“Very good,” he said. “Excellent. I like her, As’ad. This one may stay.”
“I agree,” As’ad said, still looking at her in a way that made her thighs feel distinctly weak. “She will stay.”
Would she? Kayleen wasn’t so sure. She still had her life plan to fulfill and that included leaving El Deharia in a matter of months. A situation complicated by As’ad and her promise to the girls.
Chapter Four
After the king left and dinner was finished, Kayleen sent the girls back to their suite while she lingered behind to speak with As’ad.
“There are just a couple of things I need to discuss with you,” she told him when they were alone.
“I’m learning that with you, there always are.”
She wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so decided to ignore the comment. “It’s only about six weeks until Christmas,” she said. “We have to start planning. I don’t know what happens here at the palace, but this is the girls’ first Christmas without either of their parents. We have to do something.”
He studied her for a long time. “El Deharia is a very open country. All faiths are celebrated here. No one will object if you wish to set up a tree in your suite.”
“It’s more than that,” she said, telling herself there was no reason to be afraid, even though As’ad was much taller than her and having to look up to meet his gaze gave her a crick in her neck. “You need to participate.”
He looked shocked. “I do not.”
She’d had a feeling he would be difficult.
“You’ve always had family,” she pointed out. “Your brothers, your aunt, your father. These girls have no one. The holidays are going to be sad and scary and they’re going to feel so alone.”
Kayleen spoke from experience. She still remembered waking up on Christmas morning and feeling an ache in her chest. No matter how many presents had been donated to the orphanage, no matter how the nuns tried, there hadn’t been family.