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. I find your daughter a delight.”
Jasmine pressed a kiss to the imp’s head. “She is that. Now.” Her eyes, a strange gray like fog over the river, twinkled. “I saw Hegai give you the necklace. The king
rarely has anything presented publicly. His gifts are usually given in private, so many women use their allowance to order jewelry they say is from him when we all know it
is not. You will not have to stoop to that. He must love you immensely.”
Contentment welled up. “I think he does. I hope so. No other man has ever made my heart awaken like this.”
Chinara wiggled down and took off. Jasmine watched her as she dashed about. “You are blessed. I have found happiness here thanks to Chinara, but if not for her . . . I
angered the king by weeping the night we became man and wife, and he has never called me again. Perhaps he would have, to honor my father, had I not gotten with child and
then been rendered barren from the birth.”
“That is awful.” Kasia reached out and covered the hand Jasmine had put on the table. “How do you smile so brightly?” And how could the same man who spoke to her heart
ignore Jasmine’s so completely?
Dimples flashed in Jasmine’s full cheeks. “It is not so terrible. I feel no need to compete with the others—I am at the bottom of their hierarchy, and that is a secure
place to be. They all like me well enough since I am no threat. But still the king treats me kindly, because he adores our daughter. It is sufficient.”
“Yes, but . . .” She flushed to a halt. Having only been married a week, she could not bring herself to ask if Jasmine did not miss the touch of a man, the roar of passion
through her veins. That heady sensation of a long kiss.
Jasmine quirked a brow. “You enjoy his company. I have come to appreciate him in a friendly way, but there was no connection between us on that level. This is the best life
I could hope for.”
It struck her as sad, but Kasia nodded and let it go. “I have no desire to compete with the other wives. Perhaps you can help me avoid it.”
Jasmine chuckled and rested her gaze on the pearls. “You can choose not to compete with them, my friend, but you cannot stop them from competing with you. But do not
dismay. Soon enough they will get used to the attention the king pays you and realize that you can do them favors.”
“Favors? I?” She laughed.
“Just wait. If you retain the favor I think you will, the others will come to you asking for advice, for extra portions, for a special word in the king’s ear for their
children.”
Unfathomable. Right now it still felt as though her relationship with Xerxes existed in a plane separate from this one, unconnected to these other wives. As if a different
Kasia came to life when the sun edged toward the horizon, one that could never show her face here lest she be judged.
Jasmine leapt to her feet with a heaving breath. “There she goes again. Forgive me, Kasia, I must run after her. Might I find you later?”
Kasia smiled as her new friend scampered off. “I will count on it.”
Eight