Tara Pammi - The True King of Dahaar

“How am I looking at you?” Nikhat said, tucking her feet beneath her legs.

Azeez leant his head back, giving her a perfect view of the strong column of his neck. Even dressed in the most casual clothes, he epitomized the supreme male arrogance and confidence that had always messed with her usually practical personality. And continued to do so, if she was ready to admit the truth.

“Like you cannot stop. Like you want to eat me up alive.”

The heat rising through her cheeks had nothing to do with the sun. “That’s not true.”

He leaned forward, his gaze thoughtful. “Yes, it is. There’s a temerity in your gaze now. You always knew your own mind, but now it’s like your body has caught up.”

She shrugged, holding herself tight and still under his scrutiny. The look Azeez cast in her direction was thorough. “I’m not a shy twenty-two-year-old anymore.”

“I can see that.” A lick of something came alive in his gaze. “I can almost see you staring down your patients into good health.”

Nikhat laughed, half to hide the little tremble that went through her. “I do have a reputation as the scary doctor. If only things could be fixed so simply. And you’re right. I can’t stop looking at you. I can’t stop wondering what in Allah’s name you think you’re doing to yourself.”

A DYNASTY OF SAND AND SCANDAL

A throne where secrets never sleep!

The Desert Kingdom of Dahaar has been beset by tragedy, scandal and secrets for as long as anyone can remember.

Those that reach for the crown are forced to pay a high price indeed. When duty calls, these royals must obey …

But these are children of the desert, and the fires of passion run hot in their veins.

And rarely does passion pair with duty.

Have you read the first title in this unstoppable miniseries by author Tara Pammi?

THE LAST PRINCE OF DAHAAR

This month read:

THE TRUE KING OF DAHAAR

www.millsandboon.co.uk

TARA PAMMIcan’t remember a moment when she wasn’t lost in a book—especially a Mills & Boon ®romance, which provided so much more excitement to a teenager than a mathematics textbook. It was only years later, while struggling with her two-hundred-page thesis in a basement lab, that Tara realised what she really wanted to do: write a romance novel. She already had the requirements—a wild imagination and a love for the written word.

Tara lives in Colorado with the most co-operative man on the planet and two daughters. Her husband and daughters are the only things that stand between Tara and a full-blown hermit life with only books for company.

Tara would love to hear from readers. She can be reached at tara.pammi@gmail.comor through her website: www.tarapammi.com

For my sister and my friend—

you’re an inspiration to me, always.

Contents

Cover

Excerpt “Stop looking at me like that.” His low growl rumbled over the silent courtyard. “How am I looking at you?” Nikhat said, tucking her feet beneath her legs. Azeez leant his head back, giving her a perfect view of the strong column of his neck. Even dressed in the most casual clothes, he epitomized the supreme male arrogance and confidence that had always messed with her usually practical personality. And continued to do so, if she was ready to admit the truth. “Like you cannot stop. Like you want to eat me up alive.” The heat rising through her cheeks had nothing to do with the sun. “That’s not true.” He leaned forward, his gaze thoughtful. “Yes, it is. There’s a temerity in your gaze now. You always knew your own mind, but now it’s like your body has caught up.” She shrugged, holding herself tight and still under his scrutiny. The look Azeez cast in her direction was thorough. “I’m not a shy twenty-two-year-old anymore.” “I can see that.” A lick of something came alive in his gaze. “I can almost see you staring down your patients into good health.” Nikhat laughed, half to hide the little tremble that went through her. “I do have a reputation as the scary doctor. If only things could be fixed so simply. And you’re right. I can’t stop looking at you. I can’t stop wondering what in Allah’s name you think you’re doing to yourself.”

Introduction A DYNASTY OF SAND AND SCANDAL A throne where secrets never sleep! The Desert Kingdom of Dahaar has been beset by tragedy, scandal and secrets for as long as anyone can remember. Those that reach for the crown are forced to pay a high price indeed. When duty calls, these royals must obey … But these are children of the desert, and the fires of passion run hot in their veins. And rarely does passion pair with duty. Have you read the first title in this unstoppable miniseries by author Tara Pammi? THE LAST PRINCE OF DAHAAR This month read: THE TRUE KING OF DAHAAR

Title Page The True King of Dahaar Tara Pammi www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author TARA PAMMI can’t remember a moment when she wasn’t lost in a book—especially a Mills & Boon ® romance, which provided so much more excitement to a teenager than a mathematics textbook. It was only years later, while struggling with her two-hundred-page thesis in a basement lab, that Tara realised what she really wanted to do: write a romance novel. She already had the requirements—a wild imagination and a love for the written word. Tara lives in Colorado with the most co-operative man on the planet and two daughters. Her husband and daughters are the only things that stand between Tara and a full-blown hermit life with only books for company. Tara would love to hear from readers. She can be reached at tara.pammi@gmail.com or through her website: www.tarapammi.com

Dedication For my sister and my friend— you’re an inspiration to me, always.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

DR. NIKHAT ZAKHARI followed the uniformed guard through the carpeted corridor of the Dahaaran palace, assaulted from every side by bittersweet memories. Eight years ago she had known every inch of these corridors and halls, every wall and arch. This palace, the royal family, they had all been part of a dream she had weaved as a naive girl of twenty-two.

Before it had come crumbling down upon her and shattered her.

She stepped over the threshold into the office and the guard closed the door behind her. The formal pumps she had chosen instead of her usual Crocs sank into the lush carpet with a sigh.

She had been in this office one night when the Crown Prince had been the man she had loved, the two of them slipping in like thieves in the night.

All because she had voiced a juvenile wish to see it. Her long-sleeved thick silk jacket couldn’t dispel the chill that settled on her skin at the memory.

Drawn to the huge portrait of the royal family behind the dark sandalwood desk, she gave in to nostalgia.

King Malik and Queen Fatima, Ayaan and Amira, each member of the royal family was smiling in the picture except Azeez. Because of what Nikhat had told him that day eight years ago.

A cavern of longing opened up inside of her. Even thousands of miles away, she had felt as if she had lost her own family when she heard of the attack. Her throat ached, her vision felt dizzy. She ran trembling fingers over Azeez’s face in the photo.