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And could he blame her if it was so?

Thanks to the daily reports that her guards had submitted to him, the sheikh had been able to monitor her even from the palace. Being linked to him so publicly hadn’t just turned her life upside-down. Her life was now a living hell, and it would continue so even if they did not end up marrying.

A knock interrupted his thoughts, and the sheikh said wearily, “Enter.”

“A guest awaits you at your private receiving room, Your Majesty.”

He frowned. “Who is it?”

“I w-was not told, Your Majesty,” the aide stammered. “I was only asked by Sheikh Tarif to report to you and that your presence in the receiving room is immediately required.”

Khalil nodded. “I will be there shortly.” And if this turned out to be one of Tarif’s pranks again, it would be their fists talking after.

When he entered the receiving room, Tarif was alone, no guest in sight, and Khalil frowned. “Where is the guest then?”

Seeing the grim look on Khalil’s face, the other sheikh said swiftly, “Before you even ask, I did not ask you to come on a lark.” Tarif grimaced. “And I know you must be sick of hearing this by now, but I can only apologize again for the unintended consequences of my action. I had thought you’d have persuaded her to come back with you and would thus be properly protected from the press.”

“Your first apology was more than sufficient, brother.” The sheikh’s smile was self-mocking. “And if anything, your greatest sin was that you had placed too much faith on my powers of persuasion.”

“Maybe.” Tarif’s tone was casual. “Maybe not.”

The sheikh’s gaze narrowed. “If you are about to start playing another game—-”

The door of the en-suite restroom opened, and Khalil stiffened when he saw Harper stepping out. She hadn’t yet seen him, her head turned towards Tarif. “Have you told him I’m here?” she was asking.

“He hadn’t.”

Harper whirled around with a gasp.

Behind her, Tarif said, “She had her guards contact me, asking if I could help her surprise you. She was, however, worried that you wouldn’t welcome such a surprise. I told her she was being foolish about it. Don’t you agree, brother?”

“Not just foolish.” But although the words were directed at Tarif, the sheikh’s intense, dark gaze didn’t once leave Harper’s frame, which was now visibly trembling. “I would say,” the sheikh drawled, “it’s downright stupid.”

Even as her heart slammed against her chest at his words, she managed to grumble, “Are you calling me stupid?”

Instead of answering her, Khalil said to his cousin, “May you excuse us, Tarif?”

“Already on my way out, and I’ll let the guards know that you are not to be disturbed at all costs.”

And then they were alone.

The sheikh was staring at her, silent, unmoving, and so damn handsome it made Harper realize that what she had read in books were true. Looking at a person could actually hurt.

Are you surprised? Are you happy I’m here? Do you still want to marry me?Those were the questions she wanted to ask. But when her lips parted, no words came out, and Harper realized in shame that fear had turned her into a coward.

She couldn’t ask those questions. She just couldn’t. How could she when she was afraid he’d answer no to any of them? And so she stared back at him, even when it hurt to look at him, and it hurt even more when she realized that this could be the very last time she’d see him before he broke her heart—-

Tears began to prick her eyes, and she hated it. “If you’re not happy I’m here, then just say it.” The words came out in a proud, furious hiss, but everything was ruined when her voice caught in the end, and her fingers clenched against her sides.

And still, he stared at her.

And it hurt.

So, so much.

A tear escaped, its wet trail burning her skin, and mortification ate her alive.

“If you’ve changed your mind,” she snarled, “then just—-”