“We can dally no longer,” he said, kissing her awake. “I’ve laid out some food and filled the water bag. After we’ve eaten and quenched our thirst, we must resume our journey.”
Seven days and seven nights later they reached the amphitheater of hills surrounding the city of Tangier. Strategically located opposite the Strait of Gibraltar, the busy port linked Europe and Africa by sea. The city had just recently been reconquered from the Portuguese by Moulay Ishmail.
Jamal thought it prudent to sell their weary mounts at the city gates and received a good price for the thoroughbred Arabians. They entered the medina on foot and wended their way through a maze of streets nearly solid with people. Eventually they would reach the bay, where Jamal’s ship was berthed.
“There seem to be more soldiers than usual milling about,” Jamal whispered as they passed another pair of soldiers, easily recognizable as the sultan’s men by the deep mahogany color of their skin.
As required by Islamic law, Zara’s face was veiled and she wore a djellaba. But beneath Jamal’s white turban, his face was easily recognizable.
“I don’t like this,” Jamal hissed when two soldiers nudged one another and started in their direction. “It isn’t normal to see so many soldiers in Tangier. Follow me. It’s too dangerous to remain on the streets during daylight hours.”
He ducked through a gate and Zara followed. She was surprised to find herself in a small, lush courtyard. Jamal seemed to know exactly where he was going as he grasped her hand and led her through an ornately carved arched doorway. A woman dressed in transparent harem pants and short vest hurried forward to greet them. Long ebony hair framed exotic, golden-skinned features. Her cat-shaped black eyes were outlined with kohl, and her lips and cheeks were reddened with rouge.
“Welcome to the House of Many Delights, young masters. What is your pleasure today?”
“My wife and I have need of a private room for a few hours, Senobia. You will be paid well for accommodating us. And for your silence in the matter,” he added cryptically.
A smile of recognition lit Senobia’s eyes. “Sheik Jamal! You have been sorely missed at the House of Many Delights.” Senobia’s assessing gaze drifted over Zara. “Your request is unusual, but since you are a friend of long standing, I will see that you have all the privacy you need. Follow me.”
When Zara realized the kind of house she was in, she remained frozen to the spot. Many delights, indeed. Obviously Jamal was a frequent visitor to this type of establishment and well acquainted with the “many delights” available.
“Come on, Zara,” Jamal said, grasping her hand. “We will be safe here until nightfall, when we can go about the streets unnoticed. By then the tide will be in and the Plunderer can set sail the moment we board.”
Senobia took them to a set of large airy rooms that included a hammam, which pleased Zara immensely. She was covered with dust and grime and so sweaty she couldn’t stand her own smell.
“Have you need of a servant?” Senobia asked.
“If you have one that can be trusted,” Jamal said. “We are hungry and need fresh clothing. Send a servant to fetch us clean shirts, trousers and robes.” He reached beneath his djellaba for the sack of gold coins he’d tied to his sash, removed two shiny gold pieces and handed them to Senobia. “Thank you.”
“Are you in trouble, my lord?” Senobia asked.
“’Tis best you don’t know. We will be gone by nightfall. Meanwhile, my wife needs to rest. She is travel weary.”
Once again Senobia’s sultry gaze probed Zara’s slender form, as if she could see through the dense robes to her woman’s body beneath. “I will leave you to your privacy,” she said. A seductive smile played about the corners of her lush lips. “I will not be far should you need me.”
The heady scent of her perfume lingered long after she left the room. Zara whipped aside her veil and glared at Jamal. “You seem to know Senobia well.”
“Jealous?” Jamal asked with amusement.
She sat down hard on the sleeping couch and crossed her arms over her chest. “Not at all.”
“You shouldn’t be. The House of Many Delights is the first stop for many sailors returning from long months at sea. Those who can afford it, that is. Those who can’t, visit cribs along the docks that offer less fastidious accommodations. I am a man, sweet vixen. Senobia and her kind are but beautiful distractions to be enjoyed and forgotten. They eased my lust after long months without a woman’s comfort.”
Zara sent him a mutinous glare, still not mollified. Would Jamal seek other women when she grew large with his child and was unable to accommodate him? Did he think all women were merely objects to be enjoyed? She wanted to be loved beyond simple appreciation of her womanly attributes. She wanted to be his equal in every way.
“Let’s not argue about something so trivial. We both need a bath, and you look as if you could sleep standing up. Come. Bath, food, and then sleep.”
He helped her to undress, then undressed himself. When he lifted her and carried her to the hammam, she rested her head against his chest, listening to the pounding of his heart. The water was warm and soothing. They bathed and rinsed one another, and then Jamal helped her to wash her hair. When they finished bathing, they sat side by side in the water, resting their heads against the rim. Zara was nearly asleep when Jamal finally lifted her out of the tub and dried her. Food and clean clothing were waiting for them when they returned to the bed chamber.
“I’m too tired to eat,” Zara said with a sigh.
“You have to eat.” He searched her face, not liking what he saw. “Your eyes look bruised and your skin is as fragile as parchment. You don’t look well, love. I’m sorry if I’ve driven you too hard.”
There was no better time to tell him about the baby, Zara decided. “It’s not that, Jamal, it’s …”
A disturbance at the door froze the words in her throat.
“Jamal! Soldiers were here looking for you.”
Jamal wound a towel around his loins and opened the door. “What are you saying, Senobia?”
“I sent them away. No one knows you’re here, but I thought you should know you’re being sought. I told them nothing.”
“You will be amply rewarded, Senobia, thank you.” He closed the door and returned to the couch.
“How could the sultan’s men reach Tangier before us?” Zara asked worriedly. “We had many hours’ head start and stopped at Paradise but briefly.”
“I don’t know, but there is nothing we can do about it now. If our luck holds, we can sneak aboard the Plunderer without being seen.”
“And if we can’t?”
“I swear no matter what happens, you will be safe. Nothing will harm you, sweet vixen. You have my word on it. Come, eat something with me. I’m starved.”
The couscous was cold and swimming in congealed chicken fat. Zara’s stomach churned at the sight of the unappetizing mess. She munched on cheese and soft white bread, ate some grapes and figs and drank copious amounts of delicious mint tea. Then Jamal fed her bits of sticky almond cake. He surprised her when his tongue flicked out and licked the honey glaze that lingered on her lips.
That sensual act led to a kiss, several kisses, and soon Zara was writhing beneath the heat of his caresses, savoring the taste of him on her tongue. Jamal realized where this was leading and gently set her away from him.
With the tips of his fingers he traced the line of her cheekbones, the shape of her mouth, the curve of her brows. “You’re too tired, sweet vixen. I’ve no right to demand a response. Rest, soon we’ll be aboard the Plunderer, free to indulge our every whim.”
“Make love to me,” Zara said, pulling his head down to meet her lips. “I’m not that tired. I need you, Jamal.”
“I shouldn’t listen to you but I’m too weak to deny what we both want.”
With one hand he gathered up the silken gold of Zara’s hair. With the other he pulled her close. He kissed her again, showing her his need with the bol
d thrust and withdrawal of his tongue. She clung to him as though to life itself. When he dragged his mouth from hers long enough to look at her, her eyes were half-closed and languid.
“Lie back and let me pleasure you,” he whispered against her lips.
She watched in a daze as he lifted the lid from a small casket sitting on the bedside table and removed a little velvet bag. When he pulled the string, two silver balls fell into his palm.
Zara’s eyes widened. “How did you know what the casket held?”
He gave her a cryptic smile. “Every room in the House of Many Delights has a chest just like this. Inside are many such items designed to give pleasure. Open your thighs for me, sweet vixen.”
Zara’s legs fell apart. Jamal shifted his weight between her spread thighs and parted the tender folds of her female passage. Then, one by one, he placed the silver balls inside her and pressed her legs together. As he rocked her gently he leaned over and licked the pointed tips of her breasts into hard little nubs.
Indescribable, gut-wrenching pleasure jolted through her, beginning with her toes and traveling through her to every nerve ending. She began to tremble as if from ague. Her skin glowed with incredible heat. Her moans turned into one long wail as convulsions wracked her body. When she had no more to give, Jamal carefully removed the silver balls and pulled her on top of him. Raising her hips, he impaled her.
Straddling him, she rode him hard as tiny explosions continued to erupt inside her. Then Jamal gave a hoarse shout and stiffened, filling her with his hot seed. Succumbing to exhaustion, Zara flattened herself atop him and fell asleep. Jamal stroked her back and buttocks, murmuring sweet words she could not hear, thanking Allah for giving him a woman like Zara.
Zara was allowed to sleep but a few hours before Jamal awakened her. “Wake up, love, ’tis dark enough to travel through the medina now.”
Zara stirred, opened her eyes and smiled. “I love awakening in your arms.”
He grinned in response. “I’ll remember that. Would you like something to eat before we leave?”
Zara shook her head, recalling the greasy food served to them earlier. “I couldn’t eat a bite. I’ll be ready in no time. I’m as anxious as you are to reach your ship. Will they be expecting you?”
“I certainly hope so. I sent a message to Captain Brahim some time ago, asking him to provision the ship and gather the crew in anticipation of my arrival. He’s probably wondering why I’ve been delayed.”
They dressed quickly by the light of the lamp they had left burning. Noises filtered through the door, and Zara realized that the House of Many Delights would be bursting with customers at this time of night. Before they left the chamber, Jamal placed two more gold coins on the table for Senobia to find.
“This chamber is at the back of the house,” Jamal said as he opened the door and peered into the deserted hallway. “There is a rear exit into an alleyway. I’ve used it a time or two and know the way. Follow me.”
Zara thought Jamal knew far too much about this house of pleasure but didn’t pursue the subject. As they turned a corner, they had the misfortune to encounter a man and woman in the hallway. Zara pulled her veil across her face and Jamal averted his head as they passed. As luck would have it, the couple paid them little heed, being too engrossed in their own lusty pursuits. Zara breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the alley without mishap.
They kept to the shadows of the narrow, nearly deserted streets. The stalls were closed, so they were able to move swiftly through the medina. When they spotted a soldier they turned a corner to escape notice. Though their many detours prolonged their arrival at the docks, avoiding the soldiers seemed the prudent thing to do. At length they reached the docks, where an unwelcome surprise awaited them.
“Duck!” Jamal hissed, pulling Zara down with him behind some barrels of dried fish. “The docks are swarming with the sultan’s soldiers.”
Grateful for their dark robes, Zara huddled beside Jamal, wondering what they were going to do now. Suddenly two burly soldiers headed in their direction, and Jamal held a finger to his lips, indicating that she should remain silent.
The soldiers walked to within several feet of where Zara and Jamal were crouched behind the barrel. The next sound they heard was that of men urinating against the wall of the building.
“I’ve needed to relieve myself for the past hour,” the first man said with a sigh of relief.
“I’d rather be in my bed with a whore than standing guard tonight,” the second man groused.
“So would I, but if we don’t capture Sheik Jamal the sultan will have our heads. ’Tis fortunate the sentry squirmed out of his bonds and warned Ismail of Jamal’s escape. Otherwise we would have arrived too late to prevent the sheik from leaving Morocco. Look sharp, Mohut, Ishmail is desperate for Jamal’s head.”
“Aye, we must all keep a sharp eye on the Plunderer. Sooner or later Jamal will try to board her.”
They walked away, complaining about their lack of sleep and the coolness of the night.
“What are we going to do?” Zara whispered once the soldiers were out of earshot.
“Can you swim?” Jamal wanted to know.
“Nay, I’ve had no opportunity to learn. This is the closest I’ve been to the sea.”
“Then I will carry you on my back. The Plunderer is anchored just a few yards out. I recognize her by her rigging. ’Tis no great distance. We’ll have to slip into the water farther down along the wharf, where the soldiers aren’t so thick. The swim will be longer but less dangerous. Once we reach the ship we can climb up the anchor chain. Do you trust me to get you aboard safely?”
Zara swallowed and looked away. “You would have a better chance without me. Go alone, Jamal. Don’t worry about me, I can return to my village.”
Jamal looked at her as if she had just lost her mind. “You will never convince me to leave you behind. I’m a strong swimmer. I’ll have no more talk of leaving you behind.”
Zara offered no further argument, since Jamal seemed adamantly opposed to leaving without her. Once Jamal made up his mind, she knew from experience that nothing would change it.
Jamal counted a dozen or more soldiers patrolling the wharf. He studied their movements for several minutes, trying to determine the best place to enter the water. He didn’t want to go too far down the wharf, for it would place them a substantial distance from the ship, making for an arduous swim.
Jamal grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’ll stay within the shadows of the warehouses and work our way past the wharfs that line the harbor. Fewer soldiers are patrolling that area.”
“Do you think it will work?”
“It will work,” Jamal said confidently. “Follow me.”
They crept along the wharf, ducking behind barrels and boxes whenever a soldier glanced their way.
“This is far enough,” Jamal whispered. “We can enter the water here. Pray Allah we won’t be noticed when we leave the shadows. There is nothing between here and the water to shield us. Are you ready?”
Zara swallowed hard and nodded. She had faced danger too many times in the past to cower in fear now. “I’m right behind you.”
Boldly Jamal stepped out onto the stretch of beach leading to the water. They were well past the dock area and couldn’t depend on seeking shelter beneath the wooden structures.
As they were scrambling down to the water, a voice called out from the dark. “Halt!” Pounding footsteps sounded on the hard sand behind them.
“Run!” Jamal called, swiveling his head to make sure Zara was close on his heels. “We’ll be safe once we’re in the water.”
They almost made it.
Zara tripped on her robe and fell just as Jamal reached the water’s edge. She landed hard, knocking the breath from her. She lay still, unable to move as her pursuer skidded to a halt beside her. Reaching down, he hauled her to her feet.
Jamal’s heart pounded furiously when he looked back and saw Zara being manha
ndled by the soldier. He had already discarded his cumbersome robe and was standing in shallow water when he turned back to race to Zara’s aid.
“Go, Jamal!” Zara screamed when she realized what he intended. “Save yourself!”
Her words had little impact on Jamal. Without a thought for his own life, Jamal leaped to Zara’s defense. He had left his heavy scimitar behind at the House of Many Pleasures, but he did have his knife. He pulled it from his sash and lunged at the soldier.
“Take your hands off her!” Jamal demanded.
The soldier laughed, using Zara as a shield as he sidestepped Jamal’s attack. “The sultan’s orders are to kill you upon sight, Sheik Jamal.” He drew his scimitar and tossed Zara aside like a rag doll.
Jamal spared a brief glance at Zara as he braced himself for the soldier’s attack. It came immediately, but Jamal danced agilely aside. The scimitar missed him by scant inches. He continued to dance and spin out of reach, too fast for his opponent. Still, with his shorter, lighter weapon, Jamal was dangerously outclassed. The scimitar was deadly and the soldier was an expert in its use. Twice he drew blood despite Jamal’s evasive tactics.
Then suddenly Jamal saw an opening in the soldier’s defense and ducked in for the kill. His attack would have worked had the soldier not brought up his scimitar just as Jamal launched himself forward. The scimitar pierced his groin in the same instant that Jamal buried his knife in the man’s heart. Both men dropped to the ground. The soldier was dead before he hit the dirt. Jamal was gravely wounded.
Somehow Jamal scrambled to his feet. Footsteps pounded along the wharf and shouts filled the air. Soldiers had heard the disturbance and were racing toward them.
“Into the water,” Jamal ordered through clenched teeth.
Zara trembled with fear. Blood was everywhere. Jamal was covered with it. “You’re hurt. You can’t possibly pull me through the water. Save yourself.”
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