Hope dawned in her eyes. "And my family? Could they get in touch with my family,... to let them know I am alive?"
He lied again, "Yes. It will be done."
She smiled up at him, and he saw the trust in her wide blue eyes, and he felt a pang of guilt at his lie.
He longed to stay and crawl under the covers with her, but knew now was not the time. Any advances he made now could only serve to remind her of her recent ordeal at the hands of Abdulah, and Rashid did not want any unpleasantness associated with their lovemaking. He knew he would win her heart, and she would surrender her body willingly. But he needed more time. His feelings for her grew every day, and this brush with disaster made him see how empty his life would be if he ever lost his precious golden bird.
He reached out to brush a stray strand of fine gold hair away from her face and caressed the side of her cheek with the back of his hand. "I must leave you now, little bird, should I send Yasmine to stay with you." His voice was soft, and filled with compassion.
Sara shook her head. "No, I think I'd rather be alone," she said, though really wanting him to stay. But she wasn't sure it would be wise to let him know his presence gave her comfort. Though she sensed he wouldn't try to take advantage of her, she was too unsure of her own emotions right now to risk having him stay.
She forced a smile. "I'll be fine, really," she assured him. But once he left, she felt a cold gray cloud of despair descend upon her. She shivered and wrapped his robe more tightly around her as if it could protect her. She caught the scent of him on the silky fabric and imagined he was there, beside her. The pretense served to comfort her enough so that she was finally able to sleep.