Wild Desert Princess (4 page)

Amanda moved nearer to the doctor and seeing Chia was asleep she whispered “How is she?  Is the baby all right?  How can we pull her out of this depression she’s slipped into?”

“Considering that nasty gash on her head, she’s quite all right.  Jahan will have to restrain his passions now and allow her time to heal,” he said referring delicately to the marks he’d seen on Chia.

“Yes, I agree.  I don’t think she’s capable of handling any more right now.  Will she be able to attend her wedding next week?”

Dr. Kahn’s brows raised, but he was also well aware of the political need for Jahan’s heir to be born legitimately. “She may be in a daze for most of the next couple of weeks.  Her mind is trying to find a way to deal with all that has happened to her in the past month.  She must be kept as calm as possible for the sake of the child.”

“Very well, doctor.  Do you think she needs to go to the hospital?” Amanda fought to remain strong.  She could barely stand to see Chia so hurt.  Even as a child, she’d been fearless, her spirit wild and untamed.  In just one short month Jahan had robbed her of her
vitality, the spark that made her so unique. He had dimmed the spirit that had drawn him to her from the beginning.

“If she can stay here in her own bed, surrounded by familiar things.  I
will allow her to stay here.  If not, I’ll admit her to the hospital where I can control her visitors and her stress level.”

“
She’ll be fine here.  I will make sure she’s allowed to rest and recover.” A thin thread of steel hardened Amanda’s normally soft voice. She was done letting those two arrogant men have their way. This was her child and she would protect her, whatever it took.

“Good.  Here’s some prenatal vitamins, I want her to start taking them when she awakens and has her meal.  Tomorrow I’ll s
top by and see how she’s faring.”

Amanda led hi
m down the steps and bid him a goodnight.  Squaring her shoulders, she opened the door to Malek’s study and walked in.  She spared Jahan a brief, cold glare and turned her attention to her husband.  Lord, he was still so handsome, still able to make her melt with just one slow burning look.  Taking a deep breath, she spoke, “Dr. Khan has just left.”

Jahan jumped to his feet, pacing restlessly over the following carpet, his handed raking his long hair impatiently away from his face. “How is she?” he demanded gruffly.

“She’s sedated and resting right now.” Amanda warily watched Jahan.  He reminded her of a caged lion and a hungry one at that.

“Sedated!  She shouldn’t have drugs if she’s pregnant!” he snarled.

“Do you wish to hear what I have to say?” she admonished frostily.

Jahan controlled himself with great effort.  His fear for Chandra’s safety
was nearly tearing him apart.  He couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t loved the red haired firebrand. “Forgive me.”

“I’m not sure I’m the one you should be asking forgiveness from.  Dr. Khan will allow Chia to stay here in familiar surroundings as long as she can rest without stress.  If not,
he will admit her to the hospital.  He fears for her emotional wellbeing and the health of the child.” She watched Jahan as paled beneath his tan and realized he did truly love Chia.

“My god,” he groaned and fell into the nearest chair, his dark head in his hands.

Malek watched Amanda, his keen gaze riveted on her nearly imperceptible trembling.  His wife was nearly at her breaking point and he had no idea how to breach the gulf between them and offer her his strength. “Go on, ‘Manda.  What else did he say?”

“He stitched up the cut on
her head and gave her an exam. He feels she’s probably about three and a half to four weeks pregnant and he left some vitamins for her.” Turning, she speared Jahan once more with one of her no nonsense looks, “he also said that you must control your passion.”

Jahan blushed under her scrutiny. “Of course, what
did he say about the wedding?” He’d been stunned to hear she was so far along. She must’ve conceived the first night he was with her. Jahan winced at the memory of the brutal way he’d stolen her innocence. She had not deserved such an initiation into making love. 

“He also realized the need for
your heir to carry your name. Although he said she would be in a daze for the next few weeks, he did not forbid it. It will be a quiet affair.” She insisted calmly.

“I agree, a simple wedding.
Chia’s health is the most important consideration.” Having something concrete to focus on, Jahan grabbed a notepad and made a few quick notes.

Amanda hesitated for a moment and then related the rest. “Jahan,” she said quietly. “
You must know that Chia has closed her mind. She’s retreated inside herself to try to heal from all the trauma.”

“Oh god!” Jahan’s heart cracked at her words.

“’Manda, no!” Malek stepped forward, pulling her shaking form to rest against his chest. He breathed in the subtle scent of her jasmine perfume.

“Yes,” s
he whispered miserably, her tears ran in silent rivulets down her face.

“She’s strong,
‘Manda. She’ll recover,” Malek tried to reassure her.

Amanda jerked away from him and slapped him across the face. “How dare you!  Because of the both of you arrogant asses my daughter has been kidnapped, forced into doing things she didn’t want to do, and nearly killed.  She may be forced to marry you Jahan, but I’m warning you now, harm her again and I will take her away somep
lace where neither of you will ever find us.”

Jahan’s face hardened at her words. “She will be my
wife, and I will protect her. She will not leave me.”

“We’ll see,” she spat and spun and walked out of the room leaving both men to their thoughts.

Ruefully, Jahan stared at Malek, “I see where Chiandra gets her willfulness.”

Malek
forced a grin. “I’ve never been bored. She’s right though, we have done Chia grave harm and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to forgive myself. Amanda may never forgive me.”

Jahan watched the other man’s bleak features. “You are right, Chia has suffered terribly and I promise I will devote the rest of m
y life to making it up to her. I love her!”

“If
I didn’t believe that, Jahan. I would take her somewhere safe, myself.” Malek informed the younger man matter-of-factly.

“Will you be able to make it right with Amanda?  She seems to be very angry at the both of us.
” Jahan’s stood and stretched. He was still dressed in his sodden clothing. He glanced ruefully at the soaked upholstery on the chair.

Malek
waved a hand. “Tis of no importance. The chair can be replaced. Go home and change, I will have a room prepared close to Chia’s for you.”

“Thank you
Malek. I shall return shortly.” Jahan rushed out of the home. He did not want to leave Chia any longer than necessary.

Malek
watched the energy of the younger man and sighed. Right now he felt every one of his 50 years. He slowly made his way to Chia’s room.

Chapter
Six

Amanda waited until she was out of the room be
fore she let her control slip. Being held in Malek’s arms had felt so right. It had taken all of her willpower to step away. Her hands shook as she remembered she’d just slapped Malek’s face. It had been years since she’d done that. She raced up the stairs and hurried to the guest room she was using. She had to get herself under control before she went back to check on Chia. Opening the door she threw herself on the bed, letting her tears flow.

Malek
sighed and walked slowly up the stairs, his heart heavy. He knocked softly at her door and stepped inside.  Chia’s servant Mara sat in a chair near the bed, quietly watching her charge sleep. “How is she Mara?”

“She’s been resting since the doctor left.”

Malek stepped nearer and cupped Chia’s cheek. She stirred restlessly, her eyes opening slowly. She struggled to focus. “Daddy,” she mumbled.

“Baby.” T
ears glistened in Malek’s eyes as he stared down at Chia’s pale features.

“I hurt, daddy.” Confusion crinkled her nose. “Jahan, Jahan h
urt me. Oh, daddy don’t make me go with him,” she begged.

“I have no choice, now, honey.
You’re going to have his child. You must marry him.” Malek’s heart shattered at the look of betrayal and despair that flashed over her face.

Chia turned away from her father, shu
tting her thoughts down again. It didn’t hurt as bad if she focused inward. “Go away,” she whispered brokenly. “You are my father. You are supposed to love and protect me.”

Malek
turned away, his tears falling unnoticed. He walked blindly towards the guest room, hearing Mandy’s muffled sobs. He would not lose his wife as well as his daughter. “’Manda,” he called as he strode to the bed. He stripped off his clothes and climbed in beside her, pulling her resisting form on top of him. “No more.  I will not let you drive me away.”

Amanda fought her traitorous body, as he kissed the tears from her face.
He swiftly removed her clothes and positioned her over his straining shaft. He made love to her hard and fast forcing her to accept their connection.  Afterwards, he held her close against his side.

Amanda r
esented his domination over her. She loved him, perhaps more than life itself, but she would not allow him to set the tone for the rest of their lives. “Physical release is just lust,” she sniffed.

“Then we shall share our lust.” He informed her, his patience thinning, as his guilt grew.

“Be very careful Malek that you don’t drive us both away,” she warned quietly as he rolled to cover her body with his.

Chapter
Seven

J
ahan sped through the streets. In minutes he’d reached his home. The servants bustled about, unsure of his mood. He tersely barked out orders. He called his office and informed David to forward all his calls to Malek’s and to deal with everything that was not an emergency.

His valet Josef, p
acked a couple of bags with everything Jahan might need in the next week while Jahan showered and changed. Jahan grabbed his laptop and hurried back to his car. Within moments he was on his way back to Chia.  How could everything have gone so wrong so fast? He would never let her go. He’d try to give her some time, but she was his. He could not live without her.

Jahan’s parked his car in the underground garage a
nd ran back up to Chia’s room. He entered quietly and motioned for Mara to go take a break. She nodded and left him alone with Chia. He pulled a chair close to the bed and settled down for the night. Clasping her hand in his, he was surprised to feel her trembling. “Chia, honey,” his barely audible words had no effect on Chia. He could see she was still asleep. Her face still bore the tracks of her tears.  Shaken, he laid his head on her bed and wept. He had never seen her breakdown and cry. She’d always been able to take anything and give back as good as she got.

She’d been
a part of his life for years. As a child, his parents had socialized closely with other political leaders in their country.  He hadn’t admitted it to anyone, but the first time he seen her she’d been just a few weeks old.  She’d gazed at him and he had felt the connection even then.  Through the years he’d teased and taunted her, but as soon as another child had picked on her, he found himself in a brawl protecting her. 

Suc
h a little hellion, even then. As the years went by she began to develop early.  At twelve to his seventeen she was a precocious bundle of feminine wiles and childlike innocence.  It had taken every ounce of his will power to keep his raging hormones in check when he’d come across her sunbathing with her top unfastened.  He had startled her, and she had spun around, her gorgeous breasts swaying in front of him.

At first, she’d covered her breasts with her hands
or at least as much as she could.  As she watched his passion flare she lowered her hands and had thrust those full luscious breasts at him.  He could still feel the flash of lust as his body hardened, the swimming trunks he wore doing little to hide his state of arousal from her.  Before he could stop himself he crossed to her and had cupped the full globes.  God, when she closed her eyes and moaned he had nearly taken her then and there.  Somehow he’d managed to quiet the roar of lust and had fastened her top. He had known she was too young and what he had done was wrong.

To hide his feelings from her, he’d been cruel, telling her if she wanted to be a slut he was sure someone would be more than willing to sample her charms it just wouldn’t be him.  He cursed himself for a fool as he saw the hurt in her enormous emerald eyes.
Even then she had not cried. She had pushed him in the pool and stomped off in a huff.

That had been the change in their relationship, she’d gone out of her way t
o avoid him.  The next time he’d seen her had been at his parents’ funeral four years later.  They’d been killed in a freak storm on their way home from the mountains and their plane had gone down with no survivors.  He couldn’t remember much of that time only that Malek and Amanda had been there to offer their support and for a moment, Chiandra had been his old friend again.  He hadn’t had time to pursue her.  His duties as leader had kept him tied up for months until he’d learned what he must do. By then, she’d gone overseas to school and he’d only caught glimpses of her on the holidays.