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“Come, Zoe, it’s time to prepare you for your wedding night. ”

It suddenly sank into her. She belonged to the Sheikh. A man they called The Beast. She was married to him. Married.

Zoe didn’t resist as the women settled her in the center of the bed. She knelt on the mattress, her hands folded in front of her, her head bent down.

She was taking a leap of faith, believing she could use this marriage to her advantage, when she might have given up more than her freedom to a man who was a dangerous stranger.

What had she done?

Pure terror clamped her chest. She felt the room closing in on her as she tried to gulp in the hot air. She blinked as dark spots danced before her eyes and she remembered her cousin’s words.

“If you aren’t to Nadir’s liking, he can throw you back. ”

About the Author

SUSANNA CARR has been an avid romance reader since she read her first at the age of ten. Although romance novels were not allowed in her home, she always managed to sneak one in from the local library, or from her twin sister’s secret stash.

After attending college and receiving a degree in English Literature, Susanna pursued a romance-writing career. She has written sexy contemporary romances for several publishers, and her work has been honoured with awards for contemporary and sensual romance.

This is Susanna’s sizzling sexy debut for Mills & Boon^® Modern™ Romance!

The Tarnished

Jewel of Jazaar

Susanna Carr

To Lucy Gilmour, for her insights and encouragement.

Thanks for making my dream come true!

CHAPTER ONE

DARKNESS descended on the desert as the black SUV came to a halt in front of the village’s inn, a large but plain building. The arches and columns that guarded the courtyard were decorated with flower garlands.

It was time to meet his bride.

Nadir felt no excitement. There was no curiosity and no dread. Having a wife was a means to an end. It was not an emotional choice but a civilized arrangement. An arrangement he was making because of one rash, emotional reaction two years ago.

He pushed his thoughts aside. He wasn’t going to think about the injustice now. With this marriage he would repair his reputation and no one would question his commitment to the traditional way of life in the kingdom of Jazaar.

Nadir stepped out of the car and his dishdasha was plastered against his muscular body as his black cloak whipped in the strong wind. The white headdress billowed behind him. Nadir found the traditional clothes confining, but today he wore them out of respect to custom.

He saw his younger brother approach. Nadir smiled at the unusual sight of Rashid wearing traditional garb. They greeted each other with an embrace.