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something for her daughter, even something as trivial as bringing Chia her breakfast.  Chia shifted slightly when the door opened.  Her stomach rumbled mutinously at the odors wafting across her nose. “I’m not hungry,” she protested, her skin turning green.
    Amanda chose a dry piece of unbuttered toast and asked Jahan to help Chia sit up.  She watched the tender, loving care he lavished on Chia and sighed with relief.  Perhaps he had learned.  “Honey, you have to eat something.  Try this toast, Chia.  It helped me when I carried you.”
    Chia reluctantly nibbled on the toast, pleasantly surprised when she was able to keep it down.  Jahan sat at the dressing table and ate the scrambled eggs and the rest of the food Chia couldn’t stomach.  Mara appeared a short time later with the doctor and removed the empty tray.
    Amanda and Malek stepped into the hallway, but Dr. Kahn motioned for Jahan to stay.  He firmly told both Chia and Jahan what they must do to make sure she did not become more upset.  When Jahan brought up the wedding, she shifted restlessly but forced herself to stay calm.  She must marry him and as the princess, she would be in a position of great power.  She could bide her time.  Amazing how it had always been her greatest desire for Jahan to fall in love with her and want to marry her, and now it was happening and she wanted to stop it.
    Jahan had been so handsome as a young man.  She still burned with humiliation when she remembered the way she’d thrown herself at him at the pool when she was twelve.  She’d known he was expected and had deliberately untied her top, wanting to show him her breasts.  She’d felt his eyes on her breasts whenever they’d come in contact that had foolishly thought he wanted her and she wanted him.  When he’d touched her and she’d seen his erection pressing against the brief material of his swimming trunks, she’d been elated.  When he’d fastened her top and become so cruel, her young heart had shattered.  She had shut all feelings for him away after that, determined not to make a fool of herself in front of him again.
    During her years of college she’d worked hard to forget and had come close several times to hopping in bed with some guy.  Each time, she pulled back unable to go through with it, since her heart already belonged to Jahan. Even if he’d thrown it back in her face.  Most of the young men she’d run with had been buddies and those who had stayed in her apartment had just needed a place to crash after too much drink.
    If she’d known Jahan was having her followed she might have gone ahead and slept with one of them just to piss him off.   If she didn’t feel so badly, she’d be furious all over again at his highhandedness.  The man was positively medieval in his thinking. How could he bring his country into a more modern age if he was still stuck in the past?
    Jahan cautiously made plans for the wedding, seeking Dr. Kahn’s approval for each step of their nuptials.  He waited for Chia to protest, to scream and say she wouldn’t marry him.  Seeing the sad acceptance on her face, he feared she had no fight left in her. He wanted her fiery temper to come back and tell him off.
    Dr. Khan checked her pulse, not surprised to see it was somewhat elevated. “Just a few people, Jahan.  Family only if you can manage it.  Perhaps later, you can have a large reception and soothe those bruised political egos.  For now Chia and your baby are more important.”
    “I agree doctor. They are the only consideration here. Will next week be too soon?”
    Chia forced herself to relax, next week was so soon.  She could not run now.  She had an obligation to her baby and her country. When Dr. Kahn gave his approval, she forced her body to take a calming breath.  She might have felt better if she hadn’t caught the satisfied gleam in Jahan’s dark eyes.
    As soon as Dr. Kahn left , Amanda and Malek came to Chia’s side.  Chia