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“It would be our family’s greatest honor if you were to accept it.”

Refusing to be flattered into blind acceptance, Khalil only smiled blandly, drawling, “You have piqued my curiosity, sheikh. May I know what is this gift you speak of?”

“My daughter, sheikh.”

Ah.

“She has undergone training her whole life to ensure she does her husband proud. She is knowledgeable of our ways. She will be more than content to serve you as your second wife.”

Khalil’s fingers drummed on the armrest.

Mahmud smiled. “I see no reason why you should refuse our gift. It can only strengthen your hold on the kingdom and silence those who think you have too much foreign blood in you. I, of course, do not believe this, but as for other people in tomorrow’s council...”

“And if I believe this gift is too valuable?”

“I have always believed that no gift is too valuable for the kingdom’s sake. Or at least a true Ramilian would think so.”

****

OUTSIDE THE SHEIKH’Sstudy, Harper’s fist paused mid-air at Sheikh Mahmud’s words.Was she hearing this right?Unable to help it, she turned towards her guards, and all three of them were doing their best to conceal their shock.

Harper swallowed hard.Well, it was just an offer,she told herself. It didn’t mean he’d accept. And besides, he had promised, hadn’t he? She squared her shoulders. Yes, he had promised, and for all of his irritating traits, the sheikh wasn’t ever the type to break his word.

She raised her hand to knock on the door, thinking of joining the sheikh and facing the man who had the temerity to offerherhusband asecondwife—-

But then she heard the sheikh speak.

“It would be my pleasure to receive your gift, Mahmud.”

And her arm fell limply against her side.

****

KHALIL DISMISSED EVERYONEwhen he reached the throne room, needing to be alone. Most of the men were quick to bow and leave, but his most trusted vassals refused to move an inch.

“Are you truly doing this?” Altair asked.

“You, of all people, should understand why the present situation leaves me no choice but to do it.” Only one-third of the council was needed for a motion to be considered, and according to Mahmud, there were at least fifty who wanted him to abdicate.

If Khalil chose to fight this motion, a hearing would be set, and he would be temporarily stripped of his powers. This would leave Ramil without a king, and it was too damn convenient that the timing coincided with a sudden terrorist threat.

“Have you heard anything about Mahmud conspiring with the terrorists?” Khalil asked his army commander.

“Unfortunately – no.” Altair’s tone was grim.

“Then my hands are tied.” Khalil’s was equally grim. Mahmud was one of the kingdom’s wealthiest sheikhs, and Khalil had no doubt the older man had enough clout to sway the other sheikhs into following him.

“And Harper?” Malik asked quietly.

Khalil turned to face the other sheikh, his smile not reaching his eyes as he murmured, “You’ve always had the softest spot for my queen, Malik.”

Malik didn’t smile back. “She is different from the rest. But I do not love her.”

Like you do.

The sheikh’s lips tightened at the unspoken words that hung heavily in the air.

“Enough with this.” Tarif’s tone was brusque. “What’s done is done, and the king has made a decision.”