Chapter 52 - Gut Feeling

Benjamin

Two weeks had passed since I gave Jasmine and Raina driving lessons. I wanted to stay loyal towards Saphira, so I kept my distance from Jasmine, as much as I could.

Against my own will, she still had a hold on me and it wasn't fair to any of us.

Still, I saw her each night, as I would now. Raina had called me to go to Jasmine's room again. Like every night she was screaming and fighting in her sleep.

I rubbed my eyes and put on a blue t-shirt and sweatpants. I strode through the palace halls and finally reached Raina's wing.

One of Raina's maids stood outside the door. "We can't seem to calm her down your highness." The maid explained. "I will fix it." I said as I stretched my arms.

I walked into Jazz's room. Her long curly blond hair was sticking to her face in sweat. Her eyes were open, but I knew she was not awake. She was trying to fight Raina off.

"Go back to bed." I ordered Raina, as I did most nights. "It will be okay, your maid will stay here." It was a ridiculous thing I to do; appointing a chaperone when soothing Jasmine back to sleep.

Still, I was aware that I had to protect her honor at all times.

"Go away, leave me alone. Please leave me alone." Jasmine whaled. My eyes were filled with tears again, as they were each night. I could not stand to see her like this; helpless and afraid.

"It's me little pea." I said as I sat next to her on her bed. I sang her an Arabic song, and I stroke her hair back. She pushed me away again and again, but as the song continued, she settled in my embrace.

I wiped her sweaty face with a clean towel the maid gave me.

"Habibie." I said pausing my song. "I'm here with you, I will always protect you." I whispered against her forehead and gently kissed her there.

"Jamil, can you please hand me her blanket?" I asked. Jamil stood up from the corner of the small room. "Here you go, your grace." She said in a small voice.

In two weeks, my time was up. Holding her in my arms like this, she seemed so fragile. It was like a simple breeze of wind could break her. I clenched my fist thinking of Saeed.

I wanted to kill him. I could not just let her go back to that house, but I could not keep her here forever either. I was well aware of that.

I realized I would do anything to keep her safe. Saphira would understand that, wouldn't she? Couldn't I just marry Jazz in name only? I thought about it for a while and pondered all the pro's and cons, making a list in my head.

She could stay here in the palace, living as a princes as I went back to the United States and be with Saph. Would she settle to be my second wife? It would only be a technicality really. In life and in bed, I would only be Saphira's husband.

I wanted to tell her about my plan right now and ask for permission. I could not. She did not know I was a Saudi prince. Not yet.

That should be the first conversation we would have to have. I sighed and in my head I made a plan for the three of us. We could all be happy, I could see that.

As I still held Jasmine with one hand, I took my phone out of my pocket with the other.

Benjamin: Saphira, I love you.

Aren't you supposed to sleep? :Saphira

Benjamin: I can't, I'm thinking of you.

Benjamin: What are you up to?

I'm at the school dance :Saphira

I'll talk to you later, you should catch some sleep :Saphira

I felt uneasy. No 'I love you too'. She didn't say she thought of me as well and she was at the dance. Who was she with?

With Zachary? I felt my muscles tighten at the thought. I looked at Jasmine. Her head rested against my arm. Her face seemed calm now and her angelic golden curls smelled like honey.

Wary, I dialed Sierra's number. She immediately picked up. "Hey." She said with joy. "Hey." I said as quiet as I could manage, not wanting to wake Jazz.

"I heard you guys are at the school dance." I said, summoning my princely voice; steady and even.

"Yeah, it's a blast." Sierra said.

She was yelling over the loud music.

"I wish you were here though." She cooed.

"I wish I was as well…" I sighed as I played with one of Jasmine's curls. Her hair was soft.

"Look at what I am wearing." Sierra said. "I have send you a picture." She added. I opened the chat function and saw Sierra in a sparkly silver dress.

"You are a beauty." I complimented my friend. "Can you make some more pictures for me? That way it would make me feel as if I was there with you. Make some of the other as well, my sister and Saphira of course." I said trying to sound indifferent.

It felt like I was spying on Saph, but I couldn't seem to feel sorry in doing so.

I fiercely hoped it would give me some peace of mind.

Saphira

Zachary and I danced all evening. Benjamin's dancing lessons had paid off. I could dance without tripping over my own, or Zach's feet. Sierra, kept looking very smug each time I looked at her. I wondered what that was about.

She was making pictures all evening.

Lynn seemed angry with me. I thought that we would have made up by now. In some ways I could see why she was opposed to me going to the dance with Zachary. Benjamin was her brother and she didn't want to see him unhappy. Why couldn't she just see that I would never do so.

I knew that at a certain time, Zach held some interest towards me, but he always behaved. He was never a threat to begin with.

The music slowed down and Zachary held me very close. A bit too close for my taste. Then he whispered something in my ear.

"Let's go get some fresh air.." He said.