beautiful.” Miri interjected, with a wicked smile, then spun and left her brother and Anya to speak alone.
“Your sister has a strange sense of humor,” Anya muttered and tried to step away from Jamal’s intimidating presence. Not a small woman, Anya found it disconcerting to have to tip her head to look up into Jamal’s deep ebony eyes. The heat she saw there made her gasp and heat to pool in her core.
A satisfied look settled over Jamal’s face. “Good, you felt it too, little dove.” He ran one finger down the smooth line of her cheek and turned and walked away. Anya stumbled to her place and Miri’s side and tried to put her scattered emotions together.
Miri’s delighted laugh tinkled. “My brother is making his move, Anya. He wants you.”
“For what?” Dazed, Anya could only gape at her.
“For his wife, silly.” Miri tried to hide her elation and failed, instead hugging Anya. “I will love having you for my sister.”
Anya sat frozen, unable to believe Miriam was serious. Jamal was a powerful, handsome man. She could not understand what he saw in her. “I don’t have time for romance now. Chiandra has to be my main concern. Isn’t your brother friends with Prince Jahan? How will you get him to keep silent?”
“My parents have made the decision. He will not go against their wishes. He may not like it or approve of it, but he also knows what Chia did for me. Don’t worry, he won’t betray Chia.” For a moment Miri was lost in her memories of that long ago evening and then with a tiny shudder, she forced it to the back of her mind. It did no good for her to dwell on that painful time.
“You are very fortunate to have such friends. As I am lucky you are mine. I will admit to you that I find Jamal very attractive.” Anya dared a peek at him and ducked her head when he winked at her.
“Very good. I’m going to check on Chia.” Miri stood gracefully and left the tent.
Jamal watched his sister leave and considered moving to Anya’s side. He planned on making her his wife. He decided he would woo her slowly and gently. He was well aware of her painful rejection by her former fiancé and privately thought the man was a fool, much to his good fortune. He would not make the same mistake. Anya would be his and soon.
Jamal was deeply concerned about Princess Chiandra. It went against all his instincts as a man to interfere between a man and his woman. He would be furious if someone interfered between Anya and himself. His honor was torn between duty to his prince and his family.
Chapter Fifteen
Chia rested quietly for the first time in days. Eventually she knew she would have to deal with Jahan and her parents. For now she was so grateful to Miri and her family for giving her refuge and a chance to find her way. She supposed it was her hormones going crazy that was making her so emotional.
The young servant entered the tent quietly and set up the tray of food. Seeing that Chiandra was awake, she left again and motioned for two young men to bring in a small tub of water. “This if for your bath. In the morning, Miss Miri will show you a place she likes to go bathe.”
“Thank you,” Chia murmured and slipped from the bed as they left. The water was just warm enough. In moments Chia was stripped and sponging away the sweat and grime from her trip. She saved enough water to wash her hair. When she was finished she felt so much better. Almost like a new woman. Miri had left an emerald caftan. When Chia pulled it on, it caressed her flesh like a lover’s touch.
“I knew it would be perfect with your eyes and your hair.” Miri sighed from just inside the tent.
“Miri, you nearly frightened me to death,” Chia scolded gently, her hand at her throat.
“Sorry. I just wa nted to check on you.” Miri ran a sharp eye over Chia, relieved to see how much better her friend was looking. “Your rest seems to have done you a world of good. Maybe that is all you need is a little peace and
“Your sister has a strange sense of humor,” Anya muttered and tried to step away from Jamal’s intimidating presence. Not a small woman, Anya found it disconcerting to have to tip her head to look up into Jamal’s deep ebony eyes. The heat she saw there made her gasp and heat to pool in her core.
A satisfied look settled over Jamal’s face. “Good, you felt it too, little dove.” He ran one finger down the smooth line of her cheek and turned and walked away. Anya stumbled to her place and Miri’s side and tried to put her scattered emotions together.
Miri’s delighted laugh tinkled. “My brother is making his move, Anya. He wants you.”
“For what?” Dazed, Anya could only gape at her.
“For his wife, silly.” Miri tried to hide her elation and failed, instead hugging Anya. “I will love having you for my sister.”
Anya sat frozen, unable to believe Miriam was serious. Jamal was a powerful, handsome man. She could not understand what he saw in her. “I don’t have time for romance now. Chiandra has to be my main concern. Isn’t your brother friends with Prince Jahan? How will you get him to keep silent?”
“My parents have made the decision. He will not go against their wishes. He may not like it or approve of it, but he also knows what Chia did for me. Don’t worry, he won’t betray Chia.” For a moment Miri was lost in her memories of that long ago evening and then with a tiny shudder, she forced it to the back of her mind. It did no good for her to dwell on that painful time.
“You are very fortunate to have such friends. As I am lucky you are mine. I will admit to you that I find Jamal very attractive.” Anya dared a peek at him and ducked her head when he winked at her.
“Very good. I’m going to check on Chia.” Miri stood gracefully and left the tent.
Jamal watched his sister leave and considered moving to Anya’s side. He planned on making her his wife. He decided he would woo her slowly and gently. He was well aware of her painful rejection by her former fiancé and privately thought the man was a fool, much to his good fortune. He would not make the same mistake. Anya would be his and soon.
Jamal was deeply concerned about Princess Chiandra. It went against all his instincts as a man to interfere between a man and his woman. He would be furious if someone interfered between Anya and himself. His honor was torn between duty to his prince and his family.
Chapter Fifteen
Chia rested quietly for the first time in days. Eventually she knew she would have to deal with Jahan and her parents. For now she was so grateful to Miri and her family for giving her refuge and a chance to find her way. She supposed it was her hormones going crazy that was making her so emotional.
The young servant entered the tent quietly and set up the tray of food. Seeing that Chiandra was awake, she left again and motioned for two young men to bring in a small tub of water. “This if for your bath. In the morning, Miss Miri will show you a place she likes to go bathe.”
“Thank you,” Chia murmured and slipped from the bed as they left. The water was just warm enough. In moments Chia was stripped and sponging away the sweat and grime from her trip. She saved enough water to wash her hair. When she was finished she felt so much better. Almost like a new woman. Miri had left an emerald caftan. When Chia pulled it on, it caressed her flesh like a lover’s touch.
“I knew it would be perfect with your eyes and your hair.” Miri sighed from just inside the tent.
“Miri, you nearly frightened me to death,” Chia scolded gently, her hand at her throat.
“Sorry. I just wa nted to check on you.” Miri ran a sharp eye over Chia, relieved to see how much better her friend was looking. “Your rest seems to have done you a world of good. Maybe that is all you need is a little peace and
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