Page 40 of Royal Pain
Chapter 14
Belinda
This country, this continent. One flight over three hundred miles of African hills and plains and I’m hooked on the dream. I’m seeing scenes straight from the movies. Specifically,Out of Africa.Cue Robert Redford and Meryl Streep.
I watch herds of animals traveling in dusty reddish storms raised by the pounding of their hooves. Oxen and wildebeest. In the flat country with distant hills, I saw giraffes with bending necks trying to eat the spreading Acacias. And birds! Huge flocks flying over the land in massive migration.
But when we crossed from edges of South Africa into Mozia is when everything became clear. I understood another layer of Zan and his family, the connection to this magical place on Earth. Even from this height I could see the draw of the unique landscape and colors that make the land.
The late autumn shades of amber and red spread across the hills. Golden grasses lay across the plains. A big natural sapphire-blue lake lays at the southern tip of the country.
It’s been a spectacular, stunning, breathtaking moment in time. I’ll never forget the flight. The plane comes to a rolling stop. The sounds of the engine being turned off and the sudden quiet that follows.
“Did you enjoy yourself? Your face was pressed to the window the whole time.”
I know he’s happy seeing my reaction. It’s genuine and he can feel it.
“Oh, Zan! I’ve never been so swept away by a place. It almost makes me want to cry. I have a lump in my throat. Really.”
He unbuckles and works on mine.
“Mozia is absolutely beautiful from the air.”
He motions for me to lead the way out of the plane and I oblige.
“Honestly, I can’t believe what we saw in just a little over an hour! I was looking for lions, but I didn’t see any,” I say over my shoulder.
“You’re not going to see every animal in your first hour here! Patience, Princess.”
What? Was that just a nickname or was he teasing me? I hear a little chuckle under his breath, and it makes me smile. Good thing he can’t see my face. I nod to that whore Tilly, who does the same in return. Zan doesn’t say a word to her or she to him.
Walking out to the bright sunlight, my eyes gradually adjust.
“Welcome to Mozia!” the voices of children ring out.
At the bottom of the steps awaits Tarik, a petite woman I imagine is his wife, and four male children. The tallest no older than fourteen. Wide smiles and contained energy make the picture. I turn back to Zan.
“Oh look! Your brother and his family are here!”
I wave to our greeters and start down the steps to the children’s squeals.
When I make it to the tarmac the kids suddenly go shy. Except for the littlest, who is doing a kind of happy dance in our honor.
“Hello, everyone! What a welcome party!”
Tarik wraps an arm around the woman. “Belinda, I’d like to introduce my wife, Princess Monifa.
She puts out two hands, reaching for mine.
“Welcome to our country, Belinda.”
Her smile is welcoming and I sense a real warmth.
“Thank you, Princess. I’m so happy Prince Zan invited me.” Then turning to the children, “And who are these handsome boys?”
Their shyness turns back to excitement. Two are peeking around me to see their uncle. Looks like he’s a favorite.
“Uncle Zan!” the oldest boy shouts. He breaks away from his brothers and throws his arms around Zan for a hug. He’s the only teenager and I don’t think he’s older than fourteen or fifteen.
