‘Did she ask you to get her a joint?’ Fahid asked.
‘She did.’
‘And you said no to her?’
The King frowned, for very few people said no to his daughter.
‘Did she remind you she was a princess?’ Fahid watched the slightest smile twitch on Mikael’s lips.
‘She did.’
‘But still you said no.’ Fahid thought for a moment and then turned and spoke to his son in Arabic.
‘I should have him removed.’
Very possibly he could have Mikael killed, Zahid guessed, for he doubted it had been such a sweet romance as the one Mikael depicted.
‘You could pardon him for ensuring she returned safely,’ Zahid said.
‘King Fahid.’ Mikael pulled out his final weapon. ‘I understand you know nothing about me. And I cannot imagine raising a daughter alone, as you have done. It must be unbearable that your wife is not here to discuss this with—’
‘There is nothing to discuss!’ Fahid snapped.
But Mikael knew that the seed had been sown, for the King closed his eyes and breathed in for a moment, and it was as if Annan had stepped into the room to plead for their daughter’s freedom. Mikael could see the struggle on Fahid’s features as his once wild wife fought from the grave for her child.
The King spoke some more in Arabic to his son and Zahid translated his words to Mikael.
‘My father says you are as arrogant as a rooster, and if you did marry her it would mean you would bow to him, obey him…’ Zahid challenged.
‘I would.’
Zahid crossed the room and walked till he was in Mikael’s face. ‘Given that one day I will be King, are you therefore saying you would also bow to me and obey?’
A muscle flickered in Mikael’s cheek but he had planned his closing argument and was prepared.
‘I will be more obedient to you than to my own right hand.’
Mikael watched the slight flare in Zahid’s eyes as he answered him with an Arabic saying that might just mollify the King, but then Zahid closed his eyes in regret as Mikael qualified it slightly.
‘When I am in Ishla.’
Zahid knew the King would never let Mikael take her away, as he was clearly hoping to do.
‘If Layla moved to Australia I would do my best to give her a wonderful life and return here often. When here, I will wear robes and bow and do everything that is expected. It would be my pleasure to do so.’
‘You will not take her overseas,’ Fahid said.
‘All I want is for Layla to be safe and happy—as must you.’ He knew the King was ill, and yet he pushed on. ‘I know how nervous she must make you, for I felt the same fear. She is independent and strong, and she insisted I leave her so she could enjoy her freedom, and yet…’ He looked right at the King and both matched and voiced what was surely the King’s greatest fear. ‘I was scared at the thought of her in the world without me.’