The Emperor's Concubine

by Killarney Sheffield

  “Is that why all the women in the official’s hub wear a wig?”

  He nods.

  “Why kill the official’s wives? Isn’t the reason we were rounded up like cattle and put through that ridiculous pageant spectacle the solution to the official’s lack of heirs?”

  “Think about it, Ocean.” Dr. White leans over his desk. “If the Emperor killed off the wives and made the concubines the elite in society it would give all the other girls in the hubs hope. Hope to become something more than a zombie walking a pathetic existence. They would see a chance to become the elite in society. By blaming the slaughter of hundreds on the wives and then executing them he looks like the all mighty and caring ruler of Imram. He serves all purposes with one cut, rids himself of barren wives, gets his heirs and inspires his people with a pathetic smattering of hope.”

  “He’s sick and twisted.”

  Dr. White looks down at his desk in grim lipped silence.

  As suddenly as it fled my desire to live and fight returns. “The Empress thinks she will get the chance to slit my throat after I bear her two children, but it is her blood that will be spilled. I feel sorry for her.”

  “Don’t. There is nothing you can do for her, and nothing she would do for you.”

  “But if we tell her maybe she will be able to fight the Emperor, maybe she can change the outcome of things?” I give him a pleading look.

  “No. She must never know. She is married to her fate. What will be will be after our escape.”

  “What about my parents, my brother and the rest of Imram? What will happen to them?”

  “We are trying to co-ordinate an escape with the families of the concubines, as for the rest of Imram, only a chosen few will be told.”

  “Why only a few? Why not all the citizens?”

  He releases a heavy sigh. “Too large a group will jeopardize our mission. Do you think the Emperor and his enforcers would just allow us to walk away? We can’t save them all. Besides, we aren’t even sure what is outside these concrete walls. We might be fleeing to our own deaths.”

  For the first time I consider the folly of the mission. If we are caught we will die, publicly and ruthlessly, if we escape there is also a good chance whatever awaits outside the protective walls of the city is far worse than our existence inside. “So we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t?”

  “Maybe.”

  Still, those are odds I’m willing to take.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  The roof is my sanctuary, just as it was in the hub. I look forward to spending a couple hours each evening with Sol. When I arrive tonight he is there as usual, waiting. I find it hard not to admire his well-cut figure in his simple black trousers and white shirt, the casual attire he dons when his enforcer shift is over. Since concubines are not allowed to leave the mansions after the evening meal, the personal guards are only needed from breakfast until then each day.

  “Hi.”

  He grins and holds out his hand. “Hi.” Pulling me down, he wraps his arms around and draws me in for a deep kiss. When finished, he brushes a lock of hair from my eyes with such tenderness it makes my heart hurt. “Why does it always feel so awkward between us for the first few moments each evening?”

  I look away. “Perhaps it’s because when I leave here, I go to him.”

  Sol drops his hand to rest on mine. “I want to be away from here. I don’t want to share you with him, or anyone else.”

  I meet his gaze and reach up to touch his face. “You don’t share me. When I lie beneath him I am here with you in my heart and mind.”

  “I’m glad.” He offers up a weak smile. Leaning back he settles me against him.

  Curled into the warm protection of his side, is the best and safest place to be. My gaze wanders to the dome as it changes from sunset to the deep purple hues of evening and the first few stars begin to glow. “I wish those stars were real.”

  “Me too. My pa said travelers used to navigate by them. I can’t imagine a place so big and empty of people where you would need to judge where you are by the stars.”

  “Me either.” We are silent for a moment until I ask the question I know we are both wondering. “Do you think we’ll make it? I mean, will we escape?”

  He strokes my hair. “I know we will. Others have failed, but Dr. White and Link will succeed where others haven’t. They’re smart, they know Imram better than any.”

  “Who’s Link?”

  “He used to be the head of the enforcers, but asked for another assignment in order to help us. He’s the one who pegged you as the one from the prophecy.”

  “I keep hearing about this prophecy. What is it and why does everyone keep looking to me?”

  Sol sits up and crosses his legs to rest his elbows on his knees. He twirls a faded blue rose between his fingers a moment before handing it to me. “It has been a well-guarded secret for many years. It is said old Ranni spouted it after they filled him with serum, before it ate his insides out.”

  The thought makes me grimace. “The old priest? I met him once... he was an odd fellow.”

  “Rumor has it there used to be a secret counsel, a group who didn’t believe the apocalypse ever actually happened.”

  “Of course it happened, we’re here, aren’t we?” Though I voice the idea those of the city believe, I can’t help but recall Dr. White’s words about the apocalypse never happening.

  Sol shrugs. “Ranni claimed he had a dream sent to him by God. In the dream a girl with golden hair rose from the ocean and opened the gates of Imram to free the people. It was said she had eyes like the depths and a way with the animals. She would lead the people into a new life in the old world.”

  A snort slips from my lips. “God? There is no God. If there was the apocalypse, this wouldn’t have happened.”

  “Come on Ocean, how can you say there is no God? We are here aren’t we?”

  Unable to refute his claim, yet hard pressed to support it either, I look away. I think on it. The idea of being part of some fantasy story is just too bizarre. ”So, because my name is Ocean, I am this messiah? What have I done to be worthy to lead anyone? I am a prisoner more so than those back in my hub. I am not the messiah.” At his sigh, I rise to wander to the edge of the roof top and look out over the official’s hub.

  “It doesn’t matter. What matters is we are going to be free, or die trying.” He gets to his feet and crosses to pull me into his arms. “I don’t want to fight with you. I want to make the most of our time together in case...”

  “Don’t! Don’t say it.” I raise a hand to cover his lips. “We will be together. Besides, I don’t want to live without you.”

  We make slow, sensual love beneath the artificial sky. Afterward, snuggled against Sol under the silken sheets, I ponder our future. Will we be able to escape? Will I see Petie and my parents again? Sleep which eluded me so many nights has me yawning. For the first time in many days and nights, my mind stills. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on the rhythmic rise and fall of Sol’s chest beneath me. If only I could stay like this forever...

  The meadow full of white flowers, the green and white stretching on and on. From the depths of the emerald sea of grass emerge a horse and rider. Sol rides toward me on a blood red horse. The horse seems to blur and then melt beneath him. His face twists in fear as he reaches out to me. I can’t move, can’t help him. The puddle of red grows into a bright red ocean of blood.

  “Ocean!”

  No matter how hard I try to make my feet move they remain steadfast to the spot. The red mass deepens and then swallows all but Sol’s reaching hand.

  “Ocean!”

  A hand shakes me and I awake with a start, my heart pounding in my chest.

  Sol crouches over me. “Ocean, wake up. I didn’t mean to fall asleep and we’ve been up here far too long.”

  With a jolt I sit upright and check the time on my bracelet. “It’s already nine!” Scrambling from the bed I grope for my dress and pull it over my
head. Hoping on one foot I slip on my shoes and run for the door. Sol opens it and peers down the stairs before he nods to signal the coast is clear. He draws me close to press one last light kiss on my lips before I bolt down the stairs to the third floor landing. Pausing I open the door a crack and peek into the hallway beyond. When I’m satisfied all is quiet I slip out and tip toe down the hall to my suite. With a last look over my shoulder I open the door and sidle inside.

  “Danika, I—” One hand on the door knob, I freeze. The Emperor rises from one of the chairs, his gaze frosty as he crosses to the door and pushes it shut.

  “Emperor... I, I’m sorry I’m late...” I can’t help but swallow when he bars any movement with a hand flattened against the door frame by my head.

  “Where were you?”

  Clearing my throat I dart an anxious look around for Danika, but my friend is nowhere in sight. “I went for a walk in the gardens. I must have lost track of time.”

  “You weren’t in the gardens. I just came from there.”

  Heart pounding I seek a believable explanation. “You... perhaps you missed me...” The lie sounds lame even to my own ears.

  His eyes narrow. “Where were you and who were you with? And before you try to lie to me again your maid is in her room.”

  Bowing my head I admit, “I was on the roof.”

  His look hardens. “Why?”

  “I like the view.”

  “The view? What is it you like about the view, Ocean?”

  I meet his gaze, not liking the odd look in his eyes. “I like... watching people.”

  A slow smile spreads across his lips. “Ah, we are alike in that. I too enjoy watching the citizens of my great city. They are like little worker ants, going back and forth about their jobs, each indistinguishable from the others.”

  Though I want to refute his claim we are anything alike I resist. “Ants?”

  He tips his head. “Insects, tiny little bugs with no purpose, but to serve their queen, or in my case, king.”

  The description causes my hair to stand on end. Bugs. No purpose. We are all expendable, every one of us. Including me. The realization of the extent of the Emperor’s ego fuels my intense need to flee. I dart a futile look around the room.

  “Come, it is time to do your duty and receive the heir to Imram.”

  Bile rises in my mouth, but I swallow it back down and force my feet to carry me into the dreaded bedroom. When I would have knelt on the bed he stays me with his hand.

  “I prefer to look into your eyes when I plant my seed in your womb. They remind me so much of the ocean, so much so that when I found myself looking out over its splendor this morning I could think of nothing else except bedding you.”

  My gasp is cut short when he thrusts into me. Teeth clenched I stare unseeingly into his eyes. The ocean does exist. Is it close by? Will I live long enough to see it?

  Chapter Twenty-six

  The next morning I can hardly wait for Sol to knock on the door to escort me to the weekly prenatal lecture. Excitement bubbling, I fling it open at the first rap of his knuckles. “Sol, the ocean, it’s there, it—”

  “Shh.” He looks down the hallway. “Not here, tell me when we are free of the house.”

  Excitement dampened a little, Danika and I follow him into the elevator. I can’t still my tapping foot as I stare at the flashing numbers on the panel. Come on, come on... Is it just me or is the lift moving slower than usual? Oh geez, don’t break down, not now! A sigh of relief escapes when it finally comes to rest on the first floor and the doors pop open. It takes all my restraint to walk in a sedate manner across the tile entranceway, out the front door and down the steps. Once we clear the main gates I speak freely. “The Emperor told me he was looking at the ocean yesterday. It still exists, Sol, and it can’t be far.”

  Sol comes to a sudden halt. “Why did he tell you this?”

  I shrug. “He said... is it important?”

  “Yes, it is.” Sol casts a nervous glance over his shoulder. “Why did he tell you, Ocean?”

  “He said he wanted to look into my eyes when... it reminded him of the ocean...” I look away. He grasps my arm and forces me to look up at his stony, cold expression.

  “Does he make love to you like I do, Ocean?”

  Bewildered, I blink. “What? What do you mean? He forces me to... well, you know what happens.”

  “Do I?” His jaw tightens. “How does he see your eyes when he takes you from behind? That is how it is supposed to be done, according to the Emperor’s own rules.”

  Shocked, I stare at him. “What do you mean rules?”

  “The rules are well known in the official’s hub. The concubines are to be waiting in the assumed position, on their knees. The officials are to enter and under the watchful eye of their wife and the concubine’s maid do the deed and then leave. This is to prevent any coercion on behalf of the concubine to usurp the wife’s position.”

  “Are you sure? Dr. White told me the Emperor plans to rid himself of the wives and have the concubines take their place.”

  Before Sol can answer another enforcer approaches. “The Emperor has commanded all concubines report to the medial facility immediately.”

  Sol addresses him, “It’s prenatal day.”

  The enforcer shrugs. “I am to escort you and your charge to the medical facility immediately, no exceptions.”

  Sol motions for Danika and I to fall in between him and the other enforcer. We pass the entrance to the pageant building and enter the tunnel to take us to the medical facility. He whispers in my ear. “Something is up.”

  That can’t be good. “Why would they want us at the medical facility?” I whisper back.

  “I don’t know.”

  We march through the narrow tunnel lit by flickering green lights, our echoing footsteps raising the hair on the back of my neck. When we approach the medical facility my alarm deepens by the sight of a dozen enforcers waiting outside the doors. The first enforcer holds open the door for Danika and I to enter and then closes it after us. In the waiting room we find Ashley and a number of other concubines waiting.

  “What is going on?”

  Ashley holds out her hands palms up. “Sasha said contraband was found on one of the concubines last night.”

  My hand goes to the necklace around my neck hidden beneath my robe. “Are they searching us?”

  “I don’t know,” Ashley whispers.

  If we are searched my necklace will be found. There is no way to hide it. I scan the waiting room. Along the walls are little sconces shielding the lights. Trying to appear nonchalant I grab Ashley’s hand and sidle over to one. “Look natural.”

  “Why?”

  “Just do it,” I hiss and check to see if anyone has heard. When I’m sure no one is paying us any attention I slip the necklace from around my neck. Under the guise of stretching I plop the chain and pendant into the curve of the sconce.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I had to stash the necklace my mother gave me. Who knows what they will do to me if they search us and find it?”

  One of the doors to the exam cubical opens. The same woman with the horrible wig who summoned me the day of the medial testing steps out and looks down at the tablet she carries. “Number Two-twenty-three, come forward.”

  I go to the door and the woman moves aside to allow me to pass into the room. Once I’m inside she shuts the door and points to the dressing screen. “Remove your clothing.”

  “Why?”

  The woman shoots me a venomous look. “Still haven’t learned to do as you’re told without question I see, Two-twenty-three.”

  Sensing I’m not going to get an answer to my question, I duck behind the screen and disrobe. After I toss it over the top of the dressing screen the woman calls.

  “On the table, feet in the stirrups.”

  Alarm courses through me as I approach the table and climb onto it. Are they going to repeat the same humiliating exam as before? If s
o, surely they will find the device Sol inserted to keep me from getting pregnant. Instead of putting my feet in the stirrups I cross my legs and glare at the woman. “I’ve had the exam already and passed it. You must have made a mistake.”

  “There is no mistake. Lie down and put your feet in the stirrups.”

  “But—”

  “Lie down, or I will have no choice but to Taser you, Two-twenty-three.” The woman fingers the Taser in the sheath at her waist and lifts an eyebrow.

  Left with little choice, I lie down and put my feet into the cold metal footholds. The woman straps them in and then buckles my wrists into the cuffs by my head. After placing a sheet across my mid-section she raps on a single door in the corner. It opens and the same doctor as before enters. After selecting a shiny instrument from the cabinet drawer he tilts the lamp to shine between my legs.

  “Is this really necessary?”

  “Be quiet.”

  Something cold and sharp pokes my insides and I grimace. “Ouch.”

  He ignores my protest.

  Something inside me moves and then dislodges and I squeeze my eyes shut. There is no need to see what the doctor has found. The forbidden birth control device clinks into the metal pan by my feet.

  “Inform the Emperor.”

  It’s a struggle to keep my tears at bay. What will happen to me now? How will the Emperor punish me?

  “Get dressed, Two-twenty-three.”

  I open my eyes. Without another word the doctor leaves the room. The woman releases my straps with a sour look and points to the dressing screen. She doesn’t even bother to see if I obey, instead turns away and begins to type into her tablet.