She had only ever seen him in a suit or scrubs, sometimes in jeans if he came in at night...
Adele had known the day they had met that he was a crown prince, but she had never really given it proper thought.
He had always been Zahir, Emergency Consultant, and the man she’d had a serious crush on.
Not any more.
Before her eyes he had become Crown Prince Sheikh Zahir Al Rahal, of Mamlakat Almas.
And that was scary at best.
Breakfast was cleared and they all took their seats.
Now the jet descended and to the right she could see a glittering ocean and then a palace. As beautiful as it was, Adele knew that soon, if they were discovered, she might not be welcome here.
As they landed she watched as he picked up the leather scabbard from the sofa and put it on.
The hilt of his sword was jewelled and for a brief second he looked up and their eyes met.
She was used to him flicking his gaze away.
Now she knew why.
Adele stood by Leila’s side to help her down the steps as the cockpit door opened.
The Queen had wrapped a scarf around her head and over her mouth and Adele attempted to do the same with hers.
The wind gave her the first taste of the desert.
Her scarf slid straight down and the hot air burnt in her lungs and she thought of the traditions and legends that Zahir had touched upon.
She doubted the desert was welcoming her.
THEY WERE DRIVEN the short distance from the runway to the palace.
As the car slowed to a halt Adele was pleasantly surprised when the door opened and she realised that it was Fatiq who had rushed to help his wife out of the car.
Leila gave a small cry of delight when she saw him and he was clearly pleased to see his wife and greeted her warmly.
For a moment Adele relaxed and she almost forgot he was a king.
But then she saw the look he shot at Zahir and she would never forget again.
They came into the entrance and Leila smiled at Adele. ‘I am going to go up to my suite. You will be taken care of.’
‘Thank you. Would you like me to help you up the stairs?’ Adele offered.
‘I will be fine.’
As Fatiq helped Leila up the steps she paused and held onto her stomach midway and bent over a little and he looked down at Zahir again.
Zahir stared back and Adele could feel the stand-off between the two men and it gave her goosebumps.
‘Samina will take care of you from now,’ Zahir informed her, and he walked off. She watched as guards opened two large engraved doors, which he went through.
The palace was splendid, and Adele had only seen the entrance.
There was a gentle, cool breeze and tiny hummingbirds were taking nectar from flowers even though they were inside. She looked at the dark staircase and ancient walls and heard the delicate sound of fountains.
She was shown to her suite and, as Leila had said, there was a stunning array of gowns for her to choose from.
Samina gave her some lessons, such as how to tie a scarf so it did not slide down and how to greet the King or Queen if they passed in the corridor.
‘We have a system,’ Samina explained. ‘If Queen Leila needs you, she will summon you with this...’ There was a small tablet by the bed. ‘If you are not in your suite the message will go directly to your phone.’
It was a surprisingly modern system, yet there was nothing modern about her suite which was beautiful.
There was a velvet rope above her bed, which Adele was told she was to use to summon meals. There was a carved stone stairway that led down to her own beach and, as she walked through the large lounge, Samina opened some shutters and Adele looked down at a stunning mosaic pool below that was hers to enjoy.
‘It is very private,’ Samina explained. ‘You can swim and if you want refreshments brought out to you, just pull the bell on the wall there.’ She pointed down to it. ‘Would you like supper here in your suite or down by the pool?’
Adele chose the pool.
It was so tranquil.
Even here tiny hummingbirds hovered and sipped nectar from the flowers, yet despite the gorgeous surroundings Leila couldn’t quite relax.
She had seen the look Fatiq had given his son. He blamed Zahir for his wife having surgery.
Adele was starting to understand just how resistant the King was to change.
And that left her and Zahir nowhere.
She called the nursing home and was told that her mother appeared comfortable and that there was no change.
There never was.
Later, Leila paged her and said that the palace healer would like to meet with her.
Samina took Adele through to the King and Queen’s wing and showed her to Leila’s room.
Outside was a robed man, who followed Leila inside.
He was introduced to her as the palace healer. Adele gave him the letter that Mr Oman had written and he read it and then spoke a little with Leila.
After he had gone she and Leila enjoyed a gentle stroll around the gardens. The sun was starting to set and there was the lovely sweet fragrance of jasmine.
‘Is it good to be home?’ Adele asked.
‘So good,’ Leila said. ‘I will enjoy the peace for now. Things are going to get very busy soon now that Zahir is back. My husband wants to move ahead with a selection ceremony so that Zahir can choose his bride, but I have said I am too weak for that just now. In a month’s time perhaps.’
And, yes, as much as it had hurt to hear it from Zahir, she was glad he had warned her so that she did not hear it first from his mother.
* * *
In the first few days, while Adele had worried she might be unnecessary, blissful as it was to mainly relax, she realised that Leila had been right to request a nurse to care for her in her home.
The Queen had some minor post-operative problems, which Adele was pleased to reassure her often happened.
‘I shall call Mr Oman and see if you need antibiotics.’
‘I want to speak with the palace healer also.’
Leila had seen him on the day she had arrived home but it had been a brief visit.
This was a more comprehensive consultation. He came to the Queen’s chambers and they spoke at length. Leila translated what was said.
‘He suggests that, starting tomorrow, I walk barefoot on the sand and that shall help my genitals and get me grounded.’
Adele blinked.
‘He wants me to take a course in the healing baths. I have to have another woman come with me. That will be you. He is also going to speak with the attar and have him prepare a remedy.’ Leila spoke with him again but they both were looking at Adele. ‘He says you carry too much tension in your solar plexus.’ Leila gave her a smile. ‘I agree.’
Adele nodded yet she was troubled, especially when a maid came to her room the following morning with a muslin bathing dress that she was to wear under her robe and also a slender vial from the attar.