I was led to a beautifully decorated pavilion, lined with thick embroidered carpets and plush cushions. The wooden structure seemed to be perched over a clear pool, suspended in the air. My eyes widened at the marvel, almost missing the calculating looks on the faces of the two ladies already seated.

The older of the two, I guessed to be Amina, Prince Khalid's wife, was dressed in green. With her Grecian beauty and her hair hanging down her face in ringlets, she looked like a Greek nymph. I brushed a hand over my clothing, feeling overdressed.

The second one, dressed in peacock blue, gave me a bright smile and a small curtsey. I took in a deep breath. She was the Caliph's youngest daughter and the only one who was currently unmarried.

I plastered a polite smile on my face and gave her a warm look.

The people sitting around the table were seasoned players. All of them were extremely adept at controlling their expressions and moods. I, however, was not.

I stepped forward and Shehzadi Zaynab clasped my arm, dragged me to my place, her mouth curving into a small smile.

"Welcome sister! It's so nice to meet you," I inclined my head at her enthusiasm

"Yes, welcome! It's a shame we could not welcome you properly, like a bride. The wedding happened in such haste." Resentment seethed in her eyes. "We weren't even asked to attend. I don't know what Baba was thinking," she added, her face fixed in a carefully modulated smirk.

Ooh, I had to be careful.

Zaynab rolled her eyes."Oh shush. There couldn't have been a better way to get Ali married," she leaned towards me, her eyes dancing with mischief. "He rejected every proposal that came to him, we can see why," Zaynab finished, seating herself across her, elegantly folding herself onto a cushion. "Don't mind Khalid's wife, she has three children. She's bitter beyond belief," she whispered as I took my place beside her.

My lips twitched and I refocused my gaze on the low tables, admiring the craftsmanship. Being the Emir's daughter, I had grown up surrounded by luxury but being here, in the palace, everything seemed to have been amplified by a thousand.

Before anyone could make a feeble attempt at small talk, the sound of stomping feet had us scrambling upwards.

The Caliph entered our line of sight, his clothes flowing in the wind, his stride confident.

This was the first time I was seeing the Caliph during the day. My eyes took him in. He was an attractive man with a strong jaw, greying hair, and a meticulously styled beard. I could see the charisma and power in his stature. A shiver went through me. He wasn't a man to be trifled with.

A true King.

His two son's followed, their gazes hard, their hands on their swords. My heart clenched at the blank expression on my husband's face, so different from the one last night.

Huh, the Calipha wasn't here. Interesting.

Prince Khalid stopped in front of me, awaiting an introduction. I did not bow, remembering the lesson from yesterday, my eyes flicking towards my husband. His mouth twitched but his face remained the same as before.

I moved my gaze from my husband to meet the amused scrutiny of my new brother, his face set in a warm, affable expression. He was trim and appeared in good health, with a deceptively warm set of dark brown eyes. His charcoal-colored mantle was exquisitely embroidered at its collar and hem, and the sword at his hip had a burnished hilt of solid gold.

"Salaam Baba," Zaynab greeted, breaking the awkward silence, giving her father a short bow and a side hug. "Khalid," she acknowledged and my brows furrowed at the informal address. Prince Khalid's eyes crinkled and he gave her a sweet smile. My heart ached at the gesture. I'd never had any siblings and due to my father's paranoia, I hadn't had many friends. "Ali! Won't you introduce your wife?"

Prince Ali gave her a disparaging look, sighed, and announced. "Khalid, please meet my wife, Laila, Daughter of our Emir, Abdullah," I gave the Prince a nod and he placed a hand over his heart, his gaze kind.

"Salaam, iimr'at al'akh (sister in law) Welcome to the family! How are you finding the palace?"

"Yes, how is it daughter?" The Caliph reiterated, lowering to the cushions at the far end of the Pavillion, his hands flicking dismissively.

Servants, hidden behind the leafy trees, scurried forward with trays filled with food. All of us sat at our designated spots, Prince Khalid taking his place on the left side of his father, his wife next to him with Princess Zaynab at the end of the line. I took my place next to Prince Alizayd, who was seated on the right side of the Caliph.

"Very well, I thank you," I replied my eyes widening at the food being placed in front of me. There was enough to break the fasts of an entire Cairo neighborhood.

Piles of saffron-hued rice glistening with buttery fat and studded with dried fruit, mounds of creamy vegetables, stacks of fried almond-colored patties. There were sheets of flatbread as long as my arms and small clay bowls filled with more varieties of nuts, herbed cheeses, and fruit than I could identify.

Another one of the side tables was laden with pistachios, figs, almonds, grapes, quince chutney, small cucumbers, and an assortment of fresh herbs. But it all paled compared to the platter in front of me, the one which nearly toppled the servant carrying it: pink salmon and stuffed pigeons.

My heart went out to the poor women and children suffering on the streets of Cairo. My eyes stung with tears and I looked at the edge of the table, trying to regain my composure. Friday was three days away. Maybe I could convince the Prince to let me visit the market in the morning? I knew he could be persuaded.

A blush bloomed on my cheeks as my resolve hardened. I flicked my eyelashes upward, watching him eat from the corner of my eyes. His jaw worked in small precise motions and my stomach swooped at the stubble on his face. Would be suspect the manipulation? Or should I just ask?

My hand slipped slightly and I refocused my attention on the food in front of me, dipping pieces of bread into the tartly sweet chutney.

"I'm sure she likes the Palace, it is unlike anything she's ever known," Prince Khalid's wife, Amina muttered under her breath once the servants had moved back to their positions.

My hand stilled and I looked up, watching a myriad of emotions pass over Prince Alizayd's face.

"Just because she's from a common background does not mean you can belittle her like that Amina," Prince Khalid hissed.

My eyes widened in disbelief and I stifled a laugh. A common background? Did they not know who I was? I looked at the Caliph, who seemed to be studiously ignoring the discussion and was extremely focused on his food.

"She did get married to Ali. Our Ali," I raised an eyebrow at the possessiveness of those words. "In a span of two days. How did that come about? We're curious," silence followed her words, only disturbed by the chirping mynas.

All eyes turned to me and I seethed. It's not like I'd seduced him! This was an arranged marriage!

"It was the Caliph's decision," I answered keeping my temper in check.

Zaynab sighed with resignation. The Caliph studied me for a torturous instant before he gestured for a servant to fill his glass. I blinked not understanding his gaze.

"Please tell us Baba. What was the reasoning behind this decision? Why did you choose this girl... and not my brother in laws daughter?" I racked my brain trying to remember what Haleema had told me. Her brother in law...

I sucked in a shocked breath. She was talking about the Princess of Aleppo.

Uh oh. I worked my jaw looking at my husband. He stared at Amina, his gaze steely.

"I make my decisions based on facts daughter. That's all you need to know."

"Yes, thank you for making Ali's bride feel extremely uncomfortable on her first day. She must think we're monsters," Princess Zaynab joked and I cracked a tense smile. No one acknowledged her attempt to lighten the mood.

Amina bared her teeth. "It's nothing personal Laila," oh it definitely was. I did not trust that beautiful face for a second. I weighed my options.

Should I tell her who I was? I outranked her by my lineage. Or should I keep my safety in mind? Also, what did my husband know? What had the Caliph told him? How had he convinced him for the marriage? Why would he agree to get married to me, when he had a titled Princess on the cards?

The Caliph settled back, his eyes lazy and predatory. "I know what you're aiming towards... know that she is my choice and I would not choose wrongly for my children."

"With all due respect Baba, it is imperative that you tell us of your decision-making process. The Syrians are rioting and the Turks are pressing forward on our territory. Why did you tie Ali to this girl?" Tie? Was I camel?

My head snapped towards the Caliph. He stared at his son, his gaze sharp. Gone was the jovial man who had joked around with his daughter. The King was in full form.

I could now see where my husband had gotten his glowering face.

Taking pains to return my husband's subtle disregard, I plucked a grape from the tray and began to eat.

"Laila my darling why don't you let everyone know that you're the last remaining princess of the Seljuk Sultanate?"

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Oh my!