CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
They lay for a long while in each others' arms. Eliana let her body return to some kind of equilibrium. But, she knew, deep down in her heart, that nothing could ever be the same again.
Not after Kadeem.
He held her firmly, his powerfully muscled arm wrapped around her as she lay her head upon his chest. He'd discarded his robe and was now naked, his long body stretching out across the bed. Similarly, she'd removed her gown. It had seemed like the most natural thing to do, she reflected.
They'd made love again. He seemed to possess unbelievable stamina. His lovemaking in the bed had been as powerful as it had been in the other room. She wondered where he got the strength from, and then concluded that it was a sign of his sheer desire to have her, to claim her.
Maybe she'd underestimated the strength of his desire for her, she told herself. She'd believed him when he'd said he wanted her, that he would do whatever it took to possess her.
However, there had been a part of her which had murmured treacherous doubts into her ear. Made her doubt whether it could ever come to pass. There were still obstacles in their path, and she sensed those barriers might just stop all her dreams coming true.
But, after this, she knew she could never doubt him again. His passion for her was real. And so was her passion for him.
She'd never felt this close to anyone before. She'd always feared that her status as a princess would prevent her from having anyone like Kadeem in her life. That she would be condemned to a life in an ivory tower.
Well, Kadeem had come into her life, had taken the key to that ivory tower, opened the door and had tossed the key into the wilderness.
She shifted her head, feeling the dark hair of his chest against her cheek. Joy pulsed in her heart. It bordered on elation, even euphoria, she realized. She could hear his heart beating, steadily and powerfully. His scent was intoxicating, triggering in her the stirrings of even more desire.
Her body ached with an exquisite discomfort. She wondered just how much of this she could take, and concluded she wanted as much as he could give her.
Eliana felt Kadeem move. She lifted her head and saw that he was watching her. His eyes were still dark with desire, but there was a new satisfaction lingering in his gaze. Something she hadn't seen before. Had this been as important for him as it had been for her?
"What're you thinking?" he asked.
"You can't guess?" she replied brightly.
Kadeem snaked his fingers through her loose hair. "I think I can," he admitted. He sighed. "I've never known anyone like you. Never felt anything like the way I feel when I'm with you."
On hearing his words, her pulse quickened. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond to that confession. He seemed determined to move their relationship forward at every possible step. He was drawing her to a new place, a new life. Day by day, her former doubts were being swept away.
Kadeem drew her head up toward him and kissed her. She felt a comforting sensation that was now completely familiar, deliciously intimate.
When their lips parted, he gazed into her eyes. "Habibti," he murmured.
Her heart skipped a beat. She smiled at him. "Really?" she prompted.
He nodded and his gaze hardened slightly. "You are my beloved. And you always will be, Ellie," he stated in a quiet voice that held absolutely no doubt, or hesitation.
She drew in a deep breath as she suddenly felt herself light-headed. His brows furrowed. "Are you okay?" he asked urgently.
Eliana sat up and rested her back against the headboard. She ran a hand across her forehead, feeling a sudden dampness on her skin. "I think so."
Kadeem twisted and faced her. She tried, and failed, to avoid glancing at his incredible naked body. At the promise of his firmness.
She sighed and tried to compose herself. The truth was, Kadeem was the kind of man who could enrapture any woman. His presence was tantalizing and bewildering, all at the same time. Temptation only made her feel even more disoriented.
"I'll get you a glass of water," he offered.
"No, Kadeem," she said abruptly. "There's no need. I'm fine."
He frowned. She saw that he sensed something was wrong, that something had changed.
He came closer to her, taking her gently by the shoulders. His fingers felt possessive against her naked skin.
"Take all the time you need," he suggested. "Maybe, tonight has just been too much."
She shook her head and peered at him. "No, Kadeem. I think it's much more than just feeling tired. Or stressed out."
He lifted a brow. "I can understand tired," he said with a sly grin. "But stressed out?"
She crinkled her brows. "You saw how he was tonight," she said.
"Your father?"
She nodded. "He's set on causing trouble," she said. "I know what he's capable of."
Kadeem slid an arm around her shoulder and sat back against the headboard. He shifted closer to her. "Don't worry. I think after tonight, he might have something to think about."
She peered anxiously at Kadeem. "That's the thing, Kadeem. No-one has even done that to him."
"Interrupt him during one of his rambling speeches?" Kadeem asked casually.
Eliana sighed. "No-one has ever had the courage to do that."
Kadeem smiled, looking suddenly very pleased with himself. "Until now."
Eliana shook her head. "I don't think it's a laughing matter, Kadeem. You don't know what he's capable of."
She felt Kadeem's arm tighten around her shoulders. "I doesn't matter what he does. Nothing will stop me from claiming you as my wife. It's written in the scrolls."
She squinted at him. "That's just an old document. It doesn't really hold any power, does it?"
Kadeem lifted his gaze to the ceiling and recited from memory. "Every four generations, the daughter of Zahram, if she exists and is unwed, shall be promised in marriage to the most eligible royal in Qazhar. Haven't you seen it?"
Eliana shook her head. "Those things are kept in the royal archive."
"And in Qazhar, too," Kadeem said. "I took some time to look at it when all of this was first suggested."
She frowned, hardly believing that it could ever be that simple. "I don't know, Kadeem. My father is a very resourceful man. And, if he doesn't want something to happen, there's very little that can stand in his way."
Kadeem shook his head emphatically. "That sounds like me. Don't you think?" Kadeem said snuggling closer to Eliana.
She could see he was ready for her again. But, her sudden nervousness wouldn't budge. It was like a gnawing sensation in the pit of her stomach.
As tempted as she was to stay with him longer, she knew it wasn't possible. "I need to go," she declared.
She slid away from him and started to get dressed. She knew he was watching her, knew he was probably savoring every second of the sight of her slipping on her panties and bra and then the gown.
When she turned, she saw that her suspicions had been correct. He was stretched nonchalantly across the bed, comfortable in his nakedness, and he was gazing appreciatively at her.
She smiled and shook her head. Then he leaped of the bed. He obviously had no intention of putting his robe back on.
Eliana made her way to the other room. She glanced at the place on the wall where everything had happened, and felt a shift of emotion in her. She knew what she was leaving behind, but also understood how impossible it would be to remain in his room.
Kadeem swept her into his arms, one last time. "You're sure you won't stay," he said.
Eliana shook her head. "Servants get around," she explained. "And they talk. Even if you don't want them to."
"Loyalty," he muttered sarcastically.
"They're all good people," she replied. "They like to know what's going on behind closed doors, if they can."
Kadeem sighed, clearly frustrated by the fact that she had to leave. He leaned down and kissed her. Every kiss should be like this, she told herself. There was tenderness in it, but also a pressing, dominant need that was so typical of Kadeem.
Finally, they parted and she opened the door. She gazed out into the corridor. It was deserted and quiet.
Eliana gave Kadeem one last look. He gazed at her longingly for one extended moment that seemed to last forever. And then she headed out into the corridor and moved quickly in the direction of her rooms.