The Kadin - Bertrice Small [55]
That evening Cyra took particular pains with her appearance. She had had the sea-green brocade Selim had sent her made into a pelisse which she wore over trousers and a bodice made from the golden silk gauze which he had also presented to her. She was still as slender as ever; only a slight swelling of her belly betrayed her condition.
Around her neck she clasped the gold-and-turquoise necklace, and she fastened the matching earrings into her earlobes. Her hair was arranged in the fashion Selim loved best—parted in the center and divided into two pieces, each held by a silver ribbon, one streaming down her back and the other falling over her right breast
When the appointed hour arrived, she climbed into the familiar litter and was borne through the palace to Selim’s apartments. As she hurried in, the slaves smiled broadly at the beautiful ikbal’s impatience to be with their lord. Selim came forward to greet her.
“I have missed you, heart of my heart”
“And I you, my lord. Did you hunt or was it another trip to Constantinople?”
“Cyra, what do you know of my trips to the city?” His fingers squeezed her hand cruelly.
“My lord, you are hurting me. It is enough that I tell you I know that one day you will be sultan.”
He released her hand. “How did you come to learn this?”
“From Hadji Bey, my lord. We have all known since the beginning.”
“What beginning? Who is we?”
“Zuleika, Firousi, and I. The night before we arrived in Constantinople, Hadji Bey explained the whole situation to us and told us of the plans to make you sultan one day. Did you think it was an oversight that your father never saw us among his gediklis? We were deliberately bidden from his sight so you might choose us. Your mother planned it that way. She sent Hadji Bey to find three maidens of intelligence and beauty who he felt would be of help to you as your kadins. We were the fortunate ones chosen.”
“So,” said Selim grimly, “you and your friends were bought with the promise of riches and power.”
She turned on him, her green eyes blazing with anger. “Yes, we were bought, my lord Selim. But not by promises of any kind,-just gold. And each of us has stood naked in our shame before a crowd of leering creatures who dare to call themselves men. Some even had the audacity to demand proof of our virginity! Did Firousi ask to be torn from her bridegroom at their wedding feast? And Zuleika, destined to be the wife of the shall—did she ask to be betrayed by a common concubine and sold on the block in Baghdad? And what of my betrothed, Rudolfo di San Lorenzo? Did either he or I expect I should end like this? It was our fate and the will of Allah that this should come to pass. Do you dare to question the will of Allah? And do you dare accuse us of selling ourselves? Had we not loved you on sight, my lord, we could have betrayed you at any time!”
Selim stared in amazement at the outraged girl. He knew she had a temper, but her outburst surprised him. “So, my ‘Flame’ is truly fiery. And how could you have betrayed me?” His tone was amused and conciliatory.
“By sending word to Lady Besma. She would pay a fortune for proof of your treachery against her son.”
“And just how could that be done?” His tone was less conciliatory.
“Through one of her spies, my dear lord. Our palace has several.”
“What?” His face showed his incredulity. “How do you know this? Who are they?”
“Only Hadji Bey and Lady Refet know who they are.”
“I shall go to the agha tomorrow and demand the names of those who spy on me and my household. Then I shall eliminate them!”
“My lord, you are a child! If Hadji Bey did not allow Besma to place a few of her spies in our palace, she would become suspicious and wonder why. We cannot permit it All would be lost and you could easily lose your life.” She laughed softly. “How unskilled you are in the devices of women.”
He turned angrily and found himself staring into green eyes brimming with mischief. Cyra was not one to hold a grudge and had already forgiven his suspicions of