Free Fighting With the Infuriating Prince by Elizabeth Lennox

hadn’t spoken to her about?  How could he have done something like that?  They always talked about important issues and she’d known that she would have to marry in a political union. 
    Tasir saw the confusion and panic in her eyes and tried to reassure her.  “I know.  It’s all a horrible mix-up.  The problem is more about how the people will perceive this rather than anything else.  There won’t be any hard feelings involved from our end.”  He turned to Jalayla’s father.  “We can work out the details.”
    Jalayla turned to look at her father.  He suddenly seemed older than his years.  “The contracts are all set in place.  The negotiations have been finalized.”
    Tasir’s arm tightened on Jalayla’s waist.  “Then we’ll have to renegotiate.  It won’t be the first time a contract has been set aside when new facts were discovered.  Besides, a union with Lurasa would be much more beneficial to your country than one with Larcatia.  There are significant benefits that need to be examined, Your Highness.”
    Jalayla stepped into the conversation, citing all of the issues between the four countries and why it would be better to be aligned with Lurasa versus Larcatia.  They all sat down together, keeping the sheik’s advisors out of the conversation.  This was just between the three of them for now. 
    Tasir conferenced in his father, who had already been apprised of the situation.  Between the four of them, they all agreed to broach the possibility of canceling the arranged marriages with Larcatia and Altair.
    “But it will have to be done carefully,” Jalayla’s father cautioned at the end of the discussion.  “And you have to leave.  There can be no hint of this until it is a done deal,” he told Tasir.
    As much as he wanted to argue about it, Tasir knew that her father was right.  He looked down at Jalayla.  “Are you going to be okay?” he asked her gently. 
    She smiled up at him, all the love she felt for this man shining through in her eyes.  “Absolutely.  Just get the discussions moving quickly.”
    Her father nodded.  “We can start the conversations next week.  I believe Princess Ciara is out of the country anyway, so she hasn’t been told about the marriage contract.  And Prince Zoran,” her father sighed.  “Well, thankfully, he’s on his annual hiking vacation.”  He shook his head.  “The man goes out into the woods for a week every year.  Each time I hear about it, I always think it is crazy.  But at this point in time, I would love to change places with him.”  Her father was walking out of his office.  “I’d rather be anywhere than here,” he said and left them alone.
    Jalayla turned when the door to her father’s office door closed, looking up at Tasir.  “Thank you for coming for me,” she whispered, overawed by his tenacity. 
    He pulled her closer.  “Never doubt the extent of my arrogance,” he teased.
    She laughed and laid her head against his muscular chest.  “I never did,” she came right back.  “It’s that arrogance that is going to give us our happily ever after.”
    He kissed her then.  “I have to go.  I’ll get with Zoran as soon as he’s back from the woods.  He and I have been friends for a long time.  I’m sure this can be worked out.”
    “I’ll call Ciara as soon as I find out where she’s gone.  I know she probably doesn’t want to marry you anyway.  You’re all mine.”
     
     
    News Flash:  More tensions on the borders, a report said.  The fighting is intensifying and villagers are starting to take sides.
     
    News Flash:  The annual festival celebrating the culture of the regions has been canceled.  Officials cite rising levels of threats as well as lower interest.  Suspicions between border villages are to blame. 
     
    News Flash:  A large contingent of soldiers was seen on the southern border earlier tonight.  The forces seem to be practicing but government officials are