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CHAPTER ONE

‘HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!’

Nabil bin Rashid Al Sharifa, Sheikh of Rhastaan, raised the glass in his hand high in a gesture of congratulation and angled it in the direction of the two honoured guests at the party The couple ere celebrating today and who, in spite of everything in the past, were now his two greatest friends

‘Congratulations on ten years together Ten happy years’

It was the last three words that caught in his throat and alue Ten happy years they had been for his friends, but if he was given the chance there was no way he would want to live through the past decade over again

‘To Cleain

The elegant dark-haired woal as the Queen she truly was in the scarlet robe, heavily eenerous smile in his direction while at her side, Sheikh Karinificently attired in the flowing robes and headdress of his country, lifted his own glass in acknowledgement of Nabil’s toast It was aten years before, when Cleed wife, but his headstrong passion for the younger Sharnant lover No one then would have predicted that this huge party would be organised in the Rhastaanian palace to celebrate their ten years of love and e

Of children

Abruptly Nabil put his glass down on the nearest table, the fine crystal clattering harshly against the polished surface Even if he hadn’t already been told the happy news, it was iht swell of Cleth gown Clementina had always been beautiful Even when he had been in the throes of the foolishly righteous—or so he had believed—anger and mutiny that had driven hie that But noith her curvaceous forlow about her that was positively incandescent

‘Congratulations,’ Nabil repeated oncehimself to smile at his friends

He wanted to smile to show that he was happy for them He was happy for them, deep down in his heart But at the sa the richness of their life when compared with his own