The Leopard
Chapter 10
The Dancing Girl
My mouth fell open in shock. "He… what?" I stammered.
"He has asked for me," she repeated, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "It seems I've attracted his interest."
"That's no surprise. No man who was fond of women could resist you." Unlike my sister, I have never been prone to fits of jealousy. I've met several of Apolline's lovers and never felt envious, being secure that she loves me above all others. But this… I thought back to what I saw of Sharru-kin-Shamabarsin that morning and suddenly felt protective of my wife. I sat beside her on the divan putting a protective arm around her. "Apolline… you don't have to do this. We can find a way out of it…" a note of panic entered my voice as I tried to think of something.
"That will not be necessary," she interjected. "I've decided to go. It may be my only chance to bed an Akkadian man."
I might have laughed at that in any other situation. "They treat women no better than slaves here." I shook my head. "I should never have asked you to come with me."
Somewhat smoldered in her eyes. They went hard as stone. "I chose to come with you and I choose now to bed the Khalif. If I was not willing, I would have said so. You know me better than that!"
"But Apolline, after what we saw today…"
"Barquiel, stop," she commanded. I shut my mouth immediately. "Has Isabel returned from the Terre-d'Ange-that-lies-beyond and taken control of you? Since when do you tell me who to bed? I've made Naamah's Choice, and mayhap I will strike a bargain as she did."
I was silent for a moment before replying. "I'm sorry. You're right." I felt her relax at my apology. "I think the Khalif will be getting considerably more than he bargained for."
"He will." She gave me a brief kiss.
The rest of the afternoon was spent in preparation for the evening's activities. I remained in the clean outfit I'd donned after my bath, but took the time to make sure I was attired fit to attend such an occasion. I added a light silver chain and two more rings. I was not looking forward to the banquet.
Apolline was not present when I left, for she'd gone to the baths. I forced a smile onto my face and kept the storm of my thoughts carefully contained. I still was not fond of the idea of Apolline with the Khalif, of my dear wife in the arms of a brutal and bloodthirsty man like him, but she was right. I had no right to dictate who she could and couldn't bed. I tried to dismiss my sudden possessive feelings, but I knew they would return as soon as I saw the Khalif.
He was already present when I entered the banquet hall, as were Sinaddan and Sennacherib. Now that I could see the prince up close, it was obvious that he resembled his father more than Sinaddan did. Their features were much the same and their eyes were cruel.
"Welcome, Duke Bar-key-el," said the Khalif, catching sight of me. "Allow me to introduce you to my son, Prince Sennacherib."
I didn't want to bow, but I had no choice. "It is an honor to meet you, your highness."
Rising from my bow, I could plainly see the arrogance written on his features. "Of course it is." He reminded me of Baudoin de Trevalion as he looked away from me and took a swig of beer from his goblet. I detested Baudoin de Trevalion. I bit my tongue to keep from making a cutting remark and let a slave direct me to my seat. I was still seated at the head table, but a significant distance from the Khalif and his sons. Uru-Kagina was across from me, but I could not muster much enthusiasm for his presence. To either side were Manishutu and Duluma, both men who'd made disparaging remarks to me in the practice courts.
This was not about to be an enjoyable evening.
I picked at the hors d'oeuvres, not having much appetite. The occasion and the company did not improve it. I found myself consuming a goodly amount of wine. Manishutu and Duluma exchanged only the barest of courtesies with me, preferring to converse with each other and ignore me. On the other hand, Uru-Kagina made some attempts to speak with me. I made replies to him but I cannot now recall what they were. I found myself making occasional glances at the Khalif and his sons. They were in good spirits, though Sinaddan was a bit more subdued than his father and brother.
I was quite disconcerted to note that there were no women present. I wondered if this was the norm and our welcoming banquet the exception. It was bizarre that they were so very insistent on keeping men and women separated. Such a contradictory society- hareems on the one hand, strict separation on the other. Every time I tried to wrap my head around it, I only ended up with a headache.
After what seemed an eternity, the hors d'oeuvres were cleared away and the main courses laid out, I focused on the exotic dishes. There was somewhat resembling a pie stuffed with various fowl I'd not had before. I ate only a small piece of it, not being overly fond of the thick, spicy sauce the fowl were smothered in. I sampled a rich gazelle stew which was quite exotic to me, given the lack of gazelles in Terre d'Ange. I found it a good deal more to my liking than the pie.
Uru-Kagina watched me as I drained a goblet of wine. "You are fond of wine, your grace?"
"You might say that." I refilled my goblet and drank. Manishutu and Duluma continued to ignore me, which only added to my irritation. I was not ignored. Ever.
The meal dragged on. The flagon of wine in front of me was nearly empty; it seemed I would have to resort to beer before the banquet ended. I've a good head for wine and it takes a considerable amount to get me drunk. I was not such a fool as to become completely intoxicated at this occasion, but I needed enough wine to make this tolerable.
It soon became clear I wasn't the only one indulging. Prince Sennacherib's voice grew louder as the meal went on, as did the Khalif's. Uru-Kagina consumed as much beer as I had wine. He appeared to prefer it. "Shamash is pleased with my victory!" Sennacherib shouted as he motioned for a slave to refill his goblet. "Glory for the House of Ur!" Yes, he reminded me of Prince Baudoin.
At last the desserts were laid out. They came accompanied by the night's entertainment. Several servants, carrying instruments I'd never seen before, took up places on the terrace. They began to play.
The music was quite different from anything I'd ever heard before, even in Jasmine House. It provided a pleasant distraction. There was a haunting tone to it; haunting and beautiful. I was just beginning to tune everything else out and focus entirely on the music when the dancing girls entered.
I thought of Jasmine House, where the adepts frequently dressed in the gauzy silks of hareem girls. These wore almost nothing and I could not help but stare. A great deal of skin was exposed, and the bits that weren't were visible through the diaphanous silks. They swayed their hips and arses in time with the music. It reminded me of my twenty-fifth birthday fête- what I remembered of that fête anyway.
The eyes of every man present were on the dancers and their lust was obvious even to those who were not Naamah's scions. I saw the Khalif gazing at them with a hungry expression on his face. It was the same expression I'd seen on his face when he looked at Apolline.
The dancers moved with entrancing skill, going to their knees and bending backwards. I stared; I could not help it. Bells around their ankles and waists jingled with every movement. I found myself growing warm and I did not think the weather or wine were to blame. I undid a few buttons of my doublet, all thoughts about looking impressive disappearing.
Uru-Kagina noticed and grinned at me. "Do you have entertainment such as this in Terre d'Ange?"
"We do in some places." I could picture the salon of Jasmine House, adorned with Akkadian pillows and carpets. They prided themselves on giving patrons a taste of the exotic. But these weren't D'Angelines playing Akkadian dancing girls; these were the real thing. One of them in particular caught my eye. She danced close to my table, her breasts, hips and arse swaying in an incredibly arousing manner. I could not look away from her hips, thinking of her moving them that way as we made love. Her dusky skin shone in the light, glistening with scented oil.
Ah Naamah, I watched her and I wanted.
The music stopped and the dance came to an end. Several of the men beckoned the dancers to them. It seemed they provided more entertainment than just dancing. To either side of me, Manishutu and Duluma made their selections. Uru-Kagina made his as well, choosing a girl who looked to be about sixteen.
The Khalif did not make a selection, no doubt because he had Apolline waiting for him. Sinaddan abstained as well, but Sennacherib put his arms around a pair. He noticed my eyes on him. "D'Angeline ambassador!" he shouted, his words slightly slurred, "Don't you want a girl? Or is it true that you are not really a man?"
With some effort, I kept my indignation out of my face. "Is it permitted?" I asked the Khalif. In truth, I would've preferred not to. It might have been akin to the Night Court in some ways, but there I knew that every adept was there willingly. Anything otherwise would be blasphemous. I knew that whatever adept I chose desired me as well. I could not be certain of that here. These were slave girls, as evidenced by the collars around their necks, and their choices did not enter into this. "Yes," the Khalif replied.
I felt all of their eyes on me- the Khalif's, Sennacherib's, Uru-Kagina's… If I did not choose a girl, my manhood would be in question in their eyes. They would consider me a weakling and unworthy of their attention. I looked at the girl who'd sparked my desire and met her dark, kohl-lined eyes. Soft wings beat faintly in my blood as I felt a spark of desire pass between us. My decision was made.
"You," I said softly, beckoning her to me. She moved forward immediately and sat beside me on the cushion. A thrill raced through my body as her leg pressed against mine. A few cheers broke out among the Akkadians. With dessert finished, many of them departed with the dancers they'd chosen. I had no desire to remain here longer than necessary. "Shall we retire for the night?" I inquired of the dancing girl.
"Yes, my lord," she replied in a soft voice. Her Akkadian was accented, but I had no idea what the accent was. Together we left the cushions and exited the banquet hall, a few cheers following us out. I led her to our quarters, wondering what Apolline would think when she saw her if indeed she was still there.
As it so happened she was not there. I led the dancer into my bedchamber and locked the door. I motioned to the bed. "Please sit. What is your name?"
She seated herself on the edge of the bed, pushing aside the sheer curtains. "Amitys, my lord."
"Amitys," I repeated. "I take it you know who I am?" I asked with a small grin.
"You are the D'Angeline ambassador, Duke Bar-key-el Lon-vares," she answered, gazing at me with lust in her eyes.
It was becoming clear that she desired me as much as I desired her, but I had to be sure. "Amitys, I must ask you somewhat before we go any further. Please answer me truthfully. I swear to you by Naamah and the burning river that no harm will come to you. Do you desire me? Is it your wish to do this?"
She startled at my words, as if no one had ever asked her such a thing before. I wondered how long she'd been a slave. "Yes, yes I do desire you. I have never seen a man as beautiful as you are."
Her face showed no signs of a lie and I did not think this flattery. "You are quite certain you wish to bed me? You could pass the night in my wife's bedchamber and no one would be the wiser come morning."
"I am certain," she replied, insistent.
The beating of Naamah's wings grew stronger. I laughed inwardly at how often I'd bedded Jasmine adepts who'd played at being Akkadian dancing girls. Now I was about to bed the real thing. "Very well." I sat beside her on the bed and gave her a kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, yielding beneath mine. When we parted, I slid my hands up her back to remove the thin silks and jingling bells she wore. Her skin was smooth and smelled faintly of jasmine. That scent never failed to ignite my lust.
Amitys lay back on the bed, her nude body gleaming in the candlelight. I moved over her, beginning the arousal. My fingers trailed over her body, brushing her full breasts and nipples before parting her to rub Naamah's Pearl. I went slowly, working with my lips and tongue after my fingers. Some folk may take without giving, but I am not one of them. As I aroused her to a fever pitch, my own desire grew. When I performed the languisement and she gasped in surprise, I wondered if she'd ever received it before. I supposed the Akkadians did not bother pleasing a slave who was meant for their own pleasure. I grinned when she cried out and shuddered with the force of her climax. When it was over, she blinked slowly and looked at me in awe.
"I did not know men did such things with women. Is that somewhat you do in Terre d'Ange?"
I smiled at her. "You could say that. Most D'Angelines know how to do it."
Amitys stared at me, disbelieving. "You are all trained to pleasure women in such ways?"
"Most of us, yes. Such things we call Naamah's Arts. Naamah is a goddess very similar to your Ishtar."
She nodded, understanding now.
In the time that followed, I came to understand the view of Naamah held by Balm House. Each house of the Night Court interprets Naamah's motivation differently, but we of House L'Envers know better. All of their interpretations are correct; Naamah was all of those things. As I made love to Amitys, I knew what it was to make love in compassion. It was not the passionate, intense lovemaking I preferred, but was instead tender and gentle. I sensed that was what she wanted and I, Naamah's scion, was willing to provide it. Mayhap it would give her a good memory to carry through her life as a slave.
After we climaxed together, I moved off of her and lay back on the pillows. Amitys was still, her eyes half-closed in the afterglow of pleasure. "Thank you," she whispered, moving to rest in my arms. As I felt her lovely body pressed against me I thought of Apolline and wondered how she rested with the Khalif, if indeed she rested at all.