is given leave?” When Adora nodded, the sultan chuckled. “It seems, my son, that you have married a spirited maiden.” When Bajazet’s face darkened with anger, his father clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. “We have promised that Zubedya may retain her own customs. Let the girl have her moment. By morning she will have no doubt about who is cock and who is hen in your household.”
“That is right, little brother,” said Prince Halil, “but be sure that the girl understands who is the real master, else your married life will be one long battle. Beat her, if necessary.”
“Halil!” Adora glowered at her older son. But the men chuckled. She turned to Bajazet and kissed him. “I wish you joy, my darling.” A tear slid down her cheek and he kissed it away, a tender smile on his lips. “You grew too fast for me,” she explained softly and then quickly left the house to return to her own serai.
“My mother has a tender heart,” observed the prince.
“Your mother is priceless above all women,” said the sultan. “There is no other woman like her in this world.”
When Bajazet finally had been admitted to the bridal chamber, Murad wished his important guests good night and rode to the Mountain Serai. He dismounted in the courtyard and was escorted to the baths. An hour later, feeling relaxed and pampered, he entered his favorite wife’s bedchamber to find her brewing him coffee. Near the little burner was a large bowl of honeyed yogurt and a plate of tiny cakes. Clad in a loose white silk robe, he stretched out on the pillows to watch her.
The girl in Adora was finally gone, but in its place was a magnificent woman who set his pulses racing. He smiled wryly to himself. His harem was full of nubile beauties. Even his second wife was not yet thirty. Yet, as always, he wanted only this beautiful woman. She was forty-one now but her hair was still dark, her eyes and skin clear.
She turned those eyes on him now. “What do you think about, my lord?”
“I think of how lovely you are. Of tonight at our son’s house how the eyes of the princelings could not keep away from you. The emir of Karamania had heard you were but a slave, and he offered me a king’s ransom for you. He was greatly disappointed to learn that you are my beloved wife. He could not resist asking if I were not tired of you, and if I might not divorce you and sell you to him!”
“And what did you tell him?”
“That all the gold in the world would be but a thousandth of your value.”
“You are extravagant, my lord,” she teased him.
“And you are irreplaceable in my heart,” he answered, drawing her into his arms.
“Your coffee,” she protested faintly, then gave herself over to his kisses.
Afterward, when they lay content beside each other, she thought it was time to speak of something she very much desired. She had rarely asked him for anything. She shifted so that she reclined on her side. Looking down on him, she said, “You have betrothed our daughter, Janfeda, to the young caliph of Baghdad. When will she go from us?”
“Shortly, my dove. I want her safe in Baghdad before the winter storms. I thought to send her by ship as far as Trebizond, and then overland from there to Baghdad.”
“And what will you do then, my lord?”
“Go off on campaign!” he said enthusiastically.
She nodded. “And what am I to do, my lord?”
“Do? What do you mean, my dove?”
“What am I to do? My sons are both grown and married. My daughter goes to wed the caliph soon. There is nothing left for me. I am not a woman content to sit idly in the harem, painting my toenails.”
He nodded gravely. “What would you do, Adora? For I know you well enough to know you have hatched a plot in that beautiful head of yours.”
“I would come with you, my lord. On campaign. Many women travel with their men in the army.”
His face registered delight. “I have never thought to ask you, my dove. Would you truly enjoy it?”
“I do not know, my lord, but I would rather be with you than left behind. Thamar will enjoy being the queen bee in the harem, but I will be with you!” She wrapped her arms about his neck and kissed him lingeringly. “Say yes, my lord! Please say yes!”
He enjoyed her pretty plea and slid his hands beneath her robe to caress the warm, silken skin. He felt her shiver with pleasure, and his own desire flamed.
“Say yes,” she whispered against his ear, biting it gently.
“Yes,” he answered, pulling her into his arms. “Yes, you deliciously sensual witch!” And he kissed her cool, soft mouth with an ardor she eagerly returned. The years had not dimmed their passion for one another.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The emperor’s younger son, Manuel, had been made governor of Salonika. Had he been content to govern, John would have been pleased, for Manuel was a skillful ruler. But Manuel’s mistress, from a wealthy Christian family in Serres, managed to involve Manuel in a plot to overthrow Murad’s government in Serres.
Manuel found himself besieged by the Ottoman troops and in a great deal of trouble with the sultan. He fled home to his parents in Constantinople. But for once John and Helena were in agreement: officially, they would not acknowledge him. When, at their weekly audience of supplicants, the chamberlain announced, “Prince Manuel Paleaologi, royal governor of Salonika,” the emperor said loudly, “We will not receive him.” Then he and Helena rose and left the hall together. There was a stunned silence, then a buzz of amazement from the hall.
They saw their son privately, however.
“Fool!” screamed the empress. “There was no harm in rutting with that she-devil of Serres, but to be led by her into direct opposition with Sultan Murad! Did you really expect to overthrow his rule?! Christos! Do not tell me you actually believed that?” She whirled about to face her husband. “This is as much your fault as his! You would place Manuel above his older brother, your rightful heir. He has done no better than Andronicus!”
Manuel Paleaologi looked at his mother with distaste. There was a pouch beneath her chin, powder clung to the wrinkles about her eyes, she dyed her hair. Yet she still attracted lovers like a bitch in heat. Her escapades had always been a source of embarrassment to him, especially as a child. His brother, who was her favorite child, found it amusing.
“Why do you stare at me like that?” she demanded of Manuel.
“I was thinking,” he said slowly, with satisfaction, “that you are getting old.” Then he fell back, reeling from the force of her blow.
“Leave us, Helena,” said the emperor sharply, and she stormed from the room. John Paleaologi turned back to his younger son. “Sit down, Manuel.” When the prince obeyed, John asked, “Why, my son? I went against custom and placed you above your brother because you deserved it. You are a natural ruler. Now you have behaved as foolishly as Andronicus. I cannot protect you from the folly you have committed. Surely you knew that when you came to me.”
Manuel nodded, shamefaced.
“Was she worth it, my son? Was this temptress of Serres worth your disgrace?”
“No, Father,” came the low reply.
The emperor let a little smile touch his lips. Then he said, “Well, Manuel, you have learned a hard lesson. I will elaborate upon it for you. Your mistress was not worth the trouble she has caused you. No woman ever is.”
“Not even a woman like my aunt Theadora?”
The emperor smiled. “Your aunt Thea would
“What must I do, Father? Where can I go now?”
“Have you courage, my son? For you will need courage to do what must be done.”
“If I do not have it, Father, I will find it somehow.”
“You must go to Sultan Murad and throw yourself on his mercy.”
Manuel whitened. “He will kill me,” he whispered fearfully.
“No,” said the emperor, “he will not kill you, Manuel. That would defeat his purpose. I see Thea’s subtle mind in
