But her face spoke of pain, and she shook her head as if in sorrow. “Why do you grow so angry over what we all know will never be?”
“Because in this moment, you are the favorite.” He could not see which woman answered her. “And in this moment, Persia has no queen. Why would the king not name the one
he loves?”
“The king does not love me,” Kasia said softly. He straightened—did she doubt him? Then her lips pulled up. “Xerxes does.”
Ah. He smiled.
Suri shook her head. “You say that as if there is a difference, child. Let me assure you there is none. Even when his older brother was the presumed heir, Xerxes did
nothing not geared toward ruling someday. Take that away, and you would not be left with a man. You would be left with a corpse.”
He never would have argued with the words, would have denied that they were an accusation rather than a compliment. Until Kasia.
Did the others recognize the secret truth in her smile? “I am sorry you think so. My point, though, is that if he favors me, it is not as a queen. I am only a concubine,
raised in a poor family with more children than luxuries. I am ill-suited to the demands of the crown. More, I am a Jew. I confess it proudly, but we all know one of my
people will never be given such power.”
Murmurs of agreement sounded, though most made it sound as though they insulted her rather than granting the point she herself made.
She looked at several of the women in turn. “You seem to find new reasons to dislike me at every turn, but let this not be one of them. I will never rule over any of you.”
That was as good a cue for him to enter as any. He stepped out into the sunlight. “None of you will ever rule over the others.”
All the women turned his way, varying degrees of surprise and guilt on their faces. He glared back. “You think I know nothing of women’s ambitions? The older among you,
with sons nearly men, would plot the assassination of my chosen heir so that your child might take his place. The younger among you would lord your new power over the older
and make life miserable in my palace.”
He slashed a hand through the air. “No. I have my heir—and no need of a queen. I have an army to gather, a war to win. Perhaps when I return, I will have the time to worry
with this. If so, rest assured I will not pick from your numbers. I will bring in new wives, ones whose sons will not age until Darius has already learned the ways of ruling
and is ready to take my place. And if I name a new queen, it will be one who treats you better than you treat each other.” His gaze flicked to Kasia, then back to the women
at large. “The next to mutter about this will find herself divorced and sent home in shame to her parents. Do I make myself clear?”
They were quick to duck their heads, seek the ground with their gazes. All modesty, all demureness, all obedience.
He trusted the lot of them about as much as a den of vipers.
Stepping out of the courtyard again, he nodded to Hegai. “Thank you for telling me what was underway. Were all but Kasia present when I got here?”
“Jasmine left when the grumbling began. I suspect she is the one who informed Kasia.”
“Hmm.” He folded his arms, tapped a finger against his elbow. He would speak to her, but not when any would think it of import.
The perfect excuse dashed through the courtyard as if summoned by his thoughts. “Father!”
He scooped up Chinara with a grin and gave her a hug. “I wondered where you were—I have been here two whole minutes with empty arms.”
The girl giggled and snuggled close. “Mother would not let me out of the room until the shouting stopped.”
And her mother now wove through the dispersing crowd, a flush on her round cheeks. “My apologies, my lord. She heard your voice . . .”
“And I am thankful she did.” He kissed his daughter’s head and, when she wiggled for freedom, put her down. His voice he pitched low. “I will be leaving soon, Jasmine. I
will need eyes and ears in the harem while I am gone. Can I trust you with that?”
Within those strange silver eyes he read everything he had hoped for—recognition, respect, obedience. She nodded. “I would be honored to serve you, my husband.”
“Good.” He smiled and nodded over her shoulder. “She is on the run again.”
Jasmine scurried away, leaving him alone with his custodian. Solitude had lost its appeal, though. “Have Kasia come to my palace now, Hegai. I would share a meal with her.
”
Thirteen
Kasia ran her hand over the dog’s head and scratched behind its ear. The beast leaned into her and smiled. Whoever would have thought a dog could smile? “You are a good
pup, Zad. Soon enough you shall have your strength back completely.”
Zad rewarded her encouragement with a lick and sprawled in the grass. Kasia grinned and patted his side. “My family never had a pet,” she said to Desma.