Taming of the beast - Completed.

Chapter Eighteen

Callie jerked to her feet and fled across, pressing a hand onto his chest. "No," she denied sharply.

Gracefully the queen rose to her feet, hands clasped together in front of her. "We were just talking. I was getting to know your wife, Riyad. One you had kept hidden from us."

Riyad looked down at his wife, who was pleading with her eyes. He reached up and stroked her cheek. "Believe me; this one took me completely by surprise. I only dropped in, I needed my laptop."

"I'd get it," Callie rushed off before he could stop her, dashing into their shared bedroom, while Riyad joined his mother's side, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Do not scare her away, mother. My Callie.."

"Who is very young and you have thrown her into the deep end."

"Are the sharks swarming, mother? I will not allow that."

"Do you honestly believe keeping her hidden away in here will keep her safe?"

"It is Callie," Riyad corrected, not sure Callie would appreciate the other been known. "That was very sweet of you if that is all," he eyed her closely.

"I am just getting to know my daughter-in-law since there was no wedding. No prior meeting."

"It is not like I am apart of palace protocol. It was simpler this way."

"And what if you decide to come back home, what then?"

Riyad said nothing though looked across at the sound of soft footfall. Wordless Callie crossed over and handed over his laptop, chewing on her lip as she looked from one to the other.

"I was wondering if Princess Callie, would like to join me in on a tour of the children's hospital," was directed at Riyad.

"You have to ask my wife, mother. After all, she does a mind of her own."

"Riyad," Callie gasped, turning around facing his mother. "I would be greatly honoured to join you, your majesty."

"Just call her mother," Riyad whispered in her ear to be elbowed for the effort.

"I will not," she hissed. Laughing he stroked her hair.

"I will leave you two to enjoy your day," his phone buzzed that he took from the pocket in his robe and answered. "I have been summoned." He kissed Callie's cheek leaving a warm tingling sensation behind then went to his mother and kissed her cheek and was gone.

"Come, we must leave," His mother ordered. May rushed out with sandals and a headscarf that covered her hair and wrapped around her neck, slipped on sunglasses, stepped into sandals, following his mother out.

Not just the queen also other members of the family, leaving the palace. The queen and her entourage. All women and personal guards. "Princess Callie," her head snapped around, hanging back in the background. Not sure she would ever get used to this. She hurried across towards her side. "You will come with me." She was informed.

Callie wasn't so sure that would go down well with the others. Who would dare argue with the queen? Surely not her and the last thing she expected, lowering into the car, beside the queen and the door closed. Once more just the two of them as they were driven away from the palace. Even had royal flags on the front of the car, flapping in the wind. How cool was that?

"The new wing of the children's hospital has been one of Riyad's visions. It is right that his wife would be at such an event, even if cannot attend himself." Callie had to swallow back the bitter taste in her mouth for Riyad. For what he had to give up. Exiled. "You will be representing the palace and the family name." Soberly Callie nodded, having no idea what that entailed exactly, holding her hands together tightly on her lap, stopping them from trembling.