If she decided to return to him desperately hoping that one day he’d love her the way he loved his people, she would never forgive herself. Because, no matter how weak and needy that part of her heart was, she would never be like her mother. But if she chose to return to Odir’s side simply to protect her friend, with the hope that she might one day be able to protect her mother and protect the people of their country...
‘Eloise—’
‘I understand,’ she interrupted.
‘You agree to become my wife? To be Queen of my country and mother to my children? You agree to all that?’
She inhaled—pressing her feet to the floor and drawing strength from the solid wood beneath her toes—and exhaled the words Odir longed to hear.
‘I agree.’
* * *
For the first time in what seemed like an age Odir felt the true flush of complete victory rush through him. It was in no way nearly as powerful as the heights of pleasure that had coursed through his veins as he had found completion within her, but it was no less important.
He told himself that he hadn’t recognised the way her eyes had dimmed as she’d said the words. He told himself that he’d imagined he had seen that same look in her eyes when he’d left her alone on their wedding night. He supressed the twinge that had tightened around his heart—a twinge that felt oddly like guilt—and instead made his quick mind fly to what had to happen next.
They needed to get to the embassy for the press conference so that he could become the powerful ruler his people really needed. They didn’t have much time.
He stood up from the bench, holding his hand out to her, and felt the warmth eaten away by the cool touch of her skin. He brought her to her feet and they left the balcony, the past, and all the words and kisses they had exchanged behind them.
He glanced again at his watch as they silently walked to the corridor where the lift would take them to the suite. Malik was standing in the shadows, watching them from under hooded eyes. Odir bit down against what felt a little like censure coming off his guard in waves.
‘Arrange for the limo to meet us downstairs in twenty minutes.’
Malik’s silent nod poked again at his conscience—as did his wife’s bowed head, reflected over and over and over again in the mirror-lined lift. He fought against the urge to lift her chin and see into the azure depths of her eyes—eyes that would tell him what was going on in her mind. There was a secret, cowardly part of him that didn’t want to know.
They entered the suite and Eloise pulled up short.
‘What is it?’
‘Your bags. They’ve been packed.’
‘Of course.’
‘You knew I would agree?’
The hurt and the accusation in the eyes he’d wanted to see only moments before cut through him now like a knife.
‘Yes,’ he said simply.
Because he couldn’t deny it. There had been no other acceptable outcome from this evening.
He watched her gaze run over the room, taking in the fact that all the signs of their lovemaking, all the signs of the chaos they had lost themselves to, had been erased. A delicate blush came to her cheeks and he watched her realise that some unseen hand had wiped away the traces of their passion and returned the room to its previous state.
‘When will I be able to see Natalia? There are things I need to finish up in Zurich.’
Her question surprised him. The intrusion of the life that she had left him for was strangely unwelcome to him.
‘Soon. I will look into having Natalia brought to Farrehed for the best medical treatment available.’
He watched a crease appear between her delicate brows.
‘Habibti?’
‘Natalia needs a kidney transplant. And I’m not sure that taking her away from possible matches would be for the best right now... I don’t suppose you’d let me return to Switzerland before coming to Farrehed?’
‘I need you, Eloise.’
* * *
The timbre of his voice sent shivers into her heart, made her tremble with hope—until he finished his sentence.
‘You will need to be by my side as much as possible, especially in these first few months.’
‘Then Natalia should stay in Switzerland until after a transplant can be done. Odir, I’m telling you now that when that happens I will be by her side.’
He clearly saw the determination she channelled into her gaze, her voice, and nodded his acceptance.
‘No matter what political or royal appointment it might interrupt?’
‘No matter what. Eloise, your friend is important to you—I understand that.’
Just not enough for her to be allowed to say goodbye Eloise thought sadly.
But Natalia would understand. While they had been in Switzerland she and Natalia had spoken often of Odir. After two months Natalia had stopped urging her to speak to the husband that Natalia had never met.
Once again Eloise found herself wondering how—in spite of the awful treatment from her own fiancé and the painful abandonment of her family—Natalia had retained such an optimistic hope that everything would be all right in the end.
‘I’m going to have a shower,’ Odir said, his words cutting through her thoughts. ‘Is there anything you need to do to prepare for your return?’
‘My boss knew that I would be away for at least a week. I arranged for one of the other PAs to cover in my absence. I can get in touch with him later and let him know. But I should call my mother. Even if she doesn’t see the press conference, word will reach her soon enough.’
A decisive nod of his proud dark head was Odir’s only reaction as he padded through to the bedroom.
It would be around seven in the morning in Kuwait, so hopefully she wouldn’t have to wake her mother. She dialled the
