Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 7

Xia sat on the bed of his new room, his head resting against his knees. He barely took in the luxurious room that he had been given as his mind kept wandering back to what the sultan had said. Becoming a concubine would have been simpler than becoming this man's wife. He hoped that this was just a terrible dream, and soon he would wake up from this nightmare. 

His sister paced back and forth, biting her thumbnail. This wasn't going according to plan. Yes, they planned for Xia to be chosen, but not like this. Marriage wasn't in the cards for them, but it wasn't as though they could walk out and refuse the sultan. He was the most powerful man in Rasea, and he would get what he wanted. If Xia was to be his bride, then they couldn't simply walk away. The sultan would never allow it and if they tried to escape, then there would be consequences. This situation was already complicated enough as it was.

Alishba came to a halt, turning her attention to Xia. "What now? We can't just run away from this situation. Perhaps you can speak to the sultan about this and revoke this marriage. He can't just force you to marry him."

"Actually, the sultan can do whatever he pleases. A lot of marriages in Rasea aren't based on love, and since Osiris is our ruler, he can force me into a marriage with him. Besides, I think that he's fucking with me. I think he recognizes me from that day." Xia couldn't figure out why else the sultan would jump to marriage when all he was searching for was a concubine before.

"Or he thinks that you're so beautiful that he wants to make you his trophy," Alishba suggested in an attempt to lighten the mood. When she saw that Xia's mood hadn't changed, she sighed. "Mind telling me what happened that day? You never mentioned the sultan's appearance, only that his men were there."

He shrugged. "There's not much to say. When the sultan's men arrived, I needed a quick escape. So, I jumped out of the window and Osiris was waiting below. He caught me and that's all there is to it. Though we only saw each other briefly, I doubt that he would forget me that easily. I kind of stand out, you know? But I didn't know that he was the sultan at the time, otherwise, I never would have gone through with this."

It was too late to leave now. If Xia attempted to run away, then he would have to flee Rasea altogether. He couldn't afford to do that right now and he wouldn't leave his family behind. He would have to stick this out for as long as possible, and perhaps convince the sultan to delay the wedding. He didn't know when Osiris intended to marry him, so there was still time. It wasn't like they would be married tomorrow.

He had to remind himself that he was doing this for his family. He thought about his grandmother, who deserved to relax for the rest of her life. Xia could make that happen, he just needed to hold out at the palace for as long as he could. Besides, being engaged might work in his favor. Maybe he'll receive more gifts from the sultan than a concubine would. That was as long as the sultan didn't already suspect Xia. If this was a game that he was playing, then Xia would play along.

"I don't plan on backing down. Regardless of whether he suspects me or not, I will see this through. If Osiris had any intention of throwing me in jail or executing me, then he would have done so already. He's testing me, or he really doesn't recognize me. Either way, I'm doing this." Xia was never the type to back down from a challenge. Besides, Osiris could not prove that Xia was the one at the temple that day. If he was confronted, then he could deny it. Without proof, then they couldn't do anything to him.

At least, that was what he was trying to convince himself. He knew that if Osiris wanted him to suffer, then the sultan didn't need proof. This was another way for their ruler to abuse his power. He could convict him without any evidence. It would be Xia's word against the most powerful man in all of Rasea.

Alishba cleared her throat, catching Xia off guard. He was so absorbed in his thoughts until his sister asked, "Okay, but what if he wants to have sex with you?"

He was left speechless by his sister's question. As Osiris' wife, there was a very real possibility that Xia might be expected to perform sexual acts with the sultan. Especially on their wedding night when they were expected to consummate their marriage. He may not have thought this through. Xia had no intention of losing his virginity to the sultan.

Xia glanced away, a slight blush creeping its way onto his face. He tried to sound levelheaded as he said, "I'll have to deny him if he tries anything before the marriage. I'll tell him that I want to wait until our official marriage day, and then you and I will flee on that day."

"And what if he wants to get married before we make enough money? For all we know, he might want to get married tomorrow." Alishba had a good point, which made Xia shudder at the thought.

Whatever happened, he wouldn't end up in bed with the sultan. Osiris could please himself with his concubines for all Xia cared. He didn't get the chance to answer his sister when they heard a knock on the door. Shortly after, one of the maids entered the room.

She bowed to Xia, then announced, "His Highness would like to dine with you, my lady." She briefly glanced at Alishba and added, "Alone."

At the mention of Osiris wanting to see Xia, his heart picked up in speed. He knew that he would be meeting with Osiris again eventually, but he wasn't ready for it to be this soon. If Alishba were able to attend with him, then his nerves might have calmed a little. However, they couldn't ignore the sultan's request for Xia to attend alone. Slowly, he got up from his bed.

Alishba whispered into his ear with a devious smile on her face, "You better prepare your ass now, brother."

He knew that she was teasing him, making Xia's face feel like it was on fire. He shot his sister a glare, choosing to ignore her words. He wouldn't let her get under his skin now when he was about to meet with the sultan. With his head held high, Xia left his sister to follow the maid.