Altair stared at Safiya's father for several moments. While Mahmud's revelations about his relationship with his deceased wife and his former right-hand man were nothing short of confounding and abominable respectively—-
Mahmud was unsurprised by the wariness that remained in the younger man's gaze. It was only to be expected that Altair question his motives for saying the things he did. And as for his reasons why—-
"I told you my wife's story because I wanted you to understand that being a queen has never been Safiya's desire. I am hoping that by knowing this, you will have less reason to misjudge and distrust her. And as for Saul...few people know this, but he is my half-brother. It is why I trusted him so much, and why I never thought he would even think of defiling his own niece. But he did. And his betrayal is something I hope you may learn from. Blood is not always thicker than water, alshaykh."
Altair wanted to say he disagreed.
But he could not.
Because his vision had already started to waver, and by the time he realized he had been drugged, it was already too late.
Yara was the one who found the sheikh unconscious hours later, and Yara was also the one to tell him that Mahmud had escaped.
Chapter Seventeen
Dear Mama,
Papa has escaped. And I feel this is the beginning of the end.
MALIK HAD YARA PUT his older brother on the phone as soon as he received news about Altair regaining consciousness and showing no signs of any serious injury. "Do you need me to do anything?"
There was a slight pause, and then the other sheikh answered, "Nem."
"Tell me then. As long as it's within my power, consider it done." Malik meant every word as he also knew this was the only way Altair would allow him to be of assistance. As much as he wanted to ask how Altair was feeling after Mahmud's escape - a man who was, for all intents and purposes, Altair's future father-in-law - Malik knew it would be pointless to do so. Altair had never been the type to share such things, and the other man had become even less prone to talking since their father died.
Altair relayed a series of instructions, and while most of it had to do with palace security, which made sense, it was Altair's last request for the princess that made Malik frown.
"Do you not think it's safer for her to be in the palace?"
Altair's jaw clenched at the question. "It's just as safe in our base."
"She is to be your wife, Altair—-"
"Do you think I am not aware of that?" Altair snarled under his breath. "I cannot make the same mistake again, Malik. I just fucking can't, and with Mahmud’s escape—-"
"Exactly," Malik nearly growled. "It is Mahmud who has escaped, not his daughter—-"
"It does not matter." Altair's jaw clenched. "I have made up my mind—-"
"Just fucking think of what you're choosing to do," Malik cut in harshly. "Just think. Do you truly believe the princess has anything to do with Mahmud's escape?"
No.
His heart told him this, and his soul said the same thing.
But God...
The fucking risks...
How the fuck could he take even the slightest risk when he remembered all too fucking clearly how Safiya had never asked a single thing about his first meeting with Mahmud?
How, dammit?
How the hell was he supposed to do what his heart wanted...if all he could see right now was how Hadwin looked on his deathbed...and all he could hear was his mother crying? None of them had blamed him then, but God, he blamed himself day after day for it, and so for him to make the same mistake again—-
"I can't risk it, Malik."
The words, albeit uttered in a toneless voice, sounded as if they had been wrenched out of Altair—-
"I just fucking can't."
Malik's eyes began to sting as he heard what his brother wouldn't ever be selfish enough to say. "Trust us, brother," Malik said unsteadily. "Trust us. Please. It is not like before anymore. We can fight for ourselves. You do not need to carry this burden alone—-"
"I can't risk having losing any of you again," Altair gritted out.
"So you will risk hurting the one you love instead?" Malik snarled back and heard his brother suck in his breath in return. His words had obviously hit its mark, but the knowledge gave him no pleasure.
Altair had been the best brother he and Kyria could have ever asked for. Even in the times when the whole world had condemned their relationship, not once had Altair suggested that they part ways. Altair had always been there for them, and it fucking killed Malik now, knowing how much torment his brother was in...and not having the power to fix things for Altair.
"We know how much you love us, brother," Malik said painfully. "We know. And because we love you back just as much—-"