Star of Persia

Chapter 10

The following week passes by quickly. Every day, new gorgeous women arrive and undergo the fateful examination. Most women return, but a handful are never seen again.

Sara and I stick close together, finding comfort in each other's company. We spend the days idly since lessons are not due to start until the house is at full capacity. Confined to the house and its adjoining rooms, the growing number of women makes the lavish, open halls feel less empty.

Small groups of women have already begun to form, friendships sought and already tensions have escalated. One morning, when the last group of women who will join the House of Rosa are due to arrive, the sound of a shattering vase disrupts my friend's idle conversation about a marble relic sitting on a polished silver stand in the breezy sunroom.

"I did not say that!" A high-pitched voice shrieks, followed by an audible huff of annoyance.

"You did too! Now look at what you've done. There are flowers and water all over the floor."

"You bumped me," the voice retorts coldly.

"You only wish to believe that. The king will never want a queen as clumsy as you."

Sara turns to me with an eyebrow cocked, listening to the argument while sipping the floral tea she favours.

"What was that about?" she whispers to me, blue eyes staring curiously at the other side of the room.

The squabbling voices disappear in the opposite direction as servants rush past to clean up the mess obscured by waving gossamer that shields alcoves of settees and lounges.

"I will be glad to avoid making a fight with others," Sara tells me as she cradles the warm mug in her hands. "They make me think of the other girls my age from my city."

Sara and I had evaded the attention of most of the other girls, with only a handful of women bothering to speak to us. Like us, it was easier to associate with the women we had met earlier or arrived with. We weren't being anti-social, but we had preferred a low key presence over the last few days.

Our pondering of the social dynamics that were forming is paused as a buzz of activity in the main hall draws our attention.

Excited voices drift past us, skirts swishing and sandals tapping against the polished floors.

"That must be the last group of women," I muse to Sara.

"Yes, we are soon to begin lessons and preparations. It is good. I have enough of lying around all day with nothing to do but drink this tea and take baths."

"The seamstress told me she has a set of dresses ready for me today," I say, and part of me is looking forward to seeing the beautiful clothes that Omarosa has designed just for me.

"My seamstress says mine will only be ready in three days," Sara informs me, tugging at the sleeve of her flowing, robe-like garment. All of us had been supplied with beautiful day dresses, but they weren't fitted to us and, supposedly, they didn't meet the high standard for the most prestigious House. I smooth the edge of my simple cream gown as I nod my agreement to Sara's murmured suggestion to see our new home's newest and last members. We move off together, joining the stream of women who are eagerly gathering in the main entrance hall.

Whispers rise in the air as we enter the grand space, buzzing with attendants and beautiful women. My eyebrows crease in surprise as I spot Hegai standing by a small group of women. It had been some time since I had last seen him. My eyes scan the new women, searching for a familiar face. The small hope that Emitta has been moved to this House is crushed as I examine the fresh faces. A sour ball of disappointment forms in the back of my throat.