A Sheik's Spell (30 page)

Shocked by the sheik’s response, a wide-eyed Felicia sat back down.

‘ ‘For years I have tried to guide the people of Karib in “the direction I thought best for them.  As I got older and my health began to fail me, my main concern has been what will happen when I can no longer be their leader. There
fore, all my thoughts and energies have been toward preparing you, Na’im, for that role. I knew you had a strong feeling of obligation toward Karib and I used that to my advantage, even when you were a very young man. Your love for your people has always been first in your heart. I knew that when you were in love with Tahillah and wanted to marry her, but I would not let you, pointing out your different stations in life as the reason. I depended on your innocence that had not yet tasted the fruits of manhood.

“But that was not the whole truth, Na’im. I did not want you to many Tahillah because of my involvement with her. I did not want you to be hurt by my weakness, in taking advantage of such a young woman and fathering a child I did not suspect to be mine-Kareem. It is because of this, Na’im, and no doubt what Ilyas has just confessed, that I know my decision is right. I advise you to follow your heart. Your mother has always said ‘The One’ speaks to you for your highest good through your emotions, and this time I must agree with her. So do what you have to do, my son, to be happy.”

Felicia could tell that a weight had been lifted from the sheik’s shoulders by telling Na’im the truth. By doing so.

he
had accepted that each individual has the right to make his own decisions, whether they are right or wrong.

It was an awkward moment for the three of them. Sheik Rahman stood regally, a deep sense of remorse surrounding him, and Na’im was visibly shaken by what his father had said.

At last Na’im was able to voice his feelings. ‘ ‘There is nothing we can do about the past, my father, but we must do what we can to create a satisfying future. Does Kareem know that you are his father?”

‘ ‘No, but I will tell him today. His mother tried to tell him in his dreams. That is why he fell ill. He felt her love so strongly that he wanted to join her. All of this has been very strange. Even from the other side, she held no ill feelings toward me. She told Kareem he must live to help me. I believe we will find that Kareem has the blood type I need for my transfusions.”

‘ ‘Then all of this has been for good, my father, and you should not judge yourself too har-”

An overly sweet, seductive voice broke in before Na’im could finish speaking. Waheedah approached the doorway, extravagantly dressed. She had her eyes closed as she pressed one hand to her forehead and the other against her abdomen.

‘ ‘Please excuse me. Sheik Rahman, if I look a mess this morning. Yesterday’s Awya completely tired me out. I had every intention of coming back to check on poor Na’im, but...’ ’ Waheedah broke her performance in mid sentence when she saw Felicia sitting beside Na’im’s bed.

“Why is this woman sitting beside my fiancé’s bed after all the trouble she and her friends have caused us?” It was Na’im who answered her. “Felicia happens to be my fiancée, and it is you who is no longer welcome in

Karib. Ilyas has told us of your involvement with the fire.” Na’im’s outspoken tone surprised both Felicia and Waheedah. Felicia, in mild shock, studied his magnificent profile after he unblinkingly announced they were to be married.

Waheedah’s discomfort was much more obvious. She was comical, to say the least. Holding her neck at its base and stretching it somewhat like a goose, she swallowed audibly while trying to regain her composure.

‘ ‘Well, my family and I will not remain where we are not wanted.” Pouncing on the sheik, she continued. “Sheik Rahman, I hope you know the extent of damage this will have on Karib.”

“You have had a hand in any damage that has been done, Waheedah Faruuk,” the sheik replied.

With the proper tone in her voice, she managed a haughty, “Well,” and flounced away.

“I will leave you now as well, my son. It is time that I told Kareem the truth.” With a swish of his elaborate galabia, he was gone.

Chapter Forty

Na’im turned to face Felicia, who still looked stunned over what she’d just seen and heard.

‘ ‘Habibi, why did it shock you so when I said that you are ray fiancée? Was that not your intent when you challenged Waheedah at Awya?"

Embarrassed by his directness, Felicia began to ramble. “In a way...I just knew I couldn’t stand by and let that fatal attraction in Egyptian clothing just snatch you right from under my nose.”

Na’im lifted a large hand and placed it gently under Felicia’s chin. “So azizi, are you saying you do not want to marry me, you only wanted to keep Waheedah from having me?”

Felicia could feel her insides turn to jelly as Na’im touched her, and she knew as she looked into his handsome face she could never belong to anyone else.

Love filled Felicia’s very being and she replied, “I’d marry you today, Na’im Raoul Rahman.”

‘ ‘Well, you will have to wait, aros al bher, at least until I am up and around,” he said, planting an affectionate kiss on her willing lips.

“I have waited all my life for the right man to come along, so a few more days won’t matter a bit.”

Gold eyes gazed into brown ones.

“You are some woman, aros al bher
” Na’im proclaimed as he held her face and kissed her once again.

Dark eyes locked with gold ones as he straddled her, both revealing the love they shared. They knew it was not their first time ... but in a way it was. This time he would take her basking in the light of full acceptance of their love for one another.

His descent was slow and purposeful as he murmured over and over again, “I love you habibi, I love you,” causing her body to rise in invitation.

‘ 7 love you too. I believe I have always loved you, but I know I always will.”

Her body was Just as warm and embracing as her words. Spontaneously, her womanhood parted like the petals of an opening blossom to engulf him. Her mind raced with thoughts of love for him while her body displayed the pleasure he gave her, which she could not help but return.

In the heat of his passion, he proclaimed his love almost ritualistically. “Our love will bum like the fiery sands. It will never wane. The sincerity and trust upon which it is built will be its noonday sun, replenishing it from day to day.”

As they reached their peaks together, his chiseled lips covered her full ones, sealing the affirmation.

Felicia looked down at the pleasant expression cover
ing Na’im’s sleeping face. It was obvious he was having

a
wonderful dream. She hoped he dreamed of them and their life together.

For once in her life she was content with what life had given her in the way of love. Yes, it had taken a trip halfway around the world for her to find the love she wanted and needed.

Life was no longer black and white for Felicia Sanders. She was a believer. And maybe it was the belief itself that had made the difference.

THE END