Chapter 9
After a few minutes of conversation between my father and the prince on the phone, I realized Jazmina’s plan had worked.
His face was red with fury when he handed the phone back to the messenger, clearly eager to get rid of the man who, however, made no move to leave.
Grudgingly, my father told me to go to my room and pack my things.
I pretended not to understand when he explained that I would be traveling to Paris as the daughter of the former sheikh’s companion.
I nodded, head down, and was about to leave the room when I heard the man say that, under Prince Kaled’s orders, I was to spend that last night at the palace to help the princess pack as well.
Even in my nervous state, I realized that my friend had thought of everything. If I had to spend one more night in my father’s house, who knows what could have happened?
It was also lucky that I’d gotten a passport almost two years ago, back when Jazmina’s father had approved our studies abroad.
Even though I never got to use it, my friend had wisely kept it locked in her own safe, instead of giving it to my father.
She told me today that a treaty between France and Rheadur makes travel between the two countries visa-free.
I packed my things in record time, not even worrying whether my clothes matched.
To my embarrassment, it wasn’t until I arrived at the palace that I realized I’d forgotten my undergarments, so I had to borrow some of hers—brand new, thankfully. Jazmina said that once we arrived in France, we’d go shopping and take care of whatever else I needed.
Two soft knocks on the suite door pull me back to the present.
“Come in,” I answer, my throat dry.
A moment later, my beautiful friend appears.
She’s not wearing her chador, and she told me that in France we’d go back to wearing only the hijab, like before Naim’s rule, and if we wanted, we could even go out with our hair uncovered.
I’m not so sure about that. I don’t believe Prince Kaled would allow us to break his brother’s laws, even abroad.
“I love the color of your hair,” I tell her.
Her strands are coppery, with a unique glow.
She nods, but her face is tense, a tiny frown forming between her brows. “You can take yours off too,” she says.
“We haven’t taken off yet.”
“He won’t come after you, Adeela. Your father would never dare to defy my brother. You have my word, you’re safe.”
“I’m scared,” I admit quietly. “I’m stepping into an entirely new world.”
“We’ll be fine. As soon as we get to Paris, we’ll start looking for your mother. If we have to, we’ll hire a private investigator. I brought enough money with me.”
“And what will the prince think about that?”
“He doesn’t need to know everything.”
“You don’t trust him?”
“I do. But I prefer to keep some things between us.”
I look at her warily. “What are you planning, Jazmina?”
She stares back at me with the most innocent expression in the world, but after knowing her since we were five, I can read every nuance on her face. “Isn’t this suite beautiful? Out of all my family’s planes, Kaled’s is the prettiest.”
I glance around and have to agree. Despite the luxury, the décor isn’t oppressive like on Sheikh Naim’s jet. I’ve never flown before, but Jazmina once showed me her brother’s plane, and I still remember how my eyes hurt from all the gold-plated metal.
“You’re trying to distract me. I’ve trusted you with my future, and you’re not returning the favor?” I’m not angry that she’s keeping secrets—everyone has them—but I am worried she might be getting herself into trouble.
“Promise you won’t freak out if I tell you?”
“I’ll try,” I joke, despite the tension.
“Since you’re not planning on going back to Rheadur and intend to go straight to your mother in America, I’m going to ask my brother to let me go study in England.”
I’m not convinced. That sounds way too simple for Jazmina’s standards. “That’s all?”
“More or less.”
“Spill it.”
“I want to go to the United Kingdom anonymously.”
I’m so shocked I take a step back and sit down on the bed. “What? Your brother would never agree to something like that.”
“Why not?”
“You’re a princess, for one thing. And even if you weren’t, you’re rich. Your father and brothers would send bodyguards to protect you no matter what. I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but anonymity is impossible for you.”
“Maybe I can persuade Kaled.”
“Don’t push your luck. Even if he’s your brother, if everything goes as we think, in a few weeks he’ll be our new sheikh. Don’t put him in a position where he has to choose between you and tradition. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“My brother was practically raised in the Western world, Adeela. He’d understand.”
“I know that, but he’s also loyal to tradition. From what people say, he’ll make a wonderful sheikh for our people, but even he has rules to follow. And so do you.”
She falls silent for a moment, clearly unhappy. Rule is her least favorite word.
In the end, she sighs in defeat. “You’re right. I got carried away.”
“Yes. Why don’t we just enjoy a little freedom first, without overplanning everything? Two days to rest, then we can start figuring things out.”
“Two days without plans, fine. But rest?” She grins. “No way. If you’re up for it, I want to go shopping tomorrow.”
Paris
Hours later
Despite what she said earlier, Jazmina opens her carry-on bag just before landing and pulls out a hijab.
I do the same. Not that I intended to go bareheaded, but I was still undecided about whether to wear the chador. I think it’ll take me days—or weeks—to gather the courage to make my own choices without fear.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to know what it feels like to walk outside without a veil.
Even when wearing it was optional back in Rheadur, my father forced me to keep my hair covered, except for that one night of the dance performance, when he had no choice.
He was so angry about it that he refused to even watch.
Despite our supposed freedom to wear or not wear the scarf, I don’t want to give Prince Kaled a bad impression.
My stomach tightens with nerves at the thought that, in some way, we’ll be living under the same roof.
The last time I saw him was the night I danced at the palace.
For him. You danced for him, and you know it.
I push the memory away.
The best thing to do is remain invisible to the prince, speaking only when spoken to.
I’m not here for leisure. This is a mission.
Every step I take must bring me closer to my final goal: finding my mother.