Empire of Dreams

۱۵

Ali wasn't in the room when we returned and the worry inside me unknotted slightly. Thank God for small miracles. I didn't want to lie to him. I didn't think I could.

Haleema helped me undress, brushing my hair as she talked about the gossip in the palace, trying to ease my mind. I closed my eyes and hummed to my mother's lullaby, drowning her out, trying to tamp down the guilt.

It was just this once. I'd gone out of my way, for Mehmet, just this once. And it was all business. There was nothing emotionally ambiguous.

Haleema pulled back the sheets, and I fell back, collapsing into the small mountain of pillows, watching her leave after extinguishing the lamps.

I gazed out towards the balcony, my eyes on the flowing draperies. Mehmet was here. He was ready and aware of the Caliph's intentions. And he'd grown up. My eyes stung with unshed tears. Heart pounding, I took in a deep breath.

Tomorrow. Everything hinged on what happened tomorrow. Pressing my palms to my forehead, I squeezed my eyes shut. I'll have to catch Baba before dinner. Whatever the Caliph was planning, I'd know that for sure tomorrow. He'd make sure to handle the situation. He'd also clear everything about Ali.

Ali.

Aching deep in my bones, I pulled my knees up to stop the hurt.

Who had I married? What had Baba done? Had Baba made a mistake? Could Mehmet be right? I had no doubt he was telling me the truth, but in the short time I'd known Ali, he hadn't seemed like someone who would do that.

The door to our chambers groaned open and I stiffened. Ali and Hamza's voices echoed through the rooms. Keeping my eyes shut and my body relaxed, I pretended to sleep, not wanting to see his face, not wanting him to know. A few minutes later, Hamza left with a low salutation.

Light careful footsteps paused at the edge of my bed, gentle fingers brushing the hair on my face.

I kept my breathing light, hoping he'd leave.

The bed dipped and I felt Ali's weight on the side. Strong arms circled me, lifting me off the bed, making sure to cradle me against a very familiar hard chest. I nearly squeaked out loud, trying not to grab his arms out of fright. He carried me to his bed, making sure to tuck the covers securely around me, his hand cupping my cheek.

Confusion swirled in my brain. Who was this man?

Seconds later, I felt the covers lift as he got in behind me, his arm resting lightly on my waist, his breath hot against the nape of my neck. His breathing evened out and I stared at the walls, trying to make sense of the indecision in my mind.

I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep until something stirred me awake. I opened my eyes, my senses quickly spiraling to full alert. Firey hazel eyes stared back into mine.

Startled, I sat up.

Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze, schooling my features into an emotionless mask.

"Sabah el-Noor," he muttered, sprawled on the low chair, his gaze sharp. I mumbled a low reply, looking around for my handmaidens. "I told them to let us be for today."

"Why?"

"We didn't get a chance to talk yesterday."

Panic clawed its way up my throat. "All of the arrangements have been finalized. The dinner will be-"

"I'm not talking about the dinner."