The Sheikh’s Surprise Bride: Matchmaking the Sheikhs of Al-Fatha, #2

By Leslie North

Prince Yusef Oman is not happy to marry his bride, sight unseen. But when he finally lays eyes on his new wife, he's horrified to find himself standing beside his social-climbing ex, Zara Amiri, the woman who broke his heart once he discovered she'd only been dating him for his title. In his tiny kingdom of Al-Fatha, couples cannot divorce until after six months of marriage, so he's stuck with her until then.

But maybe that's not all bad. Even though Yusef can't fully trust her, he likes Zara. Maybe even more than likes and they find themselves slipping back into their easy way with one another. But no matter what, they both agree their marriage is in name only. No romance. No kissing. And definitely no future.

Zara never got over that Yusef thought she only loved him for his wealth and privilege. She fell in love with "Joe" and wasn't too happy to find out he was royalty. Now they're married and the love she felt for him is coming back full force. Though Zara initially agrees they'll ride out this marriage of convenience, she secretly hopes Yusef will come to realize how wrong he was about her.

But having to prove herself to him is maddening. Though Zara loves Yusef with all her heart, she cannot stay married to a man who doesn't trust her. Her only hope is that Yusef will figure out what he's throwing away before their six months is up.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781393827962

Book preview

1

"S earching for an escape route?"

Prince Yusef Oman gave a quiet snort as he stared out the crack in the door of the meeting room his brothers had commandeered as a dressing room. A huge crowd had gathered in the planetarium’s lobby, but today they were there to observe stars of a different kind. Namely, his marriage to a mystery bride.

He took a deep breath and closed the door, then faced his older brother Kadir with a forced smile. No. Honestly, I’m not sure what I was looking for. Maybe a glimpse of my in-laws. Something to reassure myself that this whole fiasco isn’t a huge mistake.

Yusef walked over to sit on the settee along the wall, his shoulders slumping back against the sofa. At least the formal white thobe he wore for the impending ceremony was more comfortable than the usual Western tuxedos men donned for such occasions. He’d dressed that way his share of times, back when he’d lived in the United States for college. Today those days felt very far away indeed.

His title and his family obligations weighed heavily on him, more so than usual. Rarely did Yusef let himself forget his station in life or his country. To do so as a member of the royal family was courting disaster. He was a sheikh. The second son of the former king of Al-Fatha, the brother of the new king, Kadir. And he was about to walk down the aisle to marry a woman he’d never laid eyes on in his life, all to right a wrong he’d inflicted upon his younger sister, Naziha.

Strange times indeed.

In fact, the only communication he and his future wife had had was a single letter they’d each written, telling the other about their feelings, their hopes, their dreams for the future. It had been Naziha’s idea, and she should know about these things. She was a professional matchmaker, after all. She’d directed every aspect of today, which was good because Yusef had no idea what he was doing. In different circumstances, he’d never have entertained the idea of marrying a virtual stranger, but he had to repay that debt to Naziha, or at least try.

Why were my brothers and I so stupid? Why did we pull such a horrible prank on our sister? If I could go back and undo the damage I wouldn’t be sitting here, getting ready to follow through on this ridiculous arrangement.

Kadir came over and sat beside him, giving him a reassuring thump on the shoulder. I know it feels odd now, but you’ll get through it.

I suppose. With a sigh, Yusef leaned his head back to stare up at the white ceiling of the repurposed meeting room. How did you do it? How did you make it through your own wedding when you knew nothing of your bride except what was on paper? How did you make yourself walk down the aisle?

Well, my situation was a bit different. Kadir shrugged. I mean, I might not have met Stella before our ceremony, but I had a whole dossier on her, so I felt I knew her, in a way. Plus, half the population of Al-Fatha showed up at the palace that day to witness our marriage, and the other half watched on TV, so it wasn’t like I had much choice but to go through with it.

Yusef looked over at his brother. Would you have run, if you could have?

Kadir shook his head without hesitation. No. Never. I’m glad I did it. I love Stella very much. Honestly, despite the initial reasons I agreed to the marriage, Naziha could not have picked a better match for me. Stella and I are true partners on all levels. He clapped Yusef on the shoulder. Don’t concern yourself, brother. Our sister is very good at what she does, and I’m sure she’s picked the best woman for you as well. You just may not realize it at first.

’Not at first’? That doesn’t sound promising. Just how long did it take you to realize that your match with Stella was the right one? Weeks? Months?

Kadir smiled at the naked worry on his younger brother’s face. The truth is, I think that deep down I knew from the moment I saw her, after she lifted her veil. And when I kissed her, at the end of the ceremony? Well, that helped too. He chuckled at the memory. If I didn’t know better I’d swear Naziha mixed up one of those ancient love potions handed down from our ancestors.

So it was that easy? Yusef asked, shifting to face his brother. "One kiss and boom, you’re in love with your new bride?"

Kadir threw his head back and let out his booming laugh. Brother, are you forgetting the spats Stella and I had in the first few months of our union? Like the one at the opera that wound up on all the gossip sites? My wife and I had a bumpy path to our forever, but I trusted Naziha and her process, just as you should.

Yusef rubbed his eyes. Even if the debt to his sister was taken out of the equation, he wouldn’t be keen on marriage. Such a bond required incredible trust to be successful, and trust was the one thing Yusef had in short supply. He trusted his family and himself, and that was about it. For good reason. He’d been burned before by people pretending to be his friends, only to turn on him for the press or personal profit.

How about we go over the ceremony again? Kadir asked as he walked over to the full-length mirror across the room to check his reflection. Unlike Yusef’s white thobe, Kadir’s robe was black and decorated with gold trim that marked his status as King of Al-Fatha. They both had on matching white keffiyeh, though the cords keeping Kadir’s headpiece in place were gold as well, while Yusef’s were the traditional black. Perhaps that will calm your jitters.

Fine. Yusef pushed to his feet to pace once more. Nervous energy bubbled inside him, making his stomach roil and his muscles tight.

He and Kadir went over the intricate steps of the upcoming ceremony, one based on ancient Al-Fatha customs. While Kadir had married in a Western-style ceremony, to make his American bride more comfortable, Yusef’s mystery bride was of Al-Fatha descent and based on the letter she’d written she was eager to get back to her roots, so Naziha had planned their ceremony accordingly. They’d speak their vows in Arabic and even be separated by a huge hanging veil that would conceal the bride from the groom completely until after they’d exchanged rings and sealed their bond. Only then would the veil fall, allowing the newlywed couple to see each other for the first time. Naziha had insisted on the tradition and Yusef wasn’t in a position to make demands of his sister.

He recited his memorized vows on autopilot, having lost count of how many times he’d gone over them in preparation for today. He was an attorney by trade and liked to be prepared.

The staff has placed small marks on the floor to show you exactly where to stand during each part of the ceremony, Kadir continued, breaking into Yusef’s riotous thoughts. The crowd looks large, I know, but remember that we’re all here for you, to support you and cheer you on. Family and friends only, perhaps two hundred people. Everyone in that room wants to see you both happy. Kadir caught Yusef’s eye on the mirror. "Besides, what could be more romantic than saying I do beneath my glorious stained-glass dome of the heavens, eh?"

His older brother had designed and overseen the building of Al-Fatha’s new planetarium, and it was his pride and joy, the first architectural gem in the plans to revitalize the old capital city of Jazid. It was an honor to have their ceremony here, and Yusef knew how much it meant to Kadir. He didn’t want to seem ungrateful or unimpressed.

Yes. Glorious indeed. Yusef gave what he hoped was a convincing smile, swallowing hard at the burn of bile in his throat. Today was not romantic. More like disastrous. Perhaps even cataclysmic. Yes, those words were more appropriate. "It all sounds very…grand."

He wandered over to the small window in the far wall to look out over the busy stalls in the street bazaar below. He stuck his hand into the pocket of his thobe and felt the letter tucked there. His only link to his new bride. He pulled it out and unfolded the worn page, rereading her words for the umpteenth time. She said she wanted a marriage built on love, laughter and mutual support. She said she worked for a local charity and hoped her future husband would be a kind and altruistic man. She said she couldn’t wait to learn everything about him.

His gut tightened, an odd mix of hope and doubt clawing deeper. Surely he wouldn’t be as lucky as Kadir, to wind up with a partner so suited to him? All Yusef had ever yearned for was someone to want him just for himself, not because of his title or his money or his influence.

I assure you that the words in your bride’s letter haven’t magically shifted, Kadir teased gently. Everything in it speaks to a loving, compassionate and trustworthy partner. What more could you want?

How about someone who doesn’t look like a camel? Yusef gave Kadir a playful grin as he tucked the letter back into his pocket.

"Ah yes, that, Kadir said with mock seriousness. We can only hope that Naziha has graced you with a beauty like my Stella."

Yusef put his hands to his chest and bowed his head in pretend prayer.

Kadir pulled his brother into a bear hug. I wish you all the best. Really.

Thank you, he said, giving Kadir a squeeze before stepping away. He sniffled, not expecting to feel emotional over what amounted to a business transaction. The marriage he was entering into certainly wasn’t a love match.

A knock sounded on the door, followed by Salah sticking his head inside. Ready to walk to the gallows?

Not funny. Yusef frowned and checked his appearance one last time, giving his younger brother a look in the mirror. Make jokes while you can, because you’re next.

Not likely, Salah scoffed. Naziha knows I’m a bachelor for life. Unmatchable.

Uh-huh. Sure. Yusef plucked an imported white anemone from an arrangement nearby and tossed it to his younger brother, the playful troublemaker of the siblings. See? You caught the bouquet. A sure sign of matrimony to come.

Hardly, Salah tossed the flower away as if it had burned him. Naziha’s going to have to chase me down and strap me to a chair before I’ll go through with it.

Hey, your bride-to-be might be into that kinky stuff, Yusef said with a smirk.

That is so wrong I can’t even— Salah replied, making a disgusted face. He punched Yusef in the arm so hard that Yusef immediately raised his first to punch back.

Stop acting like hooligans, you two, Kadir scolded, trying to hide his laughter. It’s time for us to take our places. Are you ready, Yusef?

Torn and twisted, Yusef raised his chin in a show of false bravado. As I’ll ever be.

Twenty minutes later, he stood on his side of the traditional embellished veil at the front of the aisle. The lights had been lowered in the massive lobby, causing flickering shadows from the candles around the space to dance across the white marble floor. Above them, the stained-glass dome glowed from the external spotlights surrounding it, casting a rainbow of colors down on the assembled guests. It felt magical and mystical and far too momentous for Yusef’s peace of mind. He’d tried peering through the fabric several times, but all he could make out was her silhouette. She stood a couple of inches shorter than his own six-foot height with proud posture, slim shoulders, nice curves. Just his type.

No. Focus. This was not the time to be thinking about anything other than what’s expected at the ceremony.

Panic clawed up his throat once more, choking him. This was nuts. Completely crazy. Anyone could be standing on the other side of that veil. Was his new bride as worried as he was? Did she feel like she’d die if she couldn’t see his face right this instant too?

Without thinking, Yusef reached up to touch the fabric. She must have seen him because she did the same, their fingers touching through the fabric. His chest constricted, pulse throbbing in his fingertips as he felt her heat, the pressure of her touch, the solidity. This was real. This was happening.

They weren’t supposed to speak, other than their vows, but he couldn’t stop himself from whispering to her.

Are you okay?

The words sounded rough to his own ears, croaking past his dry vocal cords.

Yes, she whispered back. And you?

I think so.

Her small, lilting giggle conjured an unexpected memory from his past. In an instant he was back in college, sitting beneath a tree on the quad. They were having a picnic. His then-girlfriend Zara Amiri lay beside him on the blanket. The whole thing had been a comedy of errors. She’d laughed because he’d been beaned by a mis-thrown Frisbee. He’d been tickling her at the time, so not paying attention. Her second burst of laughter when the Frisbee hit had been a happy, free, easy sound.

He sighed. Back then they’d felt they had all the time in the world. Their whole lives together ahead of them…

How wrong we were.

Yusef blinked hard, forcing himself back to the present. The last thing he needed right now was a reminder of a love gone wrong. Things with Zara had ended badly. Very badly. She’d seemed perfect, but all she’d been interested in was his title, his money. She’d lied to him, broken his heart…

Which was exactly why he trusted no one outside his family.

The imam finished his reading and moved on to the next part of the ceremony, and Yusef reminded himself that this was not the past. His bride was not Zara. She lived in Los Angeles now, half a world away. The woman across the veil would be his wife. If Kadir was right she’d help him forget the past and move forward.

The next few minutes passed in a blur as Yusef concentrated on not making any mistakes. He recited his vows again, this time with more emotion in his voice, because it was for real. He and his bride exchanged rings—her hands were soft and dainty, her fingernails painted a delicate pink, her skin smooth and tawny. He kept hold of her after slipping the ring on, unable to stop himself from rubbing his thumb over