Chapter 63 - Late Night

Benjamin

Her cat-like green eyes stared at me, I couldn't help but smile.

I did not plan for the evening to hold as much as it did now. She had been hurt by Saeed and she kept on insisting she didn't love me, although I doubted that was true. If my grandfather hadn't intervened with my plans, I would of told her goodnight and go to sleep.

I couldn't of imagined that she wanted me, like she did now. I held her on my lap and stroke her back. She snuggled her face in the hollow of my neck. I rested my chin on her head in response.

"Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?" I asked as I kissed the crown of her head, taking in her scent. "Honeymoon?" Jasmine said unsure. "Mhh… Yes." I responded playing with one of her curls. "Anywhere." She said in wonder.

"Where have you been?" I questioned. "Here and in our village." She whispered. Shock washed over me. Huh? "Are…" This could not be right. "You're saying you haven't seen much of this country?" I verified.

"It's not that strange." She snapped. She looked up at me with burning eyes. I did not really know how to respond to that, because it truly was strange. I just stared at her. Jasmine sighed. "Raina hadn't left the palace before you took us to the city for driving lessons." She said in a defensive tone.

I scratched between my eyes. "Of course she has." I said in disbelieve. "Oh yeah… then where have you ever taken her?" She said challenging me.

She was right, I couldn't think of anything. How could I have missed that. "I don't know." I admitted. Jasmine shook her head disapprovingly. She laid her head against the hollow of my neck again and was quiet. I was lost in thought, replaying every memory I had over my mandatory visits at the palace.

Woman were not held in physical prisons in this country, but I could now feel the weight of the spiritual chains.

Jasmine's breathing became even and steady, her eyes were closed. I stroke her golden hair out of her face and placed her on our canopy bed.

It was late at night, but I really needed to see Raina. I put on pants and threw on a shirt and darted out of my chambers. "Your majesty." One of my guards greeted me. "Good evening." I greeted him back. "Good night actually." I corrected myself. "Ahh… married life is beginning to takes it's toll already." He snickered. I laughed out loud. "Khaleed, my wife has a tendency to sleep restless. Could you please contact me when you hear anything unusual?" I asked. He must of known, rumours traveled fast in the palace.

"I will do that your grace." He said politely.

As I strode through the palace halls, I heard that the party continued downstairs. Men were roaring with laughter and I could hear the music from up here. "Is princess Raina still awake?" I asked her guard. "Yes, she has company." He answered.

I frowned. That was unusual. Raina was considered to be an outcast here in the palace. She didn't interact much with the other woman in the palace and almost never visited the harem.

"Who?" I frowned.

"My lady Sierra." He said.

This I liked.

I did not wait for the guard to open the door for me and barged right in. Both girls turned around in a daze. "Ben!" Sierra exclaimed. She got off the bed and flew herself into my arms. "Hey lovely." I mused. "How long have you been here?" I said unsure if I had missed her presence at my wedding.

"I arrived two hours ago." She said radiant. "I heard you have taken a first wife." She said as she placed her hands around my neck. "I am a married man indeed." I smiled crookedly.

"Well… then where is she now?" Sierra said playfully, playing with her long black hair. I breathed in. "She is asleep." I said in the same playful tone.

Sierra rolled her eyes. "But I actually came for Raina." I said as I took Sierra's hand and guided her towards where Raina was. She was still sitting on her bed, with playing cards in her hand. "Can I join?" I asked my cousin.

Raina scrutinized my face. "Don't you need to be with your wife?" She said accusingly. "I mean… it is your wedding night." Raina said meaningfully. I raised my shoulders and came to sit on the bed.

I gestured for Raina to give me a set of cards, so I could go play along.

"Was it an arranged marriage?" Sierra asked with a great smile on her face. "Yes and no." I confessed. Sierra glared at me.

"My grandfather had given me a year to find a wife last summer." I began to speak. "Saphira." She mouthed. "Did she know?" Sierra asked with more volume. "Of course she did not." Raina intervened. "Benjamin had met Jasmine before he met Saphira and he wanted to marry her then, but she refused."

"So Saphira was your back-up?" Sierra's eyes were filled with tears. I couldn't think of why that would be. She hadn't made a secret out of not liking her cousin. "No. Of course Saphira was not my back-up plan." I stated. "I truly believed we could have had a great future together." I said with more authority.

"I need to go to the bathroom." Sierra said as she stood up from the bed.

Raina and I were alone for a while.

"Raina." I breathed. "Yes." She looked at me, suspiciously. I laughed at her facial expression. "I need to apologise to you." I said looking down on my hands. I wore a silver wedding ring. "What for?" She asked quietly.

"I had asked Jazz where she wanted to go when we we'll go on our honeymoon, but then I found out you have never left this palace." I stroke my fingers through my hair.

I did not dare to look up at her. I felt utterly ashamed.

Raina sighed and laughed quietly. She placed her hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, your presence from time to time has made up for all of it." Raina said in barely a whisper.

"I'll take you wherever you want." I whispered back, taking her hand.

Sierra walked back into Raina's bedroom and flashed a smile. "What were you guys whispering about." She asked without a care in the world.

"Family stuff." Was the only thing Raina answered. I let it with that.

It was almost morning when my phone rang. "Yes." I listened carefully. "She is screaming, I mean your grace is screaming and hitting all the guards and maids who are touching her. We don't know what to do your highness." Khaleed said in pure panic.

"I'll be there." I immediately said.

"What's the matter?" Sierra asked curious.. Raina nodded to me, knowing what was happening and without a word I left the room.