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‘Allto look to hide her tears ‘You’ve thought o

f everything,’ she confirot her emotions under control

‘I try to,’ he said,her close for a fierce, and maybe final kiss

They linked fingers to walk the short distance across the rugs to the decorative cover he had indicated Drawing it back revealed the shining lake of water

‘Wow,’ Millie breathed ‘I’ to miss it so much’ How much he’d never know

‘You can swi you,’ Khalid said as he led her forward ‘I hope your private bathing area er?’

He swept her a ain But no as she going to weaken They should part as friends, not discontented lovers

All well and good, she thought as they stood in the pearly light of dawn, staring out over thedesert and liether, she was going to make the most of it and the future would have to wait

Khalid’s outstretched hand invited her to join hie One last tiether The water was like a warm bath, but they were silent as they swahter was done They returned to the tent to be greeted by the delicious scent of cooked food and good coffee A stack of clean towels and fresh robes aiting for theht

‘The best staff in the world,’ he confirratitude

Reretting the fact, for the first time in her life, that it was back to oil-smeared overalls, and she would never wear a beautiful Khalifan robe again She dressed quickly in travel clothes, just jeans and a top, and a sweater because it would be cold when she arrived in England She took one last look around at the beautiful tent filled with exquisite artefacts Even the sapphires in the gold bowls didn’t trouble her now The past was the past, and it was time to face the future

‘Do you mind if I take a picture?’ she asked

‘Why?’ Khalid said, frowning

‘To remember all this,’ she explained

‘Will you forget so easily?’

There was hurt in his eyes Goodness knehat he could see in hers ‘No,’ she said ‘I won’t forget But when I’m an old lady, it will be nice to reminisce’

‘To remind yourself that this actually happened?’

They stared at each other, both wanting to say more, but the sound of rotor blades intruded Perhaps as well, Millie thought ‘Is that our lift?’ she said, trying to sound casual

‘Yes,’ Khalid confirmed

That single word, and the way he said it, ripped the heart from her chest anddown Everything, Millie thought She’d take everything She was strong and would remain so It was the only way to be

‘Are you tired of my company?’ Khalid teased

Never She would never tire of hiet hiht as his hawk-like stare burned steadily into hers But she was aching with tension and needed to leave Why prolong the agony for either of them? Khalid was as tense as she was She had never seen hihtly wound

‘This is torture,’ she admitted

There was a moment when they stared at each other, and the next moment she was in his arround out in a voice hoarse with passion

‘Then, you’re not being fair,’ she said Re herself from his arms, she stared up ‘You can’t always have what you want, Your Majesty A country depends on you’

Khalid had to be strong for everyone, she thought as his hawk-like stare stabbed into hers ‘I don’t want to hurt you, Millie You’ve had too much trouble in your life, and I hold myself responsible for much of that’

‘Then, don’t,’ she said ‘I’m responsible for my actions I chose to be here I chose to listen to what you had to tell me about my mother, and it was my decision to stay But I’ve always knoe can’t have a life together Don’t worry,’ she added brightly, dredging up resolve from the depth of her soul ‘I won’t let history hold ood, but it’s done now You have to let o I o’

‘Are you serious? That’s it? Done? Just like that?’

‘I a end of a refusal before She continued quickly before her heart overruled her head ‘Did you think I wouldn’t be able to live without you? I won’t becoland, and people who lovetowards a job I enjoy—’