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Mehmet rocked toward him, thriving on the sexual power she had over him, using him while her mind flitted on. “She's nothing but a chattel,” she declared.
"Nothing but a chattel,” Sibias repeated, his fingers moving inside her, sliding easily in and out of her damp channel. His entire soul seemed to thrive on being her servant in this most intimate act, while plotting her aggrandizement.
"And what do we do with chattels?"
"Use them and cast them aside?” His voice was ragged with need, his eyes rolling with black lust.
"You are very good for me, Sibias,” she sighed. “I did miss you."
With practiced hands Sibias stroked her flesh, his body shuddering with torturous restraint as he contained his own desires, in order to prostrate himself to hers. “I promise you she will burn in the fires of Hurda's temple."
"Yes,” she encouraged, her pleasure soaring. “After her birthright has become mine, the memory of her sorry screams will lull us to sleep at night.” Gratification throbbed inside her, a huge rising wave of power, a symbol of the power that she craved.
"Soon, Sibias, very soon."
She threw herself back in the chair, tearing her gown up to her waist, riding his hand with abandon until she roared with pleasure.
Chapter Nine
The chamber to which Elishiba was taken was gloomy and small. It had no balcony, and only a very small gap in the wall let in light and air. She looked around with a wry smile. It was a prison. A cell. Behind her Yoshi grunted disparagingly as she entered the room. Elishiba glanced over her shoulder and nodded to her.
As she took stock of their quarters, she thought back to her old friends Basim and Fahima, and their humble hospitality. It wasn't that she desired a festive welcome. No. In fact she wanted to be beyond that point and moving ahead with negotiations. What surprised her was that Mehmet had not taken the opportunity to exhibit their wealth and power, as Sibias had done in Suzin when he presented her gifts and made such a big show of it. Maybe now that Mehmet had them ensconced in the city, she didn't feel it necessary to bother with such formalities. Or maybe she had cancelled any such plans after their initial meeting. She had definitely been irritated by Elishiba's approach. Maybe she was expecting a simpering maiden. Elishiba now knew for certain it was indeed Mehmet who was in control. Everything they heard on the subject was true. Mehmet was the true ruler here. Amshazar had prepared her well.
The thought of him made her smile. She hadn't been able to face her doubts about him on the journey that day, but now she felt his power funneling into her from somewhere beyond these walls.
These walls. Her cell. There wasn't even a balcony. She glanced around, her suspicion rising. At the very top of the room, dimples in the frieze around the wall appeared at regular intervals. They were placed as if part of the design, but it was obvious to Elishiba that they were peepholes and she was being watched. She felt it at every turn.
She strode into the center of the chamber and put her hands on her hips, then looked over at Yoshi, rolling her eyes up. Yoshi nodded to indicate she understood, glancing away.
Elishiba smiled at the serving woman who had seen them in, a tall, lean black-skinned woman, extraordinarily beautiful and yet cowed in her servitude. “Please inform your mistress I cannot rest in a chamber without a balcony."
The woman's soft brown eyes rounded in disbelief. She obviously didn't want to pass that message. They truly did keep their servants in a state of fear, Elishiba reflected. Everyone she had seen so far had haunted eyes. “Tell her the Empress Elishiba said this,” she added, encouraging the woman on her way.
The woman paused a moment longer, unsure, then nodded her head and left. Elishiba noticed two guards flanked the door, spears crossed against the entrance. She had the feeling they would bar her exit should she try to leave.
Yoshi shuddered as she looked about. “The Empress Mehmet is a harridan, a she-viper."
"Yes,” Elishiba mused, toying with the soft furnishings on the mattress. She felt strangely empowered, despite the situation, and saw that Yoshi was the same. Now that the journey was over, her seer bristled with proud indignity. “Somehow, it makes it so much easier to dislike her."
"Indeed,” Yoshi chuckled. “I think you annoyed her with your introduction, Mistress."
"That I did. She refused to negotiate as a result, perhaps. But I will force the issue on the morrow."
"What of your betrothed?” Yoshi wore a mischievous expression.
Elishiba couldn't help smiling. “I was taken by surprise on that account, I must admit. I confess I thought he was the palace jester."
Yoshi folded her arms over her ample
bosom. “There is a jest here, although I'm quite sure the she-viper intended it to be on you."
"She will have to try harder,” Elishiba responded, taking a cautious seat at a padded bench set on one side of a carved ebony table. She looked at Yoshi with curiosity. She had not made any predictions for some time. “Have you had any visions you wish to share, my seer?"
"My vision is obscured by a dark cloud on the horizon,” Yoshi stated, simply, eyeing the frieze in the wall. “But I have faith you will overcome it.” She gave Elishiba a weak smile and then averted her eyes.
Elishiba was about to quiz her on it, when she realized it might be better not to know more, and that Yoshi felt that too. “Thank you for your faith, Yoshi. I hope I can do it justice. Now come and sit down, I have no doubt the Empress Mehmet will keep us waiting for some time."
"Where are the others?” Elishiba whispered in a low voice to avoid being overheard, when they were either side of the table.
