Kingdom of Betrayal Page 2

  Vanessa nodded. “Jamila how do you speak English so well?”

  Jamila sighed. “That is a long story Your Highness,” she said. Vanessa lay down in the warm water and sighed in pleasure. This was bliss.

  “Would you like to tell me?” asked Vanessa.

  Jamila nodded. “It was a long time back when His Royal Highness the King, Riza’s father was in London. He was a very handsome man and…….Oh I should not be telling you these things Your Highness. If His Royal Highness gets to know that I have told you everything, he will surely send me away,” said Jamila as she wiped a lone tear.

  Vanessa patted the old woman’s hand and smiled. “You need not tell me if you don’t want to Jamila. I understand,” said Vanessa softly. Jamila nodded. “Maybe one day I will tell you Your Highness, but until then I shall keep quiet.”

  After Vanessa had her bath, she felt refreshed and happy. Something inside her told her that she should be happy.

  Vanessa climbed out of the bath and shivered as Jamila oiled and dressed her in a purple silk dress which fell in ripples around Vanessa’s body. The material was so soft that it clung to her body showing of her curves and breasts. “You look beautiful, Your Highness and I am sure His Highness will be very satisfied,” said Jamila smiling, as she led Vanessa out of the tent bathroom.

  Jamila gave Vanessa a little push. “Now go to your husband my child,” she said smiling. Vanessa looked at her for a while more and wondered where she had seen a similar feature like Jamila. Vanessa shook her head and smiled. “Thank you Jamila,” she whispered as she stepped into the tent.

  Riza lay on the cushions, waiting for Vanessa to come to him. This was not a new thing to him as he had bedded her several times before, but he felt it in him as if it was the first time.

  Music was softly playing and he could hear Jamila talking to Vanessa and the maidens’ chatter as they emptied the bath that had been used by Vanessa. He watched as her shadow fell on the white tented ceiling, could see locks of her hair and the curves of her body, which teased him no end, promising him of what was going to be.

  Vanessa stood in the middle of the tent and looked around adjusting to the dim lights that adorned the walls of the tent. The inside of the tent was gorgeous as the gold and red tapestries that hung below the lights glinted and twinkled.

  “This is amazing.”

  “I know you cannot compare this with anything else,” Riza said, but the tent was an amazing sight indeed – though his eyes had turned to her now, and he could see the contours and curves of her body through her flimsy purple nightgown or was it a dress.

  He wanted to show her the stars in the desert. He told her a little about it. “I usually come out here when I want to think and then what I do is pull the roof of the tent back at night so that I could sleep under the stars, as true desert people did.

  He kissed her on the ear and his kiss travels down along the side of her neck and came to rest on her shoulder. Vanessa shuddered and wound her arms around Riza’s neck.

  His kiss on her shoulder made her tremble in anticipation. She could stay like this forever, as one of Riza’s hand played with her bottom. He kissed her deeply while his other hand massaged and squeezed her nipple which was ram rod erect. He continued to kiss her, his tongue seeking the contours of her mouth, while his hands moved and stroked telling her what she needed to feel.

  She felt his arousal against her stomach and burned beneath him anticipating when that arousal would explore her.

  Riza moved his tongue along her shoulders and then down to suckle her breast and he kissed and nipped at her nipple longer, until he tasted her milk. He sucked hard on her nipple until her body was on fire. He did not stop at one nipple but latched on to her other nipple until she was writhing on the cushions and panting his name. She arched her back, thrusting herself greedily into his mouth, as he sucked and nipped at her nipples in frenzy.

  Vanessa ran her fingers down his back and felt the smoothness of his skin, while she felt his erection more compelling and terrifying, as she knew how he made love to her.

  Vanessa had seen Riza naked many times and every time she saw him that way it was a new experience. She reached out and wrapped her palm around his erection.

  Riza nudged her thighs apart and positioned his erection. He then realized that he was not wearing protection, but he shrugged it off. She was now his wife and if she got pregnant on their wedding night, just as well. Azam would have a brother or sister in nine months.

  “You look so lovely habibti,” Riza said as he watched the sleek wetness pull between her thighs and drip on the sides. He grinned wickedly, but beautiful was his thoughts as he bent and locked the wet seam of her sex.

  Vanessa’s back arched off the cushions as if someone had touched her with a live-wire. The sound coming from her throat was high-pitched and desperate. She was desperate for him to fill her with his arousal.

  Vanessa didn’t care anymore, she didn’t care about Mark or William, and she didn’t care of what people would say when they got to know of her wayward style of living. She wanted more. Yes she wanted every part of Riza and she felt herself getting fiercely selfish. She was not going to lose him nor let anyone else have him.

  Riza tongued her again and again, until she was fisting handfuls of cushion and panting his name.

  “Riza,” she begged. “Please.”

  He captured her mouth, his tongue sliding deep and exploring as he licked her inside her mouth. She kissed him hard and he responded with a surge of passion that left her panting and breathless.

  A moment later, she felt the head of his cock nudge her wetness. She bent and took his erection in her hand, guiding his to that spot where it throbbed. He stiffened as she wrapped her hand around him, and then he groaned when she pumped her fist over him once, twice and then vigorously.

  Riza responded by hooking an arm behind her knee and spreading her wide before plunging into her. Vanessa tore her mouth away from his as a scream erupted from her throat. She was so ready for him, that familiar feeling of being loved and cared for. Her body was so primed and on edge, that she came immediately, shuddering around him while he rocked into her in short quick strokes that dragged out her release.

  ‘That’s it sweet heard, lose yourself as I fuck you. His muscles stood rigid as he shot his load into her shuddering as he reached an orgasm that seemed to last and last, until she went limp beneath him. He bent and kissed her cheeks, her nose and jaw.

  What a blissful wedding night. She slept like a baby in his arms and awoke when the sun sneaked into the tent through tiny gaps it could reach.

  Chapter 4

  Riza and Vanessa prepared to leave the desert haven, which Vanessa had come to love. She wished they could stay in the desert, and not go back to the palace.

  “This place is paradise. I never knew that a desert could be so beautiful,” Vanessa said. Riza smiled. “We shall come back soon habibti,” he said, as they stepped into the 4-wheel drive. “My impression of the desert was that it was always lonely, frightening and dull.” Riza nodded. “That is what everyone thinks, but there is no better place like the desert.

  Vanessa bid farewell to Jamila’s maidens who had waited on her. She was happy that Jamila was going back to the palace with them. Another thing that had happened in the past two days was that Vanessa felt a strong affection toward Jamila and had taken an instant liking to the older woman.

  Their luggage was packed into one of the backup jeeps in which Jamila was travelling. Vanessa wore a pale pink abhaya worked delicately with pearls and crystals. She was getting used to wearing them now. Even though she was covered from head to foot, Vanessa looked beautiful and exquisite. “It is hard to say you are British habibti,” Riza said glancing sideways at her. He gunned the vehicle into motion and sped away. Vanessa smiled. She was happy and swore to herself she’d make this marriage work. Riza had to slow down a bit as a number of camels sat lazily in different places on their route. They turned their heads in un
ison when the vehicles slowed down. Vanessa looked fascinated. “Aren’t they lovely,” she said as she leaned forward to take a better look. “I would like to ride one of them,” she told Riza. “I shall teach you. We’ve got a whole band of them at the palace. Tomorrow I shall take you on a tour of the palace,” he said smiling realizing that he had not done that. He was glad that Vanessa was making an effort to fall in line with him and get herself involved with the palace. She was an intelligent woman and he knew her ideas and thoughts would help him a great deal. But the most important thing of all was that she knew and understood him or so he thought.

  Once they were driving on smooth terrain, Vanessa turned to Riza. “How long has Jamila been working for the palace?” she asked. Riza’s head spun round. “Why do you ask?” Vanessa saw something in Riza’s face that she could not fathom. “Oh no, I only asked you because she seems so fiercely loyal to the royal family,” said Vanessa. “She’s been with us for ages,” he said looking straight ahead.

  Vanessa saw Riza’s jaws clench and decided to drop the subject.

  They drove in silence from then on and arrived at the palace by noon. Vanessa was anxious to see Azam. “I am going straight to the nursery,” Vanessa said as she stepped off the vehicle. Riza nodded. “It is best you spend some time with our son, as I am going to be busy today. Mark wants to discuss business with me and I don’t want to be disturbed.”

  The color drained from Vanessa’ face at the mention of Mark, but fortunately for her Riza did not see the change as he was busy belting out instructions in Arabic to Shafeek.

  Vanessa looked around for Jamila and found her standing in the shade of a date palm, looking wistfully at the palace. Vanessa couldn’t help but notice how sad Jamila looked. She knew that there was something that troubled the other woman, but she was too scared to ask.

  “Jamila,” said Vanessa placing her hand on Jamila’s shoulder. “Come with me Jamila, I would like to introduce our son Azam to you.” “Your son?” asked Jamila in surprise. Vanessa nodded and smiled. “Yes Jamila we have a son and he is 7 months old,” said Vanessa. “But Your Royal Highness I never knew of Prince. Nor did anyone tell me.”

  That Jamila was not aware of Azam, Vanessa knew that the servants in the palace were afraid of gossip, otherwise news would have travelled even beyond the desert that King Riza had a son. “That is alright Jamila, I guess gossip is forbidden in the palace,” said Vanessa smiling and Jamila nodded.

  “Is the Prince in the royal nursery?” Jamila asked. Vanessa nodded as both women walked into the palace. Vanessa had still to become accustomed to people bowing to her and standing back to let her pass. But she always acknowledged every bow and every person she met on her way and the servants and other people who lived in the palace began to take a liking to her, except for Shafeek and Farook, who were still angry that Riza had brought Vanessa to the palace and married her. They knew now when they saw Mumtaz that she was not baron and that all this had taken place deliberately. There was nothing they could do, but watch to see whether Vanessa would fulfill her royal duties to the letter. They would watch for a slip and then take advantage of it to have her ousted and sent back to London, where she belonged. According to them Vanessa had no place in the palace and they would see to it that she was definitely sent back.

  Shafeek and Farook watched Jamila and Vanessa walk toward the nursery. “Now that is what I call trouble,” said Shafeek clenching his teeth. “I know, but then how stupid of Riza to bring Jamila back to the palace, when he knew of her past and what havoc she had caused in the palace,” said Farook. “There is nothing we can do,” said Shafeek. “For the moment,” he concluded. Farook nodded and grinned. He knew that Shafeek had a plan up his sleeve and would show it in due course.

  Jamila and Vanessa entered the nursery and found Azam toddling around laughing. “Oh he is so cute,” said Jamila as she walked toward the little Prince who was now toddling toward his mother.

  Adilah and Shanaz turned when they heard the door open. At first the two women saw only Vanessa and then they saw Jamila. Adilah’s eyes grew large as her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’. “Jamila, when did you arrive?” asked Adilah. “I arrived this morning Adilah and how are you?” asked Jamila smiling. But Adilah only kept staring at her as if she had just seen someone from another planet. Shanaz looked from Adilah to Jamila and finally at Vanessa, who was as nonplussed as Shanaz.

  “Maaamaa,” shouted Azam. “Oh darling, I missed you,” said Vanessa as she picked Azam up and twirled him around, much to the little boy’s delight.

  “Oh he is so cute. Just like when Riza and….was this age,” said Jamila smiling. But Vanessa noted the pause after the word and.

  “Shanaz will you go to the kitchen and see whether Prince Azam’s lunch is ready please,” said Adilah. Jamila watched Shanaz leave and for once she was glad that she had her veil on as no one would see how her lips quivered.

  Your Highness if you will excuse us please,” said Adilah as she bowed low. Vanessa nodded. “Let me take Azam,” she said. Jamila nodded and returned Azam to his mother.

  Adilah almost dragged Jamila into the adjoining room. Vanessa watched in surprise. “What is going on here? Why everyone is shocked to see Jamila and not too pleased either, beats me,” she thought to herself.

  Azam was tugging at her sleeve. “Maamaa, horse…” said Azam as he pointed to his rocking horse. “Aha Azam my darling you’ve got a beautiful rocking horse here, don’t you,” said Vanessa as she kissed her son on the cheek and he wriggled.

  Vanessa turned when she heard muffled voices in the adjoining room. Shanaz arrived with Azam’s lunch which had been arranged on a silver tray with silver food covers over the plates.

  “Your Highness where are Adilah and Jamila?” asked Shanaz looking around the room. Vanessa pointed to the other room. “Shanaz what is going on here? Why is everyone not too pleased to see Jamila?” asked Vanessa.

  “I don’t think Shanaz would be able to answer your question, as she does not know Jamila that well and moreover if you have any questions you’d better ask me and not ask the servants,” said Riza sternly. “The servants will not be able to give you any answers.”

  “Oh I am sorry, but then I guess you could answer my question. Why is everyone shocked and seemingly displeased to see Jamila?” she asked.

  “It is just that Jamila has been away for so long,” said Riza. “Well Riza that does not answer my question. Being away for so long – is just why they should be more welcoming, instead of staring at her as if she was something the cat had brought in,” said Vanessa furiously.

  “Vanessa I would be pleased if you could mind your own business and not worry about why everyone is shocked to see Jamila,” said Riza.

  “Anyway where are Adilah and Jamila?” asked Riza. Vanessa shrugged. “Jamila was almost dragged into that room by Adilah,” said Vanessa pointing to the adjoining room. “I guess it is her way of welcoming Jamila,” she added as she picked up Azam and ordered Shanaz to bring the Prince’s lunch to the window seat.

  Riza frowned and looked at the adjoining room. “Why was it that Adilah had to make it so obvious?” he thought, making a mental note to speak to Adilah later on.

  After Riza left the nursery, Adilah and Jamila returned. Vanessa looked at Jamila carefully, but found no trace of sadness or anger. It sure was that all these people were acting weird.

  Mark Daniels was very interested in setting up business in Zemaba. He spoke with Farook and Shafeek about his plans and then the trio met with Riza to discuss and complete them.

  The discussions went on for a long time and several cups of coffee had been drunk. Finally they decided that the restaurant would be set up in the town of Zemaba and it would cater to the élite as well as the middle class.

  “Mark there is one more thing I would like to clarify with you and that is, here in Zemaba we don’t have people with hotel qualifications. I think you will have to send one of your men over here so that he can run the pla
ce for you. What do you think?” asked Riza.

  Mark nodded. “That would be fine. I could send you William. He has a plethora of experience in the hotel trade and is a veteran at this,” said Mark smiling.

  “Well then that’s settled. I will tell our High Commission in London to issue him a working visa,” said Riza looking at Shafeek who nodded.

  Once Shafeek and Farook had left the discussion, Mark and Riza spoke of more personal things.

  “When are you going to settle down Mark?” asked Riza grinning. “Oh why do you want to put me in trouble, just because you have fallen into trouble..by…” Mark stopped short and a look of fright cross his face.

  “What is it Mark?” asked Riza leaning forward and looking at his friend.

  “Oh nothing…..nothing at all,” said Mark nervously.

  “You didn’t finish your sentence,” said Riza.

  “On come on Riza, just forget about it,” said Mark.