Because I requested it.
Liana recognized the deep, resonant voice. Even before she turned to look at the gentleman who had just joined the party, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand straight up. She was tired, hungry and had spent the past twenty-four hours traveling halfway around the world with her nine-year-old daughter. She was not in the mood to be played witheven by her own body.
But all the temper in the world couldnt counteract the feeling of heat that swept through her, or the faint trembling in her arms and legs. She raised her gaze and stared directly into the handsome face of Malik Khan, Crown Prince of El Bahar.
The prince offered a low bow. We have not been formally introduced. I am Prince Malik and you are? He reached for her passport.
Liana Archer. This is my daughter, Bethany.
Hi, Bethany said, beaming up at him. Do you really live in a palace?
Absolutely. With my two brothers and their wives. Lots of princes and princesses. Oh, and my father, King of El Bahar.
Bethanys blue eyes widened. And you have your own horses and gold, and lots of people bow to you all the time?
Malik grinned. Not as much gold as we would like and people dont bow all that much anymore. It makes it difficult for them to get their work done if theyre bowing all the time.
Malik motioned to the customs official, who quickly stamped their passports, then ushered them through without so much as a glance at their luggage.
Welcome to El Bahar, Malik said.
Liana was still speechless at seeing him again, not to mention the effect of her misplaced physical reaction to his presence. She was too exhausted to figure out what was wrong with her, so she was determined to ignore it. Yes, the prince was tallprobably six foot two or three. She was five foot eight and he towered over her. Or maybe it was his headdress that gave him the illusion of height? She studied him and decided that his clothing might emphasize his power, but it didnt add anything that wasnt already there. Nope, Prince Malik was tall, strong and intimidating. But then maybe all princes were. She didnt travel in royal circles much.
Why did you do this? she asked, jerking her head toward the long, slow-moving lines of people still waiting to go through customs.
Malik shrugged. I wanted to apologize for scaring you and your daughter on the plane. I assure you, that was not our intention.
His gaze was steady and direct. She tried to ignore the way he seemed to be seeing into her soul by looking at his individual features. Perhaps if she could find fault, he wouldnt be so intimidating.
Unfortunately for her, Prince Malik was physically quite flawless. He had wide-set eyes and a straight nose. High cheekbones cut through tanned skin. His mouth was firm and a little stern, but there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners. He was the kind of man who would look good with his likeness on a stampor the side of a mountain.
So, Liana Archer, why are you in my country? he asked.
Im a new teacher at the American School. She shifted slightly and saw that the customs official, the little man in the well-fitting suit and the security guard were all still within earshot. None of them were overtly listening to the conversation, but Liana didnt doubt they were catching every word.
Malik frowned. You are not.
Excuse me?
You are not a teacher, he said folding his arms over his chest. Women teachers are old and unattractive. So why are you really here, and where is your husband?
Shed been warned that while El Bahar was more forward thinking than most Middle Eastern countries, the nation still had particular ideas rooted in the past. Obviously this was one of them.
The combination of her lingering attraction, the odd welcome theyd received on the plane and the tiredness she saw in her daughters face made Liana speak without thinking.
Look, Your Highness, I cant see that its any of your business, but for what its worth, Im not married anymore. I cant do anything about my age, but if youd like Ill work on popping out a few warts to make me more unattractive. Would that be sufficient?
Behind her, she heard a collective gasp from the three men. Belatedly, she thought that sarcasm would probably not be welcomed by the Crown Prince. A vision of years in a desert prison followed by a slow and painful death filled her mind. She took a step closer to Bethany.
But instead of getting angry, the prince simply smiled. Would the warts be on your nose?
Is that where youd like them?
Im not sure. Ill have to consider the matter. Then he snapped his fingersliterallyand a porter appeared with a cart.
Minutes later, Liana and Bethany were in the back of a cab speeding away from the airport. Prince Malik had let them go without doing anything more than wishing them well.
Remind me never to try to be witty in front of royalty again, Liana murmured as she leaned her head back against the seat.
He wasnt mad, Bethany said confidently, snuggling up to her mother. Prince Malik liked you. I could tell.