“Good night, little one.”
She slipped back inside, climbed back into her bed. Now she would have even more images to plague her dreams. Kasia, swallowed by the river. And Zechariah, bitten by a spear.
If only she could survive without sleep.
~*~
All conversation ceased the moment Kasia stepped into the courtyard. She drew in a long breath, fastened a small smile onto her lips and made her way to an empty corner. The other wives began talking again, but their whispers were all pointed now.
“Presumptuous slave.”
“I cannot believe the king is giving her such attention.”
“He will tire of her soon.”
“Did you see her room? And yet he calls her every night.”
“Mistress.” Desma kneeled at her knee, face pained. “Why do you suffer this? Put them in their place. However long it may last, you are the favorite of the king, and that gives you privileges.”
Kasia shook her head and smiled when Leda arrived with a plate of food and a chalice of sweet watered wine. “But if I should fall from that favor, Desma, the impact will be all the harder if I exalt myself now.”
Desma sighed. “Mistress, I served a favorite of the king before, but his esteem for you far outshines anything I have seen. Your heart is kind, your spirit bright. You deserve to take the honor your husband gives you.”
Kasia cast her gaze over the courtyard and the assortment of women breakfasting. Some were old enough to be her mother and had been with Xerxes since he was an ambitious prince. Some were no older than she. All of the full wives had come from upstanding families, some were royalty in their own right. The concubines were of outstanding beauty.
Her maidservants had shared enough gossip with her over the past week of feasting that she knew who the king had once loved, who he never had any fondness for. Who to avoid at all costs, and who they thought would welcome her.
None had. Oh, some were nice when Atossa introduced her a week ago, especially when they saw her lowly chamber. But when she was called night after night, their warmth baked into a parched, dry chasm. Halfway through the week, she had given up attending the queen’s nightly feasts. Why present herself only to be ignored or insulted?
How she missed Esther. Her sisters. Her chest banded at the thought of them. A friendly face, Jehovah. Please, send me one friendly face.
To Desma she sent a tight smile. “I feel unequal to the honor, my friend. If the king loves me, it is for no reason these women would recognize. I will be content if I can live quietly among them.” So long as she could then spark to life in Xerxes’ arms every evening. But what if he tired of her? What then would she have?
Her maid gave up. Kasia broke off a piece of bread and settled it on her tongue, but before she could swallow a shadow fell over her. Hegai crouched at her side. “Greetings, mistress.”
Her heart knew relief. Every time Hegai spoke to her, it was to tell her that she would join the king again. “Good morning, Hegai.”
“I come with tidings from the king. He must welcome another woman into the house of wives this night, but he wishes you to rest assured that he will see you again tomorrow.”
Her joy froze in her chest, but she managed a smile. She had known this day would come. There were too many wives, too many brides that needed his attention. Still it hurt—how could it not? But she would not give the others the pleasure of seeing it. “Of course. If you speak to the king again, tell him I understand but will miss him keenly.”
“Certainly. He also wishes you to have this.”
From his upheld hand dangled a gleaming strand of white spheres that reflected the morning’s light in an iridescent rainbow. She reached out a finger and touched one of them. “Beautiful. Are they pearls?”
Hegai chuckled and took the liberty of securing them around her neck. “They are. Have you never seen any before?”
She shook her head. “Not until I came here, and since then there have been so many jewels everywhere I cannot begin to guess which are which.”
“I imagine my master will see that you learn them. He says these reminded him of the gleam of your flawless skin.” Hegai grinned and straightened. “Wear them when he calls you tomorrow.”
“I will. Thank you for delivering them. And I look forward to thanking my husband in person.” She lifted a hand to touch the strand and felt heat stain her cheeks. Even before she looked away from the custodian, she felt the weight of many gazes upon her. Surely it was not strange for the king to send gifts to his wives—all these women wore jewels on throats, wrists, fingers, even fastened upon their clothing. Where would they get them, if not from Xerxes?
“Enjoy your day, mistress. I must prepare the new bride for her evening.”
“Thank you again, Hegai.” She sent him off with a smile—and wished he would stay a moment more between her and the rest of the wives.
Ah, well. After she ate, she would go to the back garden and entertain the young children for a while. They, at least, welcomed her.
As if summoned by her thoughts, two little hands appeared on her table. She knew those pudgy fingers well already, and was not surprised when they reached for a cluster of her grapes. “I believe you are to ask before taking another’s food, little Chinara.”
The girl grinned and popped a grape into her mouth. “May I have some grapes, Kasia?”
She tickled the wee one’s tummy. Like her sister Sarai, Chinara giggled and pulled half away while her eyes begged for more sweet torture. Kasia chuckled. “And if I say no?”
Chinara pulled another grape from its stem and offered it to Kasia. “Why would you do that? You can always ask for more.”
A far different outlook from the one she had grown up with. This child had no concept of want or waste, would never feel the pangs of hunger. Kasia smoothed back a lock of the girl’s ebony hair and smiled. “I can indeed. And how is your mother this morning? Feeling better?”
“Recovered and apologetic.”
The new voice brought Kasia’s gaze up. This had to be Chinara’s mother, one of the few wives she had yet to meet.
The woman grinned Chinara’s grin and helped herself to the empty seat at Kasia’s side. “Sorry if my little imp is bothering you. Keeping a rein on her is either impossible or I am a terrible mother.”
Chinara hopped up on her mother’s lap and snuggled in. “You are the best mother ever. And see, I told you Kasia is pretty, no matter what that mean old Sherene said.”
The mother chuckled. “I had no doubts, little love.” To Kasia she added, “I am Jasmine. You are obviously Kasia, and it is a pleasure to meet you. The others have complained of you so much I knew I would like you immediately.”
Praise Jehovah, this woman would be a friend. Kasia smiled. “I fear they have spoken to me not at all, so I know little of you. But I look forward to remedying that, Jasmine.
