Alexandria watched as the sultan was dressed by slaves. It was now morning, and once again she was in his bed. She looked forward to returning to her apartments and hoped Erik would keep his word and bring her more books.

"Did you hear me, little one?"

She flushed in embarrassment. "Forgive me, my lord. What did you say?"

He came forward and sat down on the bed. "Your mind has been quite occupied as of late. Is something bothering you?"

"Oh, no!" she exclaimed with too much enthusiasm. "I am just excited about the architect bringing me his..." She shut her mouth. What the hell was she saying?

"Bringing what?"

"Well...the plans of course," she said.

"I thought you still had much to discuss with him."

This lie was growing larger each minute. "Yes, but he is bringing me a few of the ideas I talked about with him last night," she said, thinking quickly.

He smiled at her. "And here you thought you would not want a court of your own." She blushed and he laughed. "I enjoy seeing those cheeks grow red."

"One of my flaws I cannot change," she replied, frowning at herself. At least they had gotten off the topic of the architect.

The sultan grew serious for a moment. "Alexandria, do I make you happy?"

"Of course, my lord." Why was he asking her such a thing?

He brought his hand to his mouth. "I am sorry you witnessed me striking Lala. I am not always that man. It seems Erik is not the only one that sometimes has a wicked temper. And I must admit, when it involves anyone harming you, I do not seem to be able to control myself." He eased back onto several pillows decorating the bed. "There are times, especially in front of an audience, I am expected to be that way. As a ruler, I cannot show any weakness."

"I could never imagine you weak, my lord," said Alexandria. And she sincerely meant it. After now spending more time with him, it was clear his authority was never questioned. And she suspected he was quick to administer punishment for what he dictated was righteous. His slap to Lala was most likely a very small example in comparison to his other acts to those who defied him.

He smiled. "Please understand, little one, my demonstration of what may seem like cruelty to others is also a strong message to our people and our enemies. I am not sure if you understand to the full extent of what I must do at times."

Alexandria opened her mouth to speak but then shut it tightly. Good God, she could never speak her opinion so openly to him.

The sultan's eyebrows rose. "What were you going to say?"

"I...nothing my lord. I think you are a very powerful ruler."

He shook his head. "That was not what you were going to say." He sat upright and took both of her hands into his. Looking straight into her eyes he spoke softly. "I know I am a man of extreme appetites. You have physically pleasured me more than enough. But you must understand I want more from you."

A lump caught in her throat. "More, my lord?"

"Yes. Last night, you intrigued me when you demonstrated your knowledge in front of Erik. I have even been thinking I would very much like to hear your opinion on more issues."

Alexandria was stunned. He wanted her to think? She felt hopeful for a moment.

The sultan smiled tightly before speaking again. "Although, you must remember it would only be in private with me," he said in a serious tone. "You must be very careful not to speak so openly when there are guests. It would kill me to punish you in front of them. But as I said, it is necessary to reinforce my word is final, and I will follow the expectations of my ancestors who were rulers before me."

She fiddled with one of the small pillows on the bed. "I do not know what to say, my lord."

He moved closer to her. "I want you to be yourself with me, Alexandria," he said softly. "I admit I have been more than eager to know you physically, especially after our first night when I saw what passion you held. But I am beginning to understand why Karim loved you. It is your mind, your wit. I never thought it possible with a woman," he admitted.

Alexandria swallowed. "Women in other lands are treated more as equals. They can learn and... read."

His eyes darkened. "Women are forbidden to do so in these lands. They are not equal and never shall be."

"I-I just thought if we, I mean, if you allowed me to speak openly with my opinion then perhaps you would also allow me a few books." She could not stop herself from looking at him with a plea in her eyes.

He sighed. "I am sorry, Alexandria. Words that are spoken have much less risk. Even if someone overheard our conversation, it would be easy to dismiss that the person lacked any credibility to prove such a thing. But books are written words and not easy to hide."

"I do not understand why women cannot read!" she suddenly blurted in anger. But before she could apologize, he reached out to stroke her long, thick hair, taking his time to entwine it within his fingers.

"Is it not the man that created woman? Is it not the man's responsibility to care and provide for her? Women should trust men and their wisdom. Anything else is unnecessary."

Alexandria could not help herself and frowned. She tried to recover but he smiled.

"That is not to mean women are unimportant, little one. Women in these lands are highly revered, as they produce life for our future. That alone makes them more than deserving of all we do to protect them."

"I...understand my lord."

He moved even closer until he was almost touching her lips. "Do you, Alexandria? Do you understand that while I am sultan it is you who I place above all other women?"

She took in his scent, and once more she was shamed with wanting him. If he truly wanted her to be open, then now was the time to test him. "I do not see how you can place me above all other women, my lord. Iris is about to have your first born and if it is a son, surely you will name him your heir."

He pulled back from her face and she held her breath waiting for his reaction.

"I know you overheard what I said to Lala," the sultan said softly. "What I said to her is there are many forms of love, Alexandria. I love Iris, but not in the same way as you."

She swallowed hard. "As I have been in love..." she began, but stopped as her voice began to tremble.

He nodded at her. "Say what you think, Alexandria."

She took a deep breath. "As I have been in love, I do not agree with what you say. There is only one form of love and that is...what is shared between one husband and...one wife."

The sultan sat back again and studied her with a serious expression. "Are you jealous of the other women who share my bed?"

"No, my lord."

He looked surprised. "Why? You just said it should only be between one man and woman. I find most women of Christian faith, such as Lala, have a very hard time with the concept. But a man cannot remain monogamous to one woman. It is not in his nature. Think about it, Alexandria. Look at the animals we share our kingdom with. Do not most of the males have more than one mate?"

"Yes, but we are not animals, my lord."

He chuckled at her boldness. "No, but we still possess the same instinct. And you must admit some animals have several mates, yet in the end he is only deeply mated to one. But you did not answer my question. I have doted upon only you since your arrival. Can you honestly say it would not bother you if I was to invite one of the harem girls into my bed this very night?"

Actually, she was craving a night to herself but she dared not say such a thing. "No, my lord."

"Because you do not love me."

"You are very kind to me, and I will perform my duty as a wife. But..."

"I am not Karim."

"No," she whispered. Now he was going to be angry. Dear God, what if she did fall out of his favor due to this discussion?

But the sultan's eyes seemed to soften. "He was a great and very honorable man. I envy the love you gave him."

She tried to keep herself together. She blinked rapidly, hiding her face by turning her head away so he could not see tears in her eyes.

"Alexandria," he said softly. "Come here."

She found she could not breathe. If he held her now...

But that was exactly what he did. Strong arms came around her, and he cradled her head to his chest. Her emotion surged forward with images of Karim in her mind. She tried to hold it in but lost her battle. As she cried, the sultan stroked her hair and rocked her slowly. When his chief eunuch came to tell him some guests had arrived, he waved him off. The sultan settled himself in bed with her but not for any lustful reasons. Instead, he simply held her and whispered comforting words.

When she opened her eyes, Alexandria realized she had fallen asleep. The sultan was no longer in the bed. She sat up and saw small pretty pink flowers left on the pillow that were no doubt meant for her. Her head spun with the change of events, and she did not know what to think. Could the sultan actually be experiencing real love with her? Or was she falling into some type of trap? But there was nothing really she could provide in exchange that would rationalize such a thing. He knew he already had her loyalty as well as the physical pleasure he gave her.

But he did not have her love.

That must be it. She was now a challenge to him. No woman ever refused him. No doubt most of them immediately fell in love with him. She shook her head. Her relationship with him was now at a critical stage. If he could not make her love him, what then?

Alexandria could still see the smirk on Lala's face, and she shuddered. She did not want...anyone. And here the day before she was eagerly looking for anyone to talk to. That someone turned out to be the architect Erik despite the sultan's warnings about his evil temper. But she had continued to ask Erik questions, much to the architect's annoyance. As if she needed to upset what little good graces left she had with Erik! She was definitely walking a fine line.

Quickly getting dressed, she left the sultan's court and went to her apartment. Only silence greeted her, as Anna had been sent for her weekly bath. Alexandria slowly walked into her bedroom and approached the secret compartment. Opening it, she gasped, as there before her were five more books ranging from philosophy to the arts. She eagerly took one of the books and opened it. It was about opera. She had heard of this type of performance but knew little else. She quickly hopped on her bed and began to read.

---

A few days later, Erik was still dissatisfied with the little progress that was being made. It became obvious that without more help this palace would take the rest of his life before it was finished. The stone delivered was inadequate. The glass artisans he wanted for Alexandria's bedroom were away visiting far off relatives. Even the sultan's personal bedroom was now facing problems, as the floor had not been laid properly. With the project so enormous, it was difficult for him to oversee everything, and the anger at such chaos was building within him.

"Manuel!" shouted Erik. Damn it! Where was he?

"Here," panted Manuel from behind him. He had been running up the hill and was out of breath.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"I had to fetch the captain's horse due to the situation at the palace."

"You will follow my orders not his," snapped Erik. "Wait. What did you just say?"

"You have not heard? It is so terrible such a thing has happened."

"And what is that?" asked Erik impatiently.

"The sultan's second wife Alexandria just became violently ill. The captain was called to return to the palace. I think he is..."

Erik knew Manuel stopped dead when he saw the look of anger in his eyes. "Where is she?" Erik demanded.

"I... I believe in her apartment. But why-"

Erik turned and made a dead run to his horse. There was little time. He had no idea when or how long ago her symptoms began. He checked his bags and found a small bottle he was looking for. Mounting his horse, Erik made haste to the palace. Upon arriving, he jumped off before the horse had even stopped.

Inside, the palace was complete chaos. Eunuchs, slaves, and soldiers were swarming in the hall close to Alexandria's apartment. But Erik flew past all of them, even when the soldiers shouted for him to stop. Arriving in her bedroom, Erik almost hesitated as he caught a glimpse of the sultan's face, which was angrier than he had ever seen.

Erik looked at the bed and found Alexandria struggling to breathe. Her face was as white as ash, even as the sultan's so called physicians tried to help her. Erik moved quickly to her, took out the bottle, pinched her nose, and dumped the contents down her throat.

Only to be yanked up and slammed hard against one of the walls.

Recovering from the blow to his back, Erik glared at the man who had dared to do such a thing to him. But he found himself looking into the sultan's blazing eyes.

"What were you doing?" the sultan roared as he slammed Erik once more into the wall.

Erik's own fury broke loose, and he twisted from the sultan's grasp. He was quickly able to change places, and it was suddenly he that was shoving the sultan into a wall. Without thinking, Erik's hands went to the man's throat but to his surprise, the sultan had enormous strength and pried Erik's fingers loose. Erik simply changed tactics by dead punching him in the face. Before the sultan could recover from the blow, Erik had within seconds produced a knife and placed it against the sultan's throat.

Which he quickly found out was a very bad strategy.

Several hands tore Erik off the sultan and shoved him so hard into the floor that the wind was knocked out of him. Before he could react, one of the soldiers trapped him with a sword at his chest while the others began to beat him severely.

"Stop!"

The soldiers bowed immediately as the sultan came forward. Rubbing his jaw, he glared down at Erik. "Explain yourself! Now!"

Seething with hatred, Erik looked up at the man. Despite his pain, he met the sultan's eyes with coldness.

"How does your favorite look now?" Erik asked in a mocking tone.

The men reacted in confusion but a collective gasp near Alexandria's bed caught their attention. As heads turned to look at her, their expressions turned to shock. The soldiers abruptly released Erik and the witnesses in the room all began to talk at once.

As no one, of course, was helping him up, Erik struggled to his feet. He winced at the pain in his back from being slammed into a stone wall, not to mention a few good blows to his torso. But he looked over to see that Alexandria's color had returned. She was now breathing well and even tried to sit up.

"Do not!" said Erik sharply to her.

The room became silent, and they all looked at him.

"What did you give her?" the sultan asked in a low voice.

"Something I know that easily counteracts a common poison used in these lands," replied Erik gruffly. He glared at her. "You are to stay in bed and only drink fluids for the rest of the day to be sure all of it is flushed from your system."

"And just how did you know she was poisoned?" asked the captain moving in dangerously close.

Erik scoffed. "It is not surprising to me at all. The symptoms of becoming so violently ill are generally associated with poison." He looked steadily at the sultan and was most satisfied he had left a mark on the ruler's face. "I have little doubt she is a target to many within these walls. It was only a matter of time."

The sultan looked gravely at him. "It must have been in her food. She had just eaten when she suddenly fell ill." He swiftly walked over to his captain. "Where is Lala?"

The sultan's chief eunuch pushed his way through the soldiers. "My lord, wait-"

"Bring her to me now!" yelled the sultan, ignoring the eunuch.

Soon Lala's screaming could be heard, and she was dragged into the room. She fought the soldiers as they shoved her down hard at the sultan's feet. Kneeling, she bowed her head, holding her trembling hands clasped together.

Lala begged the sultan in a shaking voice. "No! My lord, no! You must believe me. I had nothing to do with this. I admit I was jealous, but I would never do such a thing. Never!"

"My lord," said his chief eunuch softly, "it is hard to believe your third wife would be so forward in her tactics so quickly after the other incident with Alexandria. Even if she did, how could she know about the ingredients to make a poison?" The sultan's eunuch shook his head while looking at her. "She has not the intelligence to even know what or where to find such things."

The sultan narrowed his eyes at Lala and turned back to the eunuch. "But someone who is very close to her would."

It was then Erik knew the sultan already understood the relationship between Lala and her adored eunuch.

Lala looked up with her eyes wide. "Oh, God no...I swear, my lord...he would not have done this. Please..."

But it was too late, as she had just confirmed exactly what the sultan was thinking. Although it was not certain that Lala's chief eunuch had attempted murder, the sultan would not take the chance.

"Into my court. Now!" growled the sultan He turned and looked at Erik. "You also," he demanded.

Erik cursed and looked at Alexandria. Satisfied she had recovered, he plodded after the sultan surrounded by guards. Lala was roughly dragged following the group.

Arriving at the sultan's court, Erik found the open room filled with an audience. Some were advisors, while others most likely were guests from other lands. Those who did not know Erik stared at him.

The sultan sat down within his court, and slaves settled at his feet. He motioned to the captain that nodded and brought in Lala's beloved eunuch.

"No!" cried Lala as the soldiers forced her down on her knees across the room.

The sultan addressed those within the court. "I will take no chances with Alexandria's life. As there is suspicion that this eunuch could have done such a thing, he will be put to death." He looked at Lala. "I also do this for the purification of you, my third wife. I believe your desire to make amends were sincere to me last evening. Let this be seen not as a punishment but as a gesture of protecting you from those who may provide a negative influence. Your slaves within your court will be replaced with those loyal only to me."

Horrified, the eunuch was led over to the middle of the room and forced to kneel. The sultan nodded, and the captain swiftly beheaded the man. His head rolled to a stop in front of Lala who, in a matter of moments, fell forward on the floor in a dead faint.

Satisfied, the sultan nodded once more at his captain, who was wiping his sword clean on the dead eunuch's sleeve. The captain bowed and walked over to Lala. Picking her up in his arms, he motioned for some of the slaves to follow and left the court.

"I will speak with Erik alone," said the sultan in a low voice. The room quickly emptied except for the slaves still on the floor at the base of the ruler's chair.

Erik watched as dark red blood from the body continued to spread across the floor. The slave girls tried to move away but it continued to flow until they were in a small pool of blood. Horrified, some of them gagged and covered their mouths but none would dare to cry out for fear of punishment.

"I had heard rumors of your previous reputation in the last few weeks," said the sultan as he ignored the slave girls that were now kneeling in a pool of blood.

Erik shrugged. "I hardly see how it may differ from what I am now."

The sultan chuckled. "Yes, but I heard you have a cunning mind to easily get away with death." He leaned forward. "You already know this eunuch most likely did not obtain the poison."

"So you simply killed him for your own purpose," said Erik in a matter-of-fact tone.

The sultan smiled. "Of course."

Erik gave a ragged sigh. "What is it you want? I am behind schedule."

"You will always be behind on schedule, Erik, because you are never satisfied."

"What do you want?" snapped Erik.

"Only your insights as to who may have poisoned Alexandria."

Erik all but rolled his eyes. "She is your favorite and therefore many have a motive against her."

"Yes, and for some reason I think in time you will find more hidden secrets within your dark world that I can use to my advantage. Do I make myself clear?"

Erik clenched his jaw. Now he was not only an architect, but a damn spy for the man.

The sultan reached down casually and brought up one of the young female slaves to his lap. He absently caressed the front of her dress, brushing his fingers around where Erik was certain her nipple was. She shuddered but the sultan did not notice as he continued.

"I want Alexandria protected at all cost. There is an insider in this palace anxious for her death, and I simply want your eyes on the situation. That is all I am asking."

"Of course, I will see what I can do between the hours I have to spare with nothing to do."

"Good."

Erik could feel his temper rising. "Why? I am not her master."

"No one is her true master," said the sultan softly. "Similar to what you told me in that you would bow to no one." He smiled. "And so now that you are working with her on her new court, I expect for you to watch her when I have to be away."

"I am not here to look after your wife's needs."

"No," said the sultan, "only I will fulfill those particular needs like no other man," he said, obviously making a point she was at his mercy when it came to his physical demands. "I will make a deal with you. If you help provide me with information that can assist in Alexandria's safety, then I will relent in buying as many slaves as you wish for the new palace."

Erik could not deny the need for so many more slaves that only the sultan would be able to purchase in such an enormous quantity. Damn. He drew a breath.

"I accept."