****
I don’t recall returning to the harem nor do I remember falling asleep. I only recall Sabba’s voice whispering to me, declarations of my beauty and promises of his own devotion.
He moved quickly, in one motion he had mounted and entered me. His thrusts were gentle at first but then as he grew more passionate, he could not control the movement of his hips. He cried out and as he did, he exploded inside of me.
“I will rest now beside you. We will speak of the sultan. There are truths for you to know. It will help you.”
I had already begun to imagine it was Gascoyne’s touch I felt. It helped—it was as though he was there, as though I had summoned him back to me.
CHAPTER 27
Sabba began by telling me of the Sultan’s father. “Mahmat the Great was a wise and clever ruler. His kingdom was at peace during his entire reign. That takes cleverness and sacrifice. But it also takes something else.”
He began to move around thoughtfully as he spoke. “He could be merciless when he had to be. Enemies had to be driven from the palace, most put to death for they could not be trusted. An enemy is an enemy after all. I served him until he died. I was younger than he was. When I arrived, there was a court official, Faisal who took me under his wing and taught me. Faisal was clever and ruthless. Some of his cruelty rubbed off I am afraid.”
Sabba realized he was drifting and he nodded. “But I want to speak of the young sultan. He is, as I told you, weak and easily led. I’m not a good man. I am scheming and untrustworthy. I use and abuse those I wish to...”
He stared at me long and hard. Then he smiled. “Yes, I am all those things but I am at least honest in my own self-perception. What I have to tell you, Justine is you will find the sultan seems caring. He isn’t cruel—he could be worse. Just know that there are others close to him, and know too he is often perceived as weak.”
He further confessed he worried about being poisoned. He was drunk by that time on honey wine. “It has always been my greatest addiction,” he smiled. “Aside from beautiful vampire wenches.”
Just before he left, he told me I would be summoned to the Great One’s presence. “Be as beautiful as you are for you cannot help being any other way. Remember what I have told you...” He kissed me almost chastely and left.
What a surprising character he was turning out to be. I no longer felt as strongly about him as I had. Was I right not to hate him, though I knew I should be wary and on my guard and never trust him or anyone else.
The twins left arm in arm to go to their own bed, giggling and chatting as they did. I wondered how Ramet fared. And yes, of course, I thought of Gascoyne and cried for him, for with each passing moment my belief that he no longer endured was even stronger. Still, I wondered if I could ever come to terms with it.
****
The music had stopped hours ago. Now it was time for us to rest. A servant came in, most cordially and announced the approach of dawn. Soon our bed chamber became as dark as any crypt I had ever reclined in. there were great shutters and blinds that were closed, ensuring there would be no light of any kind.
Then Kana and Loret, the two wenches, came to me to be comforted. They needed calming. They were fearful of everything. They were young, younger than I was when created and I felt for them. I reassured them as best I could.
“We must rest,” I said and so we did, each to our own bed—each thoughtful and fearful. Even I was fearful, who knew what awaited me tomorrow or the next day?
We rose at twilight but did not feed. Sabba had come to say we’d feed at a special gathering after court presentation. I thought he had a strange expression on his face when he said that. My mind started to turn every which way. Now I was again distrustful of him for I was wary of his motives.
Servants came to dress us. These were female servants. They were neither friendly nor hostile. They just went silently about their duties, fixing our hair and laying out silken robes for us.
I was dressed in an emerald silk kaftan trimmed with golden braid. One of the servants did smile and nod. I took that as her sign of approval. When Sabba came back he said I was more beautiful than a thousand Arabian nights. He spoke poetically, each word carefully chosen I thought, one more beautiful than another.
Kana and Loret were equally garbed as well. I helped fix their hair and they were pleased for I spoke with them as I did it.
“We are here and there is no choice. Let us see how it is. If we obey and earn respect and trust, surely that can only bode well for us.”
Sabba overheard and smiled his approval. “You are clever. The clever always survive.”
I said nothing. I was learning to stay my tongue.
Before we knew it, it was time to attend the sultan.
“His eminence will receive you.”
This was said by one of the court eunuchs. He wasn’t anything like Ramet. He was fat and old looking and not vampiric. He motioned for us to come along and we followed. But there was one thing to attend to first. We were to drink a potion.
I realized it was to drug us though I said nothing to my vampire sisters. I felt the drug begin to work almost at once. It was relaxing and I didn’t mind, in fact I was pleased. Good, I thought it would all go easier this way.
Sabba led us out into the hall. A brace of guards and eunuchs surrounded us. Sabba turned to smile encouragingly. Then he turned back again. I heard music in the distance. It was sweet sounding and gentle and I liked the sound it made and how it made me feel.
At last I saw a great hall. There was a throne and seated upon it was the most magnificently clothed personage I had ever beheld. He wore a turban and his apparel was so encrusted with jewels it was hard to look at him for each one seemed to catch the light.
A voice called out, “The new arrivals for your pleasure, Great One!”
There was a murmur of voices. Several of the human harem giggled and pointed but were quieted, shouted at really.
I at last got my first good look at him. He was handsome and young, almost pretty in his looks. He motioned for us to approach. Sabba bowed to him. The sultan looked at me. “Come,” he said. “I wish to see you.”
As I stepped closer, he smiled. “You are a vision.”
Sabba stepped forward and began to open my kaftan. “I want him to see you,” he whispered. With my nakedness revealed, the Sultan looked pleased.
“You will come to my apartments to feed. I should like to see you do that.”
Sabba answered for me then closed my kaftan. “She is yours always should you like her to be,” he said.
CHAPTER 28
His apartments, I could never have imagined anything more exquisite. The floors were marble, there were murals depicting court life with dancers and musicians as well as officials and servants. There were even representations done of concubines, vampiric and human.
The mural was throughout, there was one above his bed—showing all stages of love making, quite erotic it was.
He gestured for me to follow him. “The view is magnificent,” he said as I stepped onto a great balcony. The air smelled sweet and pungent from the flora and flowers.
“All are quite safe from prying eyes here,” Sabba said. Yes, he had come with us. I was surprised by that but I soon realized the young sultan wished his favorite servant to be with him for he was as Sabba had described, unsure of himself—almost timid I thought.
It was Sabba who arranged for my feed to be brought. I heard him whispering to the eunuchs. They bowed and scraped and hurried away.
While we waited, Sabba spoke, directing much of what he said to the sultan. “She knows about those of the blood cult, how their loyalty knows no bounds. Their only joy in life is to be fed upon.”
The sultan smiled. “Yes, truly. It is the most amazing thing. I have always thought so. Of course this cult is not that old...” He smiled. “Vampires have their own allure and none more so than the female. Tell me my beauty, have you been one long?”
Sabba looked
pleased with his master. I knew he wished me to answer the sultan so I did. I told my tale then, telling him everything—recounting my birth in France and my living life there, as well as the attack by Rogue vampires which ended it.
He looked fascinated. “So that is what did it. You were brought back.”
I began to cry. Sabba was watching me. I knew he didn’t want me to mention Gascoyne so I did not.
“Yes, I was raised.”
He looked fascinated. “Yes, I know of that. I know the dead can be raised by another vampire, a being called a creator. That is most interesting. And truly, it is interesting that a human being can also be turned...so as to become a vampire even before death!”
I agreed.
“Fascinating. I am always seeking to learn more. Perhaps you will be my teacher.”
I smiled as politely as I could but I could not help thinking why me? Weren’t others sharing their knowledge like the twins?
“We have many engagements at the palace, a great deal of entertaining of locals and foreign heads of state. There is always room for one such as you, my lovely. You grace this palace with your beauty and exotic allure. I would be pleased if you would accept my offer of being my companion—mistress to your sultan.”
This I was not expecting and I swallowed hard. “But Great One...”
He raised a slender hand as if to ward off protest. “Please,” he smiled. “I insist.”
Sabba began rubbing his hands and complimenting his master’s taste. “Oh sire yes! She is perfection. There is none more beautiful than Justine...!
The sultan looked pleased. “I do have a request, although your name is beautiful, I should be greatly pleased if you would accept another name, one that is more suitable to you. I wish you to take this name willingly and in the spirit it is suggested. From now on I wish you to be known as Lela, which means ‘born at night’.”
I began to cry. I didn’t wish to give up my name. It was silly of me being what I was. Yet, my name was the only thing I retained from my living life. To relinquish it was difficult.
Sabba caught my eye and I saw he wished me to obey. “Very well,” I said, bowing before the young ruler. “I am Lela from this moment on...”
“Good. And now I will give you something.”
I didn’t expect him to go to the balcony. When he returned, he was carrying a white flower. “This is a lotus for you. The white is for the purity of my friendship.” He put it in my hair. “Tomorrow I will give you a red lotus for it will symbolize the passion we will share...for tonight you will be mine to do with as I wish.”
I didn’t know how I felt at first, although I did not betray my emotions. Gascoyne was gone—of that I was certain. I would always belong to him for there was a bond that would never come apart. Not one piece of my love would be diminished. I decided to turn myself off. Yes, I would go along with the sultan. I didn’t wish for Ramet to be punished. I felt certain Sabba could easily take out his frustration on him.
You have no heart anyway, Justine—I thought. So it will not be difficult. It will just be tolerated. Could I do it? I was certain I could.
****
I rested in my quarters—dismissing any sort of regret or indecision I may have felt. I had made up my mind hadn’t I? Sleep came quickly and so did my dreams. I dreamt of Gascoyne. I saw him wave to me. I don’t recall anything after that, just waking up to find a servant there to help me dress.
She laid out different beautiful garments one more attractive than another. She looked pleased to serve me and I smiled. She bowed when I did.
When all preparations were completed, I was taken to the throne room. There I was met by the sultan’s personal guard. He motioned for me to step inside.
I watched my feet moving across the white marble floors. My golden slippers glided—as I did. I felt I was in a dream, not an unpleasant one oddly enough.
This night was to be full of passion and feeding. I was to find many things out about the sultan. The first of which was his desire to watch me feed.
One of those of the cult was brought in, a young, robust man who knelt before me. The sultan nodded for me to begin to feed. I sank my teeth into the man’s flesh. How sweet the blood tasted. It tasted of wine and honey. As always, I saw images of a life lived—glimpses of people and events, a childhood and parents and people I imagined to be family.
When the man’s skin began to cool I pulled away. “I cannot feed beyond this point.”
The sultan looked disappointed. “Drain him Lela ... drain him, for I wish to see it.”
I did though I didn’t wish to. When the man lay white with death, Sabba had the poor corpse taken away.
“Do whatever he wishes,” he whispered. “You have been accorded a great honor. Even I did not expect it. Not so soon!”
When we were alone, I was led to the sultan’s bed. There he would take me. He pleasured me even before he had me do it to him. I am certain I cried out, as I had not enjoyed this beyond Gascoyne.
Gascoyne, I thought. I betray you. And then—as if he were there, I heard a voice inside my head, “You cannot betray me, for I am no more!”
Ali moved over me like a hot wind. His passion was great—and he smiled and told me how precious I was to him. After we made love, he asked that I take him in my mouth to feed.
Did he know what I could do, I thought. He must. I did as he asked but I fed gently, just tiny nibbles. I soon felt his blood upon my tongue, it tasted sweet but there was not enough taken to see images of his life. He cried out his joy, his words flooding the room, along with promises of love and devotion. I was assured I’d have a place in his heart above all others.
I wept. He said my tears touched his heart. “Why do you weep?” he asked. Then he smiled. “If it is for another lover, I would have you forget him.”
I felt I could not do that, but then he told me he was going to impart the greatest truth about himself. He began by telling me of his childhood, of his brothers and sisters, most of whom were dead. He told me of his fears and his sadness. Then he told me something I could never have expected to hear.
His voice was soft—and full of passion. “My mother,” he said. “Was a vampire... she was attacked in the way you were. She did not seek it. It sought her. I was ten years of age when it happened and not much older when my father had her destroyed for it. I will miss her until the day I die. I tell you this because I wish to know you better.”
CHAPTER 29
I was shocked by the confession as I never expected it. Sabba would have a lot of explaining to do. How could he have omitted such a thing? It explained so much. I certainly felt better able to understand the young sultan. I felt there was a bond now, a shared tragic tie. Could I ever feel about him as I did about Gascoyne, I thought not. I would always miss Gascoyne, that I knew. What I felt for him was as close to human love as it could have been. And I do believe his feelings were the same. Still he was gone.
Ramet wished me to have hope and I understood the reasons for that, but I didn’t have any. I was without hope, in the midst of grief. Yes, a vampire’s grief. What would happen, I didn’t know. Or did I, if I am honest?
In retrospect, I am certain I wanted to fill the terrible emptiness I felt. That can be my only explanation for what I did.
Here I was, in a strange country. My one anchor was Ramet. At the worst I was despised, at best tolerated or used by the ambitious and amoral Sabba for his own reasons. Yet, there was one that wished to know me better, the sultan—who was himself touched by tragedy.
Was it possible he was falling in love with me? How could I think such a thing?
He was watching me. “You looked a million miles away, were you?”
“I was deep in thought, yes...”
“It is nearly daybreak,” he said. “You must go back to your shadows.”
Normally I might have found that to be a cutting remark, but I didn’t now because it was true and I was beginning to trust him. We parted but before we did, he gav
e me the red lotus. How sweet it smelled. It was like beautiful sin I thought, something pleasing to the eye but cursed just the same.
I didn’t see Sabba in the hall, instead I saw Ramet. He was with two eunuchs. They did not look threatening but appeared, though they were not vampiric, to trust Ramet. “I am so glad to see you!” he said. “I have been worried.”
“Ramet, my friend, I have found out some amazing things, we will need to speak when possible.” He nodded and we parted. When I came to the chamber, I found all I wished to do was crawl into my bed and sleep. My eyes began to close before I even lay down. It was time to sleep—time to dream too I imagined.
I did dream of Gascoyne, I saw his face and his eyes. I felt his touch and his lovemaking but then he turned into Ali. How real it was. I felt his lips on mine!
Although I can’t be certain, I did feel myself wake at one point. I thought I saw him standing over me, his voice like a song in the shadows. “Lela, my love...do not leave me...I am so alone.”
I sat up and when I did, I woke myself. You are dreaming I thought, there is nothing strange, the sultan is not here. But then I thought I saw something move in the shadows. And I smiled. Something magical felt to be happening.
When I woke I greeted Sabba. He looked as though he was worried. I felt in such a position I was able to ask him questions. “Sabba,” I said. “I know about the sultan’s mother...”
The sentence just hung there as I waited for him to complete it. He did quickly, never one to be at a loss for words.
“My darling girl. I am a servant—I do what I must. I court favor where I can. There are enemies seen and unseen, known and unknown. Sabba can fall easily and who knows what a terrible death or imprisonment it can mean?”
I felt him to be a coward and I knew I would never be able to trust him. Not that I had—I just knew things would be different. For one thing I would never let him touch me. If I had to, I’d plead with the sultan to banish him from me.
He saw the lotus and he smiled. “He has had you...”
“He has and he has liked it as I have.”
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