Amahd frowned. "Perhaps he intended for us to prevent each other from making rash mistakes like marrying a foreigner."
Osman glared at his brother. "Don't be such a stick in the mud. Besides, Ubarite tradition tells us that we will feel the call of destiny when we see our intended mate." Amahd shook his head. "You've barely met her."
Zadir smiled. "It sounds like our brother has fallen victim to love at first sight.
What's her name again?"
"Samantha." He tested the word on his tongue. He liked it. Substantial and a little hard to handle, just like its owner. Seducing her promised to be a fun challenge. "She's making a documentary about the festival, so she must be interested in our culture."
"That sounds promising enough to me." Zadir raised his coffee cup.
"You've both lost your minds." Amahd inhaled deeply. "Choosing a bride is a great responsibility, especially when we need to set an example for everyone in the country. There are many beautiful Ubarite women who'd love to be queen."
"Tell me about it." Osman raised a brow. "I'm tired of gold diggers throwing themselves at me. If anything, Samantha has done the opposite so far. In fact she's been rather rude."
"Maybe she's rude because she knows you're a king. Americans hate monarchs."
"Yes." He'd enjoyed the stunned look in her eyes when he'd suggested that she might join the ruling family.
She hadn't bothered to reply. No doubt she assumed he was joking. Maybe he was teasing her at that moment, but already the prospect of pursuing her had seeded itself in his heart.
Since the news about his father's death four months ago had made the rounds, women were practically climbing up to the palace windows on ladders trying to get an audience with him. It was not likely these crown-seeking ladies were the kind of partner and soul mate he craved yet seemed unable to find.
"I think she's cute." Zadir, a connoisseur of women himself, grinned. "I saw her arrive."
"What about that guy she's with?" Amahd was always more cautious. Trying to figure out the angles before jumping in.
"What about him?" Osman stretched his arms and shoulders. "She works with him. If anything, his presence here will give her the confidence to relax in our midst."
"He's her boyfriend." Amahd poured himself a tiny cup of coffee from the tall brass urn.
"No, he isn't." Osman frowned. "A woman like Samantha would never be interested in such a… wimp."
Zadir chuckled. "Whether she is or not, they're together. I saw her kiss him when they went into their rooms."