Jewel of Persia

The slave bowed his head. “They fear for the king, mistress. News of the loss has reached them all, but no word on your husband.”


She grunted and spun away from the wall. If only she were so lucky as to be widowed—but if anything had happened to Xerxes, the message of defeat would not have been so

vague.

Ash drifted over the wall and made her sneeze. The idiot commoners were going too far to prove their distress. All over a man most of them had never seen but from a

distance, that few had ever spoken to. If they knew him as she did, they would not be distraught.

The world would be a better place when her son ruled, and she through him.

Unease pounced onto her shoulders and drew her gaze toward the nearby gate. Her lips curled up when she spotted the Jew that represented his people. She could sense the

demons that guarded him.

She hurried away, back toward the women’s palace and her children. Perhaps one of the first things she ought to have Darius do when he took the crown was get rid of those

troublesome Jews. She should not have to face the enemy of the god in her own home.

*

Sardis, Lydia



Darius watched her for a moment, then took stock of himself. For three weeks he had fought it, had tried to tell himself it was only a passing lust, that it was too great a

risk. He had even tried to refocus his thoughts on Artaynte.

Nothing worked. Each time he saw Kasia, it hit him anew. He must have her—and he was running out of time. Father would be back in three more weeks, and finding

opportunities to be together then could prove difficult.

Desire had never felt like this. Several of his lovers had gotten with child over the years, and seeing their rounded stomachs had always cooled his passion. Yet he never

even remembered Kasia’s condition unless she mentioned some symptom. With them, he had at once tried to be sensitive and yet cared little what they thought, what they

wanted. With Kasia, he found himself craving her opinion, longing to hear her speak. Time and again he had sought her out, just to pass the time in conversation. He told

himself he did it for her, to help her fend off loneliness.

He knew better.

She had been her old self these past weeks, the anger gone. Perhaps a sorrow lurked in her eyes, but she had been laughing again. Eyes bright. Passion for life pulling her

taut as a bow ready to loose its arrow.

He was helpless against his longings.

The afternoon sun burned bright but lacked warmth, and Darius pulled his shawl higher. Kasia sat at her son’s grave, beside the withering sunflowers. Pythius had passed an

hour with her, but Darius had kept out of sight until the old man left again. He must make her his offer, but he would do it carefully. She would want no one to know.

Drawing in a long breath, Darius stepped away from the wall and forced confidence into his step. His nerves frayed and sizzled, as if he had never approached a woman before.

But then, he had never tried to seduce one of his father’s wives. Never had his heart been at stake.

She looked up at his approach and smiled. His pulse raced. Did she know what she did to him? She must. It was no great secret that she and his father enjoyed a passionate

union, she was no stranger to the reactions of men.

He smiled back. “Good afternoon, Kasia. How are you feeling today?”

“Well.” She reached out to have her maid help her to her feet. “And you, prince?”

He could only nod, his throat dry as she smoothed her garment over her hip. “Are you up for a walk?”

How could her eyes brighten even as her smile softened? “That sounds perfect. My legs were beginning to tingle.”

Yes, surely she knew what she did to him. And if she did not mean to encourage him, she would not say such things. He darted a glance at the four servants surrounding her.

“Alone, if you please? I have some things to discuss with you that are of the most sensitive nature.”

She arched a brow even as her head eunuch stepped forward, with a muted, “Mistress, no.”

Why did she suffer such impudence from her slaves? Yet she grinned at the beast. “Theron, it is only Darius, and we will not walk far. Stay within sight, if that will make

you feel better.”

Not exactly what Darius had hoped, but it would do. He offered his arm, and she set her hand lightly on the inside of his elbow. Once they were out of earshot of her slaves,

he drew in a long breath. “You have seemed much happier these last few weeks.”

One of those small, intoxicating smiles teased the corners of her lips. “I have put some things to rights within my soul.”

“I am glad. Getting to know you has been very precious to me.”

The smile bloomed full, and she cast him a warm glance. “To me as well. It is funny, Darius. In some ways you remind me of your father, and in others of Zechariah.”