Page 69 of Good As Hell

Trying to keep the question from playing across my face, I rise to greet my husband’s ex-fiancée.

“Khadijah, you arrived in time to distract me from the boredom of the day.” I say, with the practiced aplomb gained from the hours of lessons from the palace protocol secretary has driven into me.

“I know I’m intruding, High Consort, but I wanted to speak to you while I had the chance.” The hope shining in her eyes is unsettling. I’m reminded then she’s a self described superfan of the Empress. I wonder briefly if that’s why she’s here.

“No worries.” Waving toward the seat opposite me, I sit. Another wave of exhaustion hits me just then. I sink down on the sofa with all the grace of a newborn fawn.

“I’m sorry to hear of all the trouble you’ve had to endure lately.” She apologizes, her sincerity breaking through the posh facade.

“That’s very sweet of you.” Giving her a gentle smile that I actually mean, despite my distrust, I get to the point of her visit,“Is that why you snuck away to see me?” my mouth quirks up.

Her smile is disarmingly genuine. Taking a deep inhale as if to gather her courage, she forges on. “I don’t know if Hassan mentioned how much I love you.” Her hands grasp tightly together as she leans forward with her admission. Her eyes shine with unmitigated joy. I think it’s just being close to me. I’ve seen it before.

My nod barely registers before she plunges into her requests. “I love Hassan very much — but like a brother. I knew what was expected. Marrying him was drilled into me from the moment I could understand what a boy was.” She smiles sadly. “I was going to do my duty, but when I went to school, I met someoneand we became friends because that is all we could ever be until you and Hassan were blessed with sweet Ayaan.” She looks down for a moment, then back up, tears in her eyes. “It was the best possible thing that could ever happen to Deacon and me.” She blushes so prettily I can’t help but smile.

“Deacon Shipmoore?” I ask, wondering if she means Prosper’s younger brother.

“Yes.” She nearly swoons. “He’s amazing. My parents approve — well, Umm does. Which is why I wanted to ask a huge favor…” Hope shines through as she hedges to ask the question burning inside of her to get out.

“I’d love to sing at your wedding.” I love my fans, regardless of whether they are billionaire heiresses.

A pretty blush flushes her cheeks. Tears brim and spill over her eyes. “This is amazing. It’s a dream come true.”

I give her a moment to get herself together, then lean in all business. “I don’t require compensation because you are like a sister to Hassan, Sadiq and Amani, and Ayaan adores you.” Though I will be speaking to my husband as soon as he gets home to find out how that happened. I need to know everyone my baby comes into contact with. Hell, I was just poisoned and attacked twice, being around these damn people.

“Of course I’m happy to do whatever you need.” She charges ahead with an enthusiastic grace.

“That’s lovely,” and it was. Anyone would find it hard not to like this young woman. “However, it’s your father’s help the kingdom needs. Hassan mentioned he needs his construction teams out in the field helping to rebuild and refortifying the cities affected by the earthquake and Jhori was not amenable to the terms.” A flush of embarrassment rides high on her cheeks, so much so that soon her entire face is red beneath her light almond complexion.

“Khadijah?” Both our heads snap around to Amani sweeping into the garden from my suite of all places, concern etched on her face as her gaze sweeps over us. Her jade gaze, similar to her brothers, alights on me, barely suppressed anger registers before she can and smother it with a practiced public face.

She’s been nothing but polite, but it’s not lost on me she’s just as upset about the cancellation of her bestie’s marriage now as when it was first called off. Right now, it seems even more so.

“Mani!” Ayaan all but screams, racing over to my sister-in-law like she’s a long-lost friend.

Just as he reaches her, arms outstretched, he stumbles. My heart jumps. I lunge forward though I’d never make it in time, his name ripping from my lips, “Ayaan—” like he’s the first baby in creation to fall.

Amani’s quicker on her feet than one would think a pampered princess could ever be.

Sweeping his soggy form into her body. “Hey little man,” she coos, burying her head in his curls. “Amma missed you.”

He allows this all of a two minutes, which is an eternity in toddler time before squirming to be free. Which has her bursting out in s little chuckle before setting him back on his sturdy feet.

“Marharba.” I keep standing to welcome her. When she approaches, I kiss both cheeks, gesturing for her to sit with us.

“Ahawat.” Nodding to us, she greets us both as her sisters. She looks at the tea service. That silent communication is all it takes for an attendant to emerge with a new tray with fresh tea and refreshments.

The gentle smells wafting up around us should be comforting, but a strange queasiness assails me. Swallowing back the saliva filling mouth, I attempt to focus on the beautiful women before me.

They look like beautiful butterflies in light pastels flowing dresses. I can tell they were raised to be princesses. They arecomfortable in the skin they are in. I made myself into an empress and I’m just as comfortable. I know I earned the place I have in this world. The fact I feel right at home among royalty isn’t lost on me.

“How are you today, Lyric?” Her quizzical expression rests on me as if she thought I asked for this meeting. “I was wondering where you got off to. I go to chat with Kenji and the next thing I know you’re gone, like you have an assignation.” She pins us both with hard scrutiny. I can’t help but notice how much she looks like her brothers.

“And how is Kenji? Is he going to work with his cousins in the US or stay in Tokyo?” I ask about her fiancé giving Khadijah time to form a response if she even wants to give one.

“As Allah would have it, Kenji will stand up a Takeda Industries start up here. Babba and Umm are very amenable and Hassan has agreed it is a great opportunity to extend the tech industry to Morocco.” She beams with elation.

“That’s amazing.” I say, taking the Moroccan mint tea, adding a hint of sugared ginger to settle my tummy.

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