Desert Song (DeWinter's Song 3) (15 page)

"I cannot take this," Michael insisted. "It's far too valuable."

"Nothing is as valuable as friendship."

Michael had learned much in the Sawarka camp—most of all he had learned to respect the old sheik. While Hakeem had tricked him into buying the silver knife, he had given him a gift of a much greater value.

A rooster crowed, announcing the impending dawn, and already the heat was punishing. Clansmen emerged from their tents to prostrate themselves on the sand for morning prayer.

The camp was filled with the sound of children's laughter as they rose from their beds to begin their appointed chores.

This simple people knew a peace that many would never encounter or understand. If Michael had not gained the friendship of Khaldun, he would never have known this world existed, and he certainly would not have been allowed to walk among them as a trusted friend.

The whole camp turned out to wish the travelers a happy journey. The heavily guarded caravan moved away from the encampment carrying gold, jewels, and the most precious jewel of all, Prince Khaldun's bride.

Slowly, they wound their way past granite hills, and into the ocean of sand. Tirelessly, the camels left their tracks in the desolate wilderness.

As the sun reached its zenith, the desert was strangely silent, but for the tinkling of bells that decorated the camels.

At night, the women's tents were set up within a ring of safety, while the tents of the men were putside that circle. Michael had no contact with the women, except for Yasmin's serving woman, who kept him informed on how the princess was faring.

When the caravan was a day's journey from Kamar Ginena, Prince Khaldun rode out to meet them. He greeted Michael with enthusiasm, but kept casting furtive glances at the tent that Princess Yasmin occupied.

From behind her filmy veil, Yasmin watched the prince with anxious eyes. She had heard he was fair to look upon, but she could not see his face. She glanced at her servant. "Surely he sits his horse well."

"I see he does, Princess Yasmin."

"He appears to be very tall."

"He sits tall on his horse," the servant agreed.

"If only I could see him, talk to him. I have loved him for so long, but until now he has been faceless. Oh, Abba, I do so want to see his face."

At that moment, Khaldun turned his head, and she saw his finely chiseled features. "Abba, he is beautiful. Will we not have beautiful children?"

"That is so, my princess."

Yasmin lowered her head. "He is too handsome to have only one wife. He will surely take many wives after me."

"That is his right, but you will be head wife and the princess. The lesser wives will honor you, as will Prince Khaldun."

"Yes," Yasmin said sadly. "But I want more than honor, I want his heart."

Michael sat in the shadow of the campfire, staring at his friend. "Well, aren't you going to ask me?"

Khaldun tossed a stone in the fire and watched the sparks fly. "Ask you what?"

"I told you I have seen the face of your bride."

Khaldun's eyes showed his anger. "It isn't right that you should see my bride before me."

Michael suppressed a smile. "It was her father's decision."

"It should not have happened."

Michael became serious. "Princess Yasmin's thoughts were only of you."

Khaldun stood and walked away from camp, and Michael followed him. "The bridegroom squirms," Michael observed.

Khaldun turned to his friend. "You must tell me, I can wait no longer. Is her face tattooed?"

Michael laughed. "I can assure you, it is not. I believe the moment you see her, you will lose your heart, because she is very fair."

"She is passingly pretty?"

"More than passing, I would say."

"I cannot meet her until my father presents her to me."

"That will be tomorrow night. Not so long to wait."

"Do you not yearn for your lady love?"

"I, er, have hardly had time to give her a thought."

"If I loved the one with the red hair and the blue eyes, I would think of nothing but her."

Michael laughed. "Thoughts of another woman could be dangerous when your bride is nearby."

"You are not jealous that I think Lady Mallory is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen?"

"I'm not. Although I believe you exaggerate. She is pretty and she has much spirit, so I suppose you could call her beautiful."

"I say she is beautiful."

Again Michael smiled. "As you wish." Someday he would have to tell his friend that he'd never lost his heart to Lady Mallory, but not until Khaldun was safely married to Princess Yasmin.

Chapter 17

Mallory licked her dry lips, craving a cool drink of water. Didn't these Arabs ever stop? Didn't they ever get thirsty?

Her hands were tied in front of her, and she had to hold on tightly to keep from being unseated from the horse.

They had been riding for three days, stopping only to rest the horses every few hours, and then they would lift her back in the saddle. Each day took her farther from civilization.

At first she'd kept demanding to be released, but one of the men had struck her hard across the face and ordered her to remain silent. After a while, she found it easier to comply. Her eyes were almost swollen shut, and she longed for a cool compress to soothe the pain.

At last they came to an oasis, and she was lifted from the horse and shoved onto the sand. She crawled toward the spring and cupped her hands, raising water to her lips. One of the men grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back.

"Do not drink fast. I will not have a sick woman."

She nodded and eased herself away, taking small sips of water. Once she had satisfied her thirst, she dunked her head in the water, washing the sand from her hair and face.

Mallory looked about her, wondering if the men meant to feed her. One was tending to the horses, and one had walked up on a sand dune, apparently as a lookout. She stood up and stretched her aching muscles. At least she had satisfied her thirst and it was cooler here.

She sat down and braced her back against a date palm and closed her eyes. She was so exhausted that she immediately fell asleep.

When the caravan entered Kamar Ginena, the whole city turned out to greet them. Children ran along beside Princess Yasmin's camel, strewing flower petals along the path. The Jebeliya women smiled and tried to peer past the silk covering for a glimpse of her face.

Prince Khaldun looked more like a man who was about to be executed than a bridegroom. Michael had every confidence that when his friend saw the princess, he would not be so downcast.

When they reached the palace, the princess's bodyguards led her inside and away from curious eyes.

Princess Yasmin entered a world like none she could have imagined, and her heart was filled with joy.

The night finally arrived when Khaldun's bride would be presented to him at a family banquet. The next day would be the wedding, and already there was celebrating in the streets.

Khaldun paced the floor of his bedroom while Michael watched him with a smile on his lips. He couldn't resist baiting the prince.

"I can see why you might be worried since you will be spending the whole of your life with this woman you have never seen."

Khaldun stopped before Michael. "I have already made a decision. After a decent interval of, say, a month, I shall take two other wives, and they will be of my own choosing."

"I, for one, wouldn't want to be burdened with more than one wife," Michael stated. "I have found the female of the species to be jealous and possessive."

"I will not permit such jealousy. A husband must be master of his own house."

"You have much to learn about women, my friend. It's my belief that they are born with the ability to complicate a man's life."

"Does Lady Mallory complicate your life?"

Michael was thoughtful. "Most assuredly. But I also have to admit that without her help, I would probably be dead. I call her my angel."

"You have not said when you and Lady Mallory will marry. If you love her, should you not make her your wife as soon as possible?"

"My only goal at the moment is finding and gaining my father's release. Until that is accomplished, I want no woman in my life."

Michael picked up Khaldun's red-and-silver robe and held it while he slipped into it. "I believe we should go now. You don't want to be late for your own wedding banquet."

"I would rather not go," Khaldun said with despair showing in his eyes. "Tell me again that her face is not tattooed. It is most important that you speak the truth— if she is ugly, admit it so I can be prepared."

Michael tried not to laugh, and he pretended seriousness. "You will soon see for yourself."

"I must know before I see her, so I will not shame myself and my father by turning away in disgust."

"Her face in not tattooed, and she is most pleasing to the eye."

"You would not say this if it were not true? You would not try to spare my feelings?"

"I would not," Michael assured him. "Let us join the banquet, so you can determine her worthiness for yourself."

The great hall was filled with dignitaries who had gathered from neighboring tribes to join in the festivities.

Michael, seated at the high table next to Prince Khaldun, was glad to see that the king looked so well. The ruler was in a jovial mood and kept everyone laughing at his wit.

Yasmin, draped in shimmering gold, sat silently beside her father. Because of her veil, no one could see that her eyes never left the prince's face.

Michael noticed that Khaldun ate little, often looking at the woman wearing the veil.

"The bridegroom is showing his nervousness," Michael whispered to him, enjoying himself. "What happened to the fearless warrior who faced danger without flinching? Can one small woman steal your bravery?"

The prince merely lowered his head, feeling even more miserable. "I sit within throwing distance of my bride, and yet I do not know her, nor do I wish to know her."

"You will meet her after you dine. Perhaps that's why you prolong the meal."

"I would rather feel the bite of a scorpion than see what is behind that veil."

* * *

Khaldun and Yasmin stood before their fathers, both staring straight ahead and not at each other. The only people present in the great hall were family members and Michael.

At last the king took Princess Yasmin's hand and placed it on Prince Khaldun's. He felt his son stiffen and knew what he was feeling. "It is allowed that the two of you may be alone for a brief moment, so you can become acquainted. The moon is bright and the sweet smell of hibiscus fills the garden. Walk there, my children, and talk with each other for the first time."

Khaldun looked down at the dainty hand in his and wanted to fling it away. His bow was rigid. "Shall we walk in the garden?" he asked stiffly.

A soft voice answered breathlessly. "Yes, please."

They moved out the door while the two fathers smiled and nodded their heads. "Soon we will have grandchildren to comfort us in our old age," the king said with feeling.

Sheik Hakeem hooked his thumbs in the sash around his waist and looked with pride at his friend. "I already have seventeen grandchildren."

"Ah, yes, my friend, but I have only one wife, while you have four. And I have only my son and his two sisters, while you have seven sons and sixteen daughters."

"Yes, but none are as dear to me as my little Yasmin."

Yasmin could see the anger in Khaldun's eyes, and it pierced her heart. She had not thought that he might not want to marry her. Perhaps he loved another and resented the fact that she was to be his number-one wife.

"The garden is lovely. Kamar Ginena is truly a moon garden and wondrous to behold. I have never seen anything as magnificent as the palace. I will be happy to live here with you, Prince Khaldun."

He dropped her hand. "You will not miss your nomadic life?"

"Since I was seven, and my mother told me that I was to become the bride of a great prince, I have dreamed of this time. I am happy to be here."

"You have an advantage over me, Yasmin, you know what I look like."

"Then it is time you looked upon my face. I have also been afraid of this moment, fearing you would not like me."

She reached up and removed the gold tassels that circled her head and slowly raised the translucent veil, while Khaldun stood transfixed.

First he saw the full lips and then a delicate nose. He caught his breath as he looked into deep brown eyes that were shining and soft. Her brows were gently arched. His heart stopped beating, and he could only stare at her.

"I feared you would think me ugly." She ducked her head. "I realized today that you do not love me as I love you."

He reached out his hand and raised her chin, while his heart swelled with pride in her beauty. Oh, she was an enchanting creature. "You love me?" he asked in wonder.

"I cannot remember a time when I did not love you," she admitted shyly. "At first I loved you as a child loves an older brother, then I loved you as a woman. Please say I have not disappointed you."

"No, Yasmin, you have not disappointed me. I consider myself a very fortunate man to have you as my wife."

Tears gathered in her eyes. "If this were not true, you would not say it, would you?"

He cupped her face in his hands. "You have my promise there will only be truth between us."

As he bent his dark head and gently kissed away her tears, he felt her small body tremble. His heart was singing—was it possible for love to come so quickly? he wondered. Already the memory of the flaming-haired Lady Mallory was fading from his mind.

The wedding was private, with only close friends and relatives in attendance.

"Two great families joined together," Hakeem said with pride.

"Our friendship is sealed for all time," the king said. "If ever the Sawarka is attacked by enemies, or are in any trouble, the Jebeliya will come to your defense."

"That is also true if you are in trouble. Let it be a vow between us since the same blood will run in the veins of our grandchildren from this union."

In a bed draped with translucent silk, Princess Yasmin came to her husband. He took her hand and gently pulled her to him.

"I tremble at the thought of holding you in my arms," he said, brushing his face against her sweet-smelling hair.

Yasmin had yearned for this night for so long, now that it was here, she suddenly lost her shyness. She pulled away from him and slowly and deliberately removed the silken gown, allowing it to drop from her fingers.

He stared at her, unable to speak as she took his hand and placed it on her face. "My body and my mind were formed so they would give you pleasure. I will never turn away from you, and you will always have my heart."

He was filled with her loveliness. His hand moved over her soft skin that was the color of golden honey. 'Tasmin, I could never have imagined that you would be this beautiful."

"I always wanted to be pretty for you. Everything I learned was to please you." She moved his hand down her neck to her breasts. "Do I please you?"

He closed his eyes, his heart too full to speak.

"Feel how my heart is beating?" she whispered, wishing the tears had not gathered in her eyes. "It beats so hard I can scarcely breathe."

His hand began to circle her breasts, but she pulled it away and slid it to her smooth stomach. "I was built to receive you and to bear your children."

Khaldun felt love so strong it frightened him. Gently, he pulled her against his body, and she melted against him. "Your mouth," he murmured, "was made for my kisses."

"Yes," she said, as they both drifted onto the marriage bed.