The Ice Maiden's Sheikh Read Online Free Page A

Companions, and promised to marry him.
    â€œShowing the way for us all!” Jalia’s mother declared, wiping from her eye a tear which in no way clouded its beady gaze on her elder daughter.
    Her mother had been convinced then that Jalia had only to flutter her lashes to similarly knock Latif Abd al Razzaq to his knees, and was almost desperate for her daughter to make the attempt.
    Princess Muna had wasted no time in checking out the handsome Cup Companion’s marital status and background: not merely the Sultan’s Cup Companion, but since the death of his father two years ago, the leader of his tribe.
    â€œHe’s called the Shahin, Jalia. No one’s sure whether the word is an ancient word for king or really does mean falcon, as the myth says, but the holder of that title is traditionally one of the most respectedvoices on the Tribal Council. Not that Ghasib ever consulted the council, but the Sultan will.”
    Although Jalia hadn’t believed for a minute that the fierce-eyed sheikh was attracted to her, the mere thought of what complications would ensue if he or any Bagestani should declare himself had terrified her. She had gone home as soon as politeness allowed.
    Of course she couldn’t refuse to return to Bagestan for the wedding, but this time she had come with insurance—Michael’s engagement ring on her finger. Now when she was asked whether she intended to make the Return, Jalia could dutifully murmur that she had her future husband to consider. No one could argue with that.
    â€œWhy do you say this is a wild-goose chase?”
    The Cup Companion’s voice broke in on her thoughts. Jalia jolted back into the here and now and gazed at him for a moment.
    â€œYou think Noor ran of her own accord, do you?” she said at last.
    â€œShe was seen driving the car herself.”
    â€œAnd if that’s so, it means she’s changed her mind about the wedding?”
    â€œDo you doubt it?”
    Jalia shrugged. That wasn’t her point. “That being the case, do you honestly imagine that, even assuming we find her, we’re just going to bring her meekly back to marry Bari?”
    â€œWomen do not always know their own minds,” Latif said with comfortable masculine arrogance.
    It was the kind of thing that made her want to hit him. Jalia sat with her fists clenching in her lap.
    â€œIs that so?”
    â€œYour powers of persuasion may have undermined her. But she will return to her senses when she realizes what she has done. Then she will be glad to know that there is a way back.”
    â€œOr perhaps she’s come to her senses!” Jalia countered sharply. “That’s why she ran. It’s a pity it took her so long, that’s all.”
    â€œBut of course—she did not come to her senses until she agreed with you!”
    The sarcasm burned like acid.
    â€œShe was rushing into marriage with a complete stranger, which would entail a total transformation of her life, and on the basis of what? Nothing more than sex! Would you encourage someone to do what Noor was doing?”
    He turned and gave her a look of such black emotion she almost quailed. “Why not?” he demanded grimly.
    If Noor had simply bolted, it was going to cause hideous embarrassment all around, but surely anything was better than to marry in haste? Noor had been totally swept away by Bari’s looks and wealth and sex appeal, but that was no foundation for a marriage, still less for uprooting from everything she knew and transplanting to Bagestan.
    â€œFor a start, because she’s not in love with him! She’s blinded by—”
    â€œIf she does not love him yet, it will not be long coming. Bari will see to that, once they are married.”
    Jalia’s mouth fell open, angry irritation skittering along her spine. “Oh, a man can make a woman love him, just like that?”
    â€œWhat kind of man cannot make his own wife love