Atnan stepped back outside and grabbed a candlestick, lighting their way down the hall.

“We forgot to clean up the table,” Lily said, gazing up at the ceiling in search of bats as they walked. The shadows from the candle played tricks on her mind, and she thought she had seen at least four already.

“Don’t worry about it. It will be taken care of,” he replied.

“Question,” Lily began, and when Atnan didn’t answer, she took that as a green light to continue. “You had enough electricity to cook us a meal. Why are we walking in the dark with a candle like we’re in a haunted mansion?”

“You think this place is haunted?”

“You’re getting a real kick out of scaring me, aren’t you? Bats, ghosts, scary peeling walls. If it wasn’t for the chocolate cake…”

Lily didn’t know how she was going to finish that statement. She didn’t want to say that she would leave again, because as time passed, she found she wanted to be where Atnan was. He had proven himself capable in so many ways. She supposed if there was anything frightening in the palace, he would be able to protect her.

It was a warming thought.

“You’re working yourself up. There is nothing to fear in the palace. We are the only inhabitants, living or dead. The bats don’t even like it in here.”

“Great. You didn’t answer my question.”

They walked on, Atnan stopping at the door that led to her room. She had begun to recognize the pictures along the way, and she was glad to have made it to what she considered relative safety.

“I like to keep the palace dark at night. It helps keep suspicious eyes away.”

“Well, that’s ominous,” she grumbled.

When Atnan provided no answer, she turned to face him only to find him watching her intently.

Was he going to kiss her goodnight? Would she protest if he did?

Deep down, she knew she wouldn’t. If he kissed her, she would wrap her arms around him and find solace in the arms of a man who had clearly suffered something terrible. In that, they could find comfort. She was on the verge of getting herself into deep trouble. Was she only putting off the inevitable?

She opened her door, the hinges creaking.

“Lily, I want you to know that you’re safe here. I know you don’t know me, and I know you’re in some trouble, but no harm will ever come to you while you are under my roof. Do you trust me?”

His eyes searched hers, and she knew her answer was important to him. Deep down, she had known her answer from the beginning.

“I do,” she murmured, her tone soft.

His hand twitched by his side, as though he was going to reach out and touch her. In that moment, she hoped that he would, but when his hand stayed put, she stepped back toward her room.

“I take it I’m not to turn on any lights, then?”

He frowned and then handed her the candlestick.

“It would be helpful if you wouldn’t. The less visible we are, the better.”

She stared at him, waiting for him to elaborate. When he didn’t, she sighed, stepping inside.

“Good night, then, Atnan.”

The Sheikh stepped back as well. She wondered for a moment how he would navigate his way back in the dark. Then she realized he had probably been doing it for ages already. What was he hiding that he had to lurk in darkened hallways? What kind of existence was that?

“Good night,” he said softly.

He waited for her to close her door before walking away. Lily knew this, because the instant she did, she pressed her ear to the wood, listening to his footsteps as they softened and then disappeared. She turned back toward her room and found it a little eerie given the shadows dancing in the tiny light of the candle.

She made her way into the closet, where she found a serviceable pair of pajamas, before taking the candle into the bathroom. She took a candlelit shower, feeling the grime and cold, fear-ridden sweat from the day wash off her body and into the drain below. She unwrapped the expensive soap and lathered her skin, enjoying the hot water more in the knowledge that, for once, she wouldn’t have to worry about paying for it. The bottled shampoo and conditioner came last, and she stood under the hot water for several minutes more before finally turning it off and sliding into the pair of comfortable pants and shirt.

Sitting on the plush mattress of her bed, Lily combed out her hair, taking in her lavish surroundings. This area was in such better shape than the rest of the palace, and Lily couldn’t help but wonder if these rooms had once belonged to Atnan’s mother. It was a haunting thought, and her mind was already playing tricks on her, so Lily banished it, telling herself it was a guest area and nothing more.

Regardless of the size of the space, the room had her feeling claustrophobic. For all the splendor, all the delicious cooking, Lily was still crushed under the weight of the fact that she could not leave those walls. How long would she have to walk around in the dark for fear of being discovered? And what had Atnan done that had forced him to do the same?

She set her brush down and braided her hair before pulling back the comforter and checking for any kinds of creepy-crawlies. When she was convinced that she wouldn’t be sharing a bed with any spiders, she snuggled beneath the comfortable spread, realizing it was nicer than any place she had ever stayed in her life.

Her body was exhausted. Her soul was spent. But still, her mind refused to stop racing. Thoughts of what Atnan could have done spun through her mind, weaving a web of tales that in no way could have been even close to reality.

Lily tried to get herself to sleep by imagining a beautiful waterfall and then by counting sheep, but no matter what she tried, her thoughts continued to dart back to Atnan—and what she would do after this little charade of safety came to an end.

* * *