by Mya Larose
“Do you have to go to the capital? Why?” she asked with a frown.
He kissed her forehead, “I want to declare our future nuptials to my father but especially to my dear mother. She’s going to love you!” he said with a sexy grin that always brought her down to her knees.
With a pout, “All right, then. How long will you be away?” she asked.
He scratched his goatee. “Well! If the weather is amiable with us and my affairs goes smoothly, I’ll be back in a week time, beloved,” he said as he planted a kiss against her lips.
“I will carry on with my lessons from Ali and Salim. I might even be able to speak couples of Turkish words to you,” she added with a wink.
Chapter 8
As they had trotted pass the Fountain of Sultan Ahmed III, named after his grandfather, at the square in front of the outer gate of Topkapı Palace, his soldiers and servant had filled up the terracotta urns with water for their long journey down to Izmir.
While he had waited, Suleyman surveyed his surroundings from the busy market place where peasants and traders bargained noisily to the children zigzagging from stand to stand along the dirty cobbled path.
As soon as the troop was ready they guided their horses and chariot out of Istanbul. As the sight of the traditional wooden houses leaning against the outer wall of Topkapı Palace grounds, Gülhane Park, disappeared, he had sighed in relief. He never liked the busy life of Istanbul. It was too noisy and the smell…Even if he had spent all his childhood in the capitol, he could never get used to the putrid smell.
“Adem?” Looking over his shoulder, Suleyman called for his servant.
“Yes, my Pasha! What can your loyal servant do for you?” he asked, and bowed his head without meeting his eyes.
Adem was the servant he chose to accompany him in his journey to Istanbul alongside his soldiers.
“Send my falcon with the message of our imminent arrival, please,” he ordered, and adjusted himself in his saddle.
He was actually feeling quite giddy even if all the bones in his body protested. They rode for an entire day from the capitol to Izmir. He couldn’t wait to see his beautiful Caucasian Kadin. Suleyman took the lead as the trail narrowed, nudging his stallion with a squeeze of his thighs. Ah! Just the thought of his beloved made his manhood come to life.
The reason of this journey had been to inform his father that he had found his Kadin and there would be a future wedding ahead. He shook his head with a tiny smile. Every time he had been given an audience with his father, his mother was always present. She would just sit at his father’s side or feet and stay quiet during the audience. However, when Suleyman had announced his future union, his mother had squealed and thrown herself into his arms.
When he was hugging his mother tightly within his arms, Suleyman had looked over to his father. He had rolled his eyes upwards and shook his head in resignation. His mother was his father’s favourite Kadin. She could get away with breaking every protocol and his father would just shake his head.
While he was counselling with his father’s vizier, Suleyman learned that his uncle, the Aga, was also in the capitol. It seemed that he came from Bursa to Istanbul at the same day Suleyman had arrived. He had kept a close eye on him during his sojourn.
He always confronted his dilemmas. Therefore, he had searched for his uncle all over the capitol. He had wanted to learn if his news has leaked to him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t locate him. On his last day, he had received a message from his uncle requiring an audience with him.
He had been sitting by his father’s side in the audience chamber when the soldiers had opened the doors and his uncle Mehmet walked in briskly.
“Great Sultan. May God give you a thousand lives.” He stooped to the Sultan.
“Great Pasha. May God give you a thousand lives.” He greeted his nephew but kept his eyes down.
Suleyman was on his guard that day. “Please, Uncle. Rise. Let me bow to my elder.” However, he simply nodded his head and never took his eyes from him.
“It’s a fine day, isn’t it, dear Nephew?” his uncle Mehmet drawled. Suleyman didn’t bother to answer him because knew what was coming.
“State your affairs, Mehmet,” his father ordered, and Suleyman could see him grinding his teeth.
“Yes, my Sultan. Tell me, dear Nephew, did I hear right that there will be a forthcoming wedding?”
Suleyman and his father looked at each other for a split second. His suspicions had been confirmed. There was a traitor within his father’s home and may God have pity on him the day he was found. He would make sure he was found.
“You have heard correctly, uncle,” he replied, keeping his facial expression neutral, without going into details.
“I find it strange that you have never referred to it before. Where did you hide your betrothed? Do we know her family?” Suleyman didn’t miss the accusation.
He remembered trying to come up with a perfect excuse about the presence of his precious Lara at his side. So he frowned and leaned closer to his uncle. “I had her sheltered the whole time until she was ready to stand by my side.”
He saw his uncle’s eyes narrow. “Well! So be it, my nephew.” He bowed his head. “I will come and visit your home soon then, and meet your bride.”
Suleyman grinned, but in reality he gritted his teeth. “My home is always open to my father’s beloved brother. And may God unite us again.” He nodded his head and dismissed his uncle.
* * * *
He sighed heavily and looked up at his falcon taking flight towards his domain. Something was bothering him, though. Yesterday, his uncle had backed down too easily.
Therefore, he knew that his visit would be soon. Suleyman wanted to be in his home before his uncle arrived. He didn’t trust him with Lara. His uncle was known to be a cruel womanizer. He was ruthless, dishonest, and a deadly enemy.
His conversation with his uncle had angered him that day, and he had taken his anger out on his slaves who were loading the cart, ordering them to move faster. Thank God he’d left Salim to protect his dwelling. If anyone dared to breach his walls and put their hands on his bride, Salim would give his life for Lara.
Ah! His fire-headed beauty. He had been blessed. He closed his eyes and recalled her scent, her flawless face, her sweet pussy filled with honey. He shifted slightly in his saddle, trying to relieve the ache in his manhood.
He held the reins firmly in his hands and began to canter. He couldn’t wait to see his brave and fierce beloved. He missed the warmth of her bosom as well as the creaminess of her thighs. When he was staying in the palace, he could’ve summoned several concubines to his doorstep, but none of them were his Lara.
The next morning of their first bedding, his servant Ali had entered his chamber as every morning. Suleyman had his back to the door and had Lara spooned within his embrace, so Ali didn’t notice the presence of his Kadin. As soon as he heard the noise of the door opening and closing, he threw the blanket over Lara’s naked body.
From now on, nobody was allowed to see her ankles, let alone her curvaceous body. In his father’s house, only the male family member could see the face of his mothers and sisters. Otherwise, guests and visitors weren’t allowed to see his women.
Two weeks had passed since he found his dream woman lying within his bedding. With her sweet nature and beautiful face, Lara won the heart of his loyal servant and his friend, Salim. They were the only ones who knew about Lara and how she came to be with them.
It reminded him that he had to praise his old eunuch, Ali and his friend for their support and secrecy.
After taking another deep breath, he pushed his horse to a gallop and looked around him. The air was cold and crisp. They ran along line of trees that began to thin on his left and came into a beautiful meadow that surrounded his place. Rising from the background were the foothills of Mount Yamanlar. The location of his home was thoroughly thought out and planned. He wanted a place where he could hunt and enjoy a clear view of h
is surroundings.
Mount Yamanlar offered them an endless stock of game, from bigger prey like mountain lions, wolves, deer, and bears, to smaller animals like rabbits and foxes. It was heaven on earth for him. He could provide for his household through the four seasons. His house sat at the foot of the mountain with an open view of the meadow. Wild horses roamed his land freely.
Suleyman led his cortege through a set of heavy wooden doors into a courtyard surrounded by rose bushes.
His house was divided into four separate buildings knitted together by delightful gardens home to a vast array of trees and plants. Slowing down his stallion, he drew in the reins and led his horse to the stables. He wondered what his fair lady was up to. Without hesitation, he jumped from his horse before it stopped and handed the reins to his servant.
He walked briskly into the great hall to a large terrace dotted with sun divans, well positioned to drink in those far-reaching views up towards the mountains. Today, he wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the serenity of the view. He took the stairs two by two until he reached the second floor.
“I see, you have arrived, my friend,” Salim’s voice came from behind him.
“Yes, indeed! Did you receive my message about the visit of my uncle? Did you meet any troubles when I was away?”
“Yes, I have.” Salim shook his head. “None! May I ask how your mother, Kadin Hurrem, is?” he asked.
With a chuckle, “She couldn’t be happier since I declared my union with Lara. Also, she was asking about you,” Suleyman stated.
“I miss her sometimes. She’s like a second mother. I have something to tell you, though. While you were away, I took Anya as my wife.”
Suleyman was over the moon for his friend for he started to wonder about his sexual orientations. “Congratulations, my friend, and may God bless you with happiness.”
With a bright smile and a shrug of his shoulders, he said, “But enough about me. I’m going to let you go. I’m sure you’re dying to see Kadin Lara!” He grinned.
“Laugh all you want my friend but your time will come soon when you have to stay away from your woman, too.”
With a smile and a shake of his head, “I hope, it isn’t going to be too soon. I just got married,” he said as he went down the stairs.
Ali was waiting for him in his chamber. Suleyman was scanning the room but couldn’t see Lara and wondered where she was. He believed that she would be waiting for him in his chamber, and that’s why he sent a messenger.
“Where’s your mistress, Ali?” he requested.
“Kadin Lara is in the Hamam, Pasha. As soon as she learned of your arrival, she ordered for a bath. I will send off Anya to fetch her, your highness,” Ali said, bowing his head.
“No! Leave her be. I heard the great news from Salim. I couldn’t be happier for them. I will join her for my ablution, as well,” he said with a grin. “Tell me, Ali, how did she fair while I was away?”
“Kadin Lara has done very well during her tutorials. She’s as beautiful as she is intelligent, for a woman. If Pasha doesn’t mind me being so bold,” he said quietly and with his usual neutral face, but he could hear a note of pride in his voice.
He waved his hand in dismissal. “Don’t you worry, Ali, I don’t mind,” he declared.
How could he? Ali was his mentor as well as his friend, too. He had been bought from the slave market special for him. It shamed him to have him as a slave, he even offered to give him his freedom with some land where he could settle and start his own family. But he refused categorically.
So, his Kadin was in the Hamam then? Ah, God! She was already naked, wet, and ripe for the picking. He was trying to think of something else. He didn’t want to give Ali an impressive view of his manhood standing. Ali quickly removed his dusty clothes, and he groaned as the muscles in his thighs pulled. He grinned. Yes, a good bath was called for, along with something else.
He took the cotton cloth from Ali, wrapped it around his hip, and made his way downstairs towards the Hamam house. He could feel his blood flowing faster and his heart beating erratically. Just the thought of seeing his fair lady turned him into mush.
He carefully crossed the large steam room and there she was, lying amongst the pile of cushions, naked. She must have been exhausted after her bath because right now his beauty seemed to be fast asleep.
Chapter 9
“Yes! It’s such bliss,” Lara moaned out loud.
During her lessons about the Ottoman lifestyle, Ali mentioned the importance of sanitation, relaxation, and the ritual of the Hamam. With a grin, she still could remember the shocked expression on Ali’s face when she told him that in her time, Hamam also known as a Turkish bathhouse were more of a luxury than necessity.
She had been reading in Suleyman’s bedroom when Ali had announced the imminent arrival of his highness. She had rushed to the Hamam with the help of her friend, Anya.
She was immediately taken by the friendship of the young woman. Lara could feel that Anya was a trustworthy and an honest young woman struggling to look after her dearly widowed mother. Therefore, Lara told her about how she came to be here. From the wedding to her accident and finding herself here, in Izmir. Anya was a bit shocked but then she came around and believed. Lara made her vow to never divulgate her secret. Also, Ali explained to her that she did need a servant, like a companion.
Her good intention was to have a quick wash down. Yeah, right! She stretched and settled herself back on the pile of cushions she was resting on. She languorously ran her hand over her buffed, naked body, from her breast, to her stomach, to her bare pussy. Yep, from now on the Hamam was going to be her favourite pastime. She could see herself spending some quality time here.
She turned her head to the side and reached for her fresh drink left by Anya. After all the waxing, washing and scrubbing, Anya brought her to this kind of relaxing room adjacent to the wet room where she spent at least an hour.
She wanted to look her best before Suleyman came back from his trip to Istanbul. Putting her drink on the silver tray, she lay back and closed her eyes.
She recalled her conversation with Suleyman. He wanted to ride to the capital and inform his father, the Sultan, of their wedding. It seemed that in the Ottoman Empire, when a man took a woman as his Kadin, it signified that the woman belonged to him, which was the equivalent of a wife—or so she thought. She found out that the men of this time were very possessive, and women from abroad were highly sought after.
Since his departure, she had this ritual of enjoying the Hamam every morning. Turkish bath was one commodity she really wished they had back home in Northern Ireland. She shook her head. She didn’t want to think about the what, if or when. She had to accept that she was never going to go back to her time and her life now was here, beside the prince of the Ottoman Empire.
She sighed languishingly. Just the thought of Suleyman made her clit throb. It always amazed her how her body responded to him. It was like he understood her needs without her having to speak. She was very grateful for her destiny to have brought her to her lover. Like Suleyman would have said, it was meant to be.
Suddenly, she felt a presence in the room. Thinking that it was Anya, she lazily opened her eyes. She saw him there at the entrance of the relaxing room. He was leaning on his shoulder on the marble frame with his arms folded. Her eyes ran down to his spectacular body and the towel wrapped loosely around his hips. Who could ignore the bulge he was sporting? She felt a tremor running through her body.
“How are you faring, my love? I’m glad you’re enjoying the benefit of the Hamam,” he said, and bowed his head to her. Lara could sense the current of sexual tension that flowed between them.
She blushed. “Would you like to come and join me?” she offered him wantonly, and patted the cushions beside hers.
He slowly stepped in and swiftly made his way to her. Looming over her, his gaze lingered over her face, looking lastly into her eyes. She saw a combination of love and an intense desire within
the depths of his beautiful dark eyes. It literally took her breath away.
“Soon, my love. First, come and help me in the wet room. I’ve ridden all day and my scent might offend you,” he said with a cheeky grin. Lara knew exactly what he wanted.
“As you wish, my Pasha,” she replied softly with a grin.
She played the role of a meek woman. Deep down, her blood was boiling for him. He helped her get up from the cushions. She noticed the appreciative glance he gave to her breasts as she stood facing him. Hmm! He was a breast man. It made her feel giddy, courageous, and confident. She took his hand and led him to the wet room.
“Would you like to relax in the steam room first?” she offered, at a loss for what else she could say.
“No, beloved! Let’s go to the pool. I really need a good soaking to loosen up my sore muscles after the long ride,” he said, stroking her hand, but his eyes were burning with such desire that she knew she was going to have a bath she would always remember.
Suleyman stepped carefully across the marble floor towards the smaller-sized pool, and gently helped her to go down the three steps and into the warm water.
“Be careful entering the pool, Lara. I don’t want you to slip and hurt yourself,” he said, following her. He slipped his arm round her waist and pulled her into his strong arms. She had her back against his chest. She closed her eyes and savored the sensations of his muscular chest against her back. Back in her time, she’d once tried to have sex in the shower but the sensation was entirely and utterly different. It felt right with Suleyman, like she was meant to be there in his arms. From now on, she vowed to bring happiness and joy to this wonderful man.
He kissed her head. “Ah, God! That’s much better.” His low-pitched voice was like a caress.
She leaned her head back. “My pleasure, my Pasha,” she murmured huskily.