Stolen by the Desert King by Clare Connelly

Author:Clare Connelly [Connelly, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

*

Kylie stifled a yawn. It was only four o’clock, but her night had been disturbed and her day had been busy. She was exhausted.

“That’s enough for today.” Aïna, ever watchful, emerged from the side of the room, her manner strict as she addressed the women who had come to speak to Kylie about the décor of her apartment. Apparently she could have it fitted out in any way she wished. The idea that she was happy with the existing furnishings was something people were finding difficult to grasp.

“We have only two more albums…” The older woman murmured, reaching into the portfolio at her side.

“Enough.” Aïna was firm. “The Sheikha is finished for the day.”

Kylie was. Her head was swimming with all the information she’d been presented with. So many decisions to make and none of them seeming that important to Kylie. She had tried to involve herself in matters such as when the public day of celebration would be for her birthday and when she might be able to sit for an official portrait, but apathy was seeping into her bones. Or perhaps it was boredom.

These matters were inconsequential.

They were not what filled her mind.

She stretched restlessly and stood, the beautiful dress from that morning still feeling like something floaty and magical; like something from a dream.

“It looks hot out there,” she remarked, moving towards the doors that led to her balcony.

“Yes, ma’am. A warm one.”

“Still…” She pulled a door inwards. Heat rushed her as though from an oven. She took a breath and stepped out. And smiled.

Though Sydney was humid and this was dry, the sun was the same. Strong and enlivening. She held her hands over her head.

“Can I send some ice tea up?”

“No, thank you. I thought… perhaps I might go for a walk.”

“Oh, yes.” Aïna nodded. “I’ll call for your maids.”

“No, no,” Kylie’s laugh was soft. “I don’t need maids. I’ll stay within the palace.”

“Oh…”

“Really, Aïna. I’ve spent the whole day in company. I’d like to be by myself for a while.”

Aïna’s indecision was obvious, but eventually, she nodded. “You will ask for help if you need it.”

“Of course. What do you think? I’m going to get lost? Perhaps I should leave a trail of breadcrumbs as I go.”

It was only a joke, but after half an hour of wandering, Kylie realised with bemusement that she had no damned clue where she was. She paused at a large window, trying to orientate herself from the location of the city and the desert, and drew a blank. To the best of her recollection, she was on the opposite side of the building to her suite of rooms. She could see the fringe of the desert, but there were trees too, hundreds of them, and they called to her.

Telling herself there’d be servants to help her find her way back, she kept walking until she came to a large, wide marble staircase. There were perhaps thirty steps, all sunken in the middle from years of use. She practically ran down and, sure enough, at the doors that led to the exit, four guards stood immobile.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.