She walked through the halls, exploring the palace as she did so. Her hand drifted toward her hip as she walked. Thankfully, Erik had managed to convince them to allow her to wear something less revealing, yet she still felt uneasy-even if he had also given her a small knife with which to defend herself with.
"Adellade!" Nadir greeted with a bow. "I see that he accepted you? I must admit that I was quite surprised to discover the news. Have you any luck in finding your brother?"
"It would seem that the Angel of Doom is my brother," she whispered. "Though if you tell anyone else that, he would be very upset with me."
"I shan't. It would be unwise to anger a man such as him."
"Nadir, it would seem you know him well, wouldn't it? Beyond simply instructing him to speak Persian, I mean."
"That would only be facade, my dear. Erik himself-might I refer to him that way with you?-he prefers his days and nights alone in his chambers composing whatever sort of music he has in there. That-and designing the Shah's new palace."
"It does frighten me a bit-to know that he has become the Shah's assassin."
"I would assume so. However, you have nothing to fear in his presence. I can assure you that after all the time I've known him, he has had plenty of chances to end my life. He does have quite the temper on him, your brother."
She frowned. "I suppose I've never noticed."
"In the time that you have been here, I have seen a change in him-if only the slightest. It may not be my place to say: but I do believe that he is happy you are here with him even if he denies the fact."
"Have you ever been outside the palace, Nadir?"
"A few times."
"Do you-is there ever a place that-that you would enjoy seeing?"
"You wish to have Erik take you outside the palace for a moment? You do not have to ask permission to wander about."
"It's just-something about this place…."
He smiled slightly. "Then you ought to know that the bazar outside the palace does seem to be excellently lit after dark-with an oasis not far that is always nice for relaxation. Now, if you'll excuse me: I have duties to attend to." He gave a short bow. "I shall be visiting his chambers now and again to ensure that no harm has come to you. If you ever require me: mine are only a short distance away."
She nodded and turned to go back. Adellade sighed, unsure of how she had gone, finding herself lost more than once. It was nearing nightfall and still she had yet to make her way back. She bit her lip, hoping that Erik wasn't worried about her-that he wasn't prone to assuming the worst.
Footsteps approached her and she stiffened, pressing herself against the wall as the Shah and his procession rounded the corner. She gave him a small curtsy, only to have him stop and eye her before saying something to one of the men next to him.
"The Shah would like to know why you are here and not in your master's chambers," he translated.
"Oh. I had simply found myself lost in the palace, and was trying to find my way back," she admitted.
The Shah laughed as he was given her reply and she swallowed, unsure of what to respond.
"There you are!" Erik called out, coming toward her. He approached them and gave a nod before saying a few words in Persian, to which the Shah nodded.
He took her arm and led her back to his chambers, closing the door behind them as they entered.
"Remind me to find a book on learning Persian," she muttered. "At least that way I'll be able to know what people are saying around here."
"I can arrange a meeting with the Daroga if you so wish, or I can take it upon myself to instruct you." He looked at her. "Did you honestly find yourself lost in the palace?"
She nodded.
"Perhaps you ought to spend your days in my chambers learning Persian instead," he suggested. "There are other men in the palace who would take one look at you and wish to have you all to themselves. The fact that you are mine does not mean that other men cannot take advantage of you. The Shah, for example, is one of those men."
"Oh," she whispered.
He looked at her. "I would hate to think of you falling into another man's embrace. Now, I ought to have a few things around here that you can begin learning with…."
She woke to find him busy over a tray with freshly brewed tea on it along with some pastries.
"What is all this? Did you make those yourself?"
"Yes," he murmured, straightening, holding a cup out to her.
"What for?" she pressed, sitting down.
"The Shah has requested that you...attend...a…. He has requested that you attend one his forms of entertaining his guests."
"And why do you sound so upset?"
He folded his hands behind his back and began pacing around. "Entertainment takes many forms around here-most as a demonstration of the Shah's power and status. However, there are certain ones that he reserves for specific guests, and judging by the nature of this one, it would seem that it is more for public entertainment than anything else…. However, knowing the Shah, there would be some ulterior motive to this, otherwise he would not have asked you to attend, and…."
"Erik, what is it that you are trying to avoid telling me?"
"I am doing no such thing."
"Yes, you are."
"I am not."
She set the tea down and stood, putting her hands on her hips. "Yes, you are! You've always tried to avoid something by talking around it and trying to distract me! Just as you're doing now!"
"And what might lead you to suspect that?"
"Tea? Pastries? You avoiding the questions I'm asking? And will you stop pacing!"
"You ought to drink that or else it will get cold."
"Tell me what is upsetting you."
"You are not drinking your tea."
"I will throw the entire thing out the window if you don't tell me what's upsetting you!" she argued. "Now stop thinking about tea and tell me what's wrong!"
"I can make you something else if you'd prefer…."
"Erik…."
He sighed and sat down, running his hands through his hair. "If you are so determined to know…. The...Shah prefers…he prefers his executions...that they be...that they are...a...thing for the public…. That is...by wishing you to attend a form of entertainment...he wishes you to…to attend the execution…." He swallowed. "Therefore...as his...as the Shah's assassin...Erik is to...to perform...the execution...himself…."
"And that is why you did not wish to tell me?" she guessed.
He nodded.
She walked over and sat next to him. "So, what will the Shah be expecting of me once I arrive?"
"You would prefer to go along with the invitation? You do not have to. There is a supply of dangerous herbs in Erik's stores, and if a small portion of one was to accidentally make its way into your tea, no one would be the wiser…."
She glanced at the untouched cup. "Did you…?"
"If I had, then it would be a very small amount-nothing harmful," he reassured. "Though it would seem that the Shah's own personal assassin is unable to poison Adellade Destler." He gave a bow and grinned. "How does she do such a thing? Outwit the men she meets? Outsmart the greatest assassins in all the land? Why! I should go right to the Shah and tell him that I have been bested by the great Adellade Destler herself! No man is worthy of her, and no soul is free from her entrancement!"
"Erik!" She blushed and giggled, wrapping her arms around him as she did.
"And what are you to do?" Erik asked.
"Sit with the Shah and respond to his questions," she replied. "Must I wear this?"
"This is the Shah, Adellade," Nadir pointed out. "Not some wealthy French aristocrat."
Erik shot him a look. "What he means is that you must dress as the Shah would wish."
She nodded. "If you say so."
"And how are you to respond to his questions?"
"As if Erik and I were lovers."
"Less lovers, more master and servant," Nadir corrected. "You are the Shah's gift-that does not mean that he has taken a liking to you."
"And you would know," Erik muttered under his breath. "What are you to do after?"
"Find Nadir and return straight here to wait for you."
He nodded and walked over to her, gently kissing the top of her head. "You will be fine, Adellade. Do as we have instructed, and everything will go without a problem."
"Truthfully: I'm more concerned about you." She looked at him. "Promise me you won't get hurt? That you'll be careful?"
He took her hand in his and squeezed it. "I'll see you at nightfall-that is a promise."
She took her seat amongst the Shah's court, nervously smoothing out her thin skirts. She could see the arena below them, the high walls, the dirt floor…. She breathed a sigh of relief, seeing Nadir take his place a seat behind her as the Shah, his mother, and harem took their seats..
"What do you make of things?" the Shah asked.
"Persia is certainly most intriguing," she replied, thankful that Erik and Nadir had supplied her instruction in Persian within a few short weeks.
"Hm…." He pursed his lips together in a frown. "I almost regret giving you away, now that I see your face in a better light…. You are indeed a most pretty little thing….."
"I would honor you so," she began, "only he ordered me to grace him in his chambers after this is over. It would be so rude of me to disappoint him."
"Then perhaps another night. My Angel of Doom: he is most intriguing, isn't he? Tell me what you have learned of him."
"Nothing much." If I were to tell you, then what would you plan to do with Erik?
"You have been in his company for several months now and you know very little about him?"
"He prefers to keep his distance, only speaking to me to request one thing or another."
"I see he has instructed you in Persian. Would he not prefer his native language?"
"He taught me simply so I would not create a problem for him. I once misread the labels on his herbs, and brewed the wrong tea for him-he was so furious for that one mistake...believed I was attempting to poison him, can you imagine?" More like he was furious at me for almost killing myself…. No. Master and servant. It's better if I lie to the Shah to make him believe that all Erik sees me as is a serving girl….
He chuckled, seemingly amused with her.
A gong sounded and she returned her attention to the arena. Erik entered and gave a bow to the crowd, much to roarious applause. Another man was dragged forward in chains, which were then unlocked, much to everyone else's disapproval.
"And now the warriors shall select their weapons with which to do battle!" a man announced.
The man approached the cart quickly and grabbed the sword and shield, holding them high above his head to claim them.
"What of him?" she replied, glancing toward Erik as he eyed the weapons laid out before him.
"All part of his trick," Nadir whispered, leaning forward. "This is entertainment, after all."
"What are you whispering about?" the Shah demanded.
"Apologies," he muttered.
"It was my own fault," she lied. "I simply did not understand what was going on, and the man here was kind enough to explain things to me."
"Well, first they choose their weapons to do battle with!" the Shah exclaimed.
"Oooh! Which one do you think he'll choose this time?" one of the girls squealed.
"You know which one he chooses!"
"But it could be something different this time!"
She watched as Erik reached out and took a sword from the cart. Her eyes narrowed as he also made for the red lasso, holding them both over his head.
They turned to face each other, the man grinning at his obvious success. She sighed, hoping that Erik hadn't made the wrong choice.
"You think you can best me with that sword and rope?" the man taunted. "I shall win my freedom, take your head, and all of your women!"
"Then you ought to know that I only have one," he declared. "And you will certainly have to best me in order to claim her."
"I intend to."
The man lunged forward and Erik parried with his sword, keeping himself light on his feet. She watched as the swords clashed together, the man trying to overpower him. He returned the attacks, making just the right move to avoid getting cut….
"Excellent sword skills, wouldn't you say?" the Shah asked her.
She shrugged. "I wouldn't know."
The crowd let out a gasp as the man overpowered Erik, knocking him to the ground with the shield, the sword landing out of his reach. Adellade stiffened. You promised, Erik. You promised you wouldn't get hurt...that you'd be careful….
The man lowered the sword, holding the blade at Erik's throat. "And now for you to die, so-called assassin!"
"You forget…." A flash of red flew from his hand and the man spun around, coughing and gagging as a noose tightened around his neck. "...I still have another weapon to use."
She released a sigh of relief as he dragged the man before the Shah.
"Finish him," the Shah instructed.
Erik gave a bow and turned to face the man, tightening the noose as he died. The crowd got to their feet and applauded.
She turned, feeling a hand on her shoulder as Nadir stood. "Come. The Angel of Doom has provided me with strict instructions to escort you back to his chambers, and I would not wish to face his lasso, would you?"
He led her away from the Shah and back to the palace. She bit her lip as they left, feeling the Shah's eyes on her every step of the way….