8Khalid“Meet your new mother,” my father’s gruff voice rumbled through the room, a pale woman standing beside him, holding a cane in her hand. “Her name is Isabella.”I glared at her, scoffing and crossing my arms in my hand. So this is why he was absent from the Palace for three months. He went and married someone else even though mother was his wife. Zain squeezed my shoulder, giving me a look to behave and stepped ahead to introduce himself. Father smiled proudly at him, even ruffling his hair. He never did that to me. “Pst, pst, Khal!” I glanced over my shoulder at the curls of Zayed’s hair. He was hiding behind a pillar and calling me over to play with horses. I smiled at his dimple and was about to sneak over to him when my father’s voice stopped me. “Khalid Al Latif,” I mentally winced at his harsh tone saying my full name. “Have I not taught you any manners?” I clenched my jaw and glared at his dark eyes. Isabella was smiling in my direction but she wasn’t looking at me

10KhalidI watched in surprised awe when my muse grinned, turning away and walking to the dining area with a bounce in her step. Valeria Dunne was something else. She made me feel everything that had been dead and buried under my rotten body for so long.I had to remind myself that we were there for the painting. And nothing else.I shouldn’t—I couldn’t have feelings for her.I followed Valeria, entering the lantern lit area. The table was low and, on either side, deep red satin coverings were placed. Valeria was moving her head in a different direction when plates of steaming exotic food with delicious scent were placed on the carved table, teasing both of us to devour everything. Instead of sitting across her, I sat beside her, crossing my legs which brushed with her bare knees. The lantern lights cast a soft glow, making the area look more intimate. The staff left as soon as the platter of food was placed, giving us privacy and to have their own food in the castle dining area. I h

12 KhalidI answered the phone and closed the doors of my room behind me.“How is my dear brother doing?” Zain, my elder brother and the Sultan of Azmia drawled in his deep voice. I rolled my eyes. Zain cockblocked me with Valeria just to ask me how I am doing? “What do you want, Zain? I was… I was doing something important.” Or I was about to, anyway. “Something important or someone?” I could hear the smirk in his voice. “Someone important,” I corrected him. “Now, tell me, why are you calling me? You know I am at the oasis.”“You have never brought anyone at the oasis before. Not even your own brother. Not even Zara.” He couldn’t hide the disbelief in his tone. I scratched the back of my neck. “I am painting.”“Are you painting that someone important? Or are you painting on her?” I planned to do that soon. “Zain, I do not want to talk about this with you right now. Why did you call? Is Nasrin okay? Jadati (grandmother)?” I heard him sigh through the phone. “Yes, everyone is

14Valeria“I am thinking of stripping you naked and ravishing you in the desert.”I swallowed the lump in my throat after hearing Khalid’s words. He certainly had a way with them. Even though I had reached my peak a few moments ago, my body wanted him again. It was crazy how much he affected me. It was even crazier that I was about to ask him to strip me naked and ravish me in the desert.But my words died in my throat when I heard the rustling of water. We were close to the lake he wanted to take me to. Khalid helped me down the horse, and I felt embarrassed to look in his direction, remembering how he had told me to ride his hand or wait for his… argh, so so arrogant. Even though a small part of me enjoyed when he demanded me to do it.“Is it safe to swim here?” I asked, the scent of fresh water and cool air kissing my bare skin.Khalid pressed his hand on my lower back as he led me to the lake. “Very safe. Even the local kids come here to swim now and then. Why?” His hot lips pr

16Khalid“Do you really want to know, Valeria?” She nodded, her soft face peering up at me as I moved back to remove my tee shirt. I had never told anyone about it. Not a single soul, but I wanted to let her know. Even though it meant becoming awfully vulnerable. I wanted to let Valeria know about the scars on my back. Taking a deep breath, I turned, showing her my back. “The reason I didn’t want to join you in the lake is because of my back. I… I never remove my shirt because of it.”“Okay,” she said, sitting up and waiting for me to continue. “Touch my back, Valeria,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. I clenched my jaw when I felt the soft pads of her fingers on my back. I tried not to recoil as her gentle hands moved around, freezing when they met the bumpy and scratchy skin. I tensed, feeling both of her hands on my back. Valeria gasped, “Khalid…”I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Who… why, what… who did this to you?” “My father,” I said, my shoulders feeling heavy. “Everyo