The Harem Master Read Free Page B

quarters.
    Once there he quickly stripped off his clothes and jewels and scrubbed off, casting his bath a forlorn look because there was no time for a relaxing soak. His clothes for the evening had been spread out on the bed, and a servant stood waiting to assist him. After thoroughly drying Demir off, the servant rubbed a shimmering oil into his skin, making it gleam in the candlelight.
    Once the oil was set, Demir pulled on lightweight black pants, loose in the legs, tight at the hips and ankles. Over the pants went a heavier black skirt, open clear to his hips on each side. They left bare the cluster of flowers tattooed on his stomach, teasing at where they vanished below the waistband of his skirt and pants. None but he, the servants who attended him, and the man who'd inked them knew the flowers wrapped around his legs all the way to his ankles. His feet were inked with little fish, frogs, and birds, and as he was head of the harem, he did not wear shoes save when he went outside.
    The servant rebraided his dark, thick hair, threading it with jeweled beads and affixing pins that glittered with still more jewels. Two gold hoops decorated each ear, the slightly smaller attached by delicate chain to a gold orchid cuff high on the top of his ears.
    Around his waist went the heavy chain that held the keys to the harem; another chain, decorated with rubies, went round his throat. A last chain was affixed to his nipple rings, though he shook his head at the one that would have attached it to his belly ring.
    When the jewelry was attended, the servant finished off by decorating Demir's eyes, lining them in black that swirled out from the corners of his eyes, echoing the swirling designs of his tattoos.
    He looked himself over in the large mirror affixed to one wall, nodding his satisfaction. The king might dishonor the harem that served him, but Demir would die before he dishonored the harem he served. "Thank you," he said and dismissed the servant with a nod.
    Ready as he would ever be for another long, complicated, danger-laced banquet, he left his room and traveled quickly through the halls to the semi-public areas where the main banquet hall was located. He slipped around to the preparation rooms and saw all of the concubines performing that night gathered. "Was His Majesty satisfied with the concubines given to him for dining tonight?"
    "Yes, Lord Demir," one of the concubines replied. "We still are not certain, however, what entertainments he desires."
    "We'll keep to the revised schedule, and should there be any changes necessary I will notify you." The two nearest reached up and kissed his cheeks for luck, and Demir cast a prayer over all of them before slipping back into the hall and heading for the main entrance.
    The Master of Banquets bowed to him, then stepped inside and announced, "Harem Master Demir."
    Demir stepped into the room and sank to his knees, then bowed so his forehead touched the floor. "Your Majesty, good evening to you and your most honored guests on this most blessed evening heralding the coming of winter." The king gestured and Demir dutifully rose. He could feel Bulut's eyes on him like the oil rubbed into his skin, but did not glance that way, just kept his eyes firmly on King Kagan. "For your pleasure, and that of your honored guests, I have arranged the finest entertainments. A duel to start, to heat the blood and whet the appetite."
    "That will do nicely, Lord Demir."
    "Your Majesty." Demir bowed and gestured to the servant at the door, who signaled the concubines to enter.
    On the dais overlooking the rest of the room, the king beckoned Demir to join them. He took his seat on the left side of the table, all the way at the corner, furthest from the king and directly across from Fatih, the Captain of the Guard. Demir glanced at him, receiving the barest nod as Fatih lifted a wine dish to his lips, and some of the tension bled from Demir's shoulders.
    He would be going to bed late, but it was