Author's Note:
I wish to extend a huge thank-you to voluptuary_manque for his help in constructing this chapter. He allowed me to include some of his work in my story so I could tie up some political strings. Thank-you VM! Also thank you to estragon, copy editor. Enjoy! ~ Red
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Excitement rolled through the women of the harem as word spread that several of them would be traveling with their Master and his mother. Hera was the most excited and all knew why. Her story, since coming into the harem of Ulvi, had spread, and the women all knew that she was once a favored lover of the Sultan, as well as mother to one of his daughters. Some women envied her, others did not.
Hera stood outside and stared at nothing in particular. Her arms were crossed under her breasts and for the most part she was ready to leave her Master's home. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the rare breeze that touched her face. Ulvi had gifted her beyond all hopes and dreams, and much sooner than she ever thought possible; she was going to be reunited with her daughter's husband, which meant one day she might see her daughter too.
Her Master had asked her for honesty; his request for her to speak truthfully to him had come after he told her of his desire to seek the counsel of their great leader. He spoke candidly about his fear of taking her to the Sultan's palace and losing her to him. When she felt the truth of his words wash over her, her heart skipped a beat. Ulvi cared more deeply for her than she ever hoped and her desire to be more than just another woman to warm his bed was growing heavy in her heart.
She had turned in his arms and told him most of what her heart demanded of her, leaving out her newfound love and adoration. Hera confessed that when she first bent to his will and the life expected of her, it was with the hopes she could gather enough gifts that could be used to buy her daughter's freedom. She realized, though, that no matter how sweet the gifts were, it would take more than those to free her child.
He agreed with her, but remained still as he listened to her confession.
Hera spoke of how she then thought to ask him to purchase Afsoon from Risay and Hera would convince her daughter to become a willing occupant of the harem, and teach her how to please Ulvi in all ways.
He had asked her if she still wished all of this. She told him that her true desire was to know her daughter was safe. The rest, she now accepted, was out of her hands. He had made love to her that night, showering her with caresses that seemed fit for a virgin bride than a concubine and mother.
A week later he called her to him, and showed her a missive that had been delivered earlier in the day. The words written upon the parchment was a letter of acceptance for a visit from Ulvi to the Sultan himself. Her former lover's seal rested at the bottom, under the sealed signature of some important official. Hera could not make out the name; her tears blinded the script.
Her Master had taken her words to heart and was going to seek out and try to find her daughter. Hera at that moment felt her heart tremble and knew she was falling in love with the man who would forever be her keeper...or at least she hoped.
Now she was faced with the knowledge that the Sultan could very well force her to stay with him. Hera did not want to; she turned and looked at the women in the harem. Though not all liked her, most did, especially Tulay, her best-friend. This was her home now, and though he kept all the ladies content and satisfied, she truly felt she was someone Ulvi, felt differently about. He was treating her with more respect every time they joined as man and woman.
She watched Tulay leave a group of women and come toward her. They greeted one another with a hug and Tulay kissed her cheek.
"Are you scared?" the woman asked.
Hera shook her head.
Tulay brushed back her hair. "It is a good sign. It shows that Master truly thinks highly of you. It is a gift he gives -- this visit. But it is also a test, a test to see if you are truly over your lust for the great Sultan."
Hera smiled. "I know what it means, and I am over my lust. I just pray that the Sultan is. I truly wish to remain here, by our Master's side, as well as yours. I wish to bow before the First Wife and thank her for the gifts she's given me."
Tulay frowned.
"What is it?" Hera asked her friend. She took her hand in hers and pulled her away from the prying eyes and ears of the other women. They sat down a bench. Hera held her friend's hand and waited for Tulay to share her troubles with her.
"I do not believe Master is going to choose me as first wife," Tulay admitted.
Hera's brows were brought together, furrowing her forehead. "Why do you say this?" she asked. "Master knows you are the one that taught me all I needed to please him, and you helped keep the jealousy of the others at bay. Why would you now think it was all for naught?"
"You know Karit," Tulay said.
"Of course, she is one of the oldest of all of us, and good friend to Master's mother."
Tulay nodded. "She and the Master's mother are very close and she was told to come to me and prepare me for the realities of life," Tulay said in a whisper.