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      Ziyad shook his head. "You are my princess. You have brought my heart back to life. You have rescued me from myself. My people, our people, adore you. I…adore you." He paused. "I was not forced, Amani. I could have walked away. I could have let you go. But I am here, and I am at your mercy."

      Silence once again pressed down on her. Everyone in the tent was awaiting her decision, but the only person she cared about was Ziyad. He told her she was his princess. She would honor his choice for the rest of her life.

      "My name is Amani Bihar, not Amani Bantish. I choose to stay in the Spider's caravan."

      Ziyad closed his eyes and smiled in relief as more tears escaped him. In one swift movement, he stood and grabbed her, then spun in circles. Gods, but the strength of his arms had her gasping in his ear. Holding him close once again made her realize just how much she'd missed him.

      "By the law," Khalil called out once again. "Ziyad must bind himself to you again by blood. It was he who broke his wedding vow, and it is he who must right it."

      Ziyad put her down and pulled out his dagger. He gave himself a small cut on his thumb and a bead of blood appeared. Without his prompting, Amani took his thumb and suckled, swirling her tongue on his skin.

      "God of Spiders!" he exclaimed loudly.

      The others chuckled and the sound of their laughter echoed across the tent.

      Khalil cleared his throat. "Now, the Spider must claim his princess." The Falcon walked over to them and handed Ziyad a perfect new Spider armband.

      Amani gasped. "Where did you get this?" she asked, breathless.

      Ziyad grinned at her. "I am a prince," he said. "I have my ways."

      She glanced at Khalil. "Zara."

      The Falcon's eyes twinkled and he bowed then stepped away.

      Ziyad took her right arm and placed the band on her bicep. The jewelry hummed before squeezing her, fitting her perfectly as the legs of the spider wrapped around her arm.

      She gazed at Ziyad in wonder. The look in his eyes was nothing short of adoration.

      "With the gods' blessings," the Falcon said, "you are married. Again. Go and rule your caravan with firm hands and gentle hearts."

      Everyone present began to applaud.

      "I must kiss you now," Ziyad whispered, his eyes mischievous. "It's tradition."

      Amani arched a brow, but didn't say a word. Instead, she pulled his head down and kissed him for all she was worth. Instantly his tongue tangled with hers as he held the back of her head, ensuring her no escape. Ziyad's flavor filled her mouth. She could do nothing but moan when he deliberately pressed his cock into her belly, letting her know exactly what he wanted.

      Amani forced herself to pull her mouth from his. "It is also tradition," she whispered in his ear, "to consummate our marriage, my prince."

      "Gods, minx," he growled. "I've been without you for weeks. I'm about ready to take you here in the Council tent."

      "No," she replied, tonguing his earlobe. "Take me in our royal carav. Right now."

      Amani shrieked when Ziyad tossed her over his shoulder.

      "Excuse us," he said to the others. "But my wife needs to change her clothes into something more suitable for the Spider Princess to wear."

      "Like the Spider Prince?"

      Amani had no idea who said that remark, but once again the princes were laughing. Ziyad ignored them and strode from the tent.

~ * ~

      The Cobra stood from his pillow in the Council tent and nervously rubbed his sweaty palms together. Being in Ziyad's presence had been the most uncomfortable thing he'd ever had to endure. The Spider had made eye contact before Amani had entered the tent, but Jaden had to look away.

      He was sure Ziyad would be able to see the secrets he kept hidden behind his eyes. Bile rose in his throat. Sahirah had said this Council wasn't a trap. But looking around him, Jaden noticed the others giving him strange glances.

      He tried to run his fingers through his hair and adjust his robes as if nothing was amiss, but it was nearly impossible to stop his hands from shaking.

      Ziyad had mentioned Karis's accident to Amani. That had been no mere coincidence. Gods, did the Spider already know? Had he killed Sahirah in vain?

      No. Sahirah's death had been necessary to rebuild his oasis and regain his favor in the eyes of the god of Cobras. Now that she was dead, he could blame Karis's death on her and claim ignorance of the deed.

      But that look… When the Spider had held his eyes, he'd arched his brow. The hairs on Jaden's neck stood on end. He knew. The Spider Prince knew who'd killed Karis! Gods above. And if he knew that, then he had to know that Jaden had tried to hide it from him through Mother's magic. The witch had claimed that the Spider would never know. But the Spider had killed Mother at the Falcon's oasis.

      Perhaps the witch had betrayed him and told Ziyad Jaden's deepest fear. That had to be what his look meant. He'd been claiming Amani while vowing vengeance for Karis.

      "Jaden!" The smack on his back made him cry out and jump before he realized the Scarab stood behind him with a wide grin. "Haven't seen you in awhile. How've you been? Are you all right? You look pale."

      Jaden's eyes widened as he gazed into Qadir's face. "I…I am…not feeling well."

      Qadir's brows knit together. "I'm sorry to hear that. Where is your lovely wife? Trianna has been asking about her. We should dine together this evening."

      Jaden's sweat ran cold. "She…isn't feeling too well either, I'm afraid. We won't be able to dine with you."

      "That's too bad. Trianna will be disappointed. What happened to your hands?"

      Jaden looked down, noticing for the first time the scabs and bruises that marred them. "I…uh…Sahirah is rough, if you understand."

      Qadir gave him a half-grin. "Looks like you have a hellcat. Well done, my boy."

      Jaden's eyes narrowed. The Scarab was mocking him. His heart burned, but he didn't dare let on that he knew. The princes of the desert were conspiring against him. He had to do something. He wasn't about to lose his throne.

      "I must take my leave," he growled, turning away from Qadir with a flourish. He squinted once he stepped out into the sunlight and strode across the sand to his caravan. The Spider was no doubt going to kill him as soon as he had the chance.

      The Cobra just had to make sure he struck first.

      Amani had blushed at Ziyad's haste to make it to his caravan. She was slung over his shoulder and his caravan was a little ways off. All she could do was hang on and hope he'd come to his senses.

      A few rowdy onlookers from the gates whistled and cheered as they walked by. Amani knew it wouldn't take long before word had spread that she'd become the new Spider Princess. But she didn't relish the thought of having to endure their knowing stares after being carried back to Ziyad's caravan like a sack of the Scarab's gandarang fruit.

      "Ziyad!" she cried, laughing. "Put me down. Everyone can see!"

      "Good!" he answered, his tone jovial. "Then they'll know beyond the shadow of a doubt you belong to me." He didn't even sound winded and the caravan was still many paces away. "Especially my cousin."

      "You are jealous!" she exclaimed. "I knew it."

      Amani cried out at the sharp smack he gave her ass.

      "I am not jealous, minx," he said, finally breathing harder. "I am merely concerned about who my princess spends her time with."

      Ziyad began to rub her, right where he'd smacked her. That touch alone had her wishing he'd lower his hand between her legs.

      "Do you want to know how much time I spent with Hyram?" she asked, just as they reached his caravan. The people of the Spider Prince cheered and shouted, some even danced and sang. No doubt tonight would be a great feast in their honor.

Ziyad growled as he strode down the line.

      "I wasn't staying with the Falcon," she went on. "I was with my father. And Hyram visited me every day. He told me about you, about your journey here. Even gave me a Jandris blossom."

      "Enough."

      Amani continued, needling her husband and enjoying herself. "He ate dinner with us one night and my father was quite taken with him."

      "If you wish for my cousin to be beheaded, by all means, continue, my love."

      Ziyad had reached his carav and leapt up the steps like a cat. The door was no match for him as he opened it with magic then closed it behind him in the same way. Only then did he lift her off his shoulder, but he did not let her feet touch the floor.

      Amani grinned at him, loving the disheveled picture he presented while his breaths puffed on her cheeks. She grabbed hold of his neck and hooked her legs around his waist.

      "I am teasing you, Spider," she whispered. "Hyram never visited me. And if he had, I would have sent him away. There is only one man in the desert I love to distraction, but unfortunately, Brand never visited me either."

      "Gods above, woman," Ziyad said through his chuckles. "Do you want me to behead everyone in my caravan?"

      "What I want," she replied, tugging on his hair. "Is your cock between my legs. Think you can manage?"

      Amani had no idea where her inhibitions had gone. But she grinned wickedly at Ziyad's look of shock. Leaning forward, all she did was lick his lips before he crushed his mouth to hers.

      She held on tight as Ziyad attacked her like a starving man, devouring her whole. She could barely keep up with his mouth as he delved. She rubbed against him, wanting to be naked but not willing to let him go to disrobe.

      With a growl, he knelt on the floor and laid her down, pushing her away to tug on her belt-wrap.

      "No, don't go yet," she protested, yanking him back with her fists full of his robes. Her mouth took his in another powerful kiss, this time with Ziyad sprawled on top of her. Amani's hands dove inside his robes, only touching a small portion of his chest. Ripping her mouth away, she kissed and bit him down his neck, letting her tongue explore the line of his collarbone.

      "Amani," he whispered, easing back. "Unless you want me to rip this fine green robe, you must let me take it off of you properly."

      She nodded and watched as he unwound the wrap and opened her robe, peeling it down her arms. His fingers brushed the Spider ring she wore on a chain around her neck and he swallowed hard. She smiled at his discovery. He hadn't realized she still had it with her. That alone made her heart swell.

      He tugged on her undergarments as well as her sandals until she lay naked beneath him. With a trusting grin, she placed one hand on his cheek and stroked his face with her thumb.

      Ziyad's eyes returned to hers. "You will never again wear another prince's colors."

      "Only yours," she replied.

      He nodded. "Only mine."

      Ziyad lowered his head and kissed her belly, slowly licking her in an upward path. "Gods, Amani, I never thought I'd love another woman. I was content in my solitude. But you made me care for you."

      His mouth had found the peak of her breast. Amani gasped as he opened wide, taking her in only to slowly release her. His teeth lightly bit her stiff nipple and he grinned.

      "How dare you make me want you, minx?"

      Ziyad retreated only to advance up her other breast, capturing her second nipple in much the same way. Amani's clit demanded she rub against him. As if he'd heard her thought, he brought his knee between her legs.

      "How dare you make me need you?"

      His mouth now explored her neck, nibbling and licking, making her skin pebble. Amani's hips worked against his knee and he pressed even harder into her pussy. She clutched onto his arms, lost in the sweep of his silk robe against her.

"How dare you make me love you?"

      Ziyad had found her ear and tasted her there. His hot breath shuddered through her entire body. In that instant, she came and cried out against his shoulder. He replaced his knee with his fingers, bringing her higher.

      When she opened her eyes, she was surprised at the tears falling into her hair. He saw them and kissed them away.

      "Ziyad," she breathed as she floated down from the heavens.

      "What?" he answered, still nuzzling her.

      She pulled on his belt-wrap, rejoicing when his robes finally gave way. In a flash, he was as naked as she.

      "I love you, too."

~ * ~

      Ziyad closed his eyes and grinned. Leaning his forehead on hers, he inhaled deeply, taking her breath into his lungs. "You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that," he whispered.