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‘I love Miss Francine,’ she volunteered, perhaps wanting to bring the tension level down ‘So I rarely go out during my holidays’

‘You made an exception for me?’

‘Of course I did,’ she said easily ‘Don’t pretend you’re surprised’

‘I’ly irresistible as I am—’

‘You are,’ she said, turning to give him a frank look ‘At least, to me’

She was so open it twisted the knife in a heart that must turn cold towards her, to protect Millie from the reality of their respective destinies They rode in silence for a while after that

‘During ter to have time to socialise’

He was relieved in one way, but not in another ‘You need a life, Millie’

‘I have a very good life, thank you,’ she returned briskly ‘And my private life is—’

‘Yours to know and ested in a relaxed tone

‘Exactly,’ she agreed

There was only one certainty, and that was that she was in over her head, Millie concluded It was impossible to be this close to Khalid and not care about hi a littleShe was his, and she was devoted to hi-term, but her heart didn’t care about that

‘Look,’ he said, distracting her

She turned her head quickly, er, and just for a e feelingso she’d never felt before, but her head quickly cleared in ties could ever have prepared her for the reality of an oasis They had rounded the base of a dune, and now she could see it spread out in front of her, like a sapphire set in gold She couldn’t even see the far side, and hadn’t i The water was so clear she could see the dark rocks underneath And another Bedouin tent had been erected on the sugar-sand shore The pavilionblindingly white sides set against the blue of the water and the lush of the green shrubbery

‘Swian to toss his head at the scent of water ‘We all deserve it, don’t you think?’

He didn’t expect an answer, Millie thought as Burkan took off down the dune She screa horse al How they stayed on board, she had no idea Soed to control the powerful stallion as it slithered and then righted, before slithering down again, and not for onehorse, which was almost like an extension of himself, she knew she was safe

‘Okay?’ he asked when they finally arrived panting and snorting—she was panting, horse was snorting—on level ground

Laughing with shock, fright, happiness and excite’ This adventure erous to her heart, but every second was blissful, and she would remember it all her life ‘I’m better than fine,’ she exulted as Khalid set her safely on the ground

‘But stiff, I iering step

That feeling was back, and with it an overwhel ride, she reasoned What she needed was a dip in that oasis ‘So long as I don’t stay like this,’ she said, laughing as she added a theatrical groan, ‘I’ll be okay’

‘You need that swim,’ he said

‘I truly do,’ she agreed as they linked fingers

‘Now, take off your clothes while I untack the horse,’ he instructed, yanking her close

‘Yes, Your Majesty’ She stared up into Khalid’s dark,eyes ‘Do you have any more instructions for me?’