CHAPTER TEN
Arriving at his parents' palace by limo late the next morning, Kadeem saw that preparations for the planned reception were well advanced. As the limo drove slowly down the long, tree-lined driveway, he saw that a huge white marquee had been set up on the garden lawn. Tables and chairs had been lined up in front of a low platform.
Kadeem frowned. It was almost like the setup for a post-wedding reception. Only today, there would be no wedding. Just one more step closer to one. If Kadeem had his way.
The limo drew to a halt at the foot of the palace steps. Kadeem got out and stood for a moment, preparing himself for what he would have to face inside the palace. The late morning sun warmed the back of his neck. He straightened the dark blue jacket of his two piece suit.
Eliana would be here, already. He had no doubt about that. If her parents had been at the embassy last night when she returned, he was certain they would have made sure she would be at the palace good and early. Kadeem had considered going to the embassy this morning, but had decided it wouldn't be the wisest move. Not after what had happened last night.
He was about to walk up the wide palace stairs when he heard his name being called out from the direction of the garden.
"Sheikh Kadeem."
Kadeem turned and saw King Azem coming toward him. He instantly felt a stab of concern in his gut. That reaction was confirmed by the stern expression on Azem's face. Brows furrowed and mouth tightly disapproving, he halted in front of Kadeem.
"King Azem," Kadeem replied. "Good morning."
Azem peered evenly at Kadeem. "May I talk with you a moment?" he asked.
Kadeem gestured toward the palace doors. "Would you like to talk inside?"
Azem shook his head. "No. Perhaps we could find somewhere more private where we could discuss things. The garden, perhaps?"
Kadeem met Azem's steady. "Sure."
Azem and Kadeem walked alongside each other out onto the lawn. Kadeem examined the layout of the chairs and marquee. "My parents have gone to quite a bit of trouble over this," he observed.
Azem shrugged. "I would expect nothing less," he replied.
"Of course," Kadeem agreed awkwardly. "It's an important day."
Azem glanced inquiringly at Kadeem. "You believe so?"
Kadeem frowned. "Of course. We merely wish to ensure that you feel welcome in our home. My family are accustomed to extending courtesy to honored guests."
Azem's mouth turned downward and he shrugged as if in reluctant agreement.
But, Kadeem wasn't naive. He knew exactly why Eliana's father wanted to speak with him. It had everything to do with what had happened last night.
"Of course, today is about more than just courtesy," Azem said. "Is it not also about my daughter?"
Kadeem smiled. "It is," he admitted. He sensed he would have to be very careful with this conversation.
"I understand you and my daughter left the embassy, last night, on some kind of a childish whim. Am I right?" Azem asked.
Kadeem ignored the slight. The insulting description of the escape from the embassy. There had been nothing childish about it.
Kadeem nodded. "I did call on your daughter, yesterday. Yes."
Azem's brows rose expectantly. "And you persuaded her to accompany you alone. Did you not?"
Kadeem thought for a few moments before responding. "We had some things we wished to talk about," he said firmly.
Azem frowned. "What exactly? Have you and my daughter not spent enough time together, already?"
Kadeem smiled. "Our friendship has been developing gradually."
"A friendship during which you and Eliana have been greatly at odds with one another," he said. "Or have I been misinformed?"
Kadeem thought about all of his very public disagreements with Eliana. All of them had been deliberately stage-managed by him and Eliana. He hadn't realized just how convincing those arguments had been. Too convincing, it seemed now.
"You haven't been misinformed, your highness," Kadeem said.
Azem seemed momentarily taken aback by Kadeem's use of his formal title. Did Azem believe that Kadeem was so ignorant that he would not show respect to the man who was the father of the princess who had turned his world upside down?
"But it isn't what you may think," Kadeem said.
Azem peered at Kadeem. "How would you know what I think?" he asked sharply.
Kadeem narrowed his eyes. "I'm perfectly aware of the fact that you do not approve of me, your highness," he said.
Azem halted. Kadeem did likewise and faced the king directly. "You are unusually perceptive," Azem said.
"Am I right?" Kadeem asked.
Azem shrugged. "It is true that I have formed an opinion of you."
"Which is?"
Azem grinned. "You are young, Sheikh Kadeem. And, you have much to learn about what it means to be a royal."
"My family has royal status in Qazhar. Is that not sufficient to win your approval?" Kadeem asked.
"There are different degrees of royal, Sheikh Kadeem. Surely you know that," Azem said and then sighed.
Kadeem grinned, determined not to be bested by the king. "A Qazhar royal may not be of the pure bloodline of your single royal family in Zahram. Our royal blood is spread amongst different families. But we are all still of royal descent," he said.
"And that is where the problem lies, Sheikh," Azem said. "My family has one single lineage. It is not dispersed amongst different strands of related families."
Kadeem felt indignation well up within him. He advanced toward Azem. When he spoke, his voice shook with emotion. "You're saying my bloodline is not worthy to be a part of yours? Is that it?"
Azem gazed imperiously and coldly at Kadeem. He shrugged, a gesture which only served to make Kadeem even more angry.
How dare Azem judge his family like this, Kadeem told himself. How dare he judge Kadeem in such a way!
Kadeem peered into Azem's dark, hooded eyes. "I have only known your daughter a month. Barely long enough to claim that I have even begun to know what kind of person she is," Kadeem declared. "But, I have learned one thing during these past few weeks."
Azem lifted his chin and peered down the length of his hooked nose at Kadeem. "And what is that?"
Kadeem gritted his teeth, preparing to say what he knew he had to say. What he must say.
"I am worthy of your daughter, sir," Kadeem stated. "And if she consents to become my wife, I will consider myself to be the most fortunate man in Qazhar." Kadeem narrowed his eyes and added: "And also the luckiest man in Zahram."
Azem's eyes widened at the mention of his own kingdom. Azem's lips tightened into a firm line. Color flared on his features. Wild fury filled Azem's eyes. Kadeem glanced down and saw the king's fists curl into tight balls.
Kadeem knew he had struck home with his bold declaration.
Azem advanced on Kadeem. He peered steadily into Kadeem's eyes. But Kadeem didn't budge an inch. He wasn't going to allow Azem to get the better of him.
Kadeem saw a flash of emotion fill Azem's eyes. For a moment, it looked as if Azem was about to explode. Then, he visibly regained his composure, as if he had remembered he was a guest in a foreign land.
When Azem spoke at last, it was with a steady, controlled voice. "Sheikh Kadeem. You speak with unusual assurance. For a man in your position."
Kadeem ignored that comment.
Azem continued. "Am I to believe that, today, you will announce your intention to propose a union between my daughter and yourself?"
Hearing it said like that, Kadeem thought it sounded like the most astonishing thing he'd ever heard. But it was true. That was exactly what he wanted to do today. It was what had kept him awake all last night after Eliana had left. He'd spent most of the night thinking how he could do that.
"It is my intention," Kadeem said, and nodded emphatically at Azem.
"In spite of my objections?" Azem retorted.
Kadeem examined Azem disbelievingly. "You would stand in my way?"
"You know I cannot," Azem replied. "Now that we are here, and now that the formal process of courtship has been gone through, you know the decision is down to you."
"And to Eliana," Kadeem replied. "She also must agree. Is that not the case?"
Azem shrugged. "You know the way this works, Sheikh Kadeem. If you wish to take possession of my daughter, then I cannot stand in your way."
Kadeem knew that the traditions had been established aeons ago. If the royal sheikh of a neighboring region wished to take the princess as his bride, then tradition dictated that he could do just that.
"You are correct, your highness. We both know the protocols," Kadeem agreed. "And, I'm sure you agree that tradition must be upheld. No matter what."
Azem scowled, as if the prospect disgusted him. "That may be the case," he said. He sneered at Kadeem and leaned his head closer. "But, I give you my word that I will do whatever I can to expose you for the inadequate man you are."
Kadeem felt heat flush his face.
Azem continued. "And you will never prove to me that you are worthy to be the husband of my precious daughter," he said. "Never."
And with that, Azem gave Kadeem one last look and stormed off across the lawn and toward the palace.
As he watched the king walk away from him, Kadeem realized one thing.
A challenge had been laid at his feet.
And he wasn't about to refuse.