The Sheikh's Stolen Bride-To-Be(12)

Mehdi laughed, and Steph found herself leaning in closer, wanting to be near that energy.



"My position is ceremonial, mostly. I'm a monarch, but we have a parliament that seems quite content running the show."



"Interesting. Do they let you in on any decisions at all?" she asked.



"Sometimes. If there is an issue I feel particularly strongly about I will make my opinion known."



"And what is the political atmosphere like in El Farah? Is there one party that hates another?"



Mehdi thought about that for a moment. As he did, their food arrived,  and the table became laden with exotic-looking dishes that smelled like  heaven. Mehdi explained what every dish was, from the meat pastries to  the fruit pies and local vegetables. Steph filled her plate and took a  succulent bite, closing her eyes as she experienced the cuisine of El  Farah for only the second time.



"To answer your question," Mehdi said, picking up where they left off,  "there is some political discord here, but El Farah has been a  prosperous country for many years now. When the people do not suffer,  the government is working correctly, and peace ensues. I find that we  have managed to strike that balance, though I do believe some of our  laws to be a bit too conservative."



Steph took another sip of punch to wash down her fruit pie, tilting her  head. "It seems you are in the minority, though I suppose since you're  the only person here I really know, I can't say that's a fully informed  observation."



"I spent many of my formative years in Europe and the United States, and  I learned a lot while I was there. I think taking on some Western  ideals would be good for our country. It would help us become more  united with the world as a whole, and help blend us into the  twenty-first-century global community."



"Sounds like you've put a lot of thought into this," Steph said, and Mehdi shrugged.



"Yes, well. Enough about me. Tell me a little more about you. What did  you do back in the States? I don't think I even know what state you're  from!"



Steph smiled, thinking about the humid Vermont air as she sat out in the  dry desert heat. The shade certainly helped, and Mehdi's courtyard was  filled with various vegetation that seemed to cool the area. She made a  mental note to ask him about how that worked later.



"I'm from Vermont. It's a bit south of Canada and a bit north of Boston.  Very humid summers, though nothing compared to this. The heat here is a  whole other level."



"Yes. I imagine it is. What did you do in Vermont?"



His eyes were engaged, and Steph realized he was truly curious about  her. She wasn't sure how much of herself she was willing to share. After  all, her time with Mehdi seemed so limited.



"I worked at a bank. It was what my father wanted me to do, so it's what I did."         

     



 



"Again with that loyalty to your family's wishes. You are more El Farahn than you think, Steph."



She smiled at that. "I suppose I may be. They have always been the best  to me, so I feel like they deserve my best in return. It didn't occur to  me until now that I might actually be able to do things my own way,  though."



Mehdi leaned in, his expression impish. "Fun, isn't it?" he asked.



Her smile deepened. "Yes, it is," she agreed, though her smile faltered.



"What is it?" he asked, his brow furrowing.



"I just feel bad. My parents must be worried sick right about now, and I  don't have my phone. At least then I could text them that I'm okay, you  know? The longer I'm gone, the more they'll worry."



Mehdi pulled out a cellphone and handed it to her. "Text them. Tell them  that you need a few days to think and clear your head. At least that  way they'll know you're okay."



Steph held the phone in her hand, wondering what she could possibly say  that wouldn't drive her mother into a rage. Knowing there was nothing  for it, she tapped in her mother's number and the message Mehdi had  suggested, then hesitated before pressing send.



"A few days?" she asked, looking up at him.



Mehdi smiled. "You can stay with me at the palace, of course. We have a  guest room and plenty of provisions for you. It would be no trouble  whatsoever."



Steph's heart fluttered at his offer. She would get to spend more time  with Mehdi, which, if she were being honest, was all she wanted to do.  She inhaled and pressed send, exhaling after the message had been sent.  Then she handed the phone back to Mehdi, who pocketed it with a grin.



"There now. Your parents know you're safe. They might be mad, but they  love you and they'll get over it. Now why don't you try to enjoy  yourself for a little bit. Have you ever gotten to let loose before?"



Steph shrugged. "Not really. I've had expectations put on me my whole  life, especially since my father was wealthy. I had to behave a certain  way, lest it hurt his image."



"You come from a wealthy background?" Mehdi asked, surprised.



"Yes. Why does that surprise you?"



"Because a girl who comes from money wouldn't need an arranged marriage," he said.



"Ah, you figured that part out, huh? Yes, but notice I said that I was  wealthy. The stock market crash took everything we had, and my dad had  to rebuild from scratch. It wasn't enough, in their minds, to support me  in my future, so my parents looked toward an arranged marriage.  Personally, I think that's just an excuse though. My mother always  intended for me to be married this way."



Mehdi nodded. "That's very likely. It is custom here for a girl of  middle income to arrange a better situation for herself. I can  understand why your mother would want that kind of security for you."



"You can?" she asked. "Then why would you do all of this?" She waved a  hand around them, gesturing toward the palace and the courtyard.



Mehdi cleared his throat. "I don't know. It just seemed like the right thing to do?"



"Subtext: you're not going to tell me?"



"Correct," Mehdi said with a maddeningly handsome grin.



They sat in comfortable silence for a bit, enjoying the cool air of the  immediate area, knowing that the walls beyond were steaming with heat.  After a while, servants came to clean up the dishes. Steph assumed they  would be parting ways at that point, but Mehdi didn't move, and soon,  another round of plates were brought in.



Steph laughed. "I couldn't possibly eat another bite!"



"Oh, I think you'll change your mind. Everyone always has room for  dessert," Mehdi said, watching as plates of chocolate-filled pastries  and custard cakes mingled with baklava and various puddings.



"I suppose they do," Steph agreed, filling her plate and taking one of everything.



They enjoyed lighter conversation over dessert, Mehdi talking about what  it was like growing up in the palace and how easy it was to get lost at  first. He explained the history of the palace itself before launching  into a full-blown history lesson about El Farah. Steph found herself on  the edge of her seat as she listened to him recant the tale of their  shared heritage.         

     



 



"It wasn't until 1859 when the monarchy was dispelled and parliament was  put into place. It wasn't a violent thing, really. My  great-great-great-grandfather was a very amiable man, and he saw the  needs of his people. He knew that the best thing was to let them find a  form of governance that worked for the most people, and he happily gave  up his reign. Because of this, the people revered him and allowed him to  maintain his status as sheikh, albeit in a ceremonial sense."



"So that's how you came to be in the position you're in," Steph said, and Mehdi nodded.



"Yes. The government has a fund that goes toward maintaining this  residence, though I do try to live simply, knowing my livelihood comes  from the kindness of my people."



"That's very thoughtful of you," Steph said, and Mehdi shrugged.



"It's important as a ruler to be mindful of your people's welfare. I may  not be a ruler in the true sense of the word, but my family has  ingrained in me that sense of duty. I will not abuse it, as long as I  live."



Steph stared at Mehdi with a new sense of respect in her eyes. He was  becoming more and more appealing with every word that came from his  perfect mouth.



She was in serious danger of losing her heart to the benevolent Sheikh.





NINE



Steph





By the time they finished eating dessert, it was already early evening.  The sun was sinking toward the sandy horizon when Mehdi offered to give  Steph a more in-depth tour of the palace, which she readily accepted.



Had Mehdi not been born into royalty, he could easily have been a tour  guide. His in-depth knowledge of El Farah's history was impressive, and  he left no detail out as he showed her the various ballrooms, living  rooms, and even a hookah bar. The faint scent of flavored tobacco  tickled Steph's nostrils, and she sneezed.