‘No, but he went to Vegas with the aim of blowing all his inheritance and then ending his life that weekend.’
‘Oh, God.’
‘It’s cold comfort, I know, habiba, but his mind was made up. But you have people who need you, who love you. Do you know that since your press conference there’s been an online petition for you to stay?’
‘What?’
‘If you renounce your title I’ll renounce mine too.’
She gasped. ‘You can’t. Your people need you. Anwar said—’
‘To hell with what Anwar said. He thinks he was acting in my best interests. I’ll talk to him later. And anyone else who thinks they know my heart. The only thing they need to know is that it won’t beat without you. So where you go, I go.’
‘No, Zaid, you’re better off—’
‘Without my heart? Without my soul? Without the very air I need to live? No, jamila. I might as well be dead then.’
‘Oh, Zaid...’
His fingers slid into her hair, and he leaned down to brush her lips with his. ‘I was going to tell you I loved you that afternoon on the deck. You know that?’
Her gasp whispered over his lips. ‘You love me?’
‘Oh, yes, my love. So very much. Fawzi couldn’t have picked a worse time to deliver his news. I think it’s partly why I behaved like a wounded bear. I’m sorry, Esmeralda. Can you forgive me?’
‘I forgive you, because I love you too. I managed to tell you, though, remember?’
He grimaced, although his face transformed at her confession. ‘I remember, and I’m ashamed to have rejected it then. I would be honoured if you would tell me again.’
‘I love you, Zaid Al-Ameen.’
He sealed her lips in a kiss that lifted her heart and her soul. Her heart grew bigger when his hand dropped to caress her belly. ‘And you’ll remain the wife of my heart? The mother of this beautiful blessing bestowed on us and the many more to come?’
‘Yes, Zaid.’
He exhaled shakily, kissed her one more time, before sweeping her off her feet.
A long while later, they lay, blissful, content and gloriously naked on her bed.
With a smile, she caressed his hard chest. ‘So did I cause a lot of trouble renouncing my title?’
He chuckled richly. ‘It takes a hell of a lot more than a speech to give me up, habiba. But attempt it again and I will have you jump through a lifetime of hoops. Even then you won’t be free.’
‘And why not?’
He rolled her over in one smooth move and braced her hands above her head. ‘Because Al-Ameens marry for life. I’m never letting you go. Not even in the afterlife,’ he growled.
She leaned up and kissed his beautiful mouth, her heart brimming with happiness. ‘That’s good, because your Sultana is happy exactly where she is. By your side. For ever.’
EPILOGUE
One year later
‘ARE YOU GOING to re-create our honeymoon exactly the way it happened last year?’ Esme laughed as her husband rolled towards her and trailed a kiss over her shoulder.
‘Right up to the point where I ruined it, yes. And then I intend to make it all better from then on. I want the memory erased from your mind for ever.’
‘It’s already better for me, Zaid. I promise,’ she murmured, gliding her fingers through his thick black hair when he levered himself over her.