Page 6 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Her taunt triggered anger in him. His jaw tightened and he leaned closer. She could feel his breath against her skin.

"You will come to see that being my wife is something to treasure. Something to enjoy," he added, leering at her.

Nicole pulled her arm away from him even more forcefully this time.

Finally, she loosened her arm and staggered back toward the tent. She had no idea where she was going, what she was going to try to do. All she knew was that she had to get away. She had to come up with something to avoid this ridiculous fate that he had engineered for her.

Nicole grabbed at the entrance to the tent and tugged it open. She was desperate to get back inside. She knew there would be no safety in there, but at least it would give her a moment of respite. A chance to think.

"Nicole!" he cried out from behind her. She didn't even pause to look back at him, knowing that if she did she would feel another surge of fear and terror.

Before she went back inside the tent she decided to show him that nothing he could do would make her back down. She looked back at him.

Just as Nicole turned she saw that Hakim was looking off in another direction, toward the entrance to the camp between two high dunes. There was a figure on a horse riding into the encampment. It was a man, dressed in traditional white robes.

He drew his horse to a halt and dismounted. After securing the reins, the man started to stride toward Hakim. There was an instant change in Hakim's demeanor at the site of the newcomer in the camp. She sensed Hakim's body stiffen, his features harden. It was clear the newcomer wasn't entirely welcome.

Nicole wondered who the new man was. She scrutinized him as he strode defiantly toward them. He was about the same age as Hakim, in his early thirties. The man was tall and slid back the hood of his robe from his head to reveal a thick shock of dark hair and even, handsome features. His eyes were dark, filled with a penetrating gaze that right now was fixed firmly upon Hakim.

Nicole turned to Hakim about to ask who the man was. But she paused when she saw that Hakim's face had paled. She saw him take a few steps back in response to the advancing figure of the newcomer.

For some strange reason Nicole couldn't understand, she was tempted by the sudden impulse to run toward the newcomer. Even if she did not know that he was friendly, she sensed in his attitude that he was no friend of Hakim.

Before she knew what she was doing, Nicole dashed toward the newcomer. He stopped in his tracks and stared in disbelief at the figure of the running woman heading straight for him. Nicole had no idea what she was going to say to him, what she could possibly say to him under the circumstances. Maybe he was a friend of Hakim. Maybe he was here to attend the wedding. That thought almost made her feet slide to halt in the sand.

Moments later, she was by the side of the stranger and grasping onto his white robes. Nicole peered up into his face, noting the starkness of his features, now that she was close to him.

"You have to help me," she gasped.

The stranger peered down at Nicole. She saw a flicker of understanding in his eyes and his features seemed to soften for a second in response to her pleading.

The stranger lifted his head peered across at Hakim and Nicole saw the stranger's jaw tighten.

"What is the meaning of this, Hakim?" the man said. His voice was deep and resonant.

Nicole turned and saw Hakim walk toward the stranger. "I was about to ask you the same question, Sheikh Rashid."

Nicole peered up to the man's face. His name was Rashid and he was no friend of Hakim. Now she knew it for certain. If that was the case, then there was a chance he would help her. She felt a flickering of hope.

Hakim took a defiant stance in front of Nicole and Rashid. "Why have you come?" Hakim demanded.

Rashid peered past Hakim's shoulder and toward the makeshift platform. "Is that what I think it is?" Rashid asked.

Hakim nodded, a sudden insolent expression on his face.

"It is," he stated firmly. Hakim looked at Nicole. He reached out a hand to Nicole, but she scowled at him and he withdrew his hand.

Nicole leaned against Rashid and felt him sigh heavily.

"You know what I think of this kind of thing, Hakim, Rashid said.

"I know that you no longer value our traditions," Hakim said with obvious disdain.

Rashid shook his head. "On the contrary. When I heard about what you were planning, it was my duty to come and stop you."

Hakim's eyes widened. For a moment, Nicole thought that he was going to leap across the distance and seize hold of Rashid. "Who are you to challenge my authority here?" Hakim demanded.

"It is my privilege to challenge you on this," Rashid replied. "And my right."

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