Ali wasn't in the room when we returned and the worry inside me unknotted slightly. Thank God for small miracles. I didn't want to lie to him. I didn't think I could.

Haleema helped me undress, brushing my hair as she talked about the gossip in the palace, trying to ease my mind. I closed my eyes and hummed to my mother's lullaby, drowning her out, trying to tamp down the guilt.

It was just this once. I'd gone out of my way, for Mehmet, just this once. And it was all business. There was nothing emotionally ambiguous.

Haleema pulled back the sheets, and I fell back, collapsing into the small mountain of pillows, watching her leave after extinguishing the lamps.

I gazed out towards the balcony, my eyes on the flowing draperies. Mehmet was here. He was ready and aware of the Caliph's intentions. And he'd grown up. My eyes stung with unshed tears. Heart pounding, I took in a deep breath.

Tomorrow. Everything hinged on what happened tomorrow. Pressing my palms to my forehead, I squeezed my eyes shut. I'll have to catch Baba before dinner. Whatever the Caliph was planning, I'd know that for sure tomorrow. He'd make sure to handle the situation. He'd also clear everything about Ali.

Ali.

Aching deep in my bones, I pulled my knees up to stop the hurt.

Who had I married? What had Baba done? Had Baba made a mistake? Could Mehmet be right? I had no doubt he was telling me the truth, but in the short time I'd known Ali, he hadn't seemed like someone who would do that.

The door to our chambers groaned open and I stiffened. Ali and Hamza's voices echoed through the rooms. Keeping my eyes shut and my body relaxed, I pretended to sleep, not wanting to see his face, not wanting him to know. A few minutes later, Hamza left with a low salutation.

Light careful footsteps paused at the edge of my bed, gentle fingers brushing the hair on my face.

I kept my breathing light, hoping he'd leave.

The bed dipped and I felt Ali's weight on the side. Strong arms circled me, lifting me off the bed, making sure to cradle me against a very familiar hard chest. I nearly squeaked out loud, trying not to grab his arms out of fright. He carried me to his bed, making sure to tuck the covers securely around me, his hand cupping my cheek.

Confusion swirled in my brain. Who was this man?

Seconds later, I felt the covers lift as he got in behind me, his arm resting lightly on my waist, his breath hot against the nape of my neck. His breathing evened out and I stared at the walls, trying to make sense of the indecision in my mind.

I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep until something stirred me awake. I opened my eyes, my senses quickly spiraling to full alert. Firey hazel eyes stared back into mine.

Startled, I sat up.

Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze, schooling my features into an emotionless mask.

"Sabah el-Noor," he muttered, sprawled on the low chair, his gaze sharp. I mumbled a low reply, looking around for my handmaidens. "I told them to let us be for today."

"Why?"

"We didn't get a chance to talk yesterday."

Panic clawed its way up my throat. "All of the arrangements have been finalized. The dinner will be-"

"I'm not talking about the dinner."

"Oh." My fingers twisted together above the covers, my head bowed to hide my emotions.

Your husband is not a forgiving man.

He moved, coming closer to sit on the bed. I took a deep breath and looked up, keeping my face still. Thick, sooty lashes framing his startling eyes made them appear even more dangerous and compelling.

He stared at me and I kept my eyes focused on his, unwavering. Silenced stretched between us and a bead of sweat trickled down my back.

"Your father will be here today." I nodded. "Is there anything I should know before your cousin gets here Laila?"

That he's already here. "No, nothing."

"Do you know why he's coming here?"

"Just what you told me." His eyes narrowed slightly and he leaned back, his features set into a placid mask. Testing me. "What has the Caliph said?"

He picked at the cover, his fingers brushing mine. "That he'll be here for a month. That we'll be negotiating our support."

"And?" I breathed out. He glanced at me, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

"That you'll be introduced as my wife." Not as my fathers daughter. Ownership. They wanted to claim me. Tie me to his name publicly. I nodded to show that I understood.

He sighed and got up, his lips coming to brush mine in a light kiss. I fought the urge to thread my fingers through his hair and pull him closer. He walked to the large doors, putting his turban on and placing Zulfiqar in its sheath.

He looked back at me and my heart cracked.

The emotional distance between us was signified by the physical space between us. We were miles away from each other. I gave him a weak smile, feeling him slip through, watching a chasm form in our relationship.

"See you at dinner." The door clanged shut behind him, leaving me with my empty thoughts and a conflicted conscience.

Haleema and Ayesha fussed over me, taking great pains to enhance my appearance.

"What's the point? I'll be veiled."

"But your husband will see you, Princess. Prince Alizayd would be most pleased." Ayesha said, her voice filled with glee.

I highly doubted that. Any pretenses of our relationship had been shed. With this new dynamic between us, the game had only just begun.

"Has anyone informed my father of my wish to see him?"

They twisted my hair in a knotted braided bun, making sure to have some tendrils frame my face. "He's on his way Princess, he said he'll see you as soon as the guests had settled in."

I sighed and let them do their work. Tonight they'd selected a gown cut from the finest linen I'd ever touched. It had cut out sleeves, the damask portion attached to the eye-shaped cutouts, the dress falling to my ankles in a pale golden sheath, and held together by an ornate collar of hundreds of beads and gold.

I fixed the gold bracelet on my arm just as my father was led to my room, his eyes filled with barely concealed worry. I rushed forward to greet him, wrapping my arms around him in a tight hug.

Ayesha and Haleema left the room and I dragged us towards the back up for some privacy.

"How are you daughter? The event on Friday..."

"I'm fine Baba, how are you?"

The lines on his face creased. "Just like you. Hiding my feelings"

"What's going on Baba?"

"I don't know Laila, I don't know."

I gripped the concrete wall tightly. "What, what does he want from us?"

Baba turned to me, his eyes steady. "How's your relationship with Prince Alizayd?"

"Baba, he's, I've heard he's done... monstrous things." I looked ahead trying to keep the tears at bay.

"Attack on the caravan? Attack on the Turks?" I nodded. "Did Mehmet tell you that?" My face colored. "Laila, he came to see you? Of course, he did! The boy never had a patient bone in his body."

My throat bobbed and I looked at him. "There's a movement... that wants to reinstate the real Seljuk heirs to the throne."

Baba paled. "Who told you that?"I bit my lip."Prince Alizayd said that to you?"

"The prisoner..."

He gripped my arms in a death grip."Laila, this conversation does not leave this room. Don't go around asking these questions. Remember that your relationship with your husband is the most important thing here. Don't get yourself mixed up in this."

I whirled around, grabbing his arms. "Why? What is this Baba? Why are you so scared?"

"Promise me, Laila. Your married life will be your priority. Promise me," I nodded, scared by his fervor. "The answer you seek has destroyed men more powerful than the ones in this palace."

"What Baba? What do you mean? How was mother involved? What does my husband have to do with this"

"Your mother?"

"Yes!" Confusion swept over his face.

"I don't know..."

"There you are!" Zaynab burst into the room and we hastily rearranged our expressions. "Emir," she greeted my father.

Baba gave her a small bow. "Princess Zaynab, it's an honor."

"You're too kind. My father asked for me to tell you that the guests are due to arrive," Baba nodded, accepting his dismissal.

"Until next time daughter," he said, patting my head and exiting the room.

I gave her an approving look. "You look stunning!"

Zaynab was dressed in a dark purple and gold gown with a matching headwrap embroidered in pearls. Gold ringed her wrists and neck, and jewels glittered in her ears, the Caliph's daughter looked the part of a princess.

"And you!" she exclaimed, holding my arms and giving me a once over. "My brother is going to lose his mind!"

"Should you really be saying that?" I mumbled, feeling a flush creep up. Zaynab opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by loud trumpets signifying the Turks' arrival in the city. Anticipation and fear curled in my stomach.

"Oh, they're here! Come, I want to show you the Great Hall before they arrive for an audience. I worked late into the night planning it with my handmaidens!"

Guilt gnawed in my stomach. "I'm sorry for not being so involved."

"Oh don't worry about it, I was aching to try some new ideas. Besides, I've heard you've chosen quite an array of dishes."

She hurried us through the halls, almost running to get there on time.

The air was perfumed with a sweetly intoxicating scent that beckoned to anyone who wandered by. I stepped onto the overhead balcony, my eyes widening at the vision below me. Fresh rose petals and dried jasmine were strewn across the silk and fringed damask, strategically placed at the entrance.

Zaynab clapped her hands and pointed to the rest of the room. The immense white marble floor shined under the bright candelabra chandeliers that spiraled down from the ceiling. In the center of the vast space was a three-sided, raised dais with a series of low tables situated upon its surface. Sumptuous fabric and richly appointed cushions littered the dais with vibrant colors and lush textures.

Zaynab had done a marvelous job. My heart twisted enviously. I would have never been to accomplish this. This was the royal touch. Something that could only be learned through a lifetime of privilege and wealth.

The doors opened and people started to flood into the room. Zaynab and I hurried towards the veiled balconies, peeking from behind the thin damask curtains.

"Do you know what he looks like?" I shook my head, keeping my eyes on the nobles filling the hall. "He was your fiancé, right? You know nothing about him!" I rolled my eyes at her disbelief.

Various kinds of men filtered in, laughing and talking, hands around each other, dressed in their finery. "Where are they?" Zaynab whispered, bouncing on her toes.

"Why are you so eager?"

"Wouldn't you be eager to see the face of your future husband?"