather’s old cronies, and he had only invited the older sheikh out of respect for his title. “Let him in,” he said after a moment. He couldn’t see Mahmud saying anything of import, but it wouldn’t hurt to hear him out first.

When Mahmud came strolling in, he rose to his feet, and the other sheikh bowed in greeting. Or at least he tried, with Mahmud’s huge middle preventing him from bending too much.

The aide prepared refreshments for two sheikhs before leaving, and as soon as they were alone, Khalil asked, “What may I do for you, Mahmud?”

“Actually, Your Majesty, it is more of what I would like to offer to you. A birthday gift, so to speak.”

“I see.”

“It would be our family’s greatest honor if you were to accept it.”

Refusing to be flattered into blind acceptance, Khalil only smiled blandly, drawling, “You have piqued my curiosity, sheikh. May I know what is this gift you speak of?”

“My daughter, sheikh.”

Ah.

“She has undergone training her whole life to ensure she does her husband proud. She is knowledgeable of our ways. She will be more than content to serve you as your second wife.”

Khalil’s fingers drummed on the armrest.

Mahmud smiled. “I see no reason why you should refuse our gift. It can only strengthen your hold on the kingdom and silence those who think you have too much foreign blood in you. I, of course, do not believe this, but as for other people in tomorrow’s council…”

“And if I believe this gift is too valuable?”

“I have always believed that no gift is too valuable for the kingdom’s sake. Or at least a true Ramilian would think so.”

* * *

Outside the sheikh’s study, Harper’s fist paused mid-air at Sheikh Mahmud’s words. Was she hearing this right? Unable to help it, she turned towards her guards, and all three of them were doing their best to conceal their shock.

Harper swallowed hard. Well, it was just an offer, she told herself. It didn’t mean he’d accept. And besides, he had promised, hadn’t he? She squared her shoulders. Yes, he had promised, and for all of his irritating traits, the sheikh wasn’t ever the type to break his word.

She raised her hand to knock on the door, thinking of joining the sheikh and facing the man who had the temerity to offer her husband a second wife ---

But then she heard the sheikh speak.

“It would be my pleasure to receive your gift, Mahmud.”

And her arm fell limply against her side.

* * *

Khalil dismissed everyone when he reached the throne room, needing to be alone. Most of the men were quick to bow and leave, but his most trusted vassals refused to move an inch.

“Are you truly doing this?” Altair asked.

“You, of all people, should understand why the present situation leaves me no choice but to do it.” Only one-third of the council was needed for a motion to be considered, and according to Mahmud, there were at least fifty who wanted him to abdicate.

If Khalil chose to fight this motion, a hearing would be set, and he would be temporarily stripped of his powers. This would leave Ramil without a king, and it was too damn convenient that the timing coincided with a sudden terrorist threat.

“Have you heard anything about Mahmud conspiring with the terrorists?” Khalil asked his army commander.

“Unfortunately – no.” Altair’s tone was grim.

“Then my hands are tied.” Khalil’s was equally grim. Mahmud was one of the kingdom’s wealthiest sheikhs, and Khalil had no doubt the older man had enough clout to sway the other sheikhs into following him.

“And Harper?” Malik asked quietly.

Khalil turned to face the other sheikh, his smile not reaching his eyes as he murmured, “You’ve always had the softest spot for my queen, Malik.”

Malik didn’t smile back. “She is different from the rest. But I do not love her.”

Like you do.

The sheikh’s lips tightened at the unspoken words that hung heavily in the air.

“Enough with this.” Tarif’s tone was brusque. “What’s done is done, and the king has made a decision.”

The sheikh looked at Rayyan. “You have nothing to say?”

“You know the kind of man I am, Khalil.” The blue-eyed sheikh’s tone was emotionless. “I understand why you must do this, and as long as you let her know before she finds out from anyone else---”

“You have nothing to worry about on that score.” Four pairs of stunned eyes swung towards him at his words, and Khalil smiled humorlessly at their reaction. “I have been informed that she was standing outside my doors when Mahmud spoke with me.”

Malik drew his breath sharply.

“She heard what Mahmud offered and she heard me accept.”

* * *

Harper didn’t know how long she had been seated in front of the vanity, brushing her hair, before the connecting door between her suite and the sheikh’s opened without warning. She stiffened, and when the sheikh strode inside a moment later, his dark gaze meeting hers through the mirror’s---

A shaft of pain struck her at the sight of him, unexpected and crippling, and the hairbrush she had been holding slipped from her suddenly nerveless fingers. It clattered to the marbled floor, the sound jarring, and Harper drew her breath sharply.

A second later, she bent to reach for it the same time the sheikh crouched down, and their fingers grazed against each other.

Harper jerked back.

Khalil’s fingers tightened around the handle. “Is something the matter?”

“Nope.” She swung away clumsily as he rose back to his feet.

As he placed the brush back on the vanity, he said quietly, “I can’t help you solve your problems when you don’t---”

“I said there’s nothing wrong.” The words came out in a horrifyingly shrill scream, and she saw the sheikh freeze through his reflection on the mirror.

Harper started to shake on her seat, aghast and ashamed.

She had screamed at him. She had just gone ahead and screamed at him and – it didn’t feel right. Even if she had every reason to scream at him, it just didn’t feel right.

This wasn’t – this wasn’t her at all, dammit.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice came out a horrible stammer. “I didn’t mean to---” Ah God, it was too hard to talk, and she stood up, almost causing her chair to overturn in her haste. But as she turned to walk away, the sheikh caught her by the elbow, and his touch nearly broke her, despair making Harper unable to move.

“Harper---”

She shook her head, and the sheikh stopped speaking.

“Don’t.”

And his lips tightened.

She found the strength to yank her hand away, only to realize she didn’t have to try so hard, his fingers readily relinquishing its hold---

Ah, God, he was letting her go so easily now.

And that said everything, didn’t it?

Khalil’s fists clenched against his sides as he saw Harper’s shoulders start to shake. When she raised her eyes to his, he sucked in his breath at the sight of her tear-stained gaze. He started to reach for her, unable to help it---

She shook her head violently. “No.”

And his arms fell back to his sides.

“Just t-this once,” Harper said tremulously, “I want you to tell it to me s-straight.” The tears fell faster with every word, but even so, the words kept pouring out, needing to be said. “Because you already know, don’t you?” And her voice caught. “You already know I know. D-don’t you?”

Silence.

And God, that silence said everything.

She fell to her knees.

The sheikh knelt down in front of her. “I’m sorry.” His voice was harsh. “I’m so damn sorry.” It destroyed him to see her so broken, knowing that he was the cause---

But there was nothing to do, his hands tied by the gold bands of his crown.

He started to tell her why he was doing it, but she shook her head.

“You don’t have to explain.”

And he saw in her eyes that he truly did not have to.

He saw in her eyes that she knew –

She knew he loved her. But she also knew he was a king.

“I’m sorry.” Khalil’s voice was hoarse.

A choking sob, the sound telling him that she knew he was sorry…understood why he was doing this…but that it wasn’t enough.

And he could no longer help himself.

Even knowing he had no right to touch her---

He just had to.

The moment his hands cupped her face, her tears streamed faster.

His lips moved, and so did hers.

The words flowed, silent but heard.

I love you.

I love you.

But it wasn’t enough.

“K-Khalil---”

He crushed her to him. “Please.” His voice was savage. “Don’t say it. Please. We’ll find a way to make it work---”

“Not t-this time.” A painful laugh bubbled inside of her, and she…let it out. She had to. If she didn’t laugh, she’d end up crying, and God, the pain was already too much.

The thought of having to share him with another woman –

Even if it was for the right reasons –

She couldn’t do it.

She just couldn’t do it.

It would be no different from being skinned alive, the pain peeling her soul bit by ravaged bit until she would no longer be able to recognize herself.

Harper pulled away, managed to get to her feet, but just as she turned away, the sheikh gripped her hand, not letting her go.

“Please.”

“I love you.”

Harper squeezed her eyes shut. “I know y-you do. And I can’t even blame you for doing this. You wouldn’t be the man I loved if you hadn’t done this, but please---” Another shuddering sob struck her, and she nearly had to gasp for breath. “I’d do anything for you, but not this. Never this. So please don’t ask it of me. Please---”

Slowly, his fingers fell.

And she ran away.

* * *

Years and years from now, it would go down as one of the saddest days in the kingdom’s history when the crying, trembling figure of their queen was seen at the gates of the palace, performing the public ritual of ending her marriage to the king.

News traveled fast, and the area was soon swarming with people – reporters who were out to sensationalize this unprecedented sight, gawking guests who were titillated by the hint of scandal in the air, and men like Mahmud, who didn’t hesitate to sow seeds of discord to further their cause.

Terrible accusations began to take shape, broadcasted in viral headlines---

Queen Harper publicly disavowing marriage to travel alone and leave Ramil?

Princess Safiya, daughter of Sheikh Mahmud, to be Ramil’s next queen?

Ramilians to be fined if found offering aid to Queen Harper?

Later, there would also be stories of loyalty – of how secret enemies of the sheikh had incited a rabble, and of the queen’s most trusted guards coming to her defense. Witnesses had sworn they heard the queen tearfully begging her loyal guards not to endanger themselves for her, but still they had shed blood for her, their loyalty to her unwavering.

You will always be our queen.

And when the tide seemed to swell in the favor of the sheikh’s enemies, there came the thundering, ground-crushing sound of the army’s footsteps, led by the king and his vassals. They fought their way to the queen’s side, infallible in their power, strength, and valor –

It was a breathtaking sight, witnesses from that night were known to avow. But what they would never ever forget was the sight of their king finding his queen---

Only to let her go---

You are free, my love.