Protecting the Desert Princess(79)

                ‘Your hair’s so curly,’ Trinity said when she saw Layla. ‘It looks wonderful.’

                Layla said nothing, though her eyes glittered with suppressed rage as she forced a smile for Trinity.

                ‘How is Zahid?’ Layla asked.

                Trinity swallowed. ‘He is fine.’

                ‘Does he send his best wishes for me today?’ Layla asked with spite in her voice, for she was so jealous of Trinity and Zahid, and so cross that the rules were different for them. ‘Does he hope that my marriage will be as blessed and as happy as his? Because if he does he’s a hypocrite—as are you.’

                ‘Zahid loves you.’

                ‘So many people who love me!’ Layla shrugged. ‘Aren’t I lucky?’

                Trinity was close to tears. Just knowing that Mikael was on his way and that Layla did not know had her heart racing.

                Jamila painted Layla’s eyelids and eyelashes till they glittered as much as the Opium ruby that she would hand to the man she chose.

                ‘I wonder what gift Hussain will have for me,’ Layla said. ‘I doubt he will bring flowers.’

                ‘You are to behave today,’ Jamila said.

                Layla swallowed down tears and then nodded, for she had promised that if she could just have her freedom for a short while then she would marry with dignity and grace.

                Oh, it was hard, though.

                ‘I shall do your lips and cheeks after you are in your robe,’ Jamila said.

                Layla stood and lifted her arms, and tried not to shake as the white and gold robe was slipped over her head.

                She opened her eyes and saw Trinity was looking out of the window. And then she turned and stared at Layla, and there were tears in Trinity’s eyes, and Layla could no longer be angry.

                It was not Trinity’s fault; it was just ancient rules that had to be obeyed.

                Now was the time to be brave.

                ‘I will be okay.’ Layla smiled, for she loved Trinity, even if she was cross and so very scared. ‘I always knew that this day would come.’





                                      CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

                MIKAEL GAVE HIS name at the palace gates and drove slowly forward when they opened.

                He was nervous.

                He had not lied to Layla that day in the café. Until she had come into his life he had never cared about anybody enough to be nervous.

                Mikael drove through the gates and climbed out of the car. He looked up to the gleaming palace and saw a blonde-haired woman step back from a window.

                So, Trinity knew that he was here.

                A small door carved within the huge main ones opened and a robed man who did not introduce himself gestured for Mikael to follow him. He led him around the side of the palace and to another door.

                From there he was taken through a labyrinth of corridors to doors that had guards beside them. When they were opened, Mikael stepped in to face his judge and jury.