35HaydenI wasn’t expecting to fall for her. Nope. Never. But like all the best things in life which happen unexpectedly, I fell for her. Even though she was a Princess of Azmia and made the most adorable grumbling sound whenever waking up, I fell in love with Zara. I was rendered speechless when we had sex the night before. I would call it lovemaking, but it felt more than that. She had cried, and I didn’t know whether it was because she felt it too or just the orgasm. I couldn’t sleep knowing that the woman in my arms, the woman I adored, would have to go back to her Golden Palace. “We are going to reach the island in a few minutes,” I said to Chase, who was eating the eggs I had made. “Make sure everything is sailing smooth. I will wake up the Princess.”“I can go wake up her, you know.” I looked over my shoulder and raised my brow at him. “We all heard the sounds coming from the Princess’s bedroom last night—”“Chase?” “Yes, Sir?”“Do you like your tongue?” He frowned. “Of co

37ZaraThe back of my blouse itched, but Safiya, my personal maid, slapped my wrist when I tried to tug at it. Scowling at her, I ran my hand down the golden gown I was wearing. It was tailor made for Khalid and Valeria’s wedding, which was happening at that moment. But my ears hurt from wearing the heavy earrings, the slim necklace and the itchy, intricate fabric of the gown, annoying me every time I moved. The Court Room was decorated in golden and red and black colors. Flowers and fabric decorations were on every wall and pillars, the throne was empty as Zain, Nasrin and Aya stood together with the wedding couple. Musicians kept playing the soft, lilting song. My stomach grumbled just as Khalid and Valeria were announced husband and wife. Safiya and an old Royal looked at me when my stomach roared again. I had skipped breakfast because I had woken up late, puking because of the stomach bug that wasn’t leaving me alone. I excused myself and went to look for something to eat. I w

UnknownI exhaled the long puff of smoke, looking out of the balcony of the guest room. It was a beautiful, sunny day. People were smiling, talking about Zara’s engagement as if the attack during the wedding of Khalid and Valeria was nothing.The people I had hired to kidnap Zara had failed. Again. I watched the securities, the woman named Elena had established around the entire Golden Palace. They were following the Sultana, Nasrin Al Latif and her daughter, Aya Al Latif, the Princess. Both of them laughing and running around the fresh cut grass. I had never seen Nasrin grin so freely before. Too bad I would be the reason for her and others’ cries in a few days. I couldn’t trust anyone else to fuck up my plan anymore. I would have to do it on my own.“Is there anything I can help you wi—”Turning around, I offered a small smile to the maid. “No, thank you. I was just watching the Sultana and the Princess playing in the gardens.”The maid’s smile was genuine. “Ah, yes, Princess Aya ha

CHARMING HANDSOME SHEIKH PrologueI wanted my only love to be happy. Even if she couldn’t marry me in the end, I wanted her to get married, love someone else, have kids and die of old age. Not by a rope cinched around her slender neck. Her smile used to make my heart feel warm with her soft lips pressing against mine, whispering sweet words. Now she’s dead. Her bluish, pale lips will never smile, they will never kiss me or the kids she wanted. She will never whisper, ‘You are my sun. I love you.’Because of him. The Sultan of Azmia. I will avenge her death, make him beg when I take everything and everyone he has ever loved away from him.I will burn Azmia and kill Zain Al Latif. PART ONE“How many times are you going to keep falling for me, Sheikh Zayed?”“Forever, my darling. Forever.” 1ZayedI was ten years old when I killed a man. His blood splashing on my cheek, painting my tunic and hands dark red. I felt nothing except relief as his lifeless body fell on that dusty floo

3ZayedI could taste the hot, citrusy air, the smell of sand, leather and the warmth of sunlight as sweat slid down my back, pressing against my light shirt when I moved over the horse. Clenching the reins, I directed the horse towards the sand dunes, the ends of my hair that curled out of my keffiyeh ruffled with the wind, and I wondered if I deserved it all. The freedom, being a Sheikh, or the air that I breathed. Guiding the horse, I breathed loudly and patted his mane, switching from the fast gallop to silent walk in the empty desert. The bleeding sunset painted the barren land with tints of yellow, orange and red, its heat blistering, but I relished in it. Thoughts of Azmia, the upcoming wedding, safety of my friends, filled my head. My hands tightened on the reins as I tried to relax, thinking about my childhood. ***My stomach growled at seeing the buttered bread at the shop. I stuffed my hands in my pockets, hoping for a miracle that it would be full of gold coins. But mir