“Is it possible?” Lazar finally whispered, disbelief in his eyes.
Pez could hardly answer. Overwhelmed by an onslaught of a fury he had never felt before, he covered his eyes with his deformed hands, as if to cover himself from the vision of Maliz smiling from behind Tariq’s dark eyes. “Of course it’s possible,” he croaked. “More than possible. In fact, that’s precisely what’s occurred. Iridor rose. So did Maliz. And he chose Tariq as his vessel. It’s so obvious now that I can’t believe I missed it. Maliz the warlock was as vain as the summer day is long. He is using his magic to improve the body in which he is imprisoned now until his next death.”
“His destruction, you mean,” Lazar said, something cruel and hard in his tone.
Pez stared at his friend. “I’ll warn you again and you must pay this the attention it deserves, Lazar. Maliz cannot be killed by conventional means. You have to trust me on this. I can see where your thoughts are running, but if you think you can protect Ana by killing Tariq, you are tragically mistaken. All you will do is declare yourself to the demon. He will kill you, more like, using his magics and then come after anyone who is close to you.”
“Then, what?” Lazar demanded, clearly frustrated—and shocked by the fear in the dwarf ’s voice.
“We move far more carefully. I think it’s a good idea for you to return to the palace now. Yes, come back, Lazar, and let’s see how the Vizier reacts to you. Are you prepared to risk it?”
“Risk it? I want his death, Pez. Of course I’ll risk it. In spite of you and the Zar being at odds, find a way to let Boaz know you have a special surprise being delivered.”
IT WAS ALREADY LATE; Pez decided to tell Zafira the new developments at daybreak. Telling her now would allow her to do nothing right except spend a few sleepless hours before sunrise.
But he had one more errand to run this night. As the first tentative lightening of dawn threatened, he alighted on one of the minarets that framed the palace. Anyone looking up would have seen a large bird dropping silently through the air and disappearing beneath the rooftops. The man waiting for him saw only the familiar shape of the dwarf, dangling awkwardly before clambering uneasily onto a balcony.
“Are we safe?” Pez whispered.
The man nodded.
“Anything?”
His companion shook his head. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“Tariq?”
“I have not seen him since the Zar retired and that was early.”
“Did the Zar say anything about me?”
“He asked his secretary where you were, but the servant said he didn’t know. The Zar said no more. He sent a note to the harem. He is bringing the boating trip forward. He asked Salmeo to make preparations. They include you.”
“I see. Very good, Razeen. Be careful.”
“You must not worry about me.”
Pez nodded unhappily, unbalanced by the young man’s confidence. “Focus on the Grand Vizier. I want everything you can tell me about him.”
“That will be easy.”
Pez found an uneasy yet soft smile. “Take no unnecessary risk.”
“I must go,” Razeen replied. “I might be missed.”
Pez nodded again. “Lyana watch over you.”
Razeen grinned in the cocksure way of those possessed with a youthful sense of invincibility. Pez felt the fragility of such delusion and shivered. He promised himself to take even more precaution with these meetings as he watched Razeen step through the doors leading back into the suite of chambers that belonged to the Zar.
9
It was no good. Despite her best efforts, Ana could not contain the general excitement within the harem spilling into screeches and raised voices that were not considered appropriate for any of the odalisques. And she could not blame a single one of her companions, for she, too, had felt her heart swell this morning at the news that their boat picnic had been brought forward—they were going out today.
For almost two weeks they had been trapped inside doing tedious needlework and tirelessly rehearsing court etiquette—how to behave when addressed by the Valide, how to behave in front of the Zar, his guests, visiting dignitaries. There were endless lessons, and although most of the young women took to these studies with enthusiasm—for they were eager to succeed in the harem—the bright days outside served only to make Ana feel listless and downright resentful at times. It felt like punishment on these sparkling spring mornings to be cooped up inside. Even her pleasure at language studies had been sorely tested.
When Ana had awoken this morning she hadn’t thought she could bear another day like the previous one. Even though some good sense had discouraged her from doing anything unwise, Ana couldn’t help her mind wandering off. Physical freedom called to her softly like the breeze off the Faranel, but emotional freedom…perhaps that could never be attained, even in her daydreams. The pain of losing Lazar was her closest companion, a dull, soft ache, one she knew she would have to learn to live alongside for as long as she breathed.
The Valide’s threat that the Zar would choose her in the near future had rattled her as well. Ana wasn’t naive; she understood her role in the harem and she would have to have the brain of a bird not to realize that Boaz was already showing a hunger for her. But she hadn’t thought it would happen so soon.
Frowning, she turned her thoughts to the chilling conversation she had had with Pez the previous night. What he had said didn’t scare her. If anything, it made her feel empowered, as if suddenly everything around her was trite and pointless. Well…perhaps everything but Spur Lazar. Ana wanted nothing to do with life in the harem, but it had given her Lazar and for that she felt a modicum of gratitude. If the old Zar had not died, if the palace had not needed to assemble a new harem, if Herezah had not wanted to punish Lazar by sending him on the girl-hunting task that he found so distasteful, if her stepmother had not been so ready to sell her into slavery, ridding herself of the orphaned child she detested, then Ana might never have known such love in her life as she felt for the Spur.
They had taken his body from her but they would never be able to take away her feelings for him or her brief but vivid memory of touching him, looking into his eyes and recognizing the sorrow deep within, sensing his secrets and, yes, his startled desire for her. She had understood how he struggled against the tide of his emotions. But there was nothing wrong in loving each other; Ana knew their love was pure and would always remain that way, for it had never moved beyond the unspoken pain of forbidden yearning.
So felt no fear this morning. Not even after Salmeo’s unsettling news, when he had announced to the general harem that the boating trip would be moved forward. The subsequent squeals of anticipation and unrestrained joy from the girls had brought a smile to the Grand Master Eunuch’s thick lips.
“We do our best,” he had said to Ana, his tongue darting out to moisten those fat lips.
She had apologized several times for the girls’ lack of composure, even struggling to contain her own pleasure, but his huge hand had waved away her softly spoken requests for forgiveness. “They are still children, Ana, I understand.”
She had known this to be a lie—Salmeo would never understand childhood needs—but she had schooled her expression to remain contrite. “I promised the Valide that I would teach them to comport themselves properly, Grand Master Eunuch,” she tried to explain.
He had smiled indulgently, confusing her. “Fret not. The Valide places much faith in you, Odalisque Ana, and I’m sure your skills in leadership will be a great help in preparing the girls for this outing.” He had paused momentarily. The smell of violets had assaulted her as he spoke and, combined with Salmeo’s cloying sweetness, had set her nerves jangling. The Grand Master Eunuch had continued: “Which is why it is a little sad that you cannot join the rest of the harem on this trip.”
Ana had thought she had heard him wrong. She had stared at him, frowning in confusion.
“Oh dear,” he had sighed softly, “perhaps
the Valide has not already mentioned this. She requires your company today.” He had given a moue of sympathy. “She should be here any moment and will no doubt explain.”
“Remain behind?” Ana had asked, unable to hide her distress. “But I’ve been looking forward to this outing as much as the others,” she had gabbled, only quieting herself with force of willpower.
“I appreciate the fact that the timing is not ideal,” Salmeo had replied, his light voice all the more irritating for its contrived tone of sorrow on her behalf, “but I am led to believe that you and the Valide have a special understanding. Is that right?” Ana stared at him, baffled, so Salmeo filled the awkward silence. “Apparently you are to assist the Valide in all her needs. You’ve agreed to be reliable and trustworthy…no rebelliousness.”
Ana had shaken her head, clearing the cobwebs of disbelief. “I have agreed to that but—”
“Ah,” he had interrupted, smiling as if everything was settled.
“But I never—”
“Hush, Ana. No rebellion, remember?” Salmeo had said lightly, giggling behind the chubby, bejeweled finger he had held to his lips to silence her.
Ana had steeled herself to remain composed. “As the Valide chooses,” she had managed to grind out politely, even bowing with some semblance of courtesy, but as she had straightened she could see only delight in the eunuch’s eyes. They had planned this. This had been deliberately done to build up her hopes and then dash them. Was Boaz in on the plot? She didn’t think so, but she also could not understand why the Valide would provoke her. When they had met, Herezah had appeared—to all intents—to genuinely want the two of them to be more companionable.
Of course, Herezah knew that in order to remain close to her son she would also need to accept his women, especially his wives. While the Valide had chosen all the girls in the harem herself, it was up to Boaz to select which of them would fill the premium positions.
Ana understood that she and the Valide had gotten off to a very poor start. Her escape had humiliated the harem. But Herezah’s cares were not really centered on the harem, were they? The harem was her seat of power, the realm over which she presided with her fat partner in cunning, but it was not where her heart lay. Her heart was with a much larger power—with the Zar, and in ensuring those ties were never fractured. Was this all about preventing Boaz from spending time with the odalisque he seemed to be favoring?
Now the Valide swept into the room, gorgeously attired in tightly bound dark silks. She was certainly not going on any boat outing, judging by such sumptuous robes. Ana’s heart sank as she watched Herezah glide effortlessly toward her, without even sparing a glance toward Salmeo.
Ana bowed as graciously as she could. “Valide,” was all she would trust herself to say.
“I see there’s an air of hysteria in the harem this morning.”
Ana nodded. “The girls have just found out that the Zar’s boating trip is taking place today. They’ve been looking forward to this since joining the harem.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Herezah answered in her smoky voice. “And you, Ana, you don’t echo their joy.” Her smile was bright.
“Not since hearing that I will not be joining them on this outing, Valide. I understand that you need my services.”
“I do.”
Ana nodded. She dared not say more, she was busy fighting back tears.
“Why so sad, Ana? Does a day with me sound so disappointing?”
“Forgive me, Valide,” Ana replied, bobbing a small curtsy. “I allowed myself to anticipate a day out on the water. I am struggling a little, I’ll admit, to resign myself to the idea that I will not be enjoying this freedom.”
“Ah, freedom,” Herezah echoed. “A powerful notion, eh?” Ana nodded, desperately trying to hide her misery. “But what makes you think that freedom has been denied?”
Ana watched as the now fully veiled girls were being herded out of the chamber. She could see beyond to where Salmeo’s army had trunks of provisions to take with them, no doubt filled with everything from fresh clothes to drying linens, should the girls decide to swim. And from the kitchens Ana imagined another army was steadily marching with an endless array of baskets carrying sumptuous food worthy of the Zar’s special picnic for his women. She sighed. “I understand you have some work for me to do, Valide,” she replied.
Herezah’s eyebrow lifted sardonically. “If you call a shopping expedition into the city work, then so be it.”
Ana couldn’t help her display of surprise. One hand covered her mouth just in time to stop the shriek.
Herezah smiled. “I can’t imagine what Salmeo led you to believe, my girl, but we are not working on a fine day like this. I promised you an escorted trip into the city, did I not?”
Ana nodded dumbly.
“Well, hurry up and get ready, girl.”
“We’re going together?”
“Who else did you think would have the right taste and experience to choose fabrics and jewelery for a Zar’s wife?” Herezah commented archly, and at Ana’s disbelieving expression, she laughed, not unkindly. “I shall give you until the next bell or I leave without you. Fully veiled, remember.”
“I’ll be ready in moments,” Ana replied eagerly. Perhaps it would be a day of freedom after all?
BOAZ WAS NOT SHARING the same pleasure. He had welcomed the girls of his harem theatrically and with a certain dashing charm that had them giggling beneath their veils, but it was hard to pick who each might be and his first hungry stare had not picked her out.
He watched them now excitedly clambering aboard the royal barges that, according to the Grand Vizier, had not felt the water for years.
“Are you sure you won’t be coming with us today, Grand Vizier?” he offered again, not really interested but needing something to say as he searched for Ana.
“No, my Zar. There is plenty of dull paperwork for me to plow through, and as boring as it is compared to a day on the river in your fine company and amongst these bright young things, I do think I must remain dutiful.”
“Your self-sacrifice is impressive, Tariq,” Boaz quipped.
His high-ranking servant grinned back and shrugged. “I shall take much pleasure in hearing about the expedition tonight.”
“You will take supper with me, Tariq.”
“Very good, Highness. An opportune time to run through some important items. I shall take my leave, my Zar, and wish you a wonderfully uplifting day enjoying the natural wonders of Percheron.” His dark eyes slid over the boats filled with young women and both of them knew he wasn’t referring to the river or the scenery.
Boaz nodded and then shook his head ruefully. Tariq had taken to making clever jests, smacking of a wit the Zar had never once witnessed in the Vizier during his time as heir. Tariq had always seemed so self-obsessed and sexless that it had not once occurred to Boaz to imagine that the Vizier was interested in women, and yet recently Boaz had seen the Grand Vizier pay an appreciative roving glance to the palace’s female servants.
He beckoned to Salmeo, who lightly hurried toward him. “Majesty?”
“Where is Pez?”
Salmeo looked at him blankly. “I have not seen him, my Zar.”
“I specifically asked Bin to ensure he was here today to entertain the girls.”
The Vizier, seeming to overhear their conversation, stepped close to the Zar. “If I may, Majesty?” Salmeo scowled but Boaz nodded. “Bin did mention that he hadn’t been able to locate the dwarf.”
“I see. So he will not be with us today.” When both his senior servants remained silent Boaz exploded angrily. “This is not acceptable! The Zar’s clown—who enjoys significant indulgence, I might add—should at least be present when the Zar wants him.”
“I couldn’t agree more, my Zar,” Salmeo replied.
The Grand Vizier nodded in agreement. “Highness, let me see if we can find him now. You will still be a little while loading the boats. May I try for you?”
S
almeo’s scowl darkened. “Zar Boaz, if the Vizier cannot locate your jester, perhaps I can have him hunted down in your absence?”
“He’s not an animal, Grand Master Eunuch,” Boaz snapped. “You make it sound as if you’d enjoy the chase. Would you beat him with a stick when you caught him?” Turning back to the Grand Vizier, the Zar continued more calmly: “Thank you, Tariq. If you can locate him easily, I think the young ladies would benefit from his sense of fun today.”
“And if not, my Zar?”
“Inform him of my displeasure,” came the curt reply.
The Grand Vizier bowed and took his leave. Salmeo remained, his bulk overwhelming the trim figure of the Zar. “I did not mean any insult, Highness,” Salmeo said humbly.
Boaz turned to stare up into the eunuch’s hooded gaze, his eyes buried deeply amongst the folds of flesh. The man never failed to revolt him. “You have never found Pez amusing.”
“But I know you do, Highness, and your father before you. I would not let anything bad happen to someone so important to our Crown.”
Boaz smelled the violets on the man’s breath and was again reminded of his slippery ways. His mother had warned him often enough that he knew Salmeo was saying what he imagined the Zar wanted to hear. He felt a sense of anger drop like stone in his stomach at the eunuch’s honeyed words, at odds with how he was feeling about Pez right now.
“The dwarf is not my favorite person just at present, Salmeo: it is true he has displeased me. But don’t imagine that gives anyone the right to treat Pez in any way other than has always been demanded in this palace. That said, you would all do well to know that I will not tolerate any form of insubordination, not even from him.”
Salmeo blinked slowly, his tongue flicking out to lick his lips in a ritual that Boaz thought made him look like a reptile. “Of course, Highness. Are you sure there is nothing I can do to help with the dwarf?”
“No; Tariq can handle it,” Boaz snapped again, frustrated further now that he’d revealed to this cunning man his displeasure with Pez. He had not intended to, but not sighting Ana and the disappointment of his run-in with Pez had left him feeling hollow on a day that was meant to be all about fun. And lately he felt as though he was no longer in control of his moods. The smallest things seemed to darken his humor. He needed to talk to Pez just when he had banished him in anger. Noticing that Salmeo was still regarding him intently, Boaz pulled himself sharply from his thoughts. “Where is Odalisque Ana, by the way?” he demanded, hoping to distract the eunuch from his falling-out with the dwarf.
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