The first thing Christine noticed once she pulled back the curtain to the harem was the heady scent of incense that perfumed the air. Orange blossoms, vanilla, and musk swirled together to entrance the mind. It hit them in a wave. Beside her, Belinda seemed to fall under the spell at first breath, she was swaying slightly as she followed Christine down the short entrance hall.
The narrow corridor expanded to reveal the harem in its entirety, a place Christine had only ever imagined and had never thought she'd have the chance to see after leaving for America. The main room of the harem was open, circular, with satin drapes hanging from the ceiling, and a grand fountain of black marble in the center; the statue in the fountain's center, a naked, gilded woman, was smiling as water flowed from the jug in her arms.
The floor was marble as well, though colored a soft neutral pink to suit the women therein; loose silk pillows were scattered across the floor and over several chaise lounges. Books, personal trinkets and small musical instruments- here a flute, there a handheld harp- were arranged in various cubbyholes and on shelves discreetly carved into the far wall. Large pot vases of vine flowers were spread across the harem, placed strategically beside curtained doorways, many of which likely led to private chambers where any fantasy of man could be brought to life by the women.
It was here that the courtesans assembled to train in the ways of seduction, where they became versed in the sensual and erotic arts. To Christine, they had always seemed so mysterious and different, above common women in every way.
They must have been special, to have impressed Erik so.
Christine knew, from overhearing gossip and servant chatter, that only the most beautiful and loyal Shaliman women were selected for the position of courtesan; these women understood what was required of them, and put forth great efforts to assist their king and country in any way they could.
Christine thought the courtesans were noble, in their own way, though her stomach clenched at the thought of Erik anywhere near the women. I have no right to be jealous with the way things are between us, but I can't stop feeling this way!
The women were grouped together in a tight circle on the floor, all of them huddled around Nicole. The baby was perched on a large silk floor pillow, giggling and basking in the attention of so many. One of the courtesans, a petite woman in a deep jade robe, reached forward and lifted Nicole into her arms. The woman made a funny face, bringing forth laughs from the baby and the other courtesans. The women took turns holding and cuddling the baby, all of them remarking on the child's beauty.
Distantly, Christine was reminded of vultures swarming over a carcass, but the comparison was absurd- none of the women intended harm to the child, in fact they were fascinated and showering Nicole with affection.
One of the women looked up at the entrance of Christine and Belinda, and like a flock of wild birds, they all became alert to the new presence in the harem. Ten pairs of courtesan eyes assessed them and, finding nothing of interest, they quickly returned to the cherished baby at the center of their circle.
"What are you girls doing in here?"
Spinning around in a guilty panic, Christine and Belinda found Elita standing just behind them.
"We...well, we were looking for you, but heard Nicole- Elita, what are you doing in here?" Christine asked. "Don't you know where you are?"
Elita gently rolled her eyes. "The harem, of course."
"You know? But then why are you here?" Elita didn't seem the type to find a guilty excitement over sneaking into the harem, the way that Christine and Belinda had with their little adventure.
"One of the courtesans convinced me to come down here- that one, in the red outfit." Elita pointed towards the circle, to one of the women. "Her name is Karina. She speaks French, or, enough of it to make herself understood. Erik has insisted that they learn our tongue, no doubt. She saw me with Nicole and pleaded that the others should have a look at her."
"They don't know she's Erik's, do they?" Belinda asked, her voice hushed with the secret.
"Of course not! Erik has enough to worry about without me revealing his princess. Everyone believes Nicole to be my child with David, just as he asked.We were on our way back to our room when Karina asked if I would bring the baby here. David wanted to come with me, but I'll be damned if I bring my fiance into a harem!" Elita declared, laughing as she smoothed an imagined wrinkle in her robe.
"We can understand that." Belinda winked, then seemed to remember the reason they had been looking for her in the first place. "Is there a party tonight?"
Elita smiled. "Yes,a ceremony dinner that Erik is putting on for his brother. A very kind thing for him to do, if you ask me. David and I received our invitations just a while ago. You are going, of course."
Belinda nodded. "Of course. Not that exploring the palace and the market isn't wonderful, but I think a party would be a great opportunity for some excitement."
"Then I'm sure you will get your wish." Elita turned her eyes to Christine and she smiled, knowingly. "Well, from what Erik has told me, it should be something special."
Hours later, Belinda and Christine swept into a side ballroom of the grand palace, to be greeted by servants, guests and what remained of the royal family to Shalom. Sparing no detail, the room was set out with several tables surrounding a dance floor, live music coming from a small band in the corner, and a singer before them on a stage. Junior courtesans and servants were flitting between tables, making every effort to keep the spirit of the celebration alive.
At a long table in the front sat Jamar, with Erik at one side, and his advisers on either side of them. The younger king was smiling, enjoying the spectacle, while Erik appeared more dour than ever, frowning as his eyes raked the room.
He was missing Nicole, no doubt.
Christine felt herself blush and looked away when his golden eyes shined at her from across the room, and she moved to follow Belinda, who was heading toward Elita and David. They settled into a pair of chairs and joined into the happy table conversation.
"Don't you girls look wonderful," Elita began, looking them over from head to toe. "Ah, I see Erik's tastes have not changed."
Christine frowned, "Erik's tastes? What do you mean?"
Elita winked at David, who smiled. "I overheard Erik with a palace seamstress earlier this morning. He wanted something special for you for tonight. Where did you think your gown came from?"
Blushing furiously now, Christine swallowed, thinking herself foolish for not having realized it first. She looked down at herself, sheathed in deep sapphire silk. Not a Shaliman robe, but a gown; beautiful in its simple cut and color. Belinda was similarly outfitted in pale lavender.
Of course. Erik had sent flowers, asked her for a dance and when she and Belinda had returned to their room the gowns had been waiting for them. Where else would they have come from?
"Erik did this? God, he's trying hard to get back on your good side, isn't he?" Belinda said, nudging her slightly.
Christine laughed along with the table, but inwardly her pulse had accelerated rapidly. This wasn't what she wanted, for Erik to be making these romantic gestures. After everything that had happened, and what he had promised her, why would he be doing these things? Did he enjoy keeping her unbalanced and upset?
Just talk to me Erik, and tell me what it is you want!
Hadn't he invited her back to Shalimar so that they could part on peaceful terms? Those had been his exact words to her in New York, and he had promised not to make any advances on her. Erik knew how he had hurt her, and Christine recalled all too well how she had hurt him in return by leaving and then refusing his attempts at contact.
Food arrived, and while Belinda and Elita sampled the exotic cuisine, Christine found that her appetite had fled. She finished off her second flute of champagne and only nibbled at the fish on her plate; her mind swam with questions and a mounting frustration began to seethe under the surface of her thoughts.
She watched as Elita and David rose to join the other guests on the dance floor; she was angry, suddenly, that Elita had been so blessed. To have Erik as the father of her beautiful baby, to have David, so handsome and understanding, love her enough to make her his wife even while she'd been pregnant with another man's child during their courtship. Elita had Erik's friendship to look forward to, while he had not spoken a word to Christine for days.
It's not fair!
"Excuse me," Christine found herself saying, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Belinda stood with her. "Are you feeling all right? I should go with you if you're feeling sick."
"No, no, it's fine. You should stay, enjoy the rest of the party. I'll be fine." Christine put her hand on Belinda's shoulder in a gesture of reassurance and then turned towards the pair of doors that she knew lead outside, rather than back into the main palace corridor. She glanced back over her shoulder to see Erik rising from the royal table, but she didn't bother to see where he was going.
Cool night air greeted her once she had made it outside. The music from within was muffled slightly, but Christine could still make out the lyrics to one of the more popular folk songs, a song Erik had once taught her. She shook off the thought and ventured further out into the courtyard, heading towards the great garden maze.
The moon hung in the night sky, a bright slice surrounded by hundreds of pinpoint stars. The maze was lit by several strings of lights, brightly punctuated with larger lamps at every turn of the maze. Christine was not intimidated by the winding path she had to follow; she had walked through this maze every day during the ten years she had lived in Shalimar and did not miss a step as she made it through to the other side, which led into the main gardens.
She did not know why she tortured herself, revisiting the most sacred place of the past she had shared with Erik. Christine did not care to stop and observe the trees, bushes and bright flowers that lined the garden paths, her main focus was to reach the fountain; she wanted only to sit and think of what she could say to Erik when next they were alone together. That is, if she had the opportunity.
Christine made the final turn in the path and stepped into the clearing, her eyes fixed to the small fountain in the center. The lamp in the clearing was weaker than those that had been in the maze, and gave only a weak golden glow. She stepped closer to the fountain, seeing it for what it was. Very plain, and built from smooth gray stones, the small edifice was wholly unimpressive when compared to everything else within the palace, but it did hold many happy memories- now bittersweet- for her.
Curiously, she circled the fountain, checking to see if it was in any way different than she remembered, and she then leaned forward to dip her fingers into the water.
"What are you looking for?"