by Bri Clark
The man wouldn’t leave Shae alone so she broke his nose. Shae almost broke Collin’s nose too when he was distracted by the man running out.
This caused me to roar. Shae and Marie had entirely too much in common.
He didn’t get her number that night but she got his and the rest is history. They were married and now travel around together for his job. I could feel Collin would prove to be a long time friend. He convinced me to shower and get some food, only after he said we needed to make an appearance for Abbass. We didn’t need to give Abbass any excuse to force his doctors or guards to look in on Marie, creating the opportunity to take her. Hagar came along with us since she had to serve the guests.
I thought about what Marie said about the guards, the servants, and Hagar. I felt like Hagar could help us, and in return I would get her out of this miserable life. I had more than enough money just sitting and most importantly, I would do it for Marie. There was no way I could leave her here. She cared for Marie as a mother would, and Marie needed a family. After Hagar shared the story of her life with me, it infuriated me.
She was married with a small child, a son when Abbass’s father ruined her life. The boys name was Potiphar. He was a handsome lad, with thick hair and dark skin.
Her face took on an ancient kind of hurt as she spoke. He was happy and healthy, two rare commodities in her poverty-stricken life. Her husband was a farmer, a strong man, like me, she said, pointing to my arms making me smile. She was helping her husband bring in the crops one summer when her torment began. Abbass’s father saw her in the field and wanted her like Abbass wanted Marie. She said she used to be a handsome woman in her youth. He offered her jewels, clothing, and money if she would leave her family and become his concubine.
She refused him, signaling the wrath of an enraged tyrant. He ordered her husband and son killed; she was kidnapped and brought to the palace forced to be his slave, and then his son’s upon his death. She had no hope of freedom.
The story of Hagar’s tortured past made me acutely aware of Abbass cruelty. He was groomed from generations of bloodthirsty tyrants. I began to understand Hagar’s loyalty to Marie then. Marie’s sincere kindness gave her hope. She knew the pain of being something that was wanted and the repercussions of refusal. I vowed to free Hagar and give her a new life. I felt in my gut that she would be the key to our success.
Chapter Twenty Four
Marie
In the suite in the compound
When I awoke, it was the first time I could remember feeling rested. Henry still slept. His massive form covered the sofa in our suite. I frowned. He usually woke before me. Since he was still in slumber, I took advantage and studied his face. His features were like the greatest work of an artisan. Asleep, he looked so much more youthful, his forehead smooth from the lines that dominated it so heavily from worry and anger when he was awake. I traced his lips with my finger then felt him smile.
“Morning, Love.”
When he called me that, I always felt the impulse to close my eyes and revel in the sensations his voice awakened.
“Morning, fool.” I offered back. His closed lids flew open, his bewilderment forming a scowl on his once smooth forehead.
“Fool? What is that all about?”
I laughed and used my hand to smooth the creases out, “Well, I know how much I like it when you call me love. I wanted to give you a name. However, I am not as good at it as you are and calling you love seemed inappropriate. It just rather popped out. I won’t do it again.” I assured him. He started to laugh; his laughter was like my own personal song.
“No, fool is actually appropriate.”
“Appropriate?” I asked puzzled.
“Because, I am a hopelessly, bewitched fool.” He pulled me into the folds of his arms and kissed my hair. I found myself breathing deeper than usual, trying to fill the inside of my body with his luscious aroma. The door flew open without the slightest knock, interrupting our peaceful moment. I jumped. Henry, on the other hand, continued to lounge on the sofa, legs crossed arms behind his head. Winking, he bid good morning to Hagar. She actually hissed at him.
Walking to her to give her a hug, I was shocked when her embrace was fierce. She whispered soft prayers of thanks to some Egyptian god for my safety. She pulled back while one arm stayed around my waist, the other cupping my face, she smiled up at me whispering, “My Diamond of the Nile.”
Then she let go, and moved on to Henry, picking his shirt off the floor and hitting him with it while she scolded him. It was funny to watch. He got up and taunted her in English. She must have understood because the scolding got faster. She told him we had to get ready for breakfast; Abbass was expecting us. At the mention of Abbass, the demeanor of the room changed. A united professional like aura seemed to penetrate the atmosphere.
Hagar started to make the bed. I would have stopped her but Henry grabbed my wrist and dragged me into the closet. “I don’t care if she makes the bed. I trust her,” he informed me, misunderstanding my intentions.
“That’s great you trust her, because I do, too. However, I was stopping her because she is not a servant to me.” I turned around to leave. He pulled me back again.
“You still don’t get it do you? To her it’s not waiting on you. She wants to do it. She wants to take care of you. She cares about you. If you tell her to stop, it will hurt her.” He arched one pale blond brow while I considered what he said.
“Why is it that you don’t object to her coming in to the room without knocking and letting her boss you around?” I asked pulling some clothing down to take into the bathroom remembering that we never officially unpacked so I assumed Hagar had done it for us. The closet now looked like we lived there. All the clothing was hanging by type and color. She was amazing.
Henry was picking some clothes out as well. A thoughtful look appeared, and he smiled. “I don’t know Love, I guess after the last few days of everything that we went through with you it just kind of bonded us. I know she treats me like a child, I would guess I let her because I never had a mother.” He shrugged his shoulders, saying it with a nonchalance I couldn’t respond.
“You didn’t have a mother?” I asked stunned. He stopped buttoning his shirt and looked at me, the odd pitch in my voice most likely signaled my shock. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the tip of my nose.
“Settle, Love. It’s no big deal. It is a long story, and I will tell you sometime, but we have to get to breakfast. We don’t want to provoke Abbass,” he reminded me.
I snapped out of my frozen state only to move straight into light speed, causing Henry to chuckle. He was so lucky; it didn’t take him as long to get ready. I showered and dried off in no time. Not caring what I wore, I put on a random dress and sandals. I studied my hair and groaned. It was still wet. I didn’t have time to dry it; luckily, it wasn’t a mat of tangles thanks to Hagar and Shae. I ran my fingers through the waves a few times and finally gave up, running back into the closet to grab my weapons.
I was putting the last blade in my thigh harness when Hagar appeared; I had forgotten she was even there. I put my skirt back down, embarrassed. I could feel the blush coloring my cheeks. She smiled and walked toward me holding something in her hand. She didn’t’ comment on what she caught me doing. She said she had a gift for me. I immediately wanted to refuse but Henry’s earlier comments stopped me.
She held out an old but beautiful hair clip. It was gold with little diamonds spread all around it. It opened at one end forming two long narrow bands as the sides. The top was longer than the bottom with a pointed tip. At the top was a larger diamond that sparkled. She grasped the longer top portion where the largest stone sat and pulled gently revealing a small knife. I gasped. She placed it back, a grin forming the contours of her mouth. She told me she wanted me to have it, to wear it, to use it if I needed it. I heard the concern threaded in her voice as she spoke the last request. Bending down so she could reach she swept it up along one side of my face, holdi
ng the tresses in its grasp. She stepped back appraising it.
“My diamond,” she proclaimed.
I hugged her. She hurried Henry and me out the door off to breakfast. I did get the chance to see that our room was spotless before we ran out. Henry looked handsome as usual in his cream pants and matching blazer. He wore his signature dark blue shirt underneath. We walked arm in arm, a perfect fit, to breakfast. We were both in jovial spirits considering where we were going. The closer we got, the less and less the joy remained replaced with anxiety and fear.
We reached the dining hall and entered, stopping at the door to do a quick scan of the room. Abbass and his wife were not present yet, and I sighed in relief. I spotted Shae waving at us, and Collin grinned at her antics, as if we would sit anywhere else. I sat beside Shae with Henry to my side and Collin to hers. Feeling safe I exhaled.
Shae embraced me gently and whispered a compliment on my hairpiece. She commented on my pale cheeks, worry etching her fine features. I assured her I was fine. Everyone became silent, signaling the arrival of Abbass and his wife. They entered formally; he held her fingers in his hand, his arm outstretched; he pulled her seat out so she could sit. When he looked up after moving to his seat, his eyes zeroed in on me. Henry held my hand prominently displayed on the table. Abbass’s smirk never faded.
“My apologies, honored guests, for our late arrival. The many duties I attend to sometimes need additional attention.” He spoke to the room but kept his gaze on me. “Please enjoy, eat, drink.” After everyone began to eat, he chose to address me. “Mrs. Rathbone, it is indeed lovely to see you.” He spoke before even taking a bite. I smiled and said a polite thank you.
“Are you well? Your color seems to be pale. I can have my personal physician examine you,” he offered.
Before I could answer Henry did. “Thank you Ambassador, Marie is doing a lot better. It has just been the effects of travel and time change interfering with her regular sleep patterns.”
I decided to take the opportunity to steal away from the conversation; I began to stuff my face with food.
“As you wish, Mr. Rathbone.” Abbass’s smirk turned into a temporary scowl before he started to eat as well. We ate in silence while the guests around us laughed and joked amongst themselves. I couldn't relax. Abbass was up to something. I just couldn’t figure it out.
“Mrs. Rathbone, perhaps you and Mrs. Stryker could grace me with your company down by the stables this morning. We are bringing my wild stallion out to the exercise corral. Being out in the sun and fresh air might help you to feel better.” I looked at Shae then at Henry. I could feel the hostility fuming from him. Yet only I knew. His demeanor was proficient and cold as he answered for me. “I think that is a marvelous idea, Ambassador. Why Mr. Stryker and I were discussing what a truly stunning horse your stallion is and would love to see it ourselves.”
I couldn’t help but beam at Henry. He was perfect. He turned the whole situation around on Abbass, complimenting him in the process, and securing his and Collin’s attendance as well. I finally began to relax. Abbass couldn’t refuse, and he knew it.
“Very well. We will be starting right after breakfast.” He was silent the rest of the meal then excused himself early.
Chapter Twenty Five
Marie
Going to the stables
After breakfast, Henry and I changed into something more appropriate for being outdoors. We met Shae and Collin at the stables before walking over to the exercise corral. I noticed Berg was already out of his stall. I was concerned about the way he was being treated. Everyone had so much negativity toward him. I was sure horses had to react to that. It was hard for me to think of Berg as aggressive. Granted, my experience with him was little, he had always been gentle, protective even.
We heard a commotion before the corral was even in sight. Men yelling in their fluid Arabic tongue and the sickening sound of something metallic hitting flesh was followed by a horse’s painful cries. I instinctively took off in a sprint, knowing somehow it was Berg, I was forced to slow when Henry took my arm before I was a blur.
I stopped outside the corral and saw the proud stallion surrounded by three men. One of them was holding the reins, another was holding a saddle and riding blanket, and the other held a riding crop. I zeroed in on the man with the crop. I could feel Glazier stirring in the depths of my soul, tempting me. I resisted. I couldn’t risk the lives of the people I cared for. Henry and I would be able to get away, but I was surrounded by an army I couldn’t guarantee getting Shae, Collin, Hagar and Berg out safely. Therefore, I held back, and Henry, sensing my inner turmoil, held on to my wrist.
I didn’t see Abbass anywhere. The three men in the corral kept trying to saddle Berg. The men were harsher than necessary, shouting and cursing at him. I could sense aggravation from Collin and Henry, most especially Shae. She loved horses, so this was hard for her to witness. It all happened so fast, but felt like hours from my perspective.
The men could not saddle Berg. He kept kicking up on his hind legs, jerking his neck back and forth. The man with the riding crop raised his arm to hit Berg again and the next thing I knew I was free of Henry’s grasp between the rails of the corral and standing between Berg and his abuser. Standing with my hands balled into fists I shook with fury. I could so easily stop him, kill him even, but I stayed in control. I would rather take the hit than have Berg abused.
A man’s voice yelled from the gate, stopping the guard, before he even saw me. It was Abbass, when he looked back seeing me he jumped back. Shae and Collin each held one of Henry’s anaconda arms. The guard dropped his hand with the crop. He began to apologize to Abbass, saying he didn’t see me. That he was only saddling the horse as ordered.
I maintained my position between the guard and Berg, who was calm now behind me, and the guard. Abbass was stalking towards us, vehemence blatant on his face. He yelled out curses at the guard as he stalked across the corral. I could sense Abbass’s anger. Maintaining a cool exterior, I interrupted their yelling.
Speaking in perfect Arabic I said, “If you are referring to me as the crazy woman, then yes I did step between you and the horse.”
They both grew silent. Abbass stood in front of me beside the guard. I sensed Henry become increasingly weary at Abbass’s close proximity to me. I hated to be the cause of Henry’s distress, but I held my ground. I would not allow Berg to be hit again. I could still hear his raw cry from earlier running through my memory like a gaping wound.
Abbass’s furious expression faded, replaced by his signature smug face. “It seems, Mrs. Rathbone, you have once again pleasantly surprised me. I did not know you spoke Arabic as well as Egyptian. I would have never expected a woman such as you to risk her own safety against an armed man and an animal outweighing her by several hundred pounds,” he sneered.
“It seems your surprise is shared, Ambassador. I was under the impression the animal you speak of is something you valued quite highly. If that were true then why would you order your guards to abuse him?” I challenged coolly.
“I ordered no such thing!” he exclaimed.
At this point, Henry, Shae and Collin were but a few paces from us. Berg was behind me, weary but calm.
“All I know is that your guards are overzealous in their treatment of Iceberg. You can look at his shoulder yourself and see.” I pointed to the welt on Berg’s shoulder, left by the riding crop. “Let’s not forget the yelling and cursing. Now I am certainly no horse trainer, but I know Mrs. Stryker to be a professional and from what she told me that is absolutely the exact opposite of the correct way to treat a horse.” Shae nodded in agreement, indignation covered her beautiful face.
Abbass glared at his guards who began to cower away from his furious look. “Is this true? All these things she says?” Abbass surveyed each man as he crossed his arms. “Choose your words wisely, as if your life depended on it,” he advised.
The guard with the riding crop looked back at me and then at Abbass. He d
ropped his head in shame or perhaps fear, this being his answer. All three guards shared the same expressions. Abbass snatched the riding crop out of his hand and sent him away, only after promising to deal with him later. Then he turned to me and began to speak. “I apologize. I offer many thanks for making me aware of Iceberg’s treatment. You are correct in assuming I do prize this animal, so I was not aware of his treatment. Take comfort in the fact I give you my word it will not happen again and it will be dealt with accordingly.” He assured me with his signature smug smirk only topped off with a bow.
“I appreciate your gratitude and accept your apology. Will they be replaced immediately?” I knew I was pushing my luck, but I sensed he was embarrassed, and I was going to do everything I could to make sure every guard here would be petrified to ever touch Berg again.
His smirk grew and his brow peaked. “I see no problem with that. However who will take care of the horse?” he asked curious.
Shae was at my side in a flash. “We will, until you can get some properly trained men out here to take over,” I answered confidently.
