Defying the Sheikh (10 page)

Struggling against his hold, she could not believe he dared to treat her in such a way. "Release me at once you heathen ass!" She kicked her legs and fought with every ounce of strength she had.

He continued to bring his hand down on her rear until it was rosy red. She would not defy him again, he thought as her struggles ceased. With one more hard smack, he lifted her and placed her on the bed on her side. "You will learn your place, Michaela, never again will you speak to me in such a way." He walked from the room, needing to put space between them. She would come to her senses, he vowed.

Curling up into a fetal position on her side, she hated him more than she could ever recall hating another human being. Her backside was on fire and throbbing, and her only regret was that she had been unable to fight against him longer. He would never touch her again, she promised herself, for the rest of her life she would never forgive him for this night. Crying herself to sleep, she could only hope that something horrible would befall him for how he had treated her.

Several hours later she awoke, her stomach growling in hunger. Glancing around the room, she noted the huge chests that had not been in the room before. Standing slowly to her feet, she flinched at the ache of her backside before moving toward the container. Lifting the heavy lid, she was surprised at all the brightly colored garments that filled them. Rummaging through them she found a light blue silk robe and slid it on, it was one of the few items that weren't sheer.

Stepping outside of her room she was met by a huge man of color dressed only in white pants and a turban. She shrank back against the wall in fear. How had he gotten here, she thought to herself, her husband had said no men were allowed. Husband, she thought in disgust, what did that mean to him and what else had he lied about?

"Forget it," she stated not in the mood for anything else this night. "Can you at least show me to the dining room?"

"Of course, Mistress" he led her down the stairs and out into the main room and she was shocked to see women and children walking around.

"What name are you called?" She spoke the words softly noticing how the two women were staring toward her and even the children stopped their play as she entered.

"I am known as Bander, Mistress unless you choose to call me another name."

"I am Michaela, which I prefer to mistress, who are these people?"

"The elder is Master Armon's mother, Mistress Zahra, and the younger woman is her daughter Laila, the children belong to Mistress Zahra." He spoke with great warmth. They had been very kind to him, and he could only hope his new Mistress would be as easy to work for.

Great, Michaela thought, now she had to pretend how happy she was to be married to their relative, she thought while pasting a fake smile on her face. Making her way to the older woman, she spoke kindly. "It is very nice to meet you."

Zahra, smiled at her newest daughter, pleased to see that she was respectful. "I welcome you into our family, Michaela, my son has chosen wisely."

Michaela wondered briefly how she knew her name, but decided not to mention it. "Your children are lovely," her smile was not forced as she watched the two twin boys back at play wrestling over a toy.

"They are joys," Zahra shook her head and laughed at their antics. "This is my daughter, Laila," she motioned to the beautiful young girl and she walked forward, her eyes moving over Michaela as if inspecting her.

"Welcome sister," Laila was not sure of the temperament of her new sister and chose to walk very carefully until she had discovered more.

"Please to meet you, Laila, I do hope we become friends," she noticed the girls' nervousness and sought to put her at ease. She assumed her age to be around fourteen summers, but already she was a beauty, she thought. Her long ebony hair hung down her back in long silken strands, and her face reminded her of a china doll.

Laila smiled at her acceptance, hoping she would have a friend. It was lonely in the harem, since she was rarely allowed to see other girls' her age. "I will wish for that as well, sister."

"You must be hungry," Zahra asked waiting for her answer.

"I am absolutely famished," she replied with a small laugh. It made her weary soul feel much better knowing that at least she would have some company in this lonely place.

Smiling warmly, she clapped her hands together twice and a slave appeared almost instantaneously. "We will dine now," Zahra turned back to her new daughter, effectively dismissing him.

"Brander, prepare the baths for my daughter," she waved him off and he quickly left them in peace. "We shall eat and then prepare you for Armon."

Michaela forced herself to not tell her mother-in-law that she would not be meeting with Armon. It was apparent she would have to talk with her husband and explain that she was no longer willing to allow their relations to continue. She had no desire to upset this noble woman with her grief. Giving a small nod, she forced another smile.

Zahra knew there was much she must teach her new daughter about how to run the harem. The new wives would be arriving soon and it was Michaela's place to set the rules for their behavior. It was a task that needed to be resolved quickly, to prevent confusion later on. Armon had chosen this woman as his first wife, as such she deserved the respect of every wife that came after her. Only she and her new daughter would be considered equals within these walls. She also knew that if Michaela chose, she could control her behavior as well. The first wife was a position of great honor.

Michaela followed Zahra to the dining room and was shocked to see the modern furniture there. She had somewhat been expecting to sit on the floor and eat, as some of the pictures in her books portrayed. The long dining room table was elegantly set, and she was led to the head of the table. Shocked that Zahra had not taken that position she raised her eyes, questioning.

"You are the first wife, my daughter, as such this place belongs to you," Zahra smiled warmly and sat the chair to her right. Laila sat at her left.

As covered trays began to arrive, Michaela noted that the children were not present. "Do your children not dine with you?"

Zahra laughed softly, "On the rare occasion we allow it, but no, they are with caregivers for their meals, we all must have some peace."

The dinner was so incredible that Michaela found little time to talk. The flavors were inviting and she was enjoying tasting all the new dishes. As they enjoyed a dessert that she could only assume was prepared with fresh fruit and some pudding texture, she sighed softly.

"Is the meal not to your liking, daughter," Zahra was truly concerned and glanced at her in worry.

"The meal was wonderful," she smiled and blushed, "I am only afraid if I keep eating this way I will grow fat."

Smiling in relief, Zahra shook her head. "I am sure my son would hope to see you round with his child and you must nourish your body."

Michaela flushed brightly at how openly her mother-in-law spoke, and glanced at her plate hoping to hide her discomfort.

"If you wish to make any changes to the menu here, Michaela, just speak with any of the slaves," Zahra spoke quietly. It was apparent her son had not educated her new daughter in the ways of openness here, and she would resolve that immediately. To pleasure her son was Michaela's first duty.

"Thank you, but I am very pleased." Glad that the topic of conversation had changed she smiled again.

"Would you care for more to eat," Zahra asked kindly. The hour was growing late and they needed to prepare her for Armon.

Dismissing herself quickly, the girl took off before Michaela could say her goodbyes. "Has something upset your daughter?" She found her behavior somewhat strange.

"Laila is still young, and therefore not allowed to visit the baths," Zahra smiled and began walking out of the dining room.

Michaela followed her, not sure she wanted to know what was so bad about the baths that a young girl would not be allowed within. If she was not afraid of disrespecting her husband's mother, she might have questioned her more. Instead she ran to keep up.

As they entered the bathing room, Michaela's eyes opened in wonder. Never had she seen anything that would compare to such a magnificent room. The bath was as large as a small pond in her land, but tiled in incredible jeweled stones that shimmered from the light of the torches placed inside small boxes in the walls. Long cushioned tables stood on both sides of the bath, and strange contraptions that she could not name in open stalls. "This is for bathing?" Michaela turned to her mother-in-law confused.

"And grooming, my daughter," she smiled at the pleasure in her eyes. "You will be transformed to perfection under the skilled hand off your groomers."

Michaela raised a brow, even more confused by the words she spoke. Zahra clapped her hands and she was shocked to see two dark skinned men enter the room. "I thought men were forbidden here," she had no idea why these men were here and felt more than a little uncomfortable.

Zahra laughed softly, "Dearest daughter, they are unable to harm you, these slaves have been rendered incapable of sexual pleasure."

It dawned on her finally what these men were, Eunuchs', she recalled reading about them in the book Armon had shared with her. She wondered why any man would choose such a life for himself. "Why are they here?"

"They are very skilled in preparing you for my sons' pleasure," at Michaela's shocked look, Zahra remembered that her new daughter was not accustomed to their life here.

Michaela took a few steps back, without thinking. She had no idea what her mother-in-law was talking about, and was not sure she cared to understand. "I will prepare myself," she whispered for Zahra's ears only. She had no intention of pleasing Armon tonight or any other night, but that was not something she was willing to share.

"As you wish," Zahra knew to argue with her daughter would be pointless, and decided on a different approach. She dismissed the slaves and turned back to Michaela with a warm smile. "If you would like to bathe, I will fix you a cup of tea and return shortly?"

Exhaling in relief, Michaela nodded. She waited until Zahra had left before disrobing and stepping into the warm bathe. The water was just the right temperature and she submerged her head all the way under feeling almost like a child in this oversized pool. The water rose to her shoulders and she walked around finding it amazing that this was actually how they bathed.

She glanced around looking for soaps and was dismayed to not see any in sight. Surely they used these things here, she thought in disappointment. Deciding she would have to question her mother-in-law when she returned, she enjoyed the warmth of the water.

Zahra made her way into the kitchens and quickly brewed a steaming cup of tea. She deliberated several moments on her actions before opening a small box and adding a few drops of special herbed oils to the cup. Normally she would not have taken such liberties, but Michaela had no understanding of their ways, and she felt it was a favor that she gave to her son by this kindness. Belladonna would help relax her young daughter, and the thorn apple would help her be more pleasing. Adding two cubes of sugar and lemon, she knew the taste would be well hidden.

Walking back to the baths she smiled warmly and sat the cup on the side of the pool. "Come enjoy your tea, dear daughter," she was pleased that the girl moved over quickly, the groomers had little time to prepare her as it was.

She took a deep sip and sighed and the wonderful flavors. "This is delicious," Michaela smiled taking another drink. "I did not see soap?" She was accustomed to having her servants at home bathe her so it was not out of place for her mother-in-law to see her this way.

"Finish your tea and I will bring it in," Zahra smiled as she took another deep drink. The concoction should work soon, she thought to herself. The groomers always kept the soaps and oils with them, but she would not care soon, she told herself.

Michaela finished her tea and felt the room begin to spin somewhat. "I do not feel so well," her words were beginning to slur and she grabbed on to the side of the bath to keep from going under.

Zahra clapped her hands and the two slaves appeared immediately, moving into the water to help Michaela walk out. "All will be well daughter, trust me this night." She would thank her when Armon showed his pleasure she vowed.

She knew that she should be embarrassed that these men were seeing her completely nude, but her head was growing more confused each second. It was hard to keep her eyes open, much less focus enough on an argument that demanded they leave. She felt herself being laid gently on a cushioned table, and allowed her eyes to close. Her body was being dried by a soft cloth, and the feel of the material against her breasts made them ache. A soft moan escaped her lips as she felt hands rubbing strange fragrant oils and creams all over her body.

Zahra shook her head noticing that her son had allowed his wife to keep her body hair and motioned to the slaves to remove it. After several long moments she was as bare as the day she came into the world. She knew how Armon loved the smell of Jasmine, and encouraged the slaves to use this oil. Only when her body glistened from head to toe did Zahra move to find an outfit that would entice her sons' desires.