Hi again. Thanks for the reviews, those that took the time. I'm very grateful. Onwards then. Things are coming together, but many obstacles lie in wait. Mistakes and historical howlers all my own work. Skins out of reach.

When Gia left the Royal ante room after lunch, Tomas was waiting impassively outside, arms folded and with eyes looking straight ahead at nothing in particular. It was as if he'd not moved a muscle since she'd entered the chamber hours before, but as she passed him, the merest flicker of those expressive brown eyes told her the mission she'd sent him on was completed. No need for a debrief or whispered conversation of any kind on the way back to her quarters. The risk she had taken, by firstly involving the loyal eunuch in her scheme and then making this direct approach to her husband was high, but necessary. The audience she'd just had with Selim made that crystal clear.

She knew the Grand Vizier would have already made his pitch to be her daughters husband. After all, it was not for him to wait in line until the Sultan had time in his schedule...he had all day to drip poison into her husbands ear. But she had only one opportunity to argue her case. On her side were several material facts. Princess Naomi was the most favoured of his daughters for one and he was likely to take much more care over her choice of husband. Then there was the Vizier's murky track record with previous brides. Several of his wives, after an initial honeymoon period, had either mysteriously disappeared, or been found at the base of the city walls, having voluntarily or not, taken a one way trip to the unforgiving cobbles below. It was not a happy way to end a contract and the Sultan was very well aware of the fickleness of his most senior advisor. Something which would have given him pause for thought at least.

The audience followed a familiar pattern. After being searched for weapons by a female guard...even the wives of the ruler were not above suspicion...assassins were everywhere in the empire, Gia had been led to his private chamber. Normal petitioners were seen in the main throne room, where they would be suitably cowed by the magnificent furnishings and decorations. His position on the gilded throne gave him a superior view down to the kneeling supplicant. But Gia had been a loyal and loving wife to Selim for years. He dismissed even his closest body servants and relaxed on a silk and satin chaise longue chewing grapes from a bunch in the gold bowl by his elbow, the furniture and fruit imported from France, while Gia settled cross legged on the floor beside him. She knelt first and observed the ritual formalities.

"Lord" she intoned, bowing her head and kissing his outstretched be-ringed fingers one by one. "...Lord… I have a petition I must beg on behalf of your beloved daughter, the Princess Naomi"

The Sultan was well aware of the nature of this petition. His Vizier had predicted it accurately immediately after putting his own case for the marriage to be announced.

"Go on Gia, wife and mother to my beautiful fair angel..." Selim said softly, toying with a strand of the golden hair he had admired since his 6th wife had been a mere girl herself, fresh off the slave boats all those years before. He was inordinately fond of her and even more fond of their offspring. The Vizier had been very convincing in his entreaties, but Selim had firmly deferred judgement until this request was heard.

"Naomi is of marriageable age...I understand that my lord and in good time, a suitable and noble husband will be required for her. But she is still very young for her years, my love, completely untutored in the ways of men and in being a good wife..." Gia said equally softly.

Selim interrupted.

"Mainly due to your efforts I hear, wife. I understand that you have resisted her education in the ways of the marriage bed...it is well overdue mistress. Why have you delayed so long?"

It was a mild rebuke, but accurate. Gia bowed even lower and kissed the back of his hand again.

"Master...husband...I accept your wise criticism of my own failings. I have been unusually gentle with our daughter I agree. But as I said, she is young for her sixteen summers, happy and carefree. I have been anxious to ensure she is tutored in the right ways. There is jealousy and fear amongst the women in the harem as my lord will know. They can be sly and manipulative. I waited until I could find the means to bring Naomi into the world of grown love with compassion and care. The Vizier...who I understand is anxious to make an early match with our princess...can be quite...demanding... of his wives, I hear?" She tried very hard to keep the enmity she held inside for the minister from her voice. Not totally successfully.

Gia stopped then, head still bowed. The risk factor had just multiplied a hundred fold. Favoured wife she may be, but criticism of the most senior figure in the government bar one was dangerously close to insubordination. If Selim took offence at her flimsily coded rebuke, the meeting would end then and there. She would be escorted briskly back to her quarters and Naomi would be left exposed and vulnerable.

There was a long silence, during which Gia held her breath. Had she gone too far?

Then a deep chuckle from above, allowed her to release that held breath. Selim lifted her chin and smiled down at her.

"Bravo, my jewel for that thinly disguised...'advice'...about my exalted first minister. He is as you say a little...demanding... of his wives and concubines. Too demanding, an impartial observer might remark. But that aside...he is unusually anxious to make this match. Naomi would be appointed first amongst his wives...enriched generously in her own right and with a position in court far beyond her current situation as a single girl in the harem. Would you not want the very best for our daughter, wife?"

Gia kept her eyes on Selim's as she carefully considered her answer. She knew exactly what her husband was saying. It was a trap...a gentle trap... but a trap nevertheless. On one hand she did want the very best for Naomi. The Vizier would be an obvious match for any ambitious woman. But he was odious in every other way. Duplicitous, corrupted and depraved. She shuddered inside at the very idea of his gnarled and palsied hands nightly corrupting her unspoiled daughter. Once her daughter was his property, Gia would be powerless to help her.

"Lord" she said in a measured voice, "you are right of course, as always...the Vizier would be an ideal match for any woman...but..." she swallowed, "...Naomi would need to be educated far beyond her current abilities in order to fulfil her wifely duties with such an...experienced... husband, may I make a small suggestion?"

Selim nodded his large head slowly and looked down at her without speaking. His eyes gave nothing away. Gambling was forbidden in the kingdom, but if it had been allowed, he would have been an implacable and unreadable opponent across a gaming table.

"I have taken the liberty of employing two new hand maids to serve the princess. Girls from outside the palace staff...pure and virginal in body...but more worldly in mind, educated in...well...certain matters? A breath of fresh air, I believe. I will instruct them to bring our daughter, over the next few moons, to a state where she will be able to carry out her duties to any husband my lord graces with her hand. I was very fortunate, my lord… I was well tutored, was I not? Without being too bold, I like to think my pasha was satisfied with my skills when I was granted the great honour of sharing your bed?"

Again she held her breath. This was again a risk. It had been many moons since the Sultan had sent for her in the night. Dozens of nubile and skilful women had plied their trade in the rulers bed since. But she knew he still favoured her… was it enough?

Selim looked away from her, his eyes clouding slightly, as if remembering something from long ago. Finally he looked back, face expressionless. She was reminded, as if that was needed, that this man was ruler of millions of subjects, lord of all the lands as far as the eye could see. Not a man to be fooled or cajoled by a simple woman.

"I see no good reason to refuse the Vizier his persistent suit, wife..." he said firmly, making Gia's heart dive in her chest. "...but patience is a singular virtue...not something Kamal is very good at. Despite his many other talents...it will be good for him to practice some... forbearance. I will not announce a betrothal yet. But in six moons, I will summon him and the girl to me for that express purpose. The wedding will then proceed. You have that time and no longer to prepare our daughter for her new duties...is that clear, mistress?"

Gia forced a bright smile onto her face. In truth, 6 moons was plenty long enough if everything else came together. The spies she had used to source the solution to her problem had come highly recommended. If Tomas had done his part and the twin girls were on their way to the palace, phase one could commence. The information she had about the girls had to be completely relied on. Both beautiful enough to be decorative to the harem...and one of them already schooled in the subtle arts of Sappho. Yasmina, the soon to be married daughter of a local merchant, had been effusive to her messengers about this Emilia's easy conversion to womanly pleasure. Exactly the pretty tool she needed to tempt her daughter. Naomi believed her haughty and indifferent attitude fooled everyone, but she was after all the daughter of a 9th generation girl from Lesbos...and Gia knew the power of the suppressed fires which smouldered under her outwardly icy exterior. She may have had to dampen her own fire, after being captured and pressed into an arranged marriage all those years ago, but Gia had a very different life in mind for her precious pearl.

All she needed to do was introduce a beautiful and willing variable to the equation. Nature would do the rest,

Inshallah. (God willing)

She left the Sultans private chamber with an impassive face, but inside, her heart was thumping wildly. Things just might be more hopeful than she'd feared…

XXX

"What?...I don't want to work in the palace harem, mother...all those pampered and over dressed women looking down on you every day. I want to work with father...be his apprentice...look after you both when you are old and infirm?"

Katerina's brown eyes blazed as she stood in their rudimentary kitchen, arms folded and face set in determination. Her mothers eyes flashed back, but then softened. So much like herself when she was young she thought wistfully. All that fire and rage. She glanced across at Emilia, who was standing by her twin, eyes down, hands clasped in front of her. So similar, her girls, but so utterly different. Katerina was all extrovert noise and bluster, quick to anger and equally speedy to laughter. Emilia was always quieter, even as an infant. Obedient and gentle, she was the one her mother worried about the most. Soon, if this golden opportunity was not seized, her husbands friends would be calling at the house one by one, with small gifts and requests for her daughters favour on one unmarried son or the other. Katerina again would be easier to place. She could decide in her own way which young man was malleable and handsome enough. Once decided, she knew her eldest would make a good, if tempestuous wife. Hard to handle maybe, but a real firecracker in the bedchamber, which always tames a man in the end.

Emilia however, was something of an enigma, although her mother wasn't totally unworldly towards what her daughters secret desires might be. Nergis had grown up in a village several dozen miles from Constantinople. In that village there had been two female unmarried couples, nominally 'sisters' but in truth secret lovers. It was never spoken of publicly, any more than the brief and passionate liaisons between adolescent youths before they settled to marriage. Boys and girls alike needed an outlet for their burgeoning desires. When in that difficult period between puberty and a stable union, boys gratifying themselves with other boys and girls doing the same with their best friends was preferable to an unwanted pregnancy and instant disgrace. But boys grew out of their passions quickly when a pretty wife was offered. Women occasionally stayed together longer. As long as they were discrete, what went on in their bedrooms at night was casually ignored.

And Nergis knew...because she had been a young girl too once, that Emilia had already tasted forbidden fruit. Girls her age always think that parents are blind...and more importantly deaf. Her husband may have slept through those warm nights recently when Yasmina stayed in Emilia's bed, but Nergis had not. Even if she hadn't overheard the muffled gasps and exclamations of breathy gratitude coming from her daughters room, she had definitely not misinterpreted the sly glances and secret smiles the two girls had shared over the dinner table. Yasmina had tutored and enraptured Emilia thoroughly it seemed.

She had not intervened then and she would not do so if it occurred again. But this opportunity might be the solution to a problem not yet large enough to worry about. Emilia showed no interest in even conversing with boys her own age. Unlike her sister, who had to be reminded almost daily about decent boundaries and the dangers of leading adolescent males on, Emilia shunned contact with the local boys.

So...this opportunity was far to good to pass up. Even if it was unpalatable to Katerina at the moment. Emilia would be somewhere safe...where she could indulge her hidden desires without consequence. Katerina could learn to be a good servant and then, when inevitably the princess grew tired of her new toys, could be offered to a much better class of prospective husband, given her elevated palace status.

"You will do what you are told Katerina...I have already spoken to your father. The 6th wife of the Sultan himself has requested you and Emilia to attend to the princess Naomi's personal requirements. It is a great honour...and not one to turn your nose up at, young lady. Do you not see that this will bring us into another world? You and Emilia will be dressed and pampered just like those women you scorn so casually. A few moons...maybe a year at worst and the Princess will be married off to one noble lord or another. Then, with your income from being good, loyal servants and the contacts we will all gain from you working in such an exalted level ...you can return here and take your pick of the young men with the highest prospects. Your father will have to beat them off with a stick by then?"

She paused and waited for that to sink in.

Katerina's expression went from anger through defiance to eventual grudging acceptance. Then she smirked and her mother knew her eldest daughter was already making shrewd calculations.

"Will there be...many new clothes mother?" she wheedled artfully, twirling a lock of dark hair in her fingertips.

Her mother smiled thinly. Katerina...always so predictable.

"Undoubtedly...and other fine things...silks and cloths, jewellery from all around the world. An outfit for every day and more to spare...all you will have to do is to bathe the princess each morning and dress her two or three times a day. Perhaps attend her if she is summoned to court. Think of all the interesting people you will meet Katerina?"

"...and I hear there are...eunuchs? Men who have…?" the girl sniggered.

"Enough" Nergis said sharply, although she found it hard to keep a smile from her face. At least a eunuch would be unable to get Katerina into any real trouble. She turned to Emilia, who was watching the exchange with a shy smile.

"...and you, my little mouse...what do you think of the idea?"

Emilia blinked a few times, then shrugged.

"It could be interesting mother. I might enjoy having someone to fuss over?"

"So" Nergis said briskly "...thats settled. Your father has told me that his friend the tailor has been ordered to make you new dresses for your appearance at court. Expensive dresses...that's wonderful, isn't it my darlings?"

This time both daughters smiled back warmly. Katerina immediately began to think out loud about all the finery she could be getting. Emilia waited until her chattering sister had left to tell her friends all about the new adventure she was about to embark on, then sidled up to her mother and spoke quietly.

"The princess mother?...They say she is the most beautiful girl in all of Constantinople...is that true?"

Nergis slid an arm over her youngest daughters shoulders and whispered into her small ear.

"I have only seen a small painted portrait Emi...but if it is accurate, then yes she is. Yellow hair, beautiful blue eyes and a pale, clear complexion. They say her mother was Greek...from one of the islands far out to sea...where the people tend to the fair?"

Emilia smiled up at her mother.

"Well, that would be... nice. Maybe we could even be friends as well as mistress and servant...that would be..."

"Nice..." her mother finished for her. "Yes...maybe you will. But right now you need to pack some of your things. Tomorrow the dresses will arrive from Yasmina's father in law...it was he who recommended you two girls to the Sultana's staff. We have been very lucky my little mouse..."

XXX

Later that night, as Emilia and Katerina lay under a single sheet on the straw pallet they had shared since they were six years old, the older twin pushed herself up on one elbow and looked down the bed at her sister, who was lying top to tail with her.

"Emi..." she whispered urgently. Emilia mirrored her sisters position, using her elbow to sit up higher.

"Yes?" she murmured drowsily. She had been about to drift off to sleep before Katerina spoke.

"What is it...you know...how do...I mean, oh its so hard to say it...Right...what do girls do...you know in bed...when they want each other badly?"

From being sleepy, Kati's words stung Emi into watchful tension. She could feel her heart beginning to beat faster.

"How should I know?" she hissed defensively "why are you even asking me that Kati?"

Katerina smirked at her red faced sister and sat up properly, making the bed bounce slightly.

"You mean you've never…?" she said. Emilia could feel the flush on her face deepen. She hated her sister for being able to embarrass her so easily.

"No...I've never...why would you even think that?" she muttered quietly.

Katerina sighed and lay back down, looking up at the rush matting over their heads. She knew she had Emi on the run, so she let the tension build a little more before speaking again.

"Oh...I don't know...just a lucky guess...so it wasn't you I heard night after night while Yasmina was sleeping in this bed...'Oh Yasmina my sweet...there...right there...please?'" she mimicked her sisters huskier voice alarmingly accurately.

Emilia's mouth was wide open in shock. Shame and fear paralysed her.

Katerina giggled softly, then sat up again.

"Such a baby, Emi...so easy to tease" she said, plumping the pillow under her head and looking down the bed at her mortified twin "...its really none of my business what you and her got up to anyway, little sister...but if the princess is half as pretty as they say she is Emi...its going to be very hard for you to keep your curious little hands off her in the bath..isn't it?" She sniggered long and hard at her own joke.

The thump of Emi's pillow hitting her in the face only made her laugh harder.

XXX

Naomi

It was two days after Tomas's visit to the tailors shop and the princess was pacing back and forth across the marble floor of her new quarters. For some reason, the palace had decided to relocate her and her mother to a previously unused set of rooms the other side of the harem section of the building. Bigger than the ones she was used to and even more luxurious, but Naomi was a creature of habit. She disliked change, specially change that she had no say in. In truth, there was no reason to dislike this new living space. Instead of sharing a bedroom with her mother as she had done since birth, she now had an airy and bright room of her own with two large windows and a white plaster balustraded balcony overlooking the cultivated fields hundreds of feet below the palace. Far enough away that it would take a hawk to see up into the residence, but the view from there was breathtaking. She should have been delighted, but the change spoke of new developments and for that she was wary.

Despite her mothers insistence that it was just a welcome change of scenery, Naomi knew this move signalled something significant. She was fully aware that now she was sixteen summers old, things would be different. Although isolated by her birth and status, she was perfectly well versed in the ways of the court. Girls of her age were being routinely married off. Every week it seemed, her companions, such as they were, were being replaced by younger courtiers. The feeling in her stomach when she saw her mother and Tomas, the favoured eunuch, whispering in corners was unsettling. The subject matter was obviously her. Their worried glances and false smiles were unnerving. Now this…

"Mother...when are you going to tell me what is going on?" she said sharply, stopping her pacing for a moment. "What is the meaning of this sudden change?"

Gia smiled indulgently and shrugged.

"Do you not like your new quarters, daughter? A nicer bedroom by far, with views of the countryside, your own sitting room with all your books and pretty things laid out for you...oh, and that lovely bathroom with its private changing area...so much better than bathing behind a curtain in the harem?"

None of which Naomi could argue with. But why now?

"Yes, yes" she said impatiently "...its all wonderful I'm sure...but why is it I feel like a goose that is being fed corn by the bucket just before the butcher sharpens his axe?"

Gia frowned. She knew this conversation was overdue. It looked like her astute daughter had seen through her attempt to soften the blow. Time for honesty.

"Sit down Naomi...we need to discuss something" she said quietly. Naomi froze in her pacing and stared at her mother.

"I knew this was bad news...what is it?" she grated.

"Sit daughter...there is some bad news, but some good too. Know this Naomi, my precious pearl. I will defend you to my dying breath...but first you need to know all the truth, not just part of it?"

Naomi slumped onto the long, silk covered couch, her heart thumping and a sick feeling in her stomach.

"The bad news...and it would be very bad news if I had any intention of letting it happen, is that my husband, your father... has told me that you are shortly to be betrothed"

Naomi gasped in shock, even though she had expected something like it. She looked around the opulent room, suddenly not so upset by the change of surroundings. She had spent every moment of her young life within these walls...now it seemed she was to be shipped off to a foreign land, bride to some unknown prince...a pawn in one of her fathers complex political games.

"Who?" she said sullenly, expecting her mother to name a prince or a lord from one of the closest neighbour countries. Marriage to anyone had been a distant prospect before. Something to push to the back of your mind, something for later...always later.

Gia swallowed hard. This was the moment she dreaded. She steeled herself for the tears and shouting.

"The Sultan has decided to accept...the Grand Viziers request for your hand, daughter"

Naomi's face went from red anger to pale shock instantly. Her ears refused to believe the words her mother had just spoken. The room spun around her as his name echoed in her head. Kamal? The corpulent womaniser, corrupt politician and abuser of women...she couldn't...they couldn't?

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. The sickness in her stomach rolled and heaved as she pictured his pock marked and sweaty face over her...his heavy body on top of her...his, his thing...inside her….

"Sick...going to be sick" she choked as acrid vomit surged in her throat. She lurched up and staggered across the room to a small basin on a cabinet. This mornings bread, fruit and milk ejected violently from her open mouth, splashing her new dress and onto her bare feet. Again and again she heaved, even when there was nothing left to lose from her aching stomach. Trembling, she allowed her mother to hand her a glass of cool water, then mop her face and chest with a damp cloth. Dumbly, she was led back to the couch. Gia at beside her and slid a comforting arm over her shoulders, hugging her shivering daughter fiercely.

"Listen Naomi...that is very bad news, I know that. But that is only the Sultans plan. Many things can and will happen before that. I promise you on my life that Tomas and I will never let it happen. The Sultan has deferred the announcement for six whole moons. That is why I went to see him yesterday. We have that six moons to prevent the marriage taking place. My precious daughter will never fall into the hands of that odious toad and his murderous enforcer. I have vowed that and I will keep my promise on pain of death"

Gia paused to allow what she had said to sink in. Naomi looked up at her with red rimmed eyes and tear stained cheeks pathetically.

"B...but mother...what can we do? The Vizier is so powerful...he has spies everywhere and what about his man Cuk?" she shivered again at the very mention of the official assassins name "...Cuk will do the Viziers bidding whatever we try to do?"

Gia held her daughters head in her hands and whispered fiercely.

"I said I have plans my love and I do...but I cannot discuss them with you just yet. But know this...Tomas and I have pledged to defend you with our very lives. You will not marry that corrupted oaf and Cuk will play no part in helping his evil plans. We have prepared for this possibility for many years. You will have to trust your mother. Trust my word...I have never lied to you before have I, Naomi?"

Naomi shook her head. That much was true. Her stomach ached and her head throbbed, but she clung on to the sincerity in her mothers eyes. She had to trust...there was no alternative.

A few hours later, she was feeling a little better. Gia had said no more about the planned nuptials, just that there were complicated arrangements in hand to thwart the Viziers desires. She had to be patient. At sixteen, six moons seemed like a lifetime anyway, so reluctantly, she allowed herself to relax a little. Her mother was right, she had never lied to her in the past.

In any case she decided, it would be better to enjoy the comforts of this new living area while she could. Her books, in Turkish, Greek and Latin, were lined in serried rows across several book shelves. Her comfort was as always the escape they provided. Not all were text books or scholarly in content. Gradually, as she got older, her mother had allowed a different type of reading material to be kept in her daughters bedroom. Novels...stories about far off lands and strange peoples nothing like the ones she had been close too these sixteen years. Even some in French, which she struggled with at first, but her endless capacity for knowledge soon overcame that obstacle. Tomas had sourced a tutor who had that language and within four moons, she had mastered the basics. Poetry by Remy Belleau and Jean Antoine de Baife, whilst sometimes a little risqué was balanced by serious tomes by Diego de San Pedro and Jean Lemaire de Belges. She devoured them all ravenously.

But today, she craved lighter material. Her head was still spinning with the events of this morning and in the afternoon she was to be introduced to her new hand maids. Twins, her mother had said...and not from the seemingly endless stream of palace courtiers own children or the better end of the slave market. No, these girls were apparently born free, if poor. But from a good honest family. It had been decided that Naomi's world required expanding outside her second hand enjoyment through books. She sighed as she scanned some occasionally amusing Greek poetry. It seemed her mind was unable to escape the horror of this morning. Every stanza was overwhelmed with dark thoughts about her possible fate. In the end, Naomi threw the richly bound book to one side, letting it bounce off a silk cushion on its way to the floor. Normally she would have grabbed at it to prevent damage to the binding or spine, but today she was affected by some sort of ennui, unable to care enough to reach out. The book clattered onto the hard floor with a reproachful sound, as if chiding her for the rough treatment. She sighed again...maybe a light lunch would improve her mood? Having deposited her breakfast into the bowl (now cleared away y a watchful slave), her stomach growled in hunger. She reached for the crimson silken rope next to the couch...a servant was always on hand with a selection of cold meats and salads.

As her hand touched the cord, she heard a soft cough from behind her. Good, she thought...a maid in calling distance. She spoke without turning.

"Girl...some cold meats and fresh garden salads, bread...oh, and a carafe of fruit juice?"

Naomi was used to giving commands and today was no different. Usually there was a polite and deferential 'Yes my lady' or 'straight away highness'

But on this occasion nothing. Just another gentle cough, as if the girl wanted her attention. Naomi frowned and turned quickly in her seat. Probably just another new servant, needing precise instructions, although she thought she'd been absolutely clear already.

As she turned, the figure behind her came into view. Naomi's eyes travelled upwards from the floor, noting the new red silk slippers, a white wrapped silk skirt and a bare midriff. She willed her eyes to move quickly then upwards so that they did not noticeably linger on the noticeable swell of the girls pert breasts, covered by a ruched band of the same red material as her silk shoes. Pale shoulders and a simple lapis lazuli and silver necklace completed the picture.

Then her eyes met brown ones. Worried eyes. Set in a face which actually made her gasp aloud.

"She's so beautiful' was the thought that hammered away in her head as she stared in shock. Frantically her rational mind tried to override the paralysis her weaker emotions were forcing on her. Why on earth was she thinking that? Surely this was just another new slave girl? So why was she staring at the slim dark haired girl like a rabbit at a cobra? (a very very pretty cobra princess, her mind teased her).

Naomi blinked, then closed her eyes completely. Get a grip of yourself Naomi, she scolded herself silently. The girl will think you're half witted. When she opened them again, she found the girl was now right in front of her, a slightly concerned look on her face.

"Miss...oh, so sorry I mean your highness...are you feeling unwell...would you like me to fetch a physician...I...I..."

The girl was clenching and unclenching her fists by her sides, seeming to want to reach out to her, but terrified to do so.

Finally, the paralysis seemed to lose its grip on Naomi. She shook herself physically and stood up in one smooth move. It was then she noticed how tiny the girl was. They were obviously of a similar age...but there were several inches difference in height. For the first time in a long while, Naomi felt quite tall.

"What is your name girl?" she asked briskly, trying to regain her famous composure. How ridiculous, she said to herself, the girl just caught me by surprise, thats all.

"Uh...I'm Emilia mi...I mean highness...your mother...the Sultana, sent me in to introduce myself? I am to be your new body servant...along with my twin sister, who is waiting outside...may I bring Katerina in now?"

Naomi took several seconds to process what the girl had just said. Emilia? Yes, that was one of the names her mother had told her about this morning...the other was Katerina..she was sure of that. Then it hit her...twins? By the heavens...there were TWO of them? Surely the Patriarch himself could not create two such beautiful and perfect...her mind froze again. Why in all that is holy was she thinking like this? It was true she had never considered herself attracted to the male form in any way. Given her isolation, she thought that was probably understandable...and it was also true that the sly caresses and stroking of the maid Fatima during her daily baths had occasionally aroused her...somewhat against her will...but this?

This was outside every comfort zone she possessed. The girl carried on looking at her, occasionally casting her eyes to the floor, revealing long and dark eyelashes. Naomi felt her heart thump hard as she realised she was staring yet again.

"Uh...right...yes...my mother, the Sultana informed me that you and your sister are to work for me. Well...Emilia...(she ran the name round her mouth like a delicious flavour), anxious as I am to meet your sister, I am too hungry at present. If you are ready to begin your duties, go into the hallway...there will be several servants around. Tell one of them that the Princess requires a cold meat and salad dish...oh, and some of that fresh bread from the bakery. You may also ask for food to be brought to you both in the room next door. Those will be your own day quarters?"

The girl nodded, still with those liquid eyes on Naomi. She knew that if she didn't put a door between herself and the new girl, she was likely to say something distinctly un royal. This morning seemed to be producing constant surprises. She craved privacy for a few moments, just to collect her thoughts. It was the shock of this mornings unwelcome news about the Vizier, that was it. Just caught her unawares. Nothing more than that.

The girl left as silently as she had arrived, bowing briefly before backing out. Unfortunately, this afforded an interrupted view of two perfect (there you go again Naomi, she said to herself) small breasts as the loose top sagged. Naomi turned her head quickly to the side as Emilia straightened by the door. Heavens...now she was blushing too...the girl will think me a fool she chided.

When the door closed with a heavy thud, Naomi collapsed onto the couch again, Her mind was spinning. No human being she had been in contact with in her life had produced this reaction. What was happening to her?

Emilia stopped the other side of the door and leaned back on it, her chest rising and falling as she at last started to relax. Katerina stood there with her hands on her hips, dressed in a similar way, except the material was green and white.

"Well?" she said impatiently "...what's she like...can I go in now or..."

Emilia knew her sister was impatient, but she really wasn't ready to answer that quite yet. Instead, spotting a passing boy, she relayed her mistresses instructions regarding food, ordering the same for her and Katerina. Whatever the Princess was eating was definitely going to be better than they were used to having for lunch.

Katerina huffed in impatience as she spoke, tapping her silk covered foot on the floor and raising her eyebrows at her sisters delay.

"Well?" she said again as the boy scurried off to the kitchens. They had been led here by a huge black man with a scimitar at his hip. Neither of them had been keen on asking him any questions, but now Katerina was bursting with impatience.

Emilia looked at her sister and smiled serenely, her heart still pounding.

"She's...she's..." she said slowly.

"She's what Emi...what on earth is wrong with you?"

Emilia smiled again, a dreamy smile.

"She's...perfect Kati...beautiful isn't the word at all...she's just...perfect?"

Katerina rolled her eyes impressively.

"Oh heaven save us Emi...by the looks of you, we're in big trouble, aren't we?"

Emilia didn't answer, but the long sigh she let out was enough for all Katerina's fears to be realised. Her sister looked like she had been hit by a thunderbolt.

XXX

Thats all for now folks. Next chapter being researched and hopefully up by early next week. Have a happy Christmas and New Year, whatever your faith or lack of it! Thanks for reading!