Tales of Love and Power

Chapter 24: Mahaila

Mahaila slowly placed her feet on the ground and attempted to steady herself. Her pain flared and she stumbled into Supervisor Astrea's arms. She held onto her, using her as support as her body screamed with every small movement. The floor beneath her feet felt unsteady as if the earth was moving. But it was she who swayed back and forth like a wave about to crash on the shore.

She knew what waited for her. For what would come once she crossed her chamber doors. The eyes, the whispers, and the stares. The concubine would surely have gathered to wait and see what had become of her. To know the extent of her ruin. To see if she had become a shadow of her former self.

She walked to her chamber doors, blinking away the hot tears that begged to be released. But she would not let them see her weak.

"Put on your veil. It can hide your scars from the other." Supervisor Astrea said draping her veil on top of her head.

For a moment Mahaila considered using the material as a shield that she could hide behind. But she knew that this was not the time to hide.

"No," Mahaila said faintly. "Let them see." Her hands reached up the veil that had just been placed on her head, her fingers clenching the fabric by her side. She wanted them to see what Hazeda had done.

Zukul pushed her chamber doors open and she stepped forward. The way to Abzalin's chamber seemed impossible long.

The hall was full of silence, as the figures of the other concubines filled the space. They gathered in the sitting room, waiting and watching with wide eyes as Mahaila approached.

As the collar of her nightgown was stained with blood and her wounds were only beginning to heal, she was sure that she looked more dead than alive. She could see their disbelief and shock written on their faces and she knew what they were thinking at that moment. That she had been dragged through a depth of suffering that most would not survive.

But she had survived. She was alive.

Her eyes caught Yuruza's gaze and for a brief moment, they shared something. Something unspoken but understood by them both. Pride. With a single smile, she told Yuruza that she had not been broken.

Mahaila continued walking forward ignoring the gasps of the women.

While Mahaila was in a world of pain, she did not let it show. Her eyes remained focused on the path in front of her.

She did not succumb to the pain until she reached Abzalin's chambers. There she collapsed into his bed letting out a painful groan.

Madam Rozar arrived soon after.

"You rest now Mahaila." She spoke gently feeding Mahaila a small sleeping pill. Mahaila embraced it eager to escape her pain in the realm of sleep. As she drifted into unconsciousness she could feel the cool salve being applied to her skin. She could feel Madam Rozar's warmth and kindness as she spoke to her. "I am going to take good care of you, my girl." Her voice was the last thing Mahaila heard before she succumbed to sleep.

When she woke with the sunrise, Abzalin was there. His presence by her side was a balm that soothed the scars on her soul. She turned to him and called out his name. Abzalin placed a kiss upon her cut lip and smiled at her. At that moment, despite everything, his was the smile that made her safe. Whole.

"How do you feel?" He asked her. "Madam Rozar said you might feel some pain once the effects of the medicine subsides."

She shook her head her smile not fading. "It's better now that you're here. You're good medicine."

Abzalin observed her cuts, glad that they were healing. "As long as I'm here no harm will ever come to you." He promised and meant with every piece of his heart. Soon after, the servants brought their breakfast and they ate together chatting softly. The morning flew quickly by and soon Abzalin was off to perform his royal duties. Madam Rozar arrived and spent much of the day tending to Mahaila.

Mahaila remained in bed as she recovered and was quickly consumed in boredom. Supervisor Astrea brought her a series of books that kept her occupied. Though her head still ached and one eye hurt to remain open, she read every book given to her as it was better than the alternative. Her mind was soon occupied with a series of new information that she wanted so anxiously to share. As she read the many tales of heroes, adventurers, and kings she became immersed in Abzalin's world.

When Abzalin returned in the afternoon he was swiftly informed on Mahaila's condition. Once alone they'd tell the other how their day went. Though Mahaila had yet to comprehend the complicated system of the royal court she was interested to hear Abzalin speak of the kingdom he loved so much.

The weeks that came after became easier as her body healed and her strength returned. Abzalin and Mahaila grew closer with each day that passed. At times they spoke of nothing other times they spoke of the kingdom and the court, things that Mahaila had yet to fully understand. But each conversation deepened their bond and they fell deeper into each other.

Once Mahaila was fully healed, it came time for the inevitability of returning to the concubine's wing. It was clear as day that Mahaila did not desire to return. She had seen too much of Abzalin's love to spend even a day without it. On the last evening, when Mahaila was to stay in Abzalin's chambers she sat with him and asked him with a pout. "Must I go back to the concubine's wing?"

Abzalin sat with his legs crossed, as Mahaila's legs wrapped around his waist. He admired the trail of love bites that adorned her skin as his hand caressed her back.

After weeks of her laying in bed, ill Abzalin felt glad to see her act like her usual self. "I'll miss waking up with you. The world is brighter when I'm standing under your sun." Mahaila spoke against his lips.

"Flattery is futile. Your education cannot be delayed." Abzalin spoke playfully.

"I much prefer learning from you." They teased each other for a few minutes before Abzalin caressed the skin where her scars used to be. He remembered how not long before that moment she stood before him the shell of the woman she was now. "Thank you for caring for me." She said with a smile. "I feel as if you brought me back from the edge of death."

"Were you in that much pain?" he questioned full of concern.

"It wasn't pain. It was fear." She looked down at his hand to not let herself be brought to tears. "I feared that you'd no longer love me. After knowing what it's like to be loved by you, I don't think I'd be able to survive even a day without receiving your love." She spoke aching with the thought of him being no longer by her side. His love, his affection, and his touch had all become as necessary as the air she breathed. Abzalin held her then and wiped the stray tear from her eye before kissing her.

"Abzalin, I have something to ask of you," Mahaila said looking into his eyes. "I want you to give me a new name." There was tradition in the harem that when a concubine had adjusted to the harem they'd be given a new name. It was symbolic for many as their new names were based on their personalities or what they hoped to be.

Abzalin smiled at her request. "You don't wish to choose your own name?" He asked gently.

"No, I was created for you. I will only be called what you wish."

Abzalin looked at her surprised but tender. He observed her for a few seconds before leaning in and whispering a name in her ear.

Anakaztia.

The sound of it ignited a spark in her chest.

"Anakaztia" She echoed back to him.

"It means strong, the resurrected phoenix. The soul flame of the mighty dragon." They smiled at each other as he spoke about the meaning of her new name. "From now on you will be known as Anakaztia. My strong, perfect, Anakaztia."

She felt a pleasant feeling in her belly as he said her name. "Say it again." She implored him as he had done to her on their first night.

He lowered his hand to her waist pulling her close to him until their cores stroked against each other. She let out a pleasant gasp at his sudden movement. He brought his lips to her ear touching it ever so slightly making her shiver with delight. "Anakaztia." He pulled his face back enough to see the expression on her face. She wanted his touch, his lips, his embrace. Her eyes needed him to grant her what her flesh desired and he did. Their bodies united under the bed sheets as he called her by her new name. It became official then. Now she was no longer Mahaila. Mahaila had died and from her ashes came someone stronger. She was reborn and would forever be known as Anakaztia.