When I say "groom", you will be imagining a wedding, a celebration, a happy bride. This is very far from the case.
It all began when Violet found the stolen "Blood of Tariq", the legendary, ruby studded khanjar, on which my family's power was founded nearly a hundred years ago. My enemies wasted no time in attempting to take it from her. I simply wanted to keep her safe, but things are never that simple. Marriage was the only way to keep her in my care. I should have explained what was happening first, but truly, there was no time.
Now she believes that I married her only to become Emir. She is not pleased with me. In fact she was quite forceful in expressing her displeasure. There is something about a woman flinging herself at you in a rage that engages the senses ... completely...
I have assured her that divorce will be as simple as the marriage ceremony. That until the dowry is gathered, a house prepared, the maksar arranged, she will be my wife in name only. I am delaying things for as long as possible (difficult with my mother on the case), giving Violet time to fall in love with my country, my people, as they have come to love her. As I have come to love her. But time is running out...
* * *
To win this and the other books in the competition, all you have to do is answer three simple questions, which you’ll find in the excerpts on our websites. And here they are -
Anne's Question: What is George's occupation and where does he live?
Kate's Question: What has Marina received from Pietro at the opening of the story?
Liz's Question: Who was Violet's great-great-grandmother
The competition runs from 1st February – 14 February and you’ll need to send an email to each of us with our answers.
10 comments:
Whew, sounds like you're up a creek without a paddle, Fayad. And since I'm up my own creek at the moment, I know how you feel.
Good luck! Hope you have good news to report at the end of the month!
Wa-Alaikum Salam Fayad,
But you do get to become a groom?
Now you have to work hard to convince Violet to trust you and make her fall in love with you!
All the best!
George, you have my sympathy. These creeks, the lack of paddles...
Kheif halak, Nas.
I am working hard to involve Violet in my country - her country. She has already laid the foundation stone for a new girls school that will be named for her.
My family love her. Everyone loves her. I would guard her with my life. But I must honour my promise to let her go, no matter how hard that will be.
From Pietro D'Inzeo
Fayad, my friend, I read your post with a sense of - what is the phrase - déja vue, or of having been here before. I feel for you because I know something of the problem you have landed yourself with - the attempt to arrange a 'simple' divorce only to have everythig explode right in your face. If you knew how 'simple' I tried to make the divorce between myself and Marina . . .
And so yes, I also know that feeling of having a woman flinging herself at you in a rage . . .
I have had to do a lot of rethinking recently - not the easiest process when there is a red-headed spitfire flinging words - and papers - right in your face.
Buona fortuna mio amico
From Pietro D'Inzeo
Fayad, my friend, I read your post with a sense of - what is the phrase - déja vue, or of having been here before. I feel for you because I know something of the problem you have landed yourself with - the attempt to arrange a 'simple' divorce only to have everythig explode right in your face. If you knew how 'simple' I tried to make the divorce between myself and Marina . . .
And so yes, I also know that feeling of having a woman flinging herself at you in a rage . . .
I have had to do a lot of rethinking recently - not the easiest process when there is a red-headed spitfire flinging words - and papers - right in your face.
Buona fortuna mio amico
Kheif halak, Pietro
I am sorry to hear of your difficulties, although a passionate woman is always a joy. I wish you happiness with your spitfire.
I have no problem arranging a divorce. It will be all to easy to my everlasting regret. If I could complicate it, I could keep Violet here for as long as it takes to show her how much I love her. Honour, however, dictates that I must keep my word and time is running out.
I hope George is doing better than us!
Ma salaama
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