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The old man's furrowed face settled into a deeper frown before turning to look at her. “I don’t know. But it is undoubtedly connected with the current situation.”
Sarah hated that her future marriage had become a “situation”.
“What do you think is happening?”
“The appearance of the king’s brother is interesting and suggests he might be involved in the king’s plans.” He turned to her. “You know that the king is in love with you, don’t you?” he asked, almost casually.
She nodded. “Yes, I believe he is. But it’s not enough. He demands to know if I trust him, but how can I when he tricked me, when he would deprive me of knowledge for his own gain?”She shook her head. “I can’t trust someone like that. I simply can’t.”
“But you agreed to marry him.”
“Because it is the best solution for our country. But if trust is demanded as part of the marriage settlement, then I cannot agree.”
“Of course,” said Amena soothingly.
Sarah was glad of her cousin’s support because she knew some of the elders of the tribe were impatient with her stance. But, pregnant or not, she couldn’t give them what they wanted.
“Well,” shrugged the old man, “no doubt we will find out shortly. Such urgent talks can mean only one thing.”
“And that is?” asked Amena.
“Whatever it is they’re discussing, it’s important to the country.”
Amena’s fatherwas proved right. Barely twenty-four hours had passed before news arrived that Kadar had abdicated the Crown in favor of his brother, Crown Prince Zachariaya.
Amena came running into Sarah’s room, a broad smile on her face as Sarah paced up and down, waiting for news.
“Have you heard? Last night, the king abdicated! What do you think it means?”
Instinctively, Sarah pressed the flat of her hand against her chest, as if trying to control the pounding heartbeat and surge of hope. “That he doesn’t want to be king, I should imagine,” she said eventually, forcing herself to give a light-hearted reply when she’d never felt more serious in her life.
Amena rolled her eyes and caught hold of Sarah’s hands, forcing her to stand still.
“You know it’s more than that.”
“That’s just the trouble, Amena. I don’t know anything.”
“Has the king been in touch with you?”
Sarah shook her head and closed her eyes, desperate to hide the emotion which threatened to sweep away the last threads of rational thought. Because hope was like that. Apparently, it refused to die. But when she opened her eyes again, a tear slid down her cheek instead. “No,” she gulped. “Oh, Amena! What on earth is going on?”
Amena looked around at the sound of approaching cars. More than one. “I don’t know. But I think we’re about to find out.”
CHAPTER 20
Kadar didn’t think he’d ever been as nervous in his life. He had everything riding on the next few hours. He’d cut himself off from his old life before he’d secured his new life. And he hadn’t a clue what he’d do if Sarah refused him now he wasn’t king. Return to the palace to play second fiddle to his younger brother? No way. Now he’d found a way out of the constraints of his life, he had no intention of returning in any role whatsoever. Not to the palace, anyway. He’d work for his country, but not in the city. It was the country he loved, and the country he’d work for, away from the political center. That would be a role far better suited to his brother, for whom diplomacy and charm were second nature.
As he and his driver drove through the open gates of the small city where the Al-Barraq tribe lived, and slowed to navigate through the crowded streets, he looked around with interest. It had been years since he’d been here. He’d been with his father then, and yet, despite the years, the same impression hit him forcibly. It was like his country used to be. Traditional, full of people on foot, rather than in vehicles, bustling and prosperous looking. He knew it thrived as it was closer to a port than the capital city. He also knew that several of the richestmerchants who lived here didn’t trade in physical items but used the internet. So traditional looking, with a traditional culture, but forward looking too. Taking whatever technology would fit into their lifestyle to enhance it. He felt it would be a model that the capital city could benefit from emulating.
They pulled into the grounds of the local sheikh—Sarah’s great uncle. Kadar was arriving unannounced, which was unusual. But, as he was no longer king, it was also no longer required. But, by the time they’d parked, men had appeared at the front door, standing waiting, their faces grave. It didn’t bode well.
He got out of the car, looked around, breathed in the warm desert air, and his first impressions were reinforced. This place embodied everything he loved about his land. He turned his focus to the small group of men who had emerged from a large house. The middle man was Sarah’s uncle, and head of the family. He stepped forward to greet him.
“Your Highness?” the man said with a slight question mark. It was too soon for them to have been officially informed, but it was obvious by the intonation that they knew something had happened.
Kadar decided not to correct him yet.
“We are honored you should visit.”
