After releasing Lacie from my embrace, I took a moment to regain my composure. I had almost forgotten how beautiful she was, with her long, soft hair and rosy cheeks. Or, maybe she seemed more stunning now, because I hadn’t seen her face all lit up and excited like this before. At any rate, I couldn’t help myself from impulsively grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

“Come. Let me show you what will be taking us there.”

“But my luggage…”

I continued pulling her along. “Forget the luggage. My attendant will deal with it.”

Once we reached the jet, Lacie couldn’t help but let out a low gasp. I paused for a moment myself, enjoying her delight, trying to get it myself. I wished I could regain the wonder I’d experienced the first time I saw its striking navy exterior, all streamlined and stunning with the flock of white herons painted on the side.

Inside the cabin, Lacie was utterly speechless, while I, once again, tried to experience her awe for myself, taking in all the details I knew so well. After all, I had designed the interior myself; I’d chosen the plush white leather seats, the teal walls, the gold-framed paintings. Squeezing her hand, I led her into a seat and took the one beside her.

As the engines started up, the pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker.

“Welcome on board, Sheikh Rashid and Lacie. I’m Paul, and I’ll be your pilot today. Make sure to strap on your seatbelts when the light comes on. I hope you two have an enjoyable trip.”

After the jet had taken off and Lacie had finally pulled her gaze away from the window, I turned to her.

“Before we get there, I’m sure you’d like to hear more about my country, where we’re headed.”

“Yes, please.”

She looked so eager that I almost felt worried. Was Zayed-Kharan really so wonderful, or was I setting this girl up for disappointment? As soon as I asked myself the question, however, I knew the answer.

“Zayed-Kharan is the best place in the world. I, of course, having been born there, am completely unbiased.”

We laughed together.

“No, but seriously. I grew up there, sure, but I’ve also had the good fortune to travel the world—Europe, North and South America, Asia. I’ve been to more than 25 countries so far, and there is nowhere like Zayed-Kharan. Some places may have our beaches but not our parks, others may have shopping malls that rival ours but not our magnificent museums. Our people are friendly and welcoming, and the climate is nice and warm year-round. Really, there are no downsides to living there. Except, for you, perhaps.”

Lacie’s face fell. “Oh?”

“Yes, your family and friends. They will not be there.”

Her expression remained disappointed. “Of course, you’re right. I didn’t really think of it… I hadn’t really had time to fully consider…”

I lightly touched her hand.

“There’s no need to explain. I completely understand and, more than that, I know that this is still a tentative agreement—one that you’re free to change your mind about at any point before the ceremony. Although, I hope you won’t.”

Her lowered eyes indicated she felt the same. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“I mean it, though. The last thing I want is for you to feel pressured into this, or for you to agree to something you know to be wrong for you. Screw my problem of getting the crown, you do what is right for you. At any point before the ceremony, I will have you flown back, and there won’t be any hard feelings between us.”

Her lips moved upwards into a half-unbelieving, grateful smile.

“Really?”

I nodded. Our eyes met. “Really.”

And she looked so lovely then, with her shy, excited eyes and eager, parted lips, that I could’ve kissed her right then. Instead, I tore my gaze away, directing my words to the white puff of cloud outside my window.

“Enough of that. Let’s get the particulars out of the way so we can enjoy the rest of the flight.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“First off, we have a fair bit of time before the ceremony itself. So, if it’s fine with you, I thought we could tour my country and its different cities, see the sights, so you can get a taste of the life you’re in for.”

When I peered over, she was smiling shyly once again.

“Sounds good to me.”

I poked her in the side. “If you’d rather, we could focus our vacationing in cellphone stores, since that’s what you’re probably the most comfortable in.”

At this, her face broke into a fiery glare, and I held my hands up in mock surrender.

“Kidding!”

Now, her face was assuming an evil grin of its own.

“Or, we could practice dropping our phones, since that’s what you’re probably the most comfortable doing.”

At this, my own face fell. Our gazes locked, challenging each other, then we both grinned and burst out laughing. I almost stopped myself from saying anything more; I was having so much fun, don’t want to kill the mood. But it was better to get this over with.

“Now, about the ceremony…”

“Yeah?”

“Before the ceremony can take place, you’re going to have to swear an oath in front of the council…about being a virgin.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “That’s fine.”

I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been until I breathed out all at once, my whole body sinking into the leather seat. I shot her an appreciative smile.

“That was way easier than I expected.”

She shrugged and smiled herself. “I was worried it might be something more invasive.”

Now, she had me intrigued. I raised a brow. “Such as?”

Her face was now beet red.

“Such as…I don’t know, those medieval ceremony rituals, where you have to consecrate the marriage in the same room as them or somehow get a doctor to prove your virginity or something.”

I shook my head. “No, thank God. We do have this antiquated law, but we aren’t totally barbaric.”

Now, it was her turn to raise her brow at me. “Not totally?”

I grinned. “Well, you know, we still participate in the occasional witch hunt.” As her eyes widened in horror, I was quick to pipe in, “Joking, joking!”

Despite her still-disgusted face, Lacie managed a laugh. “I’ll have to be careful with you.”

Automatically, I replied, “And I with you.”

We shared another extended eye lock, then turned to face the window once more.

I’d said the words unthinkingly, but now that I thought of it, they were more truthful than they should have been—but for different reasons.