Alina gazed at herself in the mirror as she brushed her long blonde hair. It shimmered in the candlelight, almost white despite the warm tone of the room. She tossed her hair over her shoulders, skillfully braiding it until the braid reached her lower back. She then washed her face, and dressed herself in a pink silk nightgown. She lay in bed for a while, thinking about the day to come. She was finally going to travel. Her years of seemingly hopeless attempts to convince her protective father of her need to see the world had come to an end. Now that she was finally 18, he had grudgingly agreed on the conditions that it would be a short trip to Italy, and that she would be accompanied by many servants and guards. No one was to touch his perfect daughter.
In the morning, she took a long bath scented with rose petals, and dressed in a loose fitting white smoke. As she ran down the stairs barefoot and fresh faced, her father frowned. She may never be a proper lady, and she looked like a servant girl. Still, she was beautiful. Her hair cascaded in thick blonde waves around her face, her pale skin glowed, her cheeks pink. Her large eyes were as blue as the ocean, accompanied by impossibly long dark lashes, and her lips were pink and pouty. Her father was taken aback by his pride, but then overcome by fear. She was the most sought after girl in all of England, and he wouldn't be able to bear it if something happened to her.
"Father, is the carriage ready?" Alina asked.
"Yes Darling, it's outside waiting. Perhaps you would prefer something more elegant to wear?" Her father replied.
"Oh no, I'm more than comfortable in this." Alina said.
"Oh, alright, at least have something to eat darling." Her fathers said, in a pained tone.
With that, Alina grabbed a biscuit and took a bite, chewing much too fast. She then whisked herself out of the room, giving the biscuit to a maid who looked dumbfounded. Her father chucked to himself.
It was a long ride in the carriage, and the journey would take about a week. Alina read for much of the first day. On the second day, she dozed off into a blissful sleep to the sound of the horses hooves.
She awoke to yelling, and her carriage door was burst open. A man in a black headscarf threw a cloth around her face, and she struggled, and then drifted into a very deep sleep.
What seemed like just a moment later, she was awoken by foreign voices. She was very confused. It seemed there were some men arguing, she stepped out of the carriage, running her hands through her messy hair. It was near sunset, she did not recognize her surroundings. She looked for her carriage-men and guards, but was taken aback when she did not see them. Instead, to her horror, she saw men in black garments on horses.
Then, she spotted the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall, perhaps the tallest man she had ever seen. He was older, perhaps late 30s. He had dark, tanned skin, darker hair that fell in waves around his face, and stubble from a fresh shave. His shoulders were broad, and his large muscles strained against his shirt. His eyes were black and fierce like the night sky. She felt heat as she blushed a deep shade of crimson, and a strange feeling revealed itself in her stomach.
Although it seemed that she had never been more attracted to someone, it was he that was the most amazed.
He took one glance at her and felt himself stir in his pants. This type of thing never happened to him, he always had control. He looked at the ground, ashamed, but he could not stop the urge to just get one more glance at the beauty. Just a brief look. As he looked up, his whole body tensed. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever witnessed. Her long beautiful waves were of the lightest blonde, her large blue eyes and pink cheeks displayed her innocence, and her lips were plump and pink. He tried to stop himself from looking at her body, he was afraid of what it might do.
He was right, it awoke a beast inside of him that he never knew existed. She was tiny, definitely not any taller than 5 feet, but her figure was that of a woman's. She was extremely slender, but had curves in all the right places. Her backside was small, but beautiful, and her breasts were perfectly round, with small nipples that stood erect in the chilled air.
He breathed in a harsh breath.
Alina took notice of his staring, and became very flustered. She straightened herself out and cleared her throat.
"Who are you? Where am I? And where are my guards?!" She said.
He melted, she had the voice of an angel, so sweet, and so delicate.
"I am the sheik, and you are in my land. Your carriage was stolen, and it seems you were drugged. Bandits were planning to sell the carriage, and apparently you. I had my men stop them." He replied in a deep accented voice.
Alina was taken aback, and this proved too much for her. The memories came flooding back, and tears began to stream from her eyes.
"P-please d-don't hurt me." She said weakly.
The sheik's heart ached, and he tried to dismiss the feeling, but he couldn't stand to see her pain.
"Do not fear, I will keep you safe. I will have you returned to your home." The sheik said roughly.
"Thank you so much." Alina replied, attempting a smile between her tears.
The sheik was engrossed in her. The last thing he wanted was to see her go. He had to have her, just for a little longer. Still, he would not like to scare her...he thought quietly.
"I will return you upon your wish, so have no fear. However, I have a proposition. I mean you no harm, but you, princess, are a rare beauty. Stay with me for a few days, and I will show you my palace and lands. You will live like a queen, and see all this world has to offer. I will not touch you, I swear on the name of Allah. I mean you no shame. I only request a chance to know you."
This was an absurd request, and Alina knew so. She opened her mouth to say no, but something held her back. When she was to return, her father would be enraged. He would never ever let her out of his sight again. She would never have the chance to see the beauty of the world. Not after this. Perhaps...perhaps if she returned at the expected time, she could come up with a story. Something that would allow her to travel again.
"I will stay, but I expect you to keep your word." Alina said.
The sheik was overcome with joyful surprise. This was not the answer he had expected.
"Good, you will ride with me." The sheik said, beckoning Alina.
He mounted his stallion. She walked forward, shaking. He then effortlessly swung her up in front of him.
He smelled her scent, like roses and honey. He exhaled a deep breath as he felt himself stir in his pants.
He rode off into the sunset. As he felt her body move on his, the beast in him awakened.
The next morning, Alina awoke in a large bed. She was only clothed in a small piece of silk, and she instantly sat up, alarmed. The sheik was seated in a chair across the room, snoring.
"He said he would touch me." Alina thought.
"He will not break a promise to Allah...surely..." She hoped.
She quietly slid out of bed onto a cool floor. She peaked through the crack of a door, and saw a large washroom. She tiptoed in, and began to prepare bathe herself when suddenly, the door opened. The sheik stood there, gaping. Alina shrieked, trying to cover what the silk that clothed her failed to. The sheik quickly recovered, and turned around.
"What happened last night?!" Alina cried.
"You fell asleep on my horse, I had you bathed and clothed." The sheik replied in a deep voice.
"Y-you dressed me?!" Alina cried.
"I had you dressed, beauty, by my servants of course."
Alina was taken aback, and all the events that had happened had her wound up much too tight. She was at a loss for words. She felt a lump in her throat swell up, and she began to cry.
The sheik felt something move from deep inside him. Without thinking, he walked swiftly across the room, picking her up and carrying her to his chair. He then held her in his lap while she cried, running his fingers through her soft hair.
Alina knew this was improper, especially in this attire, but she needed the comfort. She was growing stronger. After they remained like that for a bit, the sheik slowly carried Alina to the bed and tucked her in. She was still exhausted, and she was drifting away. That was, until he leaned in and kissed her. She felt the kiss awaken something inside her, but then pulled away, shocked.
