Till Destiny Bind Us Together...

Chapter Two

Ruia rushed back to her corridor. It was especial risky as she was wearing men's garments. The harem was protected from other men. Any other man spotted would be killed on sight, no questions asked.

When she knocked on the door in a rhythm which was their secret code, Dulari opened it enough for her to pass to, she was sure the eunuch was waiting by the door.

As quickly as she came in, the girl bowed down and slipped out. Dulari helped her out of her clothes and slipping on a night dress.

That was when the door opened again and Ruia froze in panic, albeit of standing behind a screen, she was frustrated. Dulari rushed to see who it was.

Ruia quickly stowed away the clothes in a dark corner and splashed water on her her face, she exited wiping with a towel.

"Rooh! You're still awake?" Her sister, Razia said.

"I was using the chamber pot. What is it, Razia?" She asked. Razia's pale face was married with worry. Razia, the moon of the empire, the title did fit her. She was pale with striking blue green eyes, her face waifish, her hair was brown curling at her ears and and temples.

Ruia curbed the thoughts of jealousy, she wished Razia had a flaw but her sister had none. As beautiful Razia was outside, she held a beauty inside too.

"Rooh, I've got a letter from Zahir."

"Why is that a cause of concern?" She looked at Dulari and nodded, the eunuch had bowed and stepping back had made herself scarce.

"He says he has found leads for searching that sky woman!"

"Oh heavens no! Not his obsession rearing it's head again. Wherever did he find a lead? I thought she left wherever she came from, that swindler." Ruia paced in front of Razia.

Ruia was greatly concerned because it was her who had brought that woman into the palace. One night, out of boredom Ruia decided to visit the club to find a Fatma whipping a young woman in her study.

The woman was younger than her, only eighteen, Fatma had told her that she herself had bought this slave for her personal use. Out of pity, she had brought her from Fatma for a hefty amount paid in gold.

That had been years ago. Ruia had treated her like a sister, not a slave. She was treated well by the entire family because she had a bevy of tips and tricks up her sleeve. Her perception beyond what they could think. She had successfully predicted the gun powder shortage due to a sudden war breaking out in the west.

Another was conversing in length with the English merchant who had visited the court. Not even her baba, the Emperor knew it that fluently. She had caught discrepancies in trade agreements in the Empress' trading with the Portuguese.

She taught her and Razia about make up and disguises. Her make up was exquisite. She taught them new ways to wear dresses and new styles of embroidery.

She had soon gained a special place in everyone's heart.

Dilara had warned her. Something was off about the women. But Ruia brushed it off.

In a couple of years, unaware to them, she had ensnared Zahir in her trap. Zahir had boldly asked, no, demanded for her to placed in his service. Ruia had denied ofcourse.

But he had taken the matter with the Emperor. The emperor sympathetic to Zahir who was about to depart to a province for the first time, had agreed.

Zahir had been about to leave but something the woman said had stopped him. It angered them. She was no one to stop him but she had. It made the Emperor unhappy.