LOGINI woke up with a sharp gasp.
The familiar ceiling of the SUV came into focus above me. The vehicle was parked beneath the shade of a weathered acacia tree and Ayesha sat beside me, gently pressing a cold bottle of water against my forehead.
"Oh, thank goodness. You scared us."
I blinked several times. "What... happened?"![]()
**(Kharef POV)**I watched Zahra and Maritza disappear inside the hut before turning my attention back to the men waiting outside.And the warmth in my expression vanished. There was no room for softness now because there were matters that needed to be settled before I left.I looked at Kasim and Rasyid.“Kasim. Rasyid.” Both men straightened immediately. “I trust Lady Maritza in your hands.”They immediately dropped to one knee, placing a hand over their chest.“I will protect the future queen with my life, my Pharaoh,” they said firmly.Future queen… The words stayed in my mind.
**(Kharef's POV)**I remained alone beneath the night sky for a long time.The desert wind moved quietly around me, carrying the faint sounds of the village behind me.I could still hear Maritza's voice in my mind.‘I expect you to save your kingdom.’She had said it gently, not as an order or as a demand but I knew what she meant. She was willing to remain behind so I could return to Egypt.But the thought irritated me, not because she was wrong but because she was right.I could no longer delay my return.I had responsibilities waiting for me, and whate
The night had settled over Harun's village.Beyond the small huts, the desert stretched endlessly toward the horizon, dark beneath the scattered stars.Kharef stood alone. His massive figure was almost motionless as he stared into the distance, his arms crossed over his chest.He could still hear the faint sounds coming from the village behind him. People talking and dinner being served. The occasional laughter and somewhere among those sounds was the woman he loved.Maritza… He knew exactly what she wanted him to do, return to Egypt and to his throne. Leave her here until the danger is dealt with.The thought alone made his jaw tighten. He had spent his entire life protecting Egypt, never hesitated to return to the ba
No one dared to make a comment.The moment I finished speaking, everyone lowered their heads, suddenly finding the ground far more interesting than the conversation.I couldn't blame them because I had just told the Pharaoh of Egypt what he needed to do. Yes, I had practically ordered him to leave me behind and return to his kingdom.And somehow, I was still alive.I glanced around at the others to see Rasyid remained completely silent while Harun wisely said nothing. Even Zahra had stopped what she was doing and was watching us with a small, knowing smile.They all understood what had just happened. No one dared challenge Kharef and order him anywhere. Yet somehow, I had done exactly that.
Once again, it seemed my wound was slowing everything down.I hated admitting it but it was the truth. By now, we should have already returned to the palace and yet we are still here.Kharef was the Pharaoh. He had responsibilities waiting for him—decisions that only he could make, leaders who needed his guidance, and a kingdom that had been without him for far too long.Yet here we were, still hiding, still waiting and still trying to make sure I was strong enough to travel.Once again, my injuries had become the reason everything was delayed.I sat in the dining room with Zahra while she prepared our food. The familiar smell of herbs and roasted meat filled the room, but I barely noticed it.
The fire had burned low by the time I finally asked the question that had been sitting in my mind all evening.“So... what are we now?”Kharef turned his head toward me.He stared at me as though I had suddenly started speaking a language he had never heard before.“What?” he frownedI almost laughed. “You heard me.”His golden eyes narrowed slightly.“What do you mean, what are we?”I hesitated.“It’s just...” I looked down at our joined hands. “We never really talked about







