The Sheikh and the Bought Bride

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Kateb nodded and started down the side of the mountain.

The trail was easier than it looked. Victoria hung on, letting her horse pick his way. She would guess he was a lot more sure-footed than she would be.

It took nearly an hour to make their way to the valley. They rode past fields and farmhouses, then moved onto a dirt path beside a paved road. She couldn’t believe how big the so-called village was and how many people lived here. There was an interesting combination of old and new. Wa-termills nestled next to generators.

The houses were mostly stone, with big windows and thick walls. Porches provided shade. Nearly every home had a garden and pipes bringing in water.

People waved at Kateb and called out greetings. He waved back. She felt the stares and didn’t know what she was supposed to do.

The relative calm of the journey faded as they approached the end of the trip. Kateb had given her a brief reprieve and it was nearly over. What was going to happen next?

“Will I be at the palace?” she asked. “Or somewhere else?”

“You will have quarters at the palace. They are separate from mine.”

Okay—that was good. She could use her own space.

“Is there a shower?”

He glanced at her. Amusement brightened his eyes. “One that will satisfy even you.”

How nice. But what happened after the shower? What happened that night?

“You will find electricity and many other modern improvements,” he said.

She did her best to ignore the chill brought on by fear. One step at a time, she told herself. They would get to the palace and then she could deal with the rest of her life. For now she should just enjoy the ride.

But the ride was going to be too short, she thought, feeling the first wisps of panic curling through her.

She did her best to distract herself by studying the open-air market they passed. There were plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for sale, along with a display of the woven gold she liked so much. Later she would come back to shop. That would make her happy. Shopping was—

They turned a corner and the Winter Palace loomed before them.

From what she could see, the palace was made up of several buildings, with the central one being the largest. It was stone, with rising towers and a formidable stone wall surrounding the grounds. The roof was tile and seemed to have an iridescent quality that glimmered in the bright sun. There was a real drawbridge in the center of the stone wall, along with several permanent bridges to the right and left. People walked back and forth through the opening.

“How will the trucks get in?” she asked.

“The road goes around back. There are garages and a delivery entrance.”

Once they rode over the drawbridge, more people called to Kateb. They greeted him warmly, welcoming him back. Although they glanced at her, no one asked why she was here. Victoria didn’t want to know what they were thinking. As there had been no talk of Kateb taking a new bride, they would probably guess the reason for her presence. That she was here to service the prince. It was like standing in the free-lunch line in elementary school all over again.

Kateb reined in his horse and dismounted. She had a wild urge to bolt for freedom, only to remind herself she had no idea which way to go. And as much as she was frightened of that night, it was better than a slow, dry death in the desert.

She got off her horse. It took a second for her legs to remember what it was like to walk rather than ride, then she followed Kateb into the palace.

The entryway soared up several stories. The stone walls were smooth, the windows stained glass. Sunlight created colors on the floor and people passing through the entry. Large tapestries told the history of the desert.

Victoria wanted to move closer and study them. She’d found El Deharian history fascinating and was sure it would be just as interesting to study this place.

“Is there a library?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Can I use it?”

“Of course. Come this way.”

She followed Kateb down several long corridors. While there were still people everywhere, she ignored them as she took in the paintings and statues that dotted the palace. There were treasures everywhere she looked. Marble and gold. A portrait that looked eerily like a da Vinci. Not that she was much of an art expert. But wouldn’t it be fun to search for the signature?

She was so caught up in the beauty of the palace that she nearly forgot why she was here. It wasn’t until Kateb stopped in front of a single carved door that she remembered to be afraid.

“You will be staying here,” he said as he pulled open the door. “I trust you will find your quarters comfortable.”

It wasn’t a question, she thought, her heart pounding hard and fast.

Beautiful rugs in a rainbow of colors muffled the sounds of their steps. She had a brief impression of oval couches and overstuffed chairs, inlaid tables and hanging lanterns.

There were many rooms, all flowing from one to the other. Everything about the space spoke of time and past lives, as if they were in the oldest part of the palace.

Kateb kept walking until they reached a walled garden. Lush plants grew everywhere. Jasmine scented the air. She saw a flash of movement as a parrot flew by.

Victoria turned in a slow circle. Her brain resisted the information but it was hard to ignore. Many rooms. Walled gardens. Parrots.

The rooms would be required for all the residents who had once lived here. The walled gardens kept the women in and the men out. And the parrots concealed the sounds of their voices, for no one else could hear their words or their laughter. It was forbidden.

She stopped in front of Kateb, put her hands on her hips and wished she had something to throw at him.

“You brought me to the harem?”

“It seemed appropriate,” he said, with the hint of a smile, then left.

Chapter Four

Victoria stared at the closed door of the harem, wondering if she’d heard the click of a lock, or if that was just her imagination at work. And did she really want to find out which? She supposed the good news was he hadn’t taken her to his own suite, which meant she would have plenty of privacy and space. A good thing, she thought, trying to find the silver lining in what might be a very dark cloud.

She turned so she could study the huge space. Dozens of rooms all flowed into each other. There were amazing tapestries on the walls and beautiful, handmade wooden tables. She crossed to one and touched the inlaid wood. Master craftsmen, she thought. How many months had it taken for just this one piece?

Had anyone bothered to document the furniture or artwork? If not, it should be done. A history preserved. Maybe, if the library had research books that could help, she could start. Assuming she wasn’t locked in here like a prisoner.

“There’s only one way to find out,” she murmured, as she crossed the stone floor. But before she reached the carved door, she heard footsteps.

She turned and saw a tall, older woman walking toward her. She was dressed in a flowing long dress that looked both cool and comfortable. Her gray hair had been piled on her head. Gold earrings dangled and there were dozens of bracelets on both wrists.

“You must be Victoria,” she said with a smile. “I was told you were coming. Welcome to the Winter Palace. I am Yusra.”

“Thank you.”

“We are all excited that the harem is back in use. It has been too many months of silence in these walls.”

That made Victoria take a step back. “You think trapping women inside these walls is a good thing?”

“Of course. The old ways must be preserved. Just because something is old doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.”

“I agree with that, but I’m missing the positive side of being locked up against one’s will for the sole purpose of pleasing a man. How is that helpful to the women?”

Yusra frowned. “To be in the leader’s harem is to be given a privileged life. If one was fortunate enough to bear him children, then that woman would live here forever. Even if the leader got tired of her.”

“Not a great argument. Why does he get to say when he’s tired? Why not her? What if she doesn’t want to stay here? What if she wants to go out in the village and have a real husband and family?”

“Then she would go.”

“Just like that?”

“Of course. There is no lock on the outside of the door, Victoria. Only one on the inside, to keep out those who don’t belong. No woman has ever been kept in the Winter Palace against her will.”

Until now, Victoria thought grimly. Although she wasn’t here against her will. Not exactly. She’d offered herself in exchange for her father. She’d begged Kateb to take her instead.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m tired and everything is new and confusing. I wasn’t expecting…this.”

Yusra smiled again. “The harem is a beautiful place. You will find it such. There are many wonders, many things to explore. Come. I will show you.”

Victoria followed her down a hallway to several sleeping rooms. There were big beds with gauzy curtains and windows that opened out onto the gardens. Beautiful ceiling fans stirred the air and handmade rugs added color to the floor.

“I took the liberty of choosing this room for you,” Yusra said, entering a large space with French doors that led directly into the garden. “If you don’t like it, you may choose another.”

“This is very nice,” Victoria said, trying not to notice the very big bed—one plenty large enough for two…or even six. Kateb was unlikely to come to the harem. While she was here, she was safe. It was only when he called for her that she had to worry. At least that’s what she told herself as she felt nervous tension tightening her throat.

“Your things are here.” Yusra motioned to the suitcases along the far wall. “Will you need assistance unpacking?”

“No, thanks. I can do it.” After all, she’d managed to pack and unpack for herself for years now.

“I have also provided you with more traditional clothing.”

Traditional as in what?

Victoria followed her into a dressing area with a large closet and several sets of drawers. Long, flowing dresses hung in the closet. She touched one of the patterned sleeves and discovered the material was silk and decorated with impossibly small stitches. Each dress was more beautiful than the next, with swirls of color and fluttering sleeves. It was only when she removed one from the hanger and held it in front of her that she realized the fabric was completely sheer.

Her thighs started to tremble. “So, um, what do I wear under something like this?”

Yusra’s smile turned wicked. “Nothing at all.” She laughed. “You will enjoy these. I did in my day. The beading and patterns are designed to provide a little modesty for the woman and some mystery for the man. The fabric caresses the skin, reminds her of her lover’s touch. You’ll see.”

Too much information, Victoria thought as she quickly returned the dress to the closet. She wasn’t sure why she was the one blushing, but she felt definite heat on her cheeks.