“I love you,” Zain whispered against her lips.
“I love you, too.” Mila bit her lower lip as she watched him walk away. She didn’t know how she was going to stand watching him walk away from her the next day, possibly for the last time. But that was what was going to happen. Now that the threat was gone and the summit was over, Zain would see that his infatuation was just caused by the heat of the moment. Did he love her? Yes, he did. But would he still love her when everything returned to normal and she was back home? Because for all the people around her saying that Keeneston was home, Keeneston was not her home. Even though it did already feel like it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Zain was drawn into discussion the second he entered the conference room. Piper sent him a warm smile as he settled in and answered questions. Piper supplied the science and Zain supplied the logistics. The day flew by. In the end, all parties, sans Tahjad, had agreed not only to work together on global tensions arising from disease outbreaks and cybercrimes, but also signed the multinational agreement promising support for the Rahmi International Nanotechnology Laboratory. His summit was a success, but the one person he wanted to celebrate with wasn’t by his side.
Zain stood with Jamal at the bottom of the front steps, shaking hands with the delegates as they made their way to their cars and headed home. His father came to stand with them and whispered in his ear, “Remember, I want to see you before you leave.” He then looked up and smiled at Suri. “Ah, Suri,” Mo said in his normal silken tone.
Zain bowed deeply to her to show his respect. Suri smiled and Zain thought he saw a glistening in her eyes. “Cousins, I thank you for your hospitality and your friendship.”
“We are family,” Zain reminded her.
“And I hope to be invited to more family functions, say . . . weddings.” Suri smiled.
“Let’s start with a family reunion of sorts,” Mo said as he stepped away from Zain to stand in front of Suri. “I have told my brother all that you have done to help Rahmi. He wants you to fly to Rahmi with Jamal to work together with the head of the rebel party, the Dragoons, in Tahjad to bring stability to our land. If you want to, that is.”
Suri bowed her head graciously. “I would like that. The Dragoon leader is an educated man, wanting the best for his country. He was the one I was going to support if they ever led an uprising. I’d be pleased to attend.”
Jamal held out his arm for Suri. “Then shall we?” Suri slipped her arm through his and smiled at the young prince who was finally coming into his own. “Uncle, Zain, thank you.”
Zain watched Jamal and Suri walk to the limousine. Jamal had apologized to Abby and even to Veronica and Ahmed. The future of Rahmi was secure, his cousin was growing up, and, for once, a woman he loved was waiting for him. Zain nearly forgot his promise to meet with his father as he started to go find Mila.
Zain stopped, turned, and found his father had gone. He was probably waiting for him in his office. As he walked down the hallway, he heard the chatter of his mother and her friends, helping to set up a dinner party for that night. His mother had invited everyone from the town to enjoy a large celebratory dinner as thanks for their help with the summit. Zain knocked on his father’s door and waited for permission to enter. When he heard Mo’s voice, he opened the door to find the video screen on and waiting to transmit.
“Are we calling Uncle Dirar?” Zain asked.
“No. There’s something I want to give you.” Zain watched his father move to the hidden safe and open it. “You know I fell in love with your mother the moment I saw her sitting on Kenna and Will’s back porch. What you don’t know is that as a young man, I was given a ring as an heir to the Rahmi crown to give to my fiancée. When I thought about giving it to your mother, I just knew it wasn’t meant for her. I believe I was saving it for you.”
Mo turned around and held a small gold box with an engraving of the oryx on the lid. “Love changed my world in an instant. I shouldn’t have been surprised when it did the same for you. I should have seen the look on your face when you looked at Mila. It is the same look I have on mine everyday when I see your mother.”
Zain took the box from his father and opened it slowly. Love, happiness, and a bright future. Those feelings warmed his heart and he knew his father had been right. “It’s perfect.”
“If you press this tablet screen, you’ll find Mila’s parents waiting to talk to you. I assumed after today you wouldn’t want to be waiting to ask her to become part of our family.”
Zain hugged his father. “Thank you, Dad,” Zain whispered.
“I figured we had to keep the tradition alive. My father disliked your mother briefly, and then loved her as a daughter until he passed away. Speaking of traditions, it may be an old, outdated one, but I hope you choose to do it. Just press the button and gather your nerve, son. I’m sorry I ever doubted your judgment. Mila is a wonderful young lady who I will be proud to call my daughter. And the mother of my grandchildren.”
Zain groaned. “At least let me get married before you join Mom in your quest for grandchildren.”
His father just smiled and slapped his back before walking out the door with energy in his step and a vision of grandbabies in his head.
Zain took a deep breath. He knew with every fiber of his body that Mila was the one. Zain hit the button and the screen turned to a desk overlooking lamp-lit small streets and old buildings in Bern, Switzerland. Suddenly a cheerful-looking man sat down in the chair as a prim and polished woman came to stand behind him.
“Mr. Thiessen, Mrs. Thiessen, I’m Zain Ali Rahman. It’s nice to meet you,” Zain said more nervous than he had ever been before.
“Guten Abend, Prince Ali Rahman,” Mr. Thiessen said respectfully.
“Good evening to you, too. Thank you for taking my phone call in the middle of the night. And please, call me Zain.”
Zain noticed Mila’s mother didn’t approve. But from what Mila told him about her, she was stuck in tradition. Propriety and decorum said you never addressed a prince so informally.
“Well then, Zain. What can we do for you? I assume you’re wanting to talk to your sister?” Mr. Thiessen motioned with his hand and Ariana hurried over to stand next to Mrs. Thiessen.
“Zain! Is everything okay? What happened?” Ariana quickly questioned.
Zain smiled at his sister. She was seven years younger than he and he’d always seen her as a little girl. Even now when she was almost twenty-two. And he had indulged her and always would. “It’s all taken care of, Ariana. As if you didn’t know from the town texts,” he teased.
“Hush, I’m trying to show the Thiessens what an awesome brother I have,” she playfully whispered. Mr. Thiessen laughed a big booming laugh and even Mrs. Thiessen’s hard exterior cracked with a little smile of indulgence for his sister.
“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Thiessen, for taking care of my very exuberant sister and her friends. I will never be able to repay my gratitude.”
“It’s been a pleasure, young man. She’s brought a spark of life into this old embassy,” Mr. Thiessen smiled and looked up quickly at Ariana.
“So, get to it, Zain,” Ariana prompted. Zain felt himself blush. He was never going to indulge his sister again because he was going to kill her for putting him on the spot.
“Was there something else you require of us—” Mrs. Thiessen took a deep breath—“Zain?”
Zain gripped the gold box tightly in his hand and nodded. “This may seem sudden, but I’ve fallen madly in love with your daughter, and I would like your permission to ask her to marry me.” Belatedly, Zain held up the box and opened it so they could see the ring.
“Yes!” Ariana shouted suddenly as Mrs. Thiessen blatantly stared at the ring.