by Megan Derr
A hand rested on the small of her back, fingers moving in tiny, teasing circles. Euren turned to steal a kiss from Ihsan. "You look pleased with yourself."
"Why shouldn't I?" Ihsan asked. "My lovely wife is having a wonderful banquet, and Demir is about to perform."
"Oh, I see." She gave him a playful shove. "You are delighted to use me to see your concubine oiled up and playing with fire."
Ihsan sniffed. "I simply appreciate the happy coincidence of two events."
"Mm." Euren pinched him, then tugged him in for another kiss before turning back to accept more wine from a giggling Asli.
Nearby, Gulden was attending Meltem, a not even remotely subtle indication of Euren's favor. Next to them, Irmak was being served by Canan, as she'd not yet asked anyone to join her harem—though Euren suspected there was a healer who might eventually be asked a question.
Euren's eyes lingered on Meltem, dressed in dark pink and bronze, a wine-flush to her cheeks. She wore large, dangling earrings, and hair was bound up in intricate twists and knots, threaded with pink quartz and diamond beads. Since her brother had left with Altan and the rest of Cobra had returned to the Desert, she had settled completely into court life, though she was still a little shy about the elaborate clothes and being served food and drink. If she missed Desert life, it was not readily apparent.
Meltem looked up, caught Euren's eye, and offered a shy, happy smile.
Ihsan's soft chuckle filled Euren's ear, his lips brushing it, fingers once more teasing along her back. "You're not being very subtle about wanting to fuck the Cobra, my heart."
"Am I supposed to be?" Euren drawled, turning to bite playfully at his lips. "Because I was only following my dear husband's example in the way he used to make eyes at the former Harem Master."
On Ihsan's other side, Haluk laughed. "That point to my queen, and I think we all know better than to follow his examples."
"Don't take her side," Ihsan grumbled, but he was smiling as Haluk kissed him.
Before any of them could say more, a hush followed by a wave of whispers swept over the crowded pavilion. Dusk was just beginning to fall, making Demir all the more beautiful and mysterious as he walked to the middle of the pavilion and dipped into an elegant bow. "An honor to perform for you, my queen, my king, honored guests."
"The honor is mine, Lord Demir. Thank you for indulging me," Euren said with a smile.
Demir rose and began to dance as the drums started pounding. He really was quite breathtaking. "I can see why you were so distracted, though I'm not convinced you know what to do with all of that." The guests at their table laughed or shifted awkwardly. Cenk just shook his head and smiled.
Smirking and taking a sip of wine from Haluk, Ihsan replied, "I promise, beloved, he does not go unappreciated."
"I don't believe you." Euren scoffed, mouth curving in a mischievous smile. "Not when I know you prefer to be tied up so the work is left to everyone else." Even Cenk choked on his wine at that one, and Euren barely kept from dissolving into giggles at the looks several others cast them.
Ihsan shot her a look. "Woman, you are going to pay for that."
She laughed and accepted more wine from Asli, kissing her briefly before putting her attention back on Demir, who spun and twisted as gracefully as a bird. Firelight gleamed on his oiled skin, making the jewels he wore sparkled.
When he finished, Euren cheered loudly and sent Canan to offer him a dish of wine. "Thank you, Lord Demir. Your performance was as perfect and magnificent as my husband vowed."
"The honor is mine, my queen," Demir replied with a smile, looking up briefly from his kneeling position. Gold gleamed at his throat, a choker from which dangled a small key. That had been the biggest source of whispers in the palace once everyone realized Demir had joined Ihsan's harem. Though it was almost beat out by the filthier whispers speculating over the gold chain that vanished beneath the hem of his pants.
But at least if they were distracted by the antics of Ihsan's harem, they were paying less attention to Euren and Meltem flirting, sharing looks and whispers with her concubines.
Euren smiled at Demir. "Please, refresh yourself and then come distract my husband. He's quite getting out of hand tonight."
"I'm getting out of hand?" Ihsan protested. "I think maybe the wrong person is being tied up at night." That set off more shocked looks from foreigners and titters from nobles already growing accustomed to the ways of their new king and queen.
Sniffing in mock offense, Euren ate a few more bites of food and returned to speaking with all the guests, pausing only to sip wine as Asli offered it.
Conversation turned to whispers again as Demir returned to the pavilion, dressed as beautifully and seductively as always. He knelt and bowed to Ihsan, who reached out to touch the back of his head. Demir rose, and Haluk with him. They kissed briefly, exchanged a smile, and then Demir took the seat that Haluk vacated. Once he was settled, he leaned in to give Ihsan a lingering kiss.
Haluk settled between Sabah and a newly arrived man from Havarin, a scholar who was more than happy to agree to any scathing comments made about his homeland.
Drawing back, Ihsan tugging playfully at the dangling key, then picked up a full wine dish and stood. "Good people, I think we have sufficiently entertained our lovely queen! I believe we were promised a knife throwing competition, and it is long past time my lovely wife delivered. Who agrees?" The crowd burst into cheers and playful demands.
Euren finished off the wine Asli had just offered her, then rose and swept a bow to renewed cheers. Asli rose beside her and removed Euren's wrap to bind back her long, loose hair. She kissed Euren softly, then stepped aside so she and Meltem could walk to the center of the pavilion.
Servants had already set to work ensuring the way was clear and setting up the target boards. Guards stood at every entry point to ensure no one came through at a bad moment. One of the servants handed Euren her knives—seven of them, meant for throwing, sheathed in a special pouch that, once buckled in place, rested comfortably at her left hip.
The target boards had been affixed to the far wall, exactly opposite the royal table. There were two, each one with seven scattered red circles, fourteen green, and the rest of the space was painted yellow. Anticipation curled through Euren more potent than any wine.
Behind them, Ihsan said, "Best of seven throws wins the contest. I leave the women to name the prize." He lifted his dish, drained it, and bellowed, "Begin!"
Euren motioned for Meltem to throw first. Meltem bowed in thanks for the honor, then rose, pulled a knife, and threw it. The knife landed slightly off center of the topmost of the red marks. Euren's first throw landed dead center in the same spot on her own board.
Applause rippled through the crowd briefly, quieted as Meltem drew her second knife.
They both just missed hitting the second red mark dead center. Meltem hit the next two perfectly, to the excited cheering of everyone betting on her. Euren's third struck perfectly, but the fourth just barely missed an exact hit. The fifth and sixth throws were perfect strikes for both of them, bringing them to a draw.
Meltem grinned, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and let fly with her last knife—and hit dead center of the last red mark, to the delighted roar of the crowd.
When the noise died down, Euren took a deep breath and threw. The knife landed a few marks off center.
Cheers exploded all over again. Euren shook her head, smiled, and swept Meltem a bow. "Victory to you, my dear. I guess the Desert has one or two things it could teach me. Declare your prize."
Meltem pushed back a stray curl that had slipped free of her elaborate arrangement, smiled sweetly. "All I want, my queen, is to stay by your side howsoever I may."
Euren thought her heart was going to burst. "Then would you join my harem?"
"Yes, it would be an honor," Meltem said and threw herself at Euren, kissing her hard, mouth sweet and tart from wine. Euren held her tightly and kissed back with months of longing. The cheers around them
reached all new levels of deafening, but Euren barely noticed.
After a couple of minutes, Euren drew back and asked softly, "Are you certain?"
"Yes," Meltem replied. "Stop asking stupid questions."
Euren laughed and kissed her again, even more enthralled with that lovely mouth than she had known she would be. It was only with the greatest of effort that she managed to pull away a second time, taking Meltem's hand as they returned to the royal table.
As she sat down, Cenk rose with wine dish held aloft. "To King Ihsan and Queen Euren, may they reign in peace and happiness for many decades to come!"
Ihsan clasped her hand and held them high, then they both bowed to all the people cheering for them.
Fin
About the Author
Megan is a long time resident of LGBTQ fiction, and keeps herself busy reading, writing, and publishing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers, and can be found all over the internet.
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