Chapter 7

Alexandria sighed as she looked out the window from her bed. It was an overcast day with the clouds moving in rapidly. She could smell the rain that would soon be coming.

She looked down at the book about opera she held. Of all the books from Erik, this seemed to be her favorite. She would love the opportunity to see such magnificent performances. But of course that was not possible.

The sultan had left earlier in the morning stating he had a business transaction of some sort to oversee and would not return for a few days. She had fully recovered from the incident with the poison yesterday, but he was insistent that she stay in bed. Normally such a thing would annoy her. However, with him absent, she could freely take the time to read. Anna was already proving to be a very loyal slave, as she would forewarn Alexandria should anyone approach or enter the apartment. Anna made absolutely no judgment and did as she was asked. But Alexandria had the feeling the slave was quite intrigued that her mistress could read.

A knock on the outer door down the hall made her jump. Anna called out she was coming which was also meant as a warning to Alexandria. Hiding the books away, she lay back as she was supposed to do.

"Alexandria!" beamed Iris with a smile as she came into the bedroom. "You look well!" She came over and sat down on the bed.

Alexandria smiled in return. She truly liked the sultan's first wife. "Yes, I seem fine now."

"How I wanted to see you!" exclaimed Iris. "But the sultan and his chief eunuch forbid me to come anywhere near your apartment because of my pregnancy."

Alexandria nodded. "That is understandable."

"Were you frightened?"

"I actually did not know what was happening," admitted Alexandria. "I had just eaten and was not feeling well. Anna had alerted everyone when she saw I was having trouble breathing. I do not remember much else." She frowned for a moment. "Well actually, I do somewhat remember Erik forcefully pouring something down my throat. But it was almost more like a dream."

"You mean a nightmare," corrected Iris. "How awful! But how amazing Erik saved you! I heard his travels were quite extensive. He must have learned a great deal about such things."

"Yes…" Alexandria hesitated. "Iris, why would he care to save me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he does not seem to care about anyone. Quite frankly, if I had died he may have even been happy because he no longer would have to make all the adjustments for my new court."

"Of course not!" Iris smiled wider. "Most likely he was irritated that if you died it meant he would have to change what he started yet again."

They both laughed, and Alexandria felt herself relaxing for the first time in far too long when. Iris reached out and held her hand.

"I am sorry I have not been by to see you before such a thing happened," Iris said almost sadly. "I have been so busy, and I admit that towards the end of this pregnancy I easily get tired. But I have to keep up a number of important relations with guests who visit. It is very important to provide everything a host can, especially with the tension of so many coming to discuss the expansion of our empire. Most of them try to be diplomatic, but in the end all of them want to know what our lord is planning that may affect them. It is my job to try to make them relaxed as possible so the tension does not run high."

"And how do you do that?"

"Most of the time it is making the proper arrangement for meals and entertainment. When the sultan gives approval for a particular guest, I even select which girl from the harem he should bed. My role, although exhausting at times, is very important."

Alexandria shook her head. "You expect too much of yourself as first wife. I doubt the sultan would like to hear such a thing."

Iris smiled again. "Perhaps. But I also admit it is a role I enjoy."

Alexandria envied such a thing. "I would love to have more responsibility such as you. It would at least give me something to do!"

The first wife chuckled. "Right now you do have a very large responsibility. You are our lord's favorite. It is with you he seeks his time away from the politics and stress. You should be proud that you bring such pleasure to our lord."

Alexandria looked down at Iris's hand and spoke softly. "Do you love the sultan?"

Iris squeezed her hand. "Yes, I do."

She looked up. "Then how can you condone me to...to be with him?"

"Other women used to bother me," said Iris sighing. "Of course, I was the favorite for a while as his first wife. But I knew his interest would wane, especially in the months of pregnancy. However, I have found great joy that he still is very affectionate with me and seeks me out almost daily to talk with me. I truly feel how much he cares for me. I have learned that when he is happy, even if it is physically with someone else, he still thinks of me."

"I do not think I could ever love him," Alexandria suddenly admitted.

Iris's eyes widened. "It is your duty as a Christian wife. You must find a way to accept your place."

"Or end up as Lala?"

The first wife frowned. "Lala creates her own unhappiness. And yes, you can see what jealousy can do."

"Jealousy or love?" asked Alexandria. She shook her head. "If my husband Karim had paid attention to other women, I have to wonder if I would have been just like Lala."

"He loved you very much," said Iris with her eyes softening.

"Yes…and…he did not want to ever be with other women. I knew it was within his right, and I even expected such a thing. But to my surprise he stopped using his harem after our marriage. He spent every night with me."

"You were very fortunate," murmured Iris. She suddenly jumped and withdrew her hand to place over her stomach.

Alexandria laughed. "He is strong within you."

She patted her stomach and chuckled. "Yes, there are times I believe he is trying to already kick his way out of me!" She raised her head proudly. "He will be a fine son."

Alexandria smiled but worried if the child was female. What would happen to Iris? Alexandria was certain the sultan would still try again with his first wife. But if Iris did not produce an heir, the sultan would eventually look to one of his other wives. And there was no question Alexandria would be next in line, as she was now the second wife as well as his favorite.

Alexandria had been taught by her first husband a method of birth control with a device she inserted within herself. Realizing his fate, Karim never wanted children for fear of their deaths once the sultan began his rule over the city. Since being brought here, she continued using the device, even though she was uncertain if it were allowed. But she did not want to chance having a son who would have a deadly fate should Iris be successful. In this land, only one was chosen as sultan. And that meant any other living male siblings were put to death when the time came.

There was a knock at the door, and Anna could be heard letting someone in. Iris patted Alexandria's hand. "I should go, and you should rest," she said firmly.

Alexandria lightly smiled in response but then it quickly faded in almost shock at the visitor now in her bedroom.

---

Erik bowed his head politely to Iris, who came before him with a smile.

"I thank you for my sister's life."

Erik shrugged with indifference. "You are close," he said, referring to her pregnancy.

"Yes!" exclaimed Iris. "He is already proving to be a strong son," she said with a smile as she placed her hands protectively over her stomach.

Erik nodded and looked at Alexandria. "How are you feeling?" he asked. He noted the color in her face was better.

"Absolutely fine. Do you think I am well enough to get out of this bed?"

Iris shot her a furious look. "Alexandria! Do not dare get out of that bed! The sultan said you are to remain there."

Erik frowned. "I have some questions for her regarding the new palace. I will make sure she does not leave her bed."

"Thank you," replied Iris, still looking at Alexandria firmly. "You get some rest and perhaps I will visit again soon."

After saying their goodbyes, Erik walked to the other side of the room to once more pull out the plans. He looked back at her. "Well? Come here then."

Alexandria's eyes widened. "I-I thought you said—"

"Oh please," he said sarcastically. "You damn well know you can get out of bed. I was only saying such a thing for Iris."

"Yes, God forbid you would actually want me to rest."

Erik gave her a dry look with his eyes. "Fine, obey your husband by all means."

Turning back to the table to look at the plans, he almost smiled to himself as he knew such a comment infuriated her. Sure enough, she appeared by his side within minutes. She was so predictable—

"Why is Faust so popular?"

Erik snapped his head back at her. "What?"

"Faust. The opera. It seems to be very popular, as it is mentioned several times in the book. It is often compared to other operas."

It had been so long since Erik had even thought about opera that he stood there like an idiot in shock. All right, fine; she was not as predictable as he thought.

He drew a breath. "Faust fascinates many because of the storyline. Many dream what it would be like to give up something and recapture youth."

"But not love."

"What?" asked Erik, growing uncomfortable with this conversation.

"Love. No matter how beautiful or young someone is, that does not mean the person they seek will love them."

Erik turned his head back to the plans with his shoulders now tense. "Enough. I want to show you the sitting area in the bedroom." To his annoyance, she barely glanced at the area he was indicating.

"Did you watch many performances?"

Erik clenched his jaw. "I hardly think it matters."

"Well I was just wondering, as you seem to know so much—"

"Enough!" he shouted at her. "I am not here to give you a damn history lesson about opera and certainly not about myself!"

To his surprise, Alexandria did not recoil in fear. She instead met him in the eye. "You said I could ask you questions."

"About the books, not myself!" snapped Erik.

"I was asking you about the books. I was asking about opera, as you seem to have a lot of knowledge on the subject."

Furious, Erik suddenly walked up so close to her that when he bent down, she could see nothing but his eyes. When he finally saw a flicker of fear, he advanced further so she stumbled backwards.

"What is the matter, mistress?" asked Erik in a mocking tone. "Do you fear what you see? Or should I say what you cannot see?"

But Alexandria straightened and held up her head. "How interesting that you try to change the subject to fear when you feel threatened by me asking you a few personal questions."

"Threatened? Threatened?" hissed Erik, now towering over her. "The only one who should feel threatened is you if this court is not finished in time!"

"Fine," snapped Alexandria. She brushed past him and practically stomped over to the plans. "I do not like the sitting area so far away from the windows. I am in a cage but you do not need to remind me of it!"

Surprised, Erik thought to himself that her remark had value. Why not create more windows in the area? It would take some extra work but he could find a way to—

"And if the ceiling were higher it would make the area feel more like the outdoors, open and…free," she said bitterly.

Something inside him twisted, and for the first time he felt badly about how he had just treated her. It was terrible enough that her husband dominated her. Erik was now being just as awful. But then, Erik felt his face made him a monster anyway. Suddenly another thought came to him, and Erik spoke sharply at her.

"Who brought you the food yesterday?"

Astonished at the change in subject, she looked at him blankly.

"Answer me," demanded Erik impatiently.

"I…I do not know. I returned to my room, and it was already here."

"Where is your slave?"

"She had nothing to do with it!"

"How do you know?" he asked harshly.

"Because…she already protects my privacy with the books you provide."

Erik remained silent for a few moments. Finding who had poisoned her would be impossible. But he also knew if he failed to oversee her protection, the sultan would not provide him with any further assistance when it came to the manual laborers he needed.

"I will send you a food taster this evening."

"A what?"

"You are not to eat anything until he samples it first. Understood?"

"I…I cannot sacrifice someone else's life for my own!" exclaimed Alexandria with anger.

Erik once more walked dangerously close to her. "But I can, and I will."

"Why are you doing this?" she whispered in horror.

"The sultan has ordered me to give you protection in his absence, and I will use any means to ensure it."

"But why…why would you care…"

"I do not!" he snapped once more. "I only care that I receive more slaves in return."

Her eyes grew angry. "I see."

"No, I do not think you do. The next time I visit you, perhaps you will think twice before raising my temper. Otherwise, I will not be so kind."

And before she could say another word, he left Alexandria to once more be alone.

Author's Note: Join as a member of my home web site before July 31, 2009 and be entered into a drawing to receive an autographed book of the Sultan's Favorite! Go to my profile and then homepage to see my web site.

-Anne