Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24290 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
OH...LORD.
When the Crown Prince told her that she would be taken to where his brother was, she had imagined being escorted to this room or driven to that place, but instead she had found herself issued a diplomatic passport before being flown across the Pacific and taken straight to the royal palace of Huzna.
Dressed as she was still in her shirt and jeans, Prue couldn't help feeling self-conscious as she made her way through the throng of well-dressed guests. While Saif did warn her that Khadem would be hosting a formal ball by the time she arrived, the Crown Prince had refused to let her go home to change into something more presentable.
You'll have better chances if he's to see you as you are now, Saif had said cryptically, and with how everyone was now staring at her, Prue wondered uneasily if what the sheikh meant was she'd have better chances of being thrown out.
Prue was starting to lose hope of ever finding Khadem in this oh-so-huge ballroom when she finally caught a glimpse of him surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women.
Or maybe that was his harem?
Prue's heart beat wildly as she forced herself to walk, and she was only a few steps away when Khadem was finally alerted to her presence by the increasing buzz of whispers around him.
She saw him stiffen as his gaze clashed with hers, and Prue fought against the urge to wilt as his blue eyes turned noticeably cold by the time she reached him.
"Hi."
The icy expression on his face didn't soften. "You may address me as Your Highness."
The words were like a slap to her face, and it hurt even more to see the other women look at her smugly.
Even so, Prue mustered a smile and reminded herself that Khadem was only lashing out in his pain. "May we talk privately...Your Highness?"
"There's nothing for us to talk about...although I must congratulate you. My eldest brother has never been the type to meddle," Khadem drawled, "but you must've sufficiently charmed him into making an exception in your case."
Prue was starting to wonder if coming here was a big mistake. "If you could just let me explain in private—-"
"Say what you want here," Khadem cut her off with a shrug, "and I'd appreciate it if you could be quick about it."
But this time, Prue could no longer speak. She had really believed they had a chance to make things work, but it seemed she was wrong. He was obviously furious with her, and while she couldn't blame him for it—-
"I wish you had told me about the past," she said unsteadily. "Because if you did, then I wouldn't—-"
Khadem heard her voice catch, and the sound forced him to look at her - to really look at Prue, and what he saw made his chest tighten.
Fuck.
"I would never have asked you for time if I had known. And I would...I would have made you meet my parents if I knew what it would mean to you. I never meant to hurt you, and I'm s-sorry..." Prue struggled to get past the sobs clawing at her throat. "It's obviously too late, and I understand why you can't...why you can't forgive me, but..." She managed a smile. "Thank you for doing everything to protect me."
Prue spun away without waiting to hear if Khadem even cared to answer. She had to leave before she completely broke down in front of all of these strangers—-
"Wait."
Prue quickened her pace.
"I'm sorry, Prue."
Fingers captured her wrist, and Prue was powerless to stop Khadem from spinning her around to face him.
Khadem cursed himself silently the moment he saw the pain etched over Prue's face. "I'm sorry."
"You don't need to say sorry for anything," she said without looking at him.
"But I do," Khadem said fiercely. "I'm sorry for acting like an asshole—-"
Prue shook her head. "You were lashing out—-"
"Will you please stop making excuses and just look at me?"
But Prue didn't speak this time, and Khadem felt the familiar taste of desperation coat his tongue. "You were right," he said hoarsely. "I should've told you about Alanna, but I didn't...and that's why I ended up comparing you to her. And now, when I saw you again...you just make me feel so damn much it scared me—-"
"Please just stop," Prue said jerkily. "There's no need to feel guilty. I understand that you've gotten over me—-"
"I haven't!"
Prue told herself he was lying and forced herself to continue. "It's fine, okay? I can get over you, too—-"
"Don't fucking say that," Khadem snarled.
"If you t-think I'm lying—-"
"It's because I know you're not lying that I don't want to fucking hear it! I've seen how brave and strong you are, Prue. Those drugs should've turned you mindless, but you fought it off every time, and that's why I know if you put your mind to it, you can get over me—-"