His back to the door, yet Prince Aches knew the instant Ahmed ushered her into one of the sumptuous parlors of Koubbeh palace. And when he raised his hands, the guards in the room, including Ahmed, took their leave. Then gracefully, he came off the window and stopped in front of her; his expression somber. He took one of her hands in both of his and kissed it.
“You look magnificent as always,” he said and this time, kissed the heart of her palm.
Ella sucked in a breath. More than anything, she wanted him to kiss her, caress and hold her in his strong arms, but when she remembered how he had treated her at their first kiss, every desire faded off.
“T-Thank you...I wish you a very happy birthday,” she managed to say.
“Thanks,” he said. Gently letting go of her hand, he brought up the rea
