The Sheikh's Secret Princess Read online

  The queen was talking to the king of Al-Badry who was a dear friend to the royal family. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tiana dancing with Basil and she wondered what she was up to now. It seemed like she always had something up her sleeve. Moments later, the King joined them. He stood next to the queen and placed his hand on the small of her back touching her gently as he conversed with the king of Al-Badry.

  As the evening drew to a close, the King bid farewell to the guests. He wanted to retire to his quarters alone but Tiana would not let him. He had danced with Saja and the queen but not her and she wanted her time with him. The King sighed and allowed her to retire with him, as he could not convince her otherwise. She could be so stubborn at times, that it was often easier to give in to avoid a fight.

  Basil and Saja retired to their quarters. They were returning to their own home the next day after residing at the palace for a month while Saja recuperated. “Relief,” Saja cried out when she took her shoes off and threw herself on the bed. Her feet had been killing her. Being in heels and on her feet for hours was not easy.

  “There will be more of these events in the future,” Basil warned her. He loosened his bowtie and took it off before unbuttoning his shirt.

  “I know,” Saja groaned in complaint. “When you're done, come take mine off too,” she was too tired to get up and undress herself. Basil turned to look at her to see if that was a sexual invite. It was usually hard to tell, as Saja was bad at seduction. He saw her lying on the bed facing upwards. It definitely was not an invite. He shook his head.

  “You are so lazy,” he commented as he took off his trousers. Saja laughed in response. She was indeed. Basil got into bed after undressing himself. “Switch the lights off when you're done.”

  Saja jerked her head up and opened her mouth. “You are seriously not going to undress me?”

  “No. Goodnight.”

  “Oh, Basil! That is not fair.” Saja reluctantly sat up and started removing her dress. Basil smiled to himself as he watched his wife undress. As she sat back down on the bed, he snaked an arm out and wrapped it around her waist, dragging her onto the bed. He couldn’t help but chuckle as Saja squealed in indignation. Pinning her beneath him, he pulled her arms over her head as she snorted. Her indignation quickly shifted to moans as Basil began nuzzling her neck.

  Basil cupped one breast as he kissed along her collarbone. Blazing a path down her chest, he lavished attention on her nipples as he gently massaged each breast. Saja melted against him as she tugged at her wrists. Releasing them, Basil propped himself up as he kissed and sucked her nipples until she was writhing beneath him. Sliding slowly down her body, he continued to rain kisses on her until he reached her mound. Rising up on his knees, he lifted her legs to his shoulders as he lightly kissed the inside of her thighs. Saja ran her fingers through his hair as she silently encouraged him to keep going, but Basil had other ideas. Cupping her hips and cheeks, he massaged them as he continued to kiss and lick everywhere but where Saja wanted him.

  “Basil,” Saja groaned as she pushed against his head.

  Chuckling, “Yes, my love?”

  “What are you waiting for?”

  “Why, whatever do you mean?” he asked as he continued to kiss along her thighs. Blowing lightly on her mound, Saja sucked in a breath.

  “Basil…”

  “What is it, my sweet?” he asked as he licked higher up her leg. “Tell me what you want me to do to you.”

  Saja squirmed beneath him. “Basil, I…you know what I want,” she responded as she tugged on his hair. Moving her hand from his head, he placed it on her leg.

  “If you are uncomfortable with the words, point. Where would you like me to kiss you?” Kissing along her thigh, “Here?” As Saja nodded, she slowly moved her hand to point to her other leg. “Here?” At her moan, she pointed to her mound. Kissing her gently, Saja raised her hips to give him more access. “Where, Saja?” he asked as he continued to kiss her lightly.

  Tentatively, Saja slid her hand across her mound as Basil watched. With two fingers, she parted her hood exposing her clit, which felt as though it was pulsing against her fingers. “Here, Basil,” she said breathlessly. “Right here.”

  “As you wish,” he crooned, before he dipped his head to suck her clit into his mouth. At her cry of pleasure, all thoughts of the game vanished as he tightened his grip on her hips and pulled her tightly against his mouth. Saja was caught off guard at his sudden passion and bucked against him as she came. Not allowing her time to come down, he entered her swiftly and began pumping in and out, as Saja convulsed around him milking his cock with each thrust. Groaning loudly, he shortened his thrusts as his own orgasm rolled through him.

  Collapsing next to her, he pulled her against him, hugging her tightly. “I love you, my princess,” he murmured as he kissed her neck. Snuggling against him, Saja mumbled her response before falling asleep in his arms.

  Chapter 3

  It was late afternoon the next day. The maids packed their belongings into the car, readying to return to their home. The King walked out with Saja's arm linked around his. Saja was giving him her words of wisdom before she left. He was to talk to his women and sort out the situation. Avoiding them was never going to solve anything. The King laughed. He knew that she was right. It was about time he produced an heir and silenced both of them. However, he did not want to have a child with either one of them. Their reasons for producing an heir were political and he was not interested in raising a child in that kind of an environment.

  He embraced Saja as he bid her farewell. “Be good,” she said to him and walked to the car. The King looked at Basil for support but he shrugged his shoulders. He agreed with his wife. “Stay well, brother,” Basil said to the King.

  “I will, travel safely. Bring me nephews and nieces soon,” the King teased. Basil looked at him and raised his eyebrow. They had only been married for a short time.

  “Shouldn’t you go first, big brother?” Basil questioned as he got into the car beside Saja. Looking at Saja, he couldn’t help but think that it was not such a bad idea. He was looking forward to having children with Saja. He smiled at the thought of what a great mother she would make.

  The King sighed as he headed back into the palace. He slid his hands in his pockets. The day was almost over; there was no point in returning to the office so he decided to go for a walk. He had a feeling either Amira or Tiana would be waiting for him in his quarters. They had already bid their farewell to Saja and Basil earlier and neither had been seen since.

  The King headed toward the palace gardens. He always found the gardens so peaceful and calming, particularly when he had much on his mind. He came to a halt when he saw a familiar figure. It was Zara. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. This was the third time in the same week. She was sitting on one of the rocks by the rockery, throwing stones in the pond. She missed most of the time.

  “You have bad aim,” came a deep voice from behind Zara. She turned sharply and saw the King standing there with his hands in his pockets. She jumped to her feet and bowed her head. He sat down on one of the rocks and gestured for Zara to sit down next to him. Her eyes widened slightly as she sat down slowly. She had no idea what to think of his sudden interest in her.

  “Your Majesty, what brings you by?” she asked him.

  “I come here sometimes. Great place to clear my head.” He picked up a stone and threw it in the pond. “That is how you do it.”

  “Well, I did get some in.” Zara answered defensively.

  The King laughed softly. “What brings you here?”

  “Clearing my head also.”

  “Something bothering you?”

  Zara looked up at him. “Nothing, your Majesty.” She could not possibly start discussing her life story with the King. Why would he care? The King turned to look at her. She looked down as soon as their eyes met.

  “Relax and tell me what is on your mind.” He realised that his presence was rather intimidating and sh
e was not going to open up to him about her life.

  “It's nothing serious.”

  “Then tell me about yourself.”

  “Myself?” Zara laughed awkwardly. “There is nothing interesting about me, look at me.”

  The King studied her silently for a moment. “I am,” he said softly. Zara looked down as she blushed. His gaze made her feel shy. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking and when she looked up, he was still looking at her. She sighed and decided to tell him a little bit about herself. He seemed rather persistent.

  “Well, I’m twenty-three years old and we moved to Quabeca after my father died. My mother was pregnant with my sister at the time and we’ve been here ever since. I was going to the university, but had to quit. My mother. She needs me. She’s ill and needs to see the doctor a lot and while my sister helps, she’s only thirteen and it isn’t fair to her. She needs to be a kid and have fun.” Zara’s voice trailed off, as she worried that she might have said too much. Peeking under her lashes, she looked at the King, unsure what to say next.

  “What were you studying at the university?”

  “Nursing.”

  “Palace maid seems like a far cry from nursing,” the King said gently.

  Zara laughed. “True. And admittedly, it’s much harder. There are days that I can’t seem to do anything right. But it’s close to home and my schedule is such that I can take care of my family.” Zara suddenly gasped and jumped up. She told the King she had to go, she was late once again. She bowed twice and apologised for leaving abruptly before running off. The King shook his head in amusement as he headed back to the palace.

  The King found the queen pacing back and forth in his quarters when he returned. He could already tell she was angry based on her body language. He had a feeling it had something to do with Tiana. It was the only thing that angered her so. He approached her slowly and took her hands in his.

  “My queen, what troubles you?” he asked.

  “You need to speak with your concubine otherwise I will deal with her as I see fit,” Amira cried out. The King led her to the sofas. He had a feeling that it was going to be a lengthy conversation.

  “What offences has she committed now?” It was always something. Tiana was a bit of a troublemaker. She never feared the queen, as she should. Being the mistress, she ought to have more respect for the queen.

  “I will not tolerate her disrespecting me any longer. I am the queen and she is the concubine! She needs to learn her place!”

  The King had heard those words far too many times but this time her tone was different. Tiana must have really gotten under skin, as she was very angry this time. There was a different look in her eyes. Suddenly he remembered Saja’s words cautioning him about his women. He needed to handle the situation.

  “I will speak with her, please calm down, Amira.”

  “You should.” The queen was still huffing with anger. “If you don’t, I will do something about her.” The King rubbed her hands and pulled her into an embrace.

  “Come, have supper with me.” She nodded in agreement. They stood from the sofas and headed over to the dining table. The King decided to speak about politics in order to divert her attention away from Tiana. The queen finally calmed down and engaged in conversation with him as the maids brought out their food and served them.

  Despite the palace being large, news travelled fast. That very night, Tiana learned that Amira was in the King's quarters and spending the night. It had been a few months since she had spent the night there. Why now? She must have told the King about their earlier dispute. Of course, she would do that to get him on her side. She was becoming more and more conniving.

  “Please calm down, my lady,” Miriam; Tiana's maid advised her.

  “How can I be calm when she is spending the night with him?” Tiana cried out. The queen was a mere figurehead; she did not belong with the King. Tiana was not pleased as she angrily paced the floor. “I have to do something about that woman,” she seethed under her breath. It only took one time to get pregnant and this better not be the one, Tiana thought to herself.

  Chapter 4

  Tiana was with the palace’s head seamstress, as she wanted new clothes made for herself. The palace sewing room was next to the laundry facilities and the maids were watching her in awe. Most of them had never seen her in person. Zara was amongst the spectators. At first, she was not very interested but when she saw everyone rush to the windows, she wondered what the curiosity was all about. Beautiful, Zara thought to herself. Tiana was tall and carried herself with grace. Her honey-coloured skin glowed framed against her ebony-coloured hair. It was no wonder the King made her his mistress.

  Just as Tiana was in the midst of giving out orders, Amira walked in. She, too, was beautiful and tall, as she carried herself with an elegance befitting a queen. Her maids bowed their heads to Tiana. Tiana’s maids along with everyone else bowed their heads to the queen. The queen asked what was happening. The head seamstress informed her that they were making clothes for Tiana as per her instructions.

  “What is it to you what I am doing?” Tiana demanded of Amira.

  “How impudent of you. Modify your tone immediately and show some respect,” Amira said calmly.

  Tiana laughed before she replied, “And if I don't?” her tone was even cockier. She was confident that the queen would not do anything to her. The queen turned her attention to the seamstress.

  “Do not sew anything without my authorization,” the queen instructed her. The seamstress stood there unsure what to do. Tiana had just instructed her to sew clothes for her and now the queen was instructing her otherwise.

  “Excuse me? Are you saying she cannot make my clothes without your approval?”

  “That is exactly what I am saying.”

  “Just who do you think you are?”

  “The queen,” she replied calmly as she turned her attention to the seamstress. “Do as I say or lose your job.”

  “Ye…ye...Yes, your Highness,” replied the seamstress who bowed her head multiple times. She quickly packed up the fabric that Tiana had picked out for her dresses.

  “Oh, so one night in the King's bed makes you arrogant?” Tiana frowned at the queen.

  “Your impudence is maddening. You have no respect and it is about time I put you in your place,” the queen said. As she turned to leave, she instructed the maids to report to her first if Tiana requested anything.

  Tiana almost passed out from humiliation. She was mortified that the queen had pulled rank on her in front of the staff. Now the maids were going to fear the queen and not her making them less inclined to do what she ordered, as she now appeared weak in front of them. Regardless, she walked out of the room with her head held high vowing revenge.

  “Are they always like this?” Zara asked Rachael; a fellow laundry maid and friend.

  “So I hear,” Rachael replied and crossed her arms over her chest. “Apparently, there is never peace between them,” she added. Zara sighed.

  “Stop loitering around and get back to work!” the laundry supervisor shouted. All of the maids scrambled from the windows and returned to their duties.

  The King received the news of the quarrel between Tiana and Amira later that afternoon. He grunted out of annoyance when he heard it. There was never a moment of peace. Just the day before, they had argued. And now today, they were arguing again. He decided to speak with Tiana as Amira had requested.

  The King arrived at Tiana's quarters moments later. As soon as he walked in, she ran into his arms and embraced him. “I am so glad to see you,” she said to him during the embrace. She held his hands in hers and searched his eyes. She immediately told him about the earlier incident. She had never been so humiliated in her life. It was unfair and uncalled for. The King led her to the sofas and asked one of the maids to prepare them lunch.

  “She does have a point,” the King said gently. Tiana's eyes flew open.

  “What!” she cried out.

  �
�Calm down and listen to what I have to say first.” Tiana nodded and apologised. “You must remember your place. Amira is the queen and despite how you may feel about her, she does have authority over you. Your rudeness and lack of respect have gone on far too long and it was what caused the queen to be so infuriated with you.” Tiana sat there and listened to the King speak. She could not believe her ears. Was he actually taking the queen’s side?

  “I know that look.” The King held her face in his hands.

  “What look, your Majesty?”

  “I am not taking sides.” He leaned in and pressed a small kiss on her lips. “The queen is a formidable woman and so long as you continue to cause trouble, she will do the same.”

  “Are you saying that I am NOT formidable?”