CHAPTER ONE
"He's here," Eliana's mother announced as she gazed out through the open doors of the palace sitting room and out to the garden. The cool breeze of the early afternoon drifted into the room. But, right now, Princess Eliana of Zahram wasn't feeling in the slightest bit cool.
Her heart was beating faster, and there was that familiar, tense knot in her stomach every time she and Kadeem had to spend time with each other.
The white walls of the high-ceilinged sitting room suddenly felt as if they were closing in on her. And the expectant gazes of the two other women in the room were making her feel even more uneasy. It was time to put on the show.
Again.
Eliana heard the whirring sound of the helicopter's rotor blades begin to slow. She stood transfixed in the middle of the room, her hands clasped across her midriff. She was unable to move a muscle.
Kadeem had come. Just as he'd said he would.
She knew that if she looked outside she would see the helicopter on the palace garden lawn. She'd see Sheikh Kadeem Al Kharif emerge from the helicopter he'd just piloted down onto the palace garden of his family's palace. She would see his tall, undeniably handsome figure stride across the lawn, heading purposefully toward the terrace.
Toward her.
But she wasn't going to do that. This whole charade had to come to an end. And today was the day to bring it to a finish, she told herself.
Eliana's mother, Gretchen, waved a hand at her daughter. "Come here," Gretchen said in an enthusiastic voice. Whenever she got excited, Gretchen's voice slipped right back into her native American accent.
"I'm okay here, mother," Eliana said softly. "I can wait here."
"Nonsense, Ellie," Gretchen said. "Get over here."
Eliana started to move slowly toward her mother, every step an excruciating effort.
Next to Gretchen stood Nalini, who was Sheikh Kadeem's mother. Needless to say, she was thrilled to see her son.
Nalini frowned. "I get worried every time he flies that thing," Nalini said gazing out at the helicopter.
Gretchen touched Nalini on the arm. "You don't need to be concerned about your son, Nalini. I'm sure he knows what he's doing."
Of course, he knows what he's doing, Eliana reflected. Sheikh Kadeem would never show a moment of weakness; never reveal the slightest doubt in any of his abilities. He was confidence personified.
Eliana held back an ironic smile. If only the two women knew how close that remark was to the truth. Kadeem knew exactly what he had been doing with Eliana these last two months.
And it wasn't good. It wasn't right. But she and Kadeem had had no choice. Had they?
Eliana halted by the side of Gretchen and Nalini. Both women were dressed in simple, expertly tailored, gowns, in keeping with their status as matriarchs of two influential families. Eliana felt slightly underdressed in her privately tailored, elaborately decorated, white dress. The dress of a princess, Eliana reflected. Which was, of course, who she was.
Princess Eliana of Zahram.
Gretchen and Nalini smiled at each other. They were just about the same age, in their fifties, and both possessed the grace and self-assurance which comes with a fulfilled life of privilege and wealth. Both had been blessed with refined features that had aged supremely well. And each of them were calmly confident in all things.
So, how come she couldn't feel like that, right now, Eliana chided herself.
Eliana took her place between the two women. She realized she was supposed to be pleased to see Kadeem. Eliana felt her mother's arm slide around her waist. Eliana looked at her mother and saw a flicker of puzzlement in her mother's eyes. Eliana forced herself to smile.
"I know you're excited to see him, Ellie," her mother said softly.
Eliana nodded. "I am," she agreed weakly.
Eliana heard footsteps on the marble terrace floor. And then, Kadeem was standing there. He halted and gazed at the welcoming trio.
"Good afternoon," he said in a deep, vibrant voice. He opened his arms wide and grinned. "What a wonderful surprise," he said. "Three beautiful, elegant women. The day just got a whole lot better," he said with a mischievous smile.
Gretchen and Nalini laughed delightedly.
Kadeem smiled broadly, his eyes filled with good humor.
And then he moved. Slowly and with complete ease. His tall body moved with a casual grace, his lithe, muscled torso dressed in a plain white shirt. He wore dark pants and brown, patent leather shoes. His jet-black hair tumbled to his shoulders.
He was undeniably handsome, she told herself.
No. Much more than that.
He was perfect. The kind of man any woman would have been pleased to be with. His features had a sculpted appearance, as if his perfect jaw line, his broad cheekbones, the strong hook of a nose, the deep ridges of his brows, had all been carved by a sculptor determined to create perfection. His was the kind of face which would get women gazing in awe upon him as he entered a room.
But it was his eyes that really captured her attention. As always, she felt something treacherous flicker to life inside her as he looked at her. There was so much going on in those eyes and, no matter how hard she tried to prevent it, their expression never failed to draw out a vital, heart-wrenching reaction from her.
As he moved toward them, Kadeem's gaze flickered in the direction of Eliana. His dark gaze lingered a moment on her. In spite of herself, Eliana felt her throat tighten. She loosened herself from her mother's arm and moved, almost robotically, toward Kadeem. He paused and watched as she advanced toward him.
Then she did as she'd done so many times during these past few weeks. She let herself sink into his arms and allowed him to embrace her. His mouth was at her ear as he whispered. "And it is so good to see you, Eliana," he murmured. His breath against her skin made her tingle.
Sensation quivered throughout her body. She stiffened, and rested her hands on his shoulders. She felt his warm body against her, sensed the tension in his muscles. Was he as worried as her about all of this? Did he sense how nervous she was?
He kissed her on the side of her face, a polite gesture for the benefit of the two onlookers. She kissed him on the cheek and then turned to face Gretchen and Nalini. There was obvious delight on the faces of the two women.
Eliana felt Kadeem's arms slide around her waist. He squeezed her gently, making it absolutely clear that he had no intention of letting her go. He was determined to continue this pretense, she told herself.
She'd spent the early part of the morning rehearsing what she could say to bring this fake relationship to an end. How she could tell the truth. But, now that he was here, and now that both of their mothers were looking at them like that, with such maternal delight, the words had mysteriously vanished from Eliana's mind.
Kadeem released Eliana and embraced his mother, Nalini. Then he did the same with Gretchen. Both mothers looked delighted to see Kadeem. There was nothing surprising about that, Eliana reflected. Kadeem knew exactly how to get what he wanted from people. He was an expert in the art of creating impressions. Even false ones. Wasn't that what he'd persuaded Eliana to do these past few months?
And it was working. She had to admit that.
Kadeem turned and took Eliana's hand. She felt familiar sensation race up her spine as he curled his fingers around her hand, holding onto her with a gentle, but firm, grip.
They all moved into the room and sat down on the sofa.
Eliana sat next to Kadeem. He didn't release her hand, holding onto it as if it was the most precious thing in the world. Eliana saw the way her mother was looking at her, with such obvious approval.
Eliana's mother and father had only been here in Qazhar since the day before. But already it seemed as if her mother had seen everything she needed, to confirm that her daughter, Princess of the neighboring kingdom of Zahram had, at last, found a man she could love and be happy with.
Just thinking about that made nerves twist in Eliana's middle. Once again, she told herself she had to say something. Anything to put a stop to this. None of it was true. Eliana knew it. And so did Kadeem.
But, hadn't this whole thing been his idea? And hadn't she foolishly agreed to go along with it? So why couldn't she do anything about it? Why did she feel so powerless whenever she was near Kadeem?
Eliana glanced at Kadeem and smiled. "How was your flight?" she forced herself to ask, trying to say what would sound like the right thing.
He shrugged. "Fine." He lifted a brow. "Thank you for asking," he added in a cool voice, the corner of his mouth curling slightly. He looked at the two women sitting opposite him. "I had some business to attend to."
Nalini scoffed. "I was just saying to Gretchen that it seems like such an extravagance. Don't you worry when you fly in that thing?"
Kadeem laughed. "I've told you, mother. There's no need to worry. I've been flying long enough to know what I'm doing." He waved a hand casually. "All my friends have one. Everyone gets around like that." He grinned. "After all. There's only so far you can travel on horseback," he added.
Nalini peered at Eliana. "What about you, Eliana?' she asked. "Don't you worry about Kadeem flying that contraption?"
She knew she was being tested. This happened every time she was with Kadeem. She was used to dealing with it. She smiled at Kadeem. "If it makes Kadeem happy, then that's all that matters to me."
It was a diplomatic answer, spoken with well-practiced care. Immediately, Kadeem's face lit up with obvious pleasure. He glanced at the two mothers sitting opposite. "What have I been saying? Eliana just loves to make me happy." He glanced at Eliana. "Isn't that right?"
Eliana nodded and smiled at him. "Of course, Kadeem," she said evenly. She knew her tone of voice probably hadn't sounded completely sincere.
Kadeem smiled back at Eliana. Once again, she knew she'd said the right thing. Made the right move to ensure this impossible arrangement could continue.
But, for how much longer?
Didn't everyone notice how cold things were between her and Kadeem? Wasn't it obvious?
Kadeem looked at Eliana. "Where's your father?" he asked. "I thought he'd be here."
"He and your father went out riding," Eliana explained.
Kadeem had been to the palace to greet Eliana's parents when they'd arrived the day before. The first meeting between Eliana's father, King Azem, and Kadeem hadn't gone that well. That was putting it mildly.
She didn't want to tell Kadeem that her father had waited for Kadeem this afternoon, but had left earlier, impatient that Kadeem's arrival had been delayed. Eliana's mother had tried to persuade her father to stay, but he had refused to remain any longer.
Eliana saw her mother and Nalini exchange a knowing glance. "He'll be back soon, Kadeem," Gretchen explained. "He gets restless from time to time," she added with a reassuring smile.
Kadeem nodded, but Eliana could tell he hadn't found the explanation all that convincing. There had been a coldness in the initial meeting between Kadeem and Eliana's father. Eliana knew that her father only had her best interests at heart. He and Kadeem had shaken hands on the palace steps. Azem had fixed Kadeem with a penetrating look. The kind Eliana had seen many times before. Apparently, her father hadn't been entirely convinced by what he'd seen in Kadeem's face.
And Kadeem had known it. Immediately. He'd tried and failed to ingratiate himself with Azem, but the damage had been done. In an instant.
There was little which could fool her father. Eliana knew that her father was a man who had the ability to assess people within seconds. His experience as ruler of Zahram had given him many opportunities to learn when someone was sincere in their intentions. And, it seemed he had come, very quickly, to an unfavorable conclusion about Kadeem.
That was another reason why Eliana felt that the time had come to put an end to her and Kadeem's arrangement. The last thing she wanted to do was cause any distress to her parents. Her father's apparent disapproval of Kadeem had given Eliana courage to take the situation into her own hands.
"What are you two planning to do today?" Nalini asked.
Eliana glanced at Kadeem. "I don't know. We've seen just about everything Qazhar has to offer over the last few weeks," she stated, looking at Kadeem. "Haven't we?"
Kadeem shook his head and laughed. "It would take you a lifetime to get to know my country," he replied. "There is much that you still haven't seen, Eliana."
His tone of voice was indifferent. As if she was a tourist in his country.
Determined not to be outdone, Eliana replied: "As it would take you more than a lifetime, Kadeem, to get to know the delights of my own country," she said, matching his tone of voice.
Gretchen laughed. "Perhaps you will get a chance to see Zahram for yourself, Kadeem."
"I have visited it before," he replied.
"You have?" Eliana asked sharply. He hadn't told her that. "When?"
He shrugged. "A few years ago. I was there visiting a friend."
"And what did you think of our fair country?" Gretchen asked.
He hesitated. Finally he said: "It was fascinating. Very different to Qazhar in so many ways. But then, I was very young. Perhaps I didn't truly appreciate all the beauty it had to offer."
Making that last remark, Kadeem turned and peered into Eliana's eyes. She froze, unsure what to make of his words.
"Of course Zahram is beautiful," Nalini snapped. Her dark eyes were suddenly animated. "The two countries couldn't be more different," she said. She peered at Eliana and Kadeem. "That's what makes you two such an important couple," she said with a smile.
A couple. The sound of that made Eliana's blood chill. Had she and Kadeem made such a good job of pretending to be a couple, that everyone believed it to be true. Because that was what Kadeem's mother had just said. She'd been convinced by everything she'd seen of Eliana and Kadeem. Eliana's heart sank a little at that thought.
Really, it was time to put an end to this. Once and for all, she told herself. She couldn't carry on like this for much longer.
Although, when she glanced at Kadeem, he didn't seem to feel the same way about this as she did. In fact, over the last few weeks, he'd seemed to become genuinely interested in his Princess companion from the neighboring country. Too interested as far as Eliana was concerned. Had he forgotten why they were doing this?
Eliana took hold of her resolve and tugged her hand loose from Kadeem's grasp. His eyes narrowed, and he gave her a puzzled look.
"About that," Eliana said. "I've got something I have to say to you both." She saw her mother's eyes narrow slightly.
"Really, dear? What's that?" Gretchen asked politely.
"Now that you're here, it seems like the right moment to tell you something about Kadeem and I," Eliana added.
Beside her, Kadeem shifted nervously. She saw him sit up erect, and heard him draw in a deep breath and sigh.
Eliana cleared her throat and glanced at Kadeem. He looked suddenly concerned. Had he guessed what she was about to say?
This was the end, she told herself. It was time to finish the fake relationship, once and for all. It was time for the truth.
It didn't matter that it had all been arranged for them by their families. Or that it had been dictated by an ancient royal protocol stating that every four generations a marriage should be arranged between their two nations.
Eliana and Kadeem had just been the unlucky individuals chosen to act out this ridiculous charade. They both knew it had no future, didn't they?
And now the worst was happening. Both sets of parents believed that she and Kadeem were beginning to be romantically attached. But, that couldn't be farther from the truth, she told herself. As far as Eliana was concerned, they were absolutely not attached, in any way whatsoever.
In fact, the more she'd gotten to know the Royal sheikh sitting next to her, the more she knew that she and Kadeem had no chance of any future at all. Arranged or not. She and Kadeem were both of royal blood, but they were from different worlds. And those two worlds would never meet.
Their two families wanted an arranged marriage between Eliana and Kadeem. Tradition demanded it. But it wasn't going to happen.
Gretchen and Nalini were looking straight at Eliana, curiosity written across their faces.
"I know you've been watching Kadeem and I since you both so kindly suggested that we spend some time together. To see if we got along," Eliana said glancing toward Kadeem. He was staring right at Eliana, and he didn't look pleased.
"And you have been getting along," Eliana's mother said. She lifted a brow. "Haven't you?" she glanced from Eliana to Kadeem.
Not wishing to disappoint her mother, Eliana nodded. "Of course, it's been fun and interesting to get to know Kadeem," she said. Eliana glanced at Kadeem and smiled. "It has been fun, Kadeem, hasn't it?"
The corner of his mouth creased into a smile. He paused before replying. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course, Eliana. It's been delightful." There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Eliana forced herself to ignore that response. "And I, for one, am really grateful for the chance to have gotten to know Kadeem."
Eliana glanced at Kadeem. He was staring at her, as if he couldn't quite believe what she was prepared to do. That she was actually going to put an end to this pretend romance.
Nalini leaned forward. "You know that you two look absolutely perfect together, don't you?" she said cheerily. She clapped her hands together and smiled. "Perfect."
Kadeem leaned closer to Eliana. "I've been trying to tell Eliana that for the last few weeks," he said. He frowned. "But, for some reason, she doesn't believe me. Do you, Eliana?" he said and lifted a brow.
He reached across and took her hand, squeezing it gently. She glanced down at his hand. Was he trying to stop her? Well, she wasn't going to let that happen.
All she had to say was that she and Kadeem would continue to be just good friends. And that would be the end of it. Of course there would be disappointment. Gretchen and Nalini seemed determined to make a success of the hastily arranged relationship. But, it wasn't going to work. Eliana had been telling herself that for days. And now, she was even more convinced that she had to put a stop to it.
Before it was too late.
Just as she was about to speak again, Kadeem leaned quickly toward her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Her body stiffened, even while a familiar treacherous sensation swept through her as she felt his arm hold, decisively, onto her.
He drew her nearer to him. "I think what Eliana's trying to say is that we're going to have an announcement to make," he said.
Kadeem looked into Eliana's eyes and smiled. She felt her heartbeat quicken.
What was he doing!
Eliana's mouth dropped open in shock. But, before she had a chance to say even one word in reply, Kadeem spoke again.
"I think everyone is going to be very happy with what we have to tell you all," he added.
Kadeem peered into Eliana's eyes and smiled. "Isn't that right, Ellie?" he said.
And it was right at that moment that she felt her heart sink, and she knew she faced a moment of truth.