Chapter Seven
I THINK HE WANTS TO MARRY ME
LYRIC
“ I know the fuck you didn’t just tell everybody in the whole wide world that we are getting married.” I seethe at the fucking tyrant I not only gave myself to but had a baby with. Till this day I don’t know what fucking delusion I was operating under, thinking he’d just let us go, let us live in anonymity and leave us in peace while he went on with his perfect bride handpicked for him. Regret eats at me like flesh-eating bacteria, as I stare at this man, waiting for him to explain himself.
“I did because we are,” Responding simply, he looks down at me with stoicism bleeding from him in bland waves. Like he can’t even be bothered to give me a clear answer. We stand pretty much in the same place as before when I asked if we could speak. That would have been the perfect time to let me know his plans. Hell to ask me to marry him. Not that I’d say yes after he’s kidnapped us.
He acts as if he owns the world which in some respects he does in this kingdom. He’s next in line to the throne. Rumors are his father is more than ready to step aside which is why the marriage to Khadijah was so important. Yet, he stands here like disrupting all our lives in nothing but a minor inconvenience to him. Fuck the rest of us. Now, he’s looking at me dispassionately. Like I’m the one causing the fuss.
This after his parents railed at him for disrupting their plans and the world order with this bizarre announcement.
“There must be a DNA test immediately before anyone on the council can stop the precedings.” His mother said shooting me sympathetic glance as if to apologize for the test having to be done.
“Of course that is the only way.” The king nodded in agreement a little to fast for my taste as if I’ve been going around trolling for Black men with green eyes, so I can passed my baby off as the heir to his kingdom. Throwing them all a vicious look, I stormed away from their little family affair not caring when they slipped into Arabic to continue their argument.
Leaving them to it, I went in to sit with Ayaan reading to him. He was so tired from all the activity of the day but it was too late for a nap and too early for him to go to bed. He was already an early riser — something he did not get from me. And since her stopped nursing thanks to the tour starting his sleep schedule no longer matched mine.
Still there was nothing for it. I read to him. Replacing what few words I could with Arabic, noting that I needed to get a tutor or I wouldn’t even be able to communicate with my son after a while.
Soon my little man was drifting off. His long lashes casting shadows over his soft cheeks making my heart hitch at the sight.
He is beyond beautiful. The splitting image of is father with a little me sprinkled in, like his fuller lips and a slightly darker skin tone.
“Lyric,” Looking up, I see the queen standing just inside the door-way.
“I came to say, Good Night, but I see he’s already asleep. May I look in on him?” The plaintiveness of her tone strikes me.
Not having my mother around was a choice I purposefully made because I wanted Rob no where near my son. The longing I see in her eyes is something I’ve never experienced before for me or my baby.
“Sure.” Moving to stand, I give her room to look in the toddler bed Hassan procured.
“He’s so beautiful.” Touching the soft down of his curls she looks on at him lovingly.
After a few moments of silently gazing on him, she turns back to me. “We did not mean to offend you. It’s evident from just looking at Ayaan that he is Hassan’s child. The reason we are insisting on the DNA is so there will be irrefutable proof and he will be protected. It is important that you understand the machinations that go on in a royal court. We must stand as a united front.”
Slipping back into the mantle of queen, she crosses her hand over her middle, stating all this.
“I am not your subject. I didn’t agree to marry Hassan. He’s never even spoken to me about any of this beforehand. Which he could have done at anytime.” Pulling myself up, I match her energy if not her much taller height. Empress mode is fully activated.
“I would like to speak to my country’s ambassador,” I tell her smoothly.
“Of course, you are free to speak to whomever you wish. But know this, young lady. You are here as a guest at the benevolence of my son. You have no rights in this country. If Ayaan proves to be my grandson, which I am assured he is, then he is his father’s sole heir and will be afforded the protection of the crown prince. So, if you demand to leave and not follow through with Hassan’s wishes, I’m not sure what will happen.” Her words hit me like a blow to my chest.
“Y-you’re a mother ? —”
“Yes, I am. That is why I am telling you to think about your choices very carefully and don’t act rashly. I have never seen Hassan this out of sorts. He was the calm twin. His actions today are anything but calm.” Her eyes dart to the door and I see two figures standing there.
“His Majesty must be ready to retire.” Stepping away from me, she goes to join her husband who also seems to have that same look of longing on his face.
“He’s sleeping but you are welcome to look in on him, sir.” Knowing my son couldn’t be in safer hands, I go back into the adjoining suite. Food has been laid out on low tables. More than enough for just me. Hassan is over by the doors, speaking in hushed tones to the guy who took Fi.
I watch them until I hear a gentle clearing go the queen’s throat. There’s an admonishment there as if I’m eaves dropping. Surely she knows I don’t have a command of their language yet.
Turning, I quirk an unapologetic eyebrow and her and the dispassionate king.
“We will take our leave. I will have my secretary contact Aliah to schedule visits that are amendable to you.” Queen mode again. I wonder if it’s for her husband who clearly doesn’t want me as a daughter-in-law or if she’s trying to bully me into letting them spend time with my baby. I’m not petty. I would never keep my child from his family as long as they aren’t abusive, which is why my mine are out of the question.
“That’s fine.” There’s a visible relaxing on her shoulders when I smile my answer. The king nods a little too grudgingly. He’s lucky my baby softened some of my feistiness.
Now they are gone and I’m left with this deranged motherfucker who thinks he can control my life.
“I will not marry you, Hassan.” Shaking my head at him, I move away from him before I do something evil like smash this silver carafe against his big head.
“You may of course, refuse.” Gaze tracking me like a panther. He takes a grape from the platter popping it into his mouth. “But the consequences of your refusal I’ve already told you. You’ll never see Ayaan again. If the tour means so much to you, then do what you will. I, for one, can’t wait for you to go.” A cruel smile spreads across his face.
Slap after the vicious slap his words pummel me. Like I’m some dead beat who didn’t want anything to do with my baby. Just like Rob made me believe about my real dad until I learned the truth. He died in Iraq. He was coming back for me and my mom after he deployed, but never got the chance.
Heat flames my face as I charge over to him, shoving his chest. He doesn’t budge. Frustration licks at me. Hopelessness laughs in my face as I shove this unmovable monster with all my might.
I haven’t even thought about the tour. I’ve missed two dates already and haven’t spoken to FADE. The fallout is going to be enormous.
“It’s not about that. You kidnapped me, you maniac.” I shove and shove again until a heavy hand whips out and grabs me by my throat. Slowly, he lifts his arm, stretching me to the tips of my toes.
“You will watch who the fuck you’re talking to woman.” Squeezing, he traps my arm. Clawing at his hands, I draw blood, trying to stop him, but he doesn’t let up. Losing breath fast, I flail, seeing stars dart behind my eyes. He gives me a little shake before tossing me on the sofa behind me.
Straddling me, he leans in, crowding me in on all sides, eyes blazing a rage of green fire. Smoothing my hair back from my forehead, his gaze searches my face as I gasp for air.
“Hear me when I say this, Lyric. I will honor you in all things as the mother of my sons.” He strokes my hair again before grabbing a handful of my ten grand bussdown, tugging my head back. “If you ever disrespect me again or seek to lay hands on me in any fashion but one of pleasure and adoration, I. Will. Break. Your. Fucking Neck. I’m not a little boy, or one of your himbo friends. I’m a fucking prince.” Sliding off me, he stands looking down with contempt, his body rippling with unspent aggression.
I don’t look away. I can’t. With every breath he seethes, the more riveted I become. He could have crushed my windpipe, but all he did was capture my breath for a few seconds.
Inadvertently, my eyes rake across his body. He’s breathing like he’s run five miles. Then my eyes snag on the heavy protrusion distorting the smoothness of his trousers. His dick is thick and hard pressed against the fabric. Wetting my lips, I watch it stretch further under my gaze as if in answer to the need wracking my body. My muscles clench at the memory.
“You need something, Lyric?” His voice is sensuous and mocking.
Looking up, I don’t miss the malice in his gaze. He’s laughing at me.
“I’m fine, thanks.” Mustering as much nonchalance as I can, I cross my arms over my budding nipples. Looking away from him.
A firm hand cups my chin, lifting my face towards him. Still, I refuse to look at him. His grip is unyielding, conveying all that I’ve come to know about this man. He can break me anytime he chooses.
“You will look at me, Lyric. I won’t marry a coward, no matter how beautiful she is,” he murmurs quietly. Shocked surprise has me meeting his jade green eyes, to see he means it. I can smell the heady scent of his masculine cologne. Everything about him drips luxury and menace and my weak ass body can’t help but respond.
“You’re lying.” Eyes dipping down as if he can see the nipples I’m desperate to hide, not to mention the wetness forming between my thighs. His gaze lingers for long moments before lifting to meet mine again.
“I bet if I checked, I find you dripping for me. Isn’t that so, jameela?” Swallowing, I meet his gaze, saying nothing. I refuse to let him win in this. He’s taken so much from me, already.
“So be it.” Dropping his hand from my chin, he grabs the ties to my dress. Slapping his hands away, I scramble back into the cushions.
“Oh, you’re playing now?” Huffing in exasperation, he grabs my ankle, dragging me forward.
Something sick drops into the pit of my tummy. “Hassan, no.” I don’t know if it’s the panicked fear in my voice or the way I start fighting him, but he immediately steps back.
In the ensuing silence, I scramble back again, pulling pillows round me in a protective cage determined to shut and this entire nightmare out.
“This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine. I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”
“Lyric.” I’m almost done with the song by the time his voice registers. “Lyric.” My name a litany on his lips.
My gaze reaches his through the pillow fort I barely recall erecting. My fortress of solitude always during the after when I had to go into myself. The only place I had that was safe.
Maybe for the first time he sees me. I mean, really see me. And I don’t like that shit one bit.
“Can you leave now?” My voice is pleading with anger — small, so very small. I have a bubble in my throat like it’s clogged up really bad. I need Fi, but she’s been gone for hours and by the time she gets back here, everything will be fine.
Not that he’d let me have her. My only friend. I’m alone in this place. I have no one here for me. I have to be here for Ayaan. Just like I had to be there for Song, Kadence, and Harmony. I don’t have time to collapse in on myself. I just need a moment. A moment of peace. Humming to myself, I wait for him to leave.
“Yes, I can.” Solemn words reach me, but I don’t bother looking up from my haven. I just need him to be gone.
But he doesn’t and I just want to sink into myself. I feel so rubbed raw, like I’ve been scoured by a wire sponge laced with acid. Burying my face into my bent knees, I rock myself, trying to reach for a safe place.
“Lyric,” there is a sternness in his voice now. So much so I dare not refuse him. I meet the banked darkness in his eyes. “I will never take what you do not freely give me. I promise you that.” His stare is unwavering and I know he means it.
After a long moment, I nod.
Then he dips down to his hunches. He’s so tall, I can still meet his gaze over the pillows.
The muscles tick in his jaw even before his mouth moves. His words are low, this promise much darker, and I know he’s going to keep every word. “One day I will ask you who hurt you and you will tell me. Then I will kill them.”
With that vow, he rises smoothly to his feet, leaving me in my safe place.