Empire of Dreams

۷

He'd seduced me! And I'd fallen for his antics! Ugh! I'd been a mess in his arms, wanting, and needing him. Frustration and shame bled through me and I punched a nearby cushion. That man... He knew exactly what he was doing.

I seethed in the middle of my room, my hair in a mess, and my body still trying to recover from his touch. Fanning my face, I settled in the middle of the bed. This was a two-way street. I fingered the silky shift, stretching my smooth legs, remembering the way his eyes had widened. A plan began to form in my mind.

I wasn't going to be made a fool.

He wanted to play dirty? I was going to play dirty.

Two days later, Ayesha and Haleema worked on my hair, trying to cheer me up by talking about the Palace gossip. I ignored them, wondering if I was going to die from boredom, solitude, or neglect.

Friday was tomorrow and I had not seen or talked to Ali since that day. Ali. It seemed so informal and personal. Although, it did seem a bit strange to think of him as Prince Alizayd, after all that we had shared.

Flashes of that night still haunted my dreams. My dear husband was avoiding me like a plague of locusts, not bothering to contact me or look at me or talk to me. He had not even come to his room.

I gritted my teeth. I knew he was deliberately avoiding me. Maybe he felt repulsed. Maybe he felt I was not worth his attention.

Both of those notions filled me with anxiety. While the situation was much more agreeable than being a loving, caring wife, I had zero chances of persuading him to let me go.

His absence was a hurdle and I had too much of an ego to go around asking for my husband's whereabouts. I let out a laugh when I wondered what the gossip in the Palace would say.

'The New Bride couldn't hold her husband's attention for a week' If only they knew.

"I want to go to the gardens," I declared, standing up. Haleema and Ayesha stared at me.

"But Princess, it's not safe"

"Not safe? It's inside the Palace walls"

Haleema chewed her lip. "I...yes, but someone could see you"

I frowned. "It's a private enclosure. It's my enclosure, why would I need to worry about that?"Ayesha stared at her hands.

I knew that look. Sanaa had exhibited that expression multiple times. "What is it?" I asked in a much sharper tone.

They flinched and lowered their heads. My eyes flicked from one girl to the other.

"Did the Prince say something about this?" Like how my father had restricted my movements. My mouth twisted as they stared at their hands, not moving. "Well, since you're being so helpful, I've decided that your logic is flawed and I will visit the gardens."

They stood up in a rush with stricken expressions. "Please Princess, the Prince will have our heads. He doesn't appreciate it when his orders are not followed," I crossed my arms, looking at the absolute fear in their eyes.

My resolve strengthened.

"No one is going to tell him... we can keep a secret, can't we girls?" They stared at me, their mouths gaping open.

"But... he'll know. He always knows," Haleema muttered.

My mouth fought a triumphant smile. He was having me watched. Smart boy. An idea formulated in my brain and I decided to use my authority.

"He won't know. And even if he does, I will not let anything happen to the two of you. I can promise you that," they looked at me, unconvinced. "I'm his wife. I'm the Princess. Now, let's go"