*
A sudden knock on the door made both of them jump. Fareed pulled back sharply, and as he did, her gown slipped down to her waist. He only had a second to glance before she pulled it back up, breathing hard as though she had chased someone through the entire city of Sana'a.
"What is it?" Fareed asked in a gruff voice as he tried to slow his own breathing. His eyes were glazed over and his nostrils flared as he panted, but otherwise he appeared normal.
"Sahib," Lukman's voice came from the other side of the door, "there is someone here to see you."
Fareed looked over as Noor slipped her arms into the gown once again, her breathing as ragged and uneven as his. She refused to look at him, but he could sense that she was observing him. He wanted to reach out and take her in his arms ag
