22 Khalid

22

Khalid

(Khalid first person, Valeria third person)

“Valeria, would you like to come see the stables with me tomorrow?” Zayed asked, showing off his pearly whites with a charming smile.

I clenched my jaw, shooting daggers at my close friend, who was invited to have dinner with us. Zara hid her smile while jadati raised her eyebrow. Zain, my brother and the Sultan of Azmia and Nasrin, his wife and my sister-in-law, had taken up residence in one of Zayed’s private oasis for a week. Zain was calling it a baby honeymoon and had told me that they would arrive the next morning.

Valeria swallowed her food. Even though her hair was in a bun, a few wisps of it framed her face as she looked in Zayed’s direction. I had seen their exchange from afar before the dinner, and I didn’t enjoy how Zayed had dared to hug her and grin at me over her shoulder.

“I would love to join you if it’s no trouble,” she replied shyly.

I mentally groaned, clenching the spoon in my hand.

Would it be rude to thr