Their Virgin Concubine(85)

“Gentlemen.” She nodded their way. It was odd, the deference she was shown, but she’d started to simply view it as courtesy.

A servant stood at the door, dressed in a resplendent uniform. She’d seen him around a bit, though she had trouble placing his face. He looked so familiar. She’d met so many. She needed to make it a priority to learn the members of her household by name and to be able to inquire about their families.

This young man frowned slightly before his face cleared and he smiled. “Your Highnesses. The Sheikh informed us just minutes ago that you would not be joining us this evening. Any of you. I’m afraid the cocktail hour has already begun. Dinner will be soon.”

Kade studied the young man. “You are Hassem? How long have you been with us?”

Hassem stood a little straighter. “Just over a year, Your Highness. My father has been at the palace for twenty.”

Rafe nodded. “He is Ahmed’s youngest. The one who spent time in the army. I thank you, Hassem, but the sheikh was wrong. Her Highness decided to attend after all. Please open the door. We wouldn’t want to miss dinner. I’ve heard chef came up with something amazing.”

The servant flushed slightly, and his hand found the door. “Of course. If it is all right, I would provide refreshments for the guards. I have water bottles and some energy snacks for them. It will be a very long night, I can see.”

Kade waved the young man away. “Do what you need to do. Thank you.”

The double doors swung open. Soft harp music and elegant lighting made Piper think she was walking into a room from the last century. Everything was antique and beautifully crafted.

This was her world now. How odd to have come so far.

Twenty heads turned her way. She recognized many of the men in the room, including Khalil. He smiled her way, a predatory look.

“I’m going to kill him.” Rafe’s words whispered from a clenched jaw. “How dare he show his face in the palace.”

Piper still wasn’t sure Khalil had tried anything on her at all. She’d just been sick. It wasn’t so surprising given she hadn’t gotten used to her new country. She had to be careful about what she ate and drank until her body had adjusted. “He’s here because he represents the western provinces. Until they choose to vote him out of office or you can find real evidence against him, you need to be careful.”

She’d been studying everything she could about politics in the region. It had been easy to read between the lines. There was bad blood between the cousins. Khalil was an outspoken advocate of religious reform and wresting power from the sheikh, but his position in government meant he spent a lot of time at the palace. They had to deal carefully with him.

“I can very quietly kill him,” Kade whispered.

She sent him a frown.

“Or not.” Kade shrugged. “But don’t be terribly surprised if he meets with a horrible accident. I’ve heard he is a terrible driver.”

“Yes,” Rafe’s voice was filled with silky satisfaction. “There are many dangerous roads. Not that we would have anything to do with it.”

She was going to give them a serious talking to about the evils of assassination, but Talib had finally seen her. His handsome face turned in her direction, then he flushed a deep scarlet. His eyes flared, and she realized just how much she’d challenged him.

He murmured something to the ambassador and began stalking across the room, his every move an example of predatory grace. He was so gorgeous in his perfectly cut tuxedo, but anger flashed in his eyes. He really didn’t want her here. He might care about her, but what if she couldn’t get through his pain to the emotions that might bind them together?

“Be brave,” Rafe whispered.

“My brothers, would you like to explain yourselves?” He didn’t even look at her. It was infuriating. She felt her anger start to rise.

“I was hungry. Did you intend to starve me before you ship me out?” She kept her voice low, a plastic smile on her face.

Tal’s eyes finally caught hers, and she realized he thought this was all a plan of his brothers. He hadn’t given her credit for knowing her own mind. “I will have food sent to you. Of course, I meant you no discomfort.”

And now he was on the ropes, right where she wanted him. They had a very avid audience. She gave him a brilliant smile and leaned over to greet him with a kiss. So close, she could feel the heat coming off his body, see the way his lips firmed just before she pressed them with her own. She meant it to be a light kiss, a soft greeting, but his hands found her waist and pulled her close. He might not want her here, but his erection didn’t have any such qualms. It was instantly hard against her belly.