Desert Rogues Part 2

“I would have liked that, too,” Cleo admitted as the weepy feeling started to get stronger.

Sabrina slipped between them both and drew them inside the castle. “Now, ladies, there will be no tears today. And no ill tempers. We’re going to have a fabulous ‘girls only’ day. We’re going to stretch out on sofas and eat fattening food, while we trash our husbands and talk about shoes. Are we in agreement?”

Zara smiled at Cleo. “Yes. I agree. And I’m really glad you’re here.”

For the first time since her marriage to Sadik, Cleo felt as if she could actually relax. “I’m glad I’m here, too.”

Zara and Sabrina took Cleo on a tour of the castle before they settled down for their girl talk. While sections of the ancient structure had been modernized, there were still rooms and corridors constructed of stone, with slits for windows and no heating, cooling or air-conditioning.

“There are fireplaces,” Sabrina said as they strolled through a large guest bedroom. “The stone walls are thick enough to keep out the heat, and something about the way the place is built actually takes advantage of the night breezes to cool the place off. But you wouldn’t want to get lost around here. It’s big enough that it could literally take days to find you.”

“I’m still using a map,” Zara confessed. “I also have a cell phone that I’ve had to rely on more than once. It’s pretty embarrassing to phone Rafe and tell him to come find me.”

Sabrina laughed. “He hardly minds. You’re still newlyweds.”

Zara sighed with contentment. “You’re right. He doesn’t mind at all.”

Cleo smiled because she was expected to, but she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy for Zara’s and Sabrina’s happiness. They were both married to wonderful men who were completely devoted. They were—

A tall man dressed in traditional desert robes swept around a bend in the corridor. Cleo froze, then instinctively took a step back before recognizing the handsome prince. He nodded at both her and Zara, then swept Sabrina into his arms.

“How are you?” he demanded. “Do you feel well? Should you be resting? Are you hungry?”

Sabrina lightly touched her husband’s face, then stepped free of his embrace. “Kardal—I’m great. Really. You’ve got to stop doing this.”

“You’re my wife. Of course I’m concerned about you.”

“Yes, but if you make me crazy, I’ll be forced to stab you in your sleep. Now get back to work.”

He kissed her fiercely, then spun on his heel and retreated.

Zara glanced at Cleo. “Sabrina has a secret.”

The king of Bahania’s youngest daughter shrugged as she led the way down the corridor. They entered a large living area with several sofas pulled up around a large coffee table overflowing with trays containing a traditional English tea.

Cleo was still caught up in Kardal’s need to see his wife in the middle of the day. They had been married for almost two years. Should he be over that by now?

The envy she’d been feeling twisted in her chest, making her wish for things that weren’t going to happen—at least not in her marriage.

Sabrina sank down on one of the couches and motioned for the other women to do the same. But instead of leaning back, she sat forward and stared intently at Cleo.

“I’m pregnant,” she said.

Cleo had barely sat down, but she instantly sprang to her feet and hurried toward Sabrina. The two women hugged.

“I’m so happy for you,” Cleo said genuinely.

At least she could say that without feeling as if she were lying. She was happy Sabrina was going to have a baby. They could discuss infants and pregnancy to their hearts’ content without boring everyone else, and their children would grow and play together.

Tears glittered in Sabrina’s eyes. “I’m about two months along. I didn’t say anything when I first found out because there was so much other stuff going on, but I’m ready to let everyone know.” She brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “I don’t get it. I’m barely feeling any morning sickness, but I can’t seem to stop crying.”

“Hey, that happened to me all the time, too,” Cleo said, returning to the sofa and plopping down. She glanced at Zara. “Feeling any pressure?”

Zara chuckled. “Maybe a little. But Rafe and I have talked about kids, and while we want several, we both would like at least a year with just the two of us. We want to travel and adjust to being married.” Zara glanced around at the soaring thirty-foot ceilings and the eight-hundred-year-old tapestries on the walls. “Plus I have to get used to living in the City of Thieves.”

“That’s not a hardship,” Sabrina said with a wave of her hand. “It’s great here. To be honest, I hate being away from the castle.” She leaned forward and began pouring tea. “Please help yourself.”

Cleo eyed the table laden with all kinds of cakes, cookies, sandwiches and scones. There were also silver-trimmed glass bowls filled with different kinds of salad nestled on ice, and plates of fruit.

They discussed Sabrina’s pregnancy. Cleo mentioned the name of the doctor she was going to see for her monthly checkup, and Sabrina talked about the possibility of seeing a midwife from the village outside the main castle. The whole time they talked, Cleo could feel Zara watching her. Finally she turned to her foster sister.

“You might as well tell me what’s on your mind. You know you’re going to say it eventually.”

Zara tilted her head. She and Sabrina looked amazingly alike, with their long dark hair and big brown eyes. But while Sabrina was completely comfortable in her surroundings, Zara had the air of someone who expected to wake up from a dream at any moment.

“Are you happy with your life?” Zara asked.

The question surprised Cleo. It also made her choke as her herbal tea went down the wrong way.

Happy with her life? What was that? Cleo could recall specific events that had made her happy—an unexpected birthday party when she’d turned sixteen or a weekend trip with Zara. For her happiness came in measurements of hours, maybe even the occasional day, but never in terms of a life.

“I’m still adjusting,” she said, hedging.

Sabrina didn’t look any more convinced by her answer than Zara did. “How’s my brother treating you?”

She thought about his daily attentions each morning, when he brought her breakfast and talked to their unborn child. She thought of the tenderness of his embrace, when he pulled her close to make love with her.

“He’s good to me…in an arrogant-prince sort of way.”

Zara and Sabrina exchanged a glance. “Then why are your eyes so sad?” her former foster sister asked.

Cleo set down her tea. Part of her wanted to tell the truth because she needed to talk to someone. She felt a little strange about confiding her deepest feelings in front of Sabrina, but the odds were that Zara would tell her, anyway. Besides, Sabrina knew Sadik—maybe she could offer advice.

“He cares about the baby,” Cleo said slowly. “I know he has committed himself to the marriage.”

“But?” Zara promoted.

Cleo put her hand on her round belly. “We didn’t plan this. Once I went home, Sadik never bothered to get in touch with me. I’m not sure he would have ever thought of me again if I hadn’t shown back up on his radar scope. He wouldn’t have married me if I hadn’t gotten pregnant.”

Sabrina set down her cup, as well. “I get it,” she said sympathetically. “You’re in love with him. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. I mean I should have guessed.”

Zara looked stunned. She glanced from Cleo to Sabrina, then slowly shook her head. “No, I should have seen it. Oh, Cleo, you went and fell for him, didn’t you?”

For once her hormones seemed to be asleep because she managed to nod without breaking into tears. “I didn’t mean it to happen. Obviously, he doesn’t love me. He’s still in love with Kamra—he told me so,” she added quickly when Sabrina started to protest. “He gave her his heart, so he doesn’t have it to share with me. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do now. I asked the king if I could leave, but he won’t let me.”

“Of course not,” Sabrina said gently. “You’re carrying his first grandchild. Any child I have will be heir to the City of Thieves, and Zara’s children won’t be in line for the throne. Besides, the king really likes you, Cleo. He’s not going to let you walk away.”

“I found that out.” She spread her hands, palms up. “So I’m trapped. I love a man who won’t love me back. Maybe one of you would like to slap me and tell me to snap out of it. That or offer really good advice about how to make this work. I figure we’re in the marriage for the long haul. I’d like to make it a happy relationship. If not for us, then at least for our children.”