HOUSE OF HAYDAR 2 - THE WARRIOR OF HAYDAR - completed

Chapter Seven

Arriving back at the Summer Palace they were swamped by relieved family and friends. Kahlil received his brother's warm welcome of hugs gratefully. Zoe was hugged nearly to death by Bella to see the truth about their relationship. They were close as any sisters could be. Kahlil now regretted his words at the hospital about Annabelle because she didn't have that kind of relationship as Zoe and Bella did.

Zoe was the most suitable best friend to their queen who loved his people and so kind and loving to his brother. Something he had been jealous of, he came to realise because he wanted the same. Yes, Bella was outspoken. Yes, Bella was opinionated, but most of all she cared. Cared for Assad. Cared for his people. Cared for his country. He glanced at Zoe who held Bella tightly. His heart ached. Suddenly Zoe had a staffer rush over to hand over the phone.

"Philip!" She sounded so relieved. Had he read that situation wrong? Pleading he was tired he left heading towards his rooms. Usually he felt at peace as soon he entered, however, not today. He needed to clear his head and the best way to do that was to swim.

Zoe claimed the phone glad to hear Philip's voice, mainly to reassure him she was fine. "We just arrived back, we had the most amazing adventure, however, also scary," she walked off as she talked to leave Bella and Assad standing there alone since Kahlil had left as well. They looked at each other and shrugged though relieved.

"What were you doing out their in the desert alone with his highness," Philip demanded to know sounding annoyed.

"He was taking me to his home to be with Bella, surely you knew that," she quizzed.

"Not at all," he snapped pulling her up short.

"What is your problem? We were hit by a sandstorm and Kahlil saw me safely home," she snapped back.

There was a pause. "Sandstorm? I was not informed about that. How long?" he asked.

"I have not idea of time, a few days I guess."

"Really, alone in the desert with your prince and what, nothing happened?"

"I beg your pardon, my prince? He saved my life Philip and I'm beginning to feel that means nothing to you!"

"Of course it does my lovely," he soothed, "however, I know how easy it is too lose one head in those...."

"Just hold it. If you are saying what I think you are saying, drop it. Nothing happened!" She shut the phone down. Unbelievable! She stormed off only to stop. She had no idea where to go. A slip of girl appeared to show her to Bella after making enquires. "Bella I need a swim, Kahlil said there is a pool." Zoe greeted. "I have nothing to wear. All my belongings are in the car somewhere in the desert."

"Sure come with me." Bella led her into a huge walk in wardrobe that was more like a separate room. Going to draws Bella searched through her belongs to pull out a purple skimpy bikini that Zoe eyed off sceptical. There wasn't much material at all.

Going into the bathrooms she changed to pull the bikini top tight since she was so much smaller in the bust to cover herself without being loose. Bella was waiting to hand her a wrap that she shrugged on and told where to go. Bella was busy with the baby. It was easy to find and shrugged off the beach coat to drop on a chair to still at the sight of Kahlil standing in the pool pushing hair back from his face with both hands. Mischief danced in her eyes and a smile played across her lips.

Unable to help herself, Zoe took off in a run towards the pool and onto an unexpected Kahlil to leap, holding her knees to her chest and cannonball Kahlil to sink down into the pool that was deeper than she first thought. Releasing her knees she kicked up to head for the surface to break though to gasp for air, pushing back wet hair, grinning. She hadn't done that in years only to cry out as she was grabbed and pull up hard against Kahlil to cling to his broad shoulders as they sunk under. Zoe held on tightly as he moved until he touched bottom, she didn't since he was so much taller that her, though above water.