by Megan Derr
"I hope you're able to learn something," Kitt said. He cupped Haluk's face, dragging him down into a hard, quick kiss. Drawing back, he blew a kiss at Demir. "Happy hunting. I will see you here at the fourth bell, unless I seek you out sooner."
He darted off, leaving Demir and Haluk on the hill, gone from sight almost immediately. "I find it hard to believe, if I may say, that he was in a prison camp for a prolonged period."
"He chose to stay," Haluk said quietly. "He's never admitted it, but we're not fools. Kitt could have left whenever he wanted, could have even snuck Ihsan out with him, once Ihsan was healed enough to travel. But Ihsan was determined to save everyone, as he usually is, and Kitt remained with him. Nobody was more surprised than Kitt when he agreed to become one of Ihsan's concubines. But I've never seen him happier." He smiled briefly. "I remember Moon Orchid. Before I was assigned to protect Ihsan, I trained with the man assigned to guard Lady Tya, and she visited Moon Orchid at least once a week, often twice."
Demir nodded. "Lady Tya is a favorite patron, yes."
Haluk chuckled as he finally started walking, leading the way down the hill, moving confidently despite the dark. "It must be interesting, knowing the sexual proclivities of nearly everyone in the palace."
"It is an honor to be trusted with information that could, apparently, get men killed," Demir said quietly. "I wish we had been able to save him."
"He almost killed you," Haluk said. "Whatever his reasons, no matter how justified his actions seemed, he had no right to hurt people who did him no wrong. His actions were as bad as the crime inflicted upon him."
Demir shrugged. "Perhaps, but how different would his actions have been if he had felt he had even a single ally to turn to?"
"You are too kind, but you always have been. You're as bad as Ihsan."
Demir frowned. "What do you mean?"
Haluk laughed but did not reply as they reached the city and passed by the city guards at the gate. During the day, the pavilion beyond would be teeming with people speaking more languages and dialects than could be counted. Beyond the pavilion was a row of cafés, restaurants, and inns. Beyond that was the heart of Tavala and Tavamara: the Market of One Thousand Desires, though Tavamarans simply called it 'the market' and the rest of the world called it 'the great bazaar' or the 'great market of Tavamara'.
One thousand was actually a vast understatement, though when it had first opened it had, of course, been more like wishful thinking. It was the market that had slowly but surely turned Tavamara from a quiet, almost destitute nation into the second most powerful country in the world. Even their worst enemies sought to trade at the famous market, and the wealth of Tavamara was made in trade.
The night market brought in no small measure of that wealth, offering sexual devices and products of every sort. It was also where a great deal of gambling and fighting took place, though much of it was not strictly legal. So long as taxes were paid, and nobody was enslaved or harmed without consent, the crown tended to leave well enough alone. The open stalls all had a green-glass lantern hanging out front. Vendors spoke with their customers in soft, discreet tones; many people wore masks or other coverings to obscure their features.
Demir had been enthralled his first visit, annoyed that his mother would not let him explore alone. But much of the market was dangerous, and despite the measures the crown did take, people still occasionally went missing, shoved onto ships never to be seen or heard from again.
They cut through the market to reach the rows of buildings that were filled with high-end brothels, expensive inns and restaurants, and the kinds of shops that did a brisk business catering to the clientele that frequented those streets. Demir stopped in front of an enormous, white stone building that seemed to glow in the moonlight and was fronted by a purple door painted with gleaming silver and gold orchids. There were not many places allowed to use orchids, the flower of the royal harems. That the Moon Orchid did spoke of its long association with the crown, and Demir knew of many who were bitterly disappointed they were not granted membership.
He knocked on the front door and smiled at the young woman who opened it. "Fair evening, miss."
"Fair evening, my lord," she replied, bowing low as she moved aside so they could enter. "Mistress is waiting for you in the violet dining room."
Demir kissed her cheek as she rose, fingers resting briefly on her arm. "You look as though you are doing well, I am happy to say."
"Yes, my lord." She smiled shyly. "My gratitude is eternal."
"That is not necessary. Peace on your evening." He motioned for Haluk to follow him, leading the way to the back of the house where many rooms had been allocated as dining room and parlors. All the pleasure rooms were upstairs, minus a few specialized ones in the downstairs areas of the west and east wings. Rooms Demir had not visited for some time, save to make certain those he'd brought to them were comfortable and happy.
He rapped quietly on the door to the violet dining room, opening it when he heard Lady Shamir's gruff voice bid them enter. She rose as he closed the door behind them, as beautiful at seventy as she had been at fifty when they'd first met and she'd overseen his training at Moon Orchid. "Demir, it's been too long."
"I am sorry, Lady," he replied and kissed both her cheeks. "It is difficult for me to leave the palace these days. You look well."
"As do you, thankfully. And you've brought a bodyguard along this time? My word."
Demir smiled and beckoned Haluk forward. "I brought a friend. This is Lord Haluk. My lord, this is Lady Shamir, Mistress of the House of the Moon Orchid."
She looked Haluk up and down, mouth quirking. "You’re a soldier, or I'm a priestess."
Haluk laughed and bowed. "I am indeed a soldier, my lady. It's an honor to meet you."
"It is always a pleasure to meet one of the precious few Demir calls friend. Sit, please. What is this matter of grave concern that brings you to see me?" She sat down and poured a measure of blood-red wine into a pink porcelain wine dish, motioning for them to help themselves to it or the pale blue wine also on the tray in the middle of the small table.
Demir poured for himself and Haluk, taking a sip of the dry, blue wine before finally saying, "A man was murdered recently because he tried to lash out against his blackmailer. We believe it was what he did here that was used to blackmail him."
Shamir's mouth tightened, pale green eyes losing all their warmth. "If that is true, then whoever shared the information may very well be joining the list of the dead. Who was killed?"
"Lord Arda."
"That is unfortunate. He was a good man, for a noble and councilor," Shamir replied. "Given his position, I always made certain that only my people serviced him. He never mingled with other like-minded guests. He paid handsomely and gladly for it. All involved are some of my most trusted. I find it hard to believe they would sell the information, but I have been betrayed before."
"There is no chance another guest might have seen him and somehow deduced what he did here?"
"That shouldn't have happened, but mistakes are made," Shamir conceded reluctantly. "I will certainly find out how that information was shared and make certain it does not happen again. Cold comfort for a dead man."
"But it may save another," Demir said. "I am sorry to have brought this trouble to your fine home."
Shamir shook her head. "I am sorry you had to bring such a terrible matter to me. If you will excuse me, I will go and begin the investigation now. I will send someone with food." She rose and left through a small door at the back of the room, closing it with a soft click behind her.
"Do you think this is where the secret was most likely discovered? Not at the third house where he might have gone without telling you?"
"This is the place he most frequented," Demir replied. "The others he visited in the company of friends, indulged less difficult desires. This is the place where he got what he needed, where someone would have seen what they used to blackmail him."
"You sound a
larmingly familiar with all of this."
Demir nodded, took another sip of wine, and refilled his dish. "I am used to the intrigues and machinations of court. All of this…" he lifted his other hand and waved it about, "is not uncommon. Usually it is much more minor, but Lord Arda is not the first to be blackmailed over his sexual proclivities—not even the first I have encountered. Normally it ends in some embarrassment, perhaps a strained marriage or divorce, but not murder."
"How many secrets do you know?" Haluk asked. "It sounds as though you could blackmail every last person in the palace."
"I prefer being trusted to being feared." Demir took another sip of wine, then set the dish down, traced the edge of it with one finger. "I think sometimes that is the true reason the Steward professes an interest in me. If he had me legally bound and under his control, he thinks he would be able to take my secrets from me."
Haluk's mouth turned down, fingers curling into a fist on the table, relaxing only with visible effort. "Bulut has always watched you, from what I remember, though I never knew he did more than watch. Many watch you, my lord." He looked up, catching Demir's eyes, then dropped his gaze again.
Something in Demir's chest tightened. He had thought before that he had seen something when Haluk looked at him but had assumed he was mistaken. He must be mistaken—why would Haluk feel anything at all for him?
"It used to anger me that people would stare so openly, so disrespectfully, but I admit I have not always been much better." Haluk's mouth curved in a faint smile. "Though no one is less subtle in their admiration of you than Kitt."
A storm was more subtle than Kitt, but only because Kitt chose to be unsubtle. "I admire his directness, and I know enough of Rittu to know that he means no insult. Rittu has the same respect and regard for concubines as Tavamara, so I take no offense from his words and actions."
"All the same, it is not much of a lie to say he requires training on that point," Haluk said wryly.
Demir laughed. "He doesn't need training, only motivation. I think—" he stopped as the door opened and turned to greet a servant bearing food.
The young man set out two trays of food, then left and returned with another filled with more wine. Bowing himself out, he left them to dine.
After nearly two hours had passed Shamir returned, dragging in a sobbing young woman by her hair. Shamir motioned for them to stand, and once they had, threw the woman at their feet. "Tell them what you did."
Between sobs and sniffles, the young woman said, "A man, a foreigner, paid me twenty-five marks to tell him what Lord Arda did here."
Twenty-five marks was an almost obscene amount of money. That was enough for her to live comfortably without working for a long time. "Who was the man? Did he come here? Did you meet him somewhere else?" Demir knelt in front of her. "Tell us everything you can, please."
She sniffled and nodded. "I'm sorry, we needed the money. He came here once, hired me for the night. I thought I was finally gaining a reputation, you know? That I was asked for by name. But he knew how badly I needed the money. Told me to figure out what Lord Arda liked, gave me a third of the money. I figured out his secret and met the man in a little room close to the harbor. The Gold & Silver, across from the fisherman's guild. Room six. I didn't know. I thought it was just political games that nobles play." She started crying again, tears and snot smearing her face. "I didn't know he'd die."
"Trust is precious," Demir said. "Betraying those who trust you always brings harm. You are not to blame for Lord Arda's death; only his murderer is to blame for that. But remember that he died the next time you think to betray." He rose, reached into the pouch at his waist, and handed Shamir two quarter marks, the silver gleaming in the low light. "Thank you, Shamir. Peace upon your home."
"Merciful Divine guard your steps," Shamir replied and kissed the corner of his mouth.
"If a man, a Rittuen, comes looking for me, tell him where we have gone, if you please, my lady," Demir said, and kissed her cheek when she nodded.
"Be careful." Shamir looked at Haluk. "Soldier, take care of him."
"With my life, Lady," Haluk replied. She nodded approvingly then bent to speak with the still-crying woman.
Demir led the way out of the house, bemused by the woman's information and Haluk's declaration. On the street, he pulled his wrap up over his head again, shivering slightly in the air, which was cold enough to mist his breath. "You are not here to be my bodyguard, Lord Haluk. His Highness would be furious if you were harmed protecting me."
"He would be furious if I let you come to harm," Haluk replied. He gave Demir a small grin, amused and faintly boyish. "You have been trained to be the most breathtaking man in the palace, my lord. I have been trained to keep people safe. Trust me to my work."
"As you say," Demir conceded, bowing slightly. "Shall we head to the harbor?"
"Speaking of keeping people safe," Haluk said with a sigh. "I will take the lead, if you do not mind terribly."
Demir grinned briefly. "Given the dressing down I just received, I do not think my minding would stop you."
"As you say," Haluk replied with a laugh. He lingered a moment longer, a strange beat of hesitation, going still as though some movement had been aborted. Then he turned sharply away and left Moon Orchid behind, Demir a few paces behind him.
There was no reason for Demir's heartbeat to have increased, but his heart thudded rapidly in his chest all the same. If he was not mistaken, Haluk had nearly stepped in to kiss him. Combined with his earlier comments, that look he had briefly given Demir…
Demir was used to people looking at him with lust, to the point he was largely inured. Haluk's looks seemed to run deeper than that, though how deep Demir could not speculate. How, he did not know; they barely knew each other. Haluk was six years his junior and had always been in the employ of the royal guard, most of that time spent as Ihsan's personal bodyguard. Combined with a five-year absence… Simple lust was the only thing that made a modicum of sense.
But it didn't ring true and left Demir feeling at a loss as to what to do. He could handle lustful gazing, or Kitt's brazen, playful flirting. Sincere affection was an entirely different problem, especially when the source of it was one of Prince Ihsan's concubines. And it wasn't as though Haluk was unappealing. If he was unattached, still only a bodyguard, Demir would have been drawn to him and likely accepted any offer made.
Leaving the wealthy district behind, they moved quickly through the poorer distracts, slowing only when they reached the rough area around the harbor. Demir saw a few shadows move, heard snatches of furtive conversation, the odd grunt and smack of flesh from fights or drunks being thrown out of bars.
As they turned a corner, he saw the bar they sought at the end of the street. "There it is." He started to walk faster, but faltered when he heard shouting and screaming followed by the sudden pounding of several sets of feet. He turned toward the source—then oofed as Haluk shoved him into a wall, grunting when his head knocked against rough stone.
Before he could draw breath to speak, a trio of men bolted past them, followed only a few beats later by a pack of furious guards, boots pounding, angry curses filling the night.
"What in the name of the Divine…" Demir said when the silence returned.
"Young, drunk men doing very stupid things, I would wager—to guards, at that. They will not find themselves very amusing when they wake up hung over and in stocks for the afternoon," Haluk said dryly. "My apologies for the rough treatment, my lord." He looked up, stared a beat too long.
They were close enough to kiss, and it was troubling that Demir was tempted. He looked away, shaking his head slightly. "No apology necessary. Thank you for getting me out of the way."
Haluk lingered a moment longer, then pushed away from the wall. Demir righted himself, and they continued down the street to the bar.
Ignoring the barkeeper, who after one glance seemed content to be ignored, they headed up the stairs at the back of the bar and down the dim-l
it hall to a dingy door marked with the number six. "It's ajar," Haluk said, frowning. "Stay here a moment." He pushed the creaky door open further, drawing his sword as he slipped inside.
A moment later Demir heard a sharp, exasperated curse. The door swung open wide, and Kitt grinned. "Hello, Demir."
"I cannot say I am surprised," Demir said, smiling briefly as he stepped inside. "What brought you here, my lord?"
Kitt closed the door, leaned against it, and folded his arms across his chest. "That conversation you overheard reminded me of too many others I've heard over the years, and they all come back to two things: Havarin and sex slaves. Do you know what a man of your skills and beauty would go for on the black market?"
Demir shook his head. "I cannot imagine anyone would dare take me; I would immediately be missed, and my understanding is that slave trading relies heavily on no one noticing the people they kidnap."
"Deaths can be faked, as you well know. I promise once someone in Havarin had you shackled they would do whatever it took to keep you," Kitt said quietly. "The Harem Master of Tavamara would cost enough sovereigns to fully fund a small country for a few years, I have absolutely no doubt."
"There is nothing that remarkable about me," Demir replied, shaking his head. "I am exceedingly well-trained, but anyone can be trained if they have the desire and patience. My skills are no more precious and rare than using a sword or playing an instrument. If the rest of the world thinks me valuable, it is only because they are exotifying me and Tavamara, and more the fools them."
"Be that as it may, you would be worth a lot. So too the royal concubines, especially if they became palace concubines, and there were so many they came and went too quickly for anyone to pay proper attention."