Wild Desert Princess (14 page)

Suddenly two men surged between her and the man, accidentally shoving her to the ground. Chia fell hard, her hands automatically going to her stomach, trying to protect her babe. She landed hard on her elbow and her side and felt a twinge in her stomach. Oh Lord, she prayed, fearing she might lose her child.

The men dealt swiftly with the attacker and rushed back to her side. Fear and concern flashed over their faces as one called for an ambulance while the other called Jahan.

Chia watched in stunned silence. These were Jahan’s men, he had known where she was. They were her guards. Dizziness swept over her and she let the blackness pull her in. When would she ever learn? Jahan would never loosen the cage
. In her heart she knew Jahan was doing what he could to protect her and the baby. It was a good thing he had guards on place. She would have died on the street under a terrorist's knife. She just wished she was his first concern just once.

Irritated with herself, she vowed she would confront her husband and stand up for her place in his life. If she left again, he had better be the one to come for her.

Jahan received the call during the last of his meetings. “Jahan,” he growled, his patience nearly at an end. He was exhausted and he needed his wife. Against his instincts, he had allowed her to live with Anya Mastani, knowing she would be as safe there as anywhere.

“Sir, Princess Chiandra has been attacked. We are taking her to the hospital now.” The young guard informed his pri
nce nervously.

“What the hell happened? Is she hurt?” Fear struck at Jahan’s heart. He couldn’t lose her now. Not when he was on his way to her.

“One of the Aldinin attacked her. We prevented him from harming her, but in the scuffle, she was knocked to the ground. She’s fainted and we are waiting for the ambulance.”

“Take care of her. I am on my way.” Jahan turned to the delegates. “I must leave. My wife has been attacked.”
He had done his duty to his country, now it was time to see to is wife's safety and convince her of his love and need for her.

The leader of the tribe stood and clasped Jahan on the shoulder. “Go my prince and take care of your woman. Things have gone well. We shall discuss your ideas later. We shall tell you of our decision once we discuss the merits. Please take my jet. I will call ahead and it will be ready for you. Your mounts will be returned to your homes.”

Bowing slightly, Jahan spun around, followed closely by Malek, Jamal, and Ben. In minutes they were air borne and on their way. Jahan slumped forward in his seat, his ebony head bowed with worry.

Chapter
Twenty-Two

Chia was only vaguely aware of being lifted into the ambulance. Her elbow ached fiercely and there was a dull ache in her lower abdomen. She felt the sting of a needle as they gave her an IV and allowed herself to drift. Her reserves were badly depleted. She wasn’t sure she had the energy to struggle anymore.

She needed Jahan. He was her husband and the father of her child. She had to let her anger at him go. It was time for them both to work towards each other and make a good life for their child. He was her true love and she prayed she was his. It was time she regained some of her spine and let him know her expectations. One of which was communication between them.

In minutes she was wheeled into the ER. Dr. Khan and Anya were waiting for her. They didn’t bother trying to remove her clothing, they simply cut if off and covered her with a sheet.

“Good Lord! She has lost so much weight. She is nothing but skin and bones, except for her breasts and her belly. He hooked a monitor up to abdomen, relieved to see the strong heartbeat, then he did a double take as he realized that there were two.

“Twins,” Anya whispered in awe.

“No wonder she has dropped weight.” Dr. Khan examined her quickly, his frown easing, as he found no sign of fetal distress. “The babies look fine. “Let’s wrap her arm.”

“Do you think she will be all right?” Anya asked, busy setting up the things they would need.

“She is going to have to eat more and to rest. No more worries. I’d say she is going to be pretty sore for a few days. I don’t think there is a problem with the babies.”

A nurse stepped into the room and moved towards them, her voice hushed. “Prince Jahan, Sheikh Ben, Prince Jamal, and her father are outside. Prince Jahan wants to know how she is.”

“Go on Dr. Khan. I will finish up in here and then he can come in to see her.
” Anya urged him out, her own heart racing at Jamal’s presence. “Have someone call her mother.”

Nodding, Dr. Khan went through the doors and found all four men pacing the length of the waiting room. “Prince Jahan.”

Jahan spun and covered the space between them in two long strides. “How is she?” he demanded quietly.

“She is doing very well. Her left arm is strained and she is bruised.” Dr. Khan saw the love and concern on Jahan’s tormented face and knew he cared for her.

“What about the baby?” Malek asked tears wetting his face.

“The babies seem to be doing just fine. They’ve nearly worn Chia out. Now that we know
there are two, we can take steps to help her.” Dr. Khan chuckled at the shock reflected on the four male faces.

“Twins! Can I see her?” Joy lit Jahan’s dark face.

“She's drifting in and out right now. You can go on in. Anya is wrapping her arm. Just try not to upset her. She needs to be pampered for a while.”

Ben turned as Miri rushed in, followed by Amanda. He wrapped his arms around Miri’s tiny form and watched with relief as Amanda moved into
Malek’s embrace. He had words to speak to Miri, but he could wait until they were alone.

Jahan opened the door and moved silently to Chia’s side. Tears welled in his eyes at the fragility in her beautiful face. “She is so thin!” He raised her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

Anya finished and turned to him. “She is very weak, Jahan. She has probably dropped about thirty pounds, even with all the extra from the twins. With rest and close monitoring, she should be just fine.” Anya gave him a tiny smile of encouragement and stepped out of the room to give the some privacy.

Jahan pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat next to her, his gaze drawn to the hard mound of her stomach. Twins, she was carrying twins.

Chia blinked groggily, finally focusing on Jahan’s beloved face. “You’re here.” She rasped hoarsely, happiness surging through her. He had come to see how she was.

“W
here else would I be, Chia, but at your side?” Jahan stood and caught her lips in a gentle kiss of renewal.

“I wasn’t sure if you still wanted to be married. You didn’t act like you cared if you found me or not.” Tears of hurt slipped down her pale face.
So much for her vow to grow a spine when dealing with Jahan. It had to be the pregnancy hormones.

“Oh, baby. I was trying to give you time. If I hadn’t known were you were, you can be sure I’d have torn the city apart. I need you. Don’t you know how much I love you?” Jahan hated to see the pain in her emerald eyes. Pain he had put there.
He had done so many things wrong with her. He just prayed she gave him a second chance.

“I’ve been so worried. I’m afraid something is wrong with the baby. I’m tired all the time. I eat constantly and I am losing weight, Jahan. I’m scared.” Her full lips trembled as she stared into his face.

“Honey, we are having twins. Dr. Khan says that is why you are having so much trouble.” He tenderly held her, shocked at how slight she had become in just a few months.

“Twins,” Chia glowed with happiness.

“So now you must eat more for the babies and to get your marvelous curves back,” he husked with barely restrained passion.

Chia’s heart pounded with excitement. It had been so long since they had made love. She hoped they would be able to soon. She longed to feel desired by her husband again. Smiling tremulously, she admitted. “I’ve always wanted to be thinner.”

“I like your full curves, Chia. You are the perfect woman for me.” Jahan watched her eyes flutter as she drifted to sleep, a faint smile on her lips.

Amanda and
Malek slipped in for a few minutes and then left them alone. Ben had taken Miri home and Anya and Jamal were locked in a battle of wills in Dr. Khan’s office.

Somehow it eased Jahan to know another man was having trouble with his woman. He watched Chia sleep most of the night, only napping occasionally himself, his long legs stretched out under her bed.

Dr. Khan hovered over Chia all night. Anya had wanted to stay, but Khan had sent her home after seeing the look of utter frustration on Jamal’s’ face. They had left together, Jamal fiercely determined and Anya icily silent. He’d love to witness the clash that was sure to happen once those two were alone.

“When can Chia go home doctor?” Jahan raked a hand wearily through his rumpled hair. The negotiations had been long and intense. He had not slept through a whole night since the beginning. Only his love for Chia had kept him
going with the hope they would be a family soon.

“If things continue to improve and there are no complications. I think she might be able to go in a few days. If she does, it will be with some conditions.” For a few moments Dr.
Khan placed his stethoscope on Chia’s chest and listened to her heart beat. Steady and strong. He relaxed and gave Jahan a genuine grin.

“What kinds of conditions, Doctor?” A heavy burden lifted from Jahan’s spirit at Dr. Khan’s grin.

“Nothing strenuous or stressful. She needs a nap in the afternoon, and she needs to eat every few hours. Everything she consumes now, plus a little extra is going to the babies. Mostly just common sense stuff.”

Jahan rose and stretched, his body was stiff from sitting so long in the same position. A deep red suffused his high cheek bones as he sought a way to ask it they could have intercourse.

Dr. Khan stifled his chuckle with a discreet cough. “Jahan, if you take it slow and easy, there should be no reason you cannot make love.”

The tense muscles I Jahan’s body relaxed at the doctors words. “How did you know what I wanted to ask?”

Dr. Khan raised one inky brow and winked. “You’ve been separated for a couple of months. You are both young and newlyweds. I’d say it was a safe guess that you’d be worried about resuming the physical side of your marriage.

“I’ve made so many mistakes with Chia. Too many times I’ve nearly lost her.” Jahan stopped next to her bed and gently brushed her beautiful red hair away from her face.

Jahan you are a prince, but you are still a man. A man deeply in love with his wife. People make mistakes. Don’t worry so much about the past strife and just try to make the future better. Right now Chia’s body is going through some drastic changes. There will be times when her emotions will be on overload and she’ll cry at the slightest things. Your support will get her through it.”

“I heard that Dr. Khan,” she said sleepily.

“Good, you must be feeling better. If you are very good and listen to your doctors’ instructions, you might get to go home in a day or so.”

“Thank you, Dr. Khan.” She was so relieved nothing was seriously wrong. When she had fallen, she had thought for
sure she had injured her baby, make that babies. “How long must I have the IV?”

“I’d like for you to keep it for as long as you stay in the hospital. It will help you regain some of your strength. You are going to have to eat more often.” He finished the notations on her chart and strode to the door. “Both of you get some rest.”
 

Chia moved restlessly on the bed, she really needed to go to the bathroom. Actually, she
was surprised they hadn’t put in a catheter. They must have remembered the fuss she put up the last time. “Jahan…”

“What is if, baby. Are you in pain?” Jahan was at her side in an instant.

“No, no, I just need a little help getting to the bathroom.” Chia felt the heat rush into her cheeks and marveled she could be so embarrassed when Jahan had seen and caressed every inch of her body.

“Oh, put your arms around my neck and grab your IV. Jahan carefully picked her up, frowning at how light she was
. He’d never had a problem carrying her. Now she was just too light. The sheet slipped and Jahan realized that she was naked. His body reacted and hardened painfully.

Chia started when she felt the full, thick ridge brush her hip as her carried her into the bathroom. After he settled her gently on the toile
t, he stepped back into the room to give her a bit of privacy. At her soft call, he went back in and caught his breath as the sheet slipped to the floor and he saw her nude form.

Chia tried to catch the sheet when she stood to wash her hands and gasped at the hot, hungry look on Jahan’s face. “Please don’t look at me, Jahan. I’m a mess.” Mortified, she tried to hide her breasts and her pubic area with her hands.

“No, please” he hissed sharply.

Startled, Chia dropped her hands and stared at him. “Do not hide yourself from me.” He slowly moved nearer, his dark gaze locked on the hard
mound of her belly. He placed his large hand gingerly over the taut flesh. “You are so beautiful.”

Her heart melting, Chia covered his hands with hers and leaned into him. Weakness hit her suddenly, she swayed a bit and Jahan swept her up in his arms and carried her back to her bed.” I don’t feel very beautiful,” she told him sighing. “My stomach is huge, as are my breasts. I’ve lost weight and I’m as white as a ghost.”