Chapter 3

Hamid strode down the corridor to his court, his advisors running behind in an effort to keep up with him. Along the way, servants and soldiers bowed, some falling even on their knees. Despite being king for the last few years, he still could not get used to such behavior. He tried to not let it annoy him, but his frustration was building with the events of the day.

Not to mention he had been a celibate since his second son was born.

When the advisors tried to stop him, Hamid waved them away. "I need to see my wife." He entered his wife's court and immediately more servants came running to greet him. As he dismissed them, Hamid sighed as he looked around the enormous room which had two hallways leading to his children's suites. Originally, he insisted that Erik build this court for his future children, not Sevdi. His thought was servants would help take care of the boys, giving he and Sevdi still time to spend moments alone together. With the birth of his first son, Hamid was simply in awe of the entire event and gave Sevdi anything she wanted to care for him. By the time his second son arrived, Hamid's responsibilities as king were bearing down on him. Although his people were beginning to prosper, much needed to be done as numerous areas were stricken with poverty and disease. Many were badly in need of medicine as well as education to prevent future health issues. Clean water and healthy livestock became a priority. Hamid found much of his time traveling throughout his kingdom in an effort to strengthen the small cities and villages, some which were barely surviving.

Sevdi appeared to be just as overwhelmed with two very young sons. She was a proud mother of two fine prince boys and she was extremely protective of them. Much to Hamid's dismay, his second son still woke each night and Sevidi insisted on moving into this court, claiming that Hamid needed his rest. Between his busy schedule and her constant care of the children, they rarely saw each other.

But before Hamid could call out for his wife, a servant approached with her head bowed. "Forgive me, my lord. I know you dismissed the other servants, but my mistress wanted me to deliver a message."

Surprised, Hamid tilted his head at the girl. "Is she not here?"

"She wishes for you to go to your bed chamber."

Hope suddenly swirled within him as his body immediately tightened. Perhaps Sevdi finally wanted something from him. He turned on his heel and immediately walked to his bed chamber. Opening one of the double doors, Hamid quickly walked inside.

"Sevdi?"

The door behind him closed and he turned to find the young servant standing before him.

"Where is she?"

For the first time, the girl slowly looked up at him and Hamid momentarily froze. The girl had green eyes, something he had never seen before. Her face was absolutely flawless, her lips like a rosebud. The girl removed a veil from her head and Hamid's heart began to pound as fire red hair tumbled down to her waist.

He finally found his voice. "Where is she?"

"With her sons as she should be, my lord."

"What…why did you say she was here?"

"I did not say she was here, my lord. I said she wanted you to go to your bed chamber."

Oh God no…

Hamid swallowed hard. "She…sent you…to me?"

The servant slowly smiled. "I am quite skilled with a number of lessons…I was purchased for the sultan of the Ottomans…to serve in his harem. But your soldiers captured my escort and I was brought here. Do I not please you?"

"Sevdi wants you to serve me…in my bed."

"Yes, my lord. I am also a virgin."

His mouth went dry. "What?"

"You may have the physician check if you wish." She suddenly approached him and Hamid had a fleeting thought to back away.

But his damn boots stayed in place.

"My lord, you are very tense. Please…let me service you. I understand it has been some time for you since you last bed with a woman. It would be an honor for me to do so." Her fingers touched his shirt, trailing down his chest. Hamid's lower half strained against the confines of his pants. She leaned forward, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his mouth…

Hamid tore himself away from the girl, and he stumbled until his back hit a wall. The girl lost her balance from his sudden retreat and fell to the floor. She immediately scrambled onto her knees, bowing before him.

"Get my wife," said Hamid through gritted teeth.

"My lord…"

"NOW!"

Trembling, the girl got to her feet. She was about to say something but Hamid glared at her. Wisely, she fled the room, leaving Hamid to seethe with fury at the situation.

xxx

"I am sorry," apologized Suleiman. He and Erik were just outside of Rashida's room. The former prince had his stomach in knots, worried that he disappointed Rashida's father. When Suleiman's real father was alive, he only sought approval to avoid punishment. But with Erik, it was completely different. He found himself truly caring what Rashida's father thought of him.

"Have I made myself clear?" asked Erik in a low voice.

"Yes…"

Erik's eyes narrowed as if he knew Suleiman was not saying everything.

Suleiman drew a deep breath. "It is…difficult for me. In my world, we commanded women and they obeyed without hesitation. In this world, I find it challenging to say no to Rashida…"

"Because you do not want to behave as an Ottoman," finished Erik.

Suleiman simply nodded.

Erik frowned. "My daughter has quite a strong mind, which unfortunately includes a determination to do what she wants. I understand you do not want to dictate her, but I also expect for you to keep her safe. I recognize she also needs to be responsible for her actions, but she is young and needs much guidance. She looks up to you which means at times you must be firm. And if she refuses to listen, you must come to me."

"But she will know I told you…"

"Yes, but which is worse? Her brief anger at you or keeping her safe?"

"I understand."

"And unfortunately, you cannot trust your soldiers to watch over her. Rashida is the king's sister so they find it hard to disobey her."

"Or given the fact they know I will marry her," Suleiman muttered.

"And you believe them knowing such a thing will make you appear weak?"

"Even Hamid believes this is true.."

Erik shook his head. "You have a strong army, Suleiman. Do not fool yourself into thinking they could have succeeded without you. It is your leadership and strategy which has led to much success. You gave the soldiers faith in their kingdom once more. Do not underestimate the amount of respect they give you as a captain…even if they know how you feel about Rashida."

"May I see her now?" he asked in quiet voice. He did not wish to talk further about feeling weak in front of his men.

"Yes, but only for a short while and she is to stay in bed." Erik paused and narrowed his eyes once more. "But of course only she is to be in her bed."

Suleiman placed his hand on his chest with his head bowed. "I swear it." When he straightened, Erik nodded and headed toward the stables. The former prince drew a deep breath and pushed the Rashida's bedroom door opened. He planned just to sit by her, to watch over her, but he was surprised to see her eyes open and she smiled.

"Hello," she said in a weak voice.

Suleiman quickly walked over to her and kissed her. Cradling her face within his hands, he pressed his forehead against hers. "I was so worried," he said softly.

She pulled away and looked at him. "I am fine…really." But he saw her wince as she tried to adjust her position in the bed.

Suleiman frowned. "You were very foolish. Why did you insist on taking the stallion? I told you not to ride him."

"I was not going to ride him."

"Then what happened?" he demanded. His relief was replaced by anger. The more he thought about it, the more he realized Hamid was right…Rashida was still young and sometimes very immature in her rash decisions.

"I did not like the way the soldiers were treating him," she explained. "So I calmed him down…I have my father's talent to do such a thing."

"And yet he still managed to kick you."

"I was barely nicked…"

"Only because you were lucky," he said harshly. "Just because you have a gift with animals like your father does not mean it is fully developed. It was irresponsible of you."

Her eyes grew angry. "I do not need to be lectured like a child!"

"No? Then perhaps I will refrain when you stop insisting on doing things you know could be dangerous."

"There have been times even you have let me try things…I remember you even laughed when I insisted on jumping that horse that one day."

"And then I regretted it when you fell! Allah, Rashida! I do not want to dampen your spirit but you must be more careful. I will not indulge you any longer."

Her expression suddenly softened and he found himself staring into her deep blue eyes, a trait she inherited from her father. But it was her mother's striking beauty which made those eyes almost glitter as she looked at him with passion.

Damn…soon he would be lost within those eyes…

"Raja," she said softly, calling him by her private nickname from when they first met, "I love you. I will try to be more careful…I promise." She touched his face, her fingers trailing down his cheek and then to his lips.

He could not resist and bent down once more to kiss her. For some reason, her scent was always intoxicating to him, like sweet flowers. The kiss became more passionate and Suleiman tried to restrain himself. "Rashida," he said in a husky voice, "you need rest."

"I need you," she whispered. "Since your recent travel with Hamid, I have not been able to spend any…alone time with you."

He could not help but smile as he kissed her neck and closed his eyes while her fingers trailed down to his chest. Her innocent fingertips easily aroused him, and he struggled to maintain control. "I have missed you too…but we should not do this…"

"Just for a little while…stay with me," she pleaded with a whisper.

"I am not leaving but we must slow down." Suleiman tried to pull away but one of her small hands tightened on his bicep. A wave of desire overcame him as her other hand touched his neck, pulling him down. He gave into temptation and kissed her again. As the kiss deepened, he could not resist taking his good hand and touching her breasts as they strained against the night dress she wore.

She broke the kiss and pulled him even closer, her hands now straying to the pants he was wearing and his body tightened with desire. Suleiman ached to take her….to show her what real physical love could feel like between them. But he refused until they were married. He allowed other types of physical pleasure between them, to give some of the release their bodies craved. But she continually pushed him to the point of no return. Where as she used to be shy, Rashida now was the one who even eagerly removed her clothes. It was beginning to be no longer about touching, but full body contact.

And it was happening again. She was guiding his hand now to go beneath her night dress. She moaned softly as he caressed her naked breast. Then he jumped when he realized her other hand was now right inside his pants.

Suleiman cursed. He roughly pulled away and stood up from the bed. He was not about to break the promise he just made to her father.

Those beautiful eyes looked sadly at him. "Please…I need something…"

His breathing was now ragged. "No, Rashida. You need to rest. Besides that, you are in bed and we both know it is not wise."

Rashida huffed. "You believe it is not wise. I have no objections."

"I will not take you before marriage."

"Why not? You are no longer an Ottoman…we do not have to wait!"

Suleiman frowned. "Yes, we do. I am tired of this argument, Rashida. We have had it more times than I can even remember. I will not change my mind."

"Is it because of my father? Because he thinks I am still a child?"

"He is not the only reason…"

"But he is part of it!" she snapped. "Who do you love? Him or me?"

"Rashida…"

Now she had tears in her eyes. "I find it simply amazing that I am the one wanting to make love! Usually it is the man who is pushing the issue."

"You deserve to wait and be my wife…you are only meant to have honor…"

"Unlike my friend Nicole."

Suleiman winced and grew angry. "That was a few years ago, Rashida. Do not bring that subject up again," he warned.

"Why? Because she is so much better at getting what she wants?"

He felt his anger building and knew he would soon have to leave if things continued to escalate. "You know full well that during that time you rejected me and I wanted to believe that as an Ottoman I could not love a woman so much that I would only want one. It was a mistake and it was wrong. But you have to forgive me. I wanted you and at that moment we were not even together!"

"You obviously did not love me enough…"

"Allah! Stop!"

"Well? How do I know you are not with other women now?"

Suleiman shook with rage. "I would not betray you like that."

"Then prove it! Show me that you really love me and that you do not need to follow some stupid tradition of waiting until marriage."

That did it. Suleiman was now deeply insulted. She may not understand or even agree with his ways, but she did not need to speak with such disrespect for his beliefs. Now he could not even speak to her and for the first time, he found himself fearful of his anger spilling out into saying something he regretted.

Suleiman backed away, then turned and abruptly left her room without saying goodbye.

xxxxx

Rashida watched with despair as Suleiman suddenly left her room. But God! She was so angry at him. She was seventeen! Most girls her age already had sex more than a few times by now. The other forms of physical release he allowed were no longer enough. And it was annoying that he was the one who 'allowed' what they could or could not do in their relationship.

And what about that time with Nicole? Yes, Rashida rejected him that night but then he immediately slept with her? Images of what the two may have experienced flooded her mind. She was still in rage at her former friend. At least Suleiman once told her Nicole was held captive by his brother. And Rashida could not help but hope Nicole was still there and treated like a slave. Rashida felt guilty thinking like this but Nicole deserved it! Regardless, it was not always the other woman who was all at fault in someone straying from a relationship. No, the man was just as much responsible.

The logical side of her brain told her that she needed to let this subject go…that Raja sacrificed his very own hand to be with her. He gave up everything. So why was she being like this?

Because he would not give her the one thing she wanted most…and she wanted all of him.

Author's note: Thanks everyone for the reviews. I have to go to Boston next week for work so not sure how quickly I can get the next chapter done. -Anne