Once the commotion died down, Steph’s mother cleared her throat.
“I understand that this is unprecedented. However, after speaking with Steph and the groom, it became clear that this was the best possible decision.”
“She saw the groom before the ceremony?” an uncle said.
“I did,” Steph said. “He is a lovely man who happens to be in love with someone else.”
There was another uproar at that statement. Elora put her fingers in her mouth and let out a sharp whistle. Everyone stared at her in stunned silence.
“Now listen, you lot. Steph has another love interest, and the man happens to be one of the most influential men in the country, so pipe down. The whole point of this is to ensure a safe and happy future for my daughter. While she would have had that with Sadiq, there’s a chance she can still have it with another man.”
“How do you know that? Why are you being so vague?”
Elora glanced at Steph and gave her a small smile before addressing the rest of the room. “I’m sure we’ll all be back together celebrating soon. Until then, why don’t we enjoy the meal that’s been prepared and try to get to know one another better? After all, this is the first time we’re meeting as a family, and Steph’s first time in El Farah. You don’t want her to think we’re all a bunch of uptight matrons, do you?”
There was a lower level of grumbling at this statement. Then Anouk stepped forward, holding out a glass of rose-colored wine.
“Here you go, Steph. Sounds like you could use a bit of a drink. If, after you have a sip, you’d like to share with us what happened, we’d be more than happy to hear it.”
Steph looked at the glass before taking it from her cousin’s fingertips, lifting it up to the room at large. Automatically, everyone raised a glass.
“To family,” she said, lifting her cup and taking a sip.
Several people smiled at that.
“To family!” they agreed, drinking liberally.
Beyah had a soda that she used for the toast, and she sipped it delicately as she proceeded to hang on to Steph’s hand the rest of the time. Person after person approached her, telling her their own stories and how they were related. Steph realized she was going to need to draw a chart to figure it all out as she gave them bits and pieces of her own failed engagement story, not bringing Mehdi up though they demanded to know who it was she would really be marrying.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
SEVENTEEN
Mehdi
Mehdi shifted when he heard footsteps enter his bedroom.
There could only be one reason someone was in his room, and when he opened his eyes he found Kalin rummaging around the immaculately organized closet, preparing a ceremonial outfit for him.
“Kalin, remind me why you are doing that again,” Mehdi said, his voice creaky with first use.
Kalin nodded as he brought over a white tunic and matching pants, laying them out on the bed.
“You had planned to visit a session of parliament today, sir. Would you like to cancel?”
Mehdi considered it. His whole world had been upended when he met Steph, but the truth was that there was a long time to wait before sunset, and it would be better to stay busy, lest he think about standing on that beach alone.
“I would not. Thank you for your help. I can take it from here.”
“Very good, sir. Shall I call the car for you?”
“Please,” Mehdi said, and Kalin bowed and exited the room.
Mehdi wished he could drive himself around, but pomp and circumstance were important to the people of El Farah. He thought about buying a jeep and driving to Steph, the two of them escaping to the north and enjoying the forests there together.
It was a wonderful thought, albeit an impossible one. Mehdi knew how often duty won out over the heart, and to believe otherwise would be foolish.
Still, he had to hope.
Stripping down, he took a quick shower before changing into his clothing for the day. As he exited his room, he decided to make a stop at the family chapel before heading over to the session.
The chapel was only a few doors down from the master bedroom, and Mehdi anointed his wrist with holy water as he approached a seat near the front. Before sitting, he lit an incense stick and used it to light two white candles in front of a framed photograph.