The Sultan's Spy

Chapter 52: The Future

Tariq left Eliska walking into the harem, the dark circles under her eyes and the barely hidden yawns telling him where she was heading. He wasn't as tired, but he hadn't been in the middle of a mage battle either. He left the rooms of the Valide Sultana with a certain amount of relief.

Both Eliska's sister and the sultan's mother were cold, hard women. He'd thought Eliska was an anomaly, a fierce tiger in a family of housecats, but one meeting was all it had taken to disabuse him of that notion. Tariq now knew how mice felt when faced with a hungry cat.

He'd agreed to the shadow nonsense but wasn't sure he'd actually go through it. They said they'd take his memories, but he doubted it. He'd remembered Eliska's warnings and he had a feeling refusal would have ended up with him dead. It would be easy enough to run if he chose to live his life free. He hadn't liked all the orders and potential relocation they'd been talking about.

Tariq sighed. He probably would consider joining their little web more if they would let him continue working with Eliska, but the look he'd gotten from Lizina and the Valide Sultana gave him little hope of that. He'd bet hard coin they were plotting ways to keep him far away from her.

And just after he'd finally gotten through to her. The flush to her cheeks when he'd touched her hair had spoken volumes. With a little more time, he was sure he could get her to join him in a more...personal relationship.

Though, when he was being realistic, he admitted her reaction could just be because he'd dared to actually touch her hair. It was the first time he'd seen it, the silken black strands having a faint curl at the ends. It wasn't the first time he'd seen a woman without a headscarf or veil but it was definitely the first time he'd seen woman of noble blood like that.

That thought brought Zakki to the front of his mind and he lost his faint smile. Eliska had been mostly right. The sultan apparently hadn't known anything, had been kept in the dark. But it was her family that had allowed it to happen. The familiar burn of his anger soured his stomach. He hated to admit that they'd had a good point to it, but still hated them for so easily making the decision. If being a shadow meant being like them...

Brightly coloured movement drew his attention away from his thoughts and towards the figure approaching him. Tariq felt a reflexive glare pull at his eyes before he forced himself to relax. He had no reason to hate the sultan anymore, and even if he did, it wouldn't be wise to show it in public. He bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."

"Follow me, if you please," the older man said, nodding towards the other end of the hallway.

It was framed as a request while being anything but, so Tariq fell into step beside the Sultan, doing his best to ignore the guards at his back. They followed entirely too close for his comfort. At the end of the mosaic lined hall, Kasimer opened a small doorway and waited for Tariq to enter before waving his guards to stay outside. They didn't look happy about it but complied.

Swallowing hard, Tariq wasn't sure he wanted to know what was about to happen. While he'd pictured being alone with the Sultan before, it certainly hadn't been standing in a pleasantly appointed room in the palace. And it certainly hadn't been the Sultan's own doing that the two were alone in his old fantasies.

Once the door was shut, Kasimer nodded at the pillow covered tile benches that lined either side of the small table stuck in the centre of the room. With carved screens of sandalwood, the room felt private, rich, and just a little claustrophobic. If he had his way, Tariq would have preferred to meet Eliska here, just the two of them, maybe with some wine...

He cut those thoughts off, reminding himself that the man settling down across from him was her brother and the country's ruler. Like he'd heard his thoughts, the Sultan studied him intently for a few moments, face as serene as a lake on a windless day. "As I understand it, you were offered a position by Mother and Lizina, correct?"

Tariq wasn't sure what he wanted, but nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Kasimer leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and steepling his fingers. "I must ask, what do you think of Flit?"

He blinked, wondering who Flit was, and why they'd suddenly jumped topics. "Flit?"

"Ah, my apologies, Eliska. Flit is my nickname for her. She is so prone to flitting around, here and there, like a butterfly. When she was younger it was more like a hummingbird, all energy and sticking her beak into things."

Tariq had no idea what to say to that, so he remained silent. After a few moments, the Sultan gave him an expectant look, and Tariq realized he hadn't answered the question. He thought quickly for some description that would say that Eliska was amazing while still being respectful. "She is...exceptionally well-trained and very devoted to her family."

"She is also stubborn, too certain of herself at times, and has a sharp temper and a sharper tongue."

He could feel his eyes widen. While he didn't disagree, Tariq hadn't expected to hear that kind of evaluation of Eliska from the Sultan. Or anyone, for that matter. He imagined she'd be pretty angry with them both if she heard it.

Kasimer caught sight of his expression and offered him a smile. "I am her brother. Saying these kinds of things is hardly unexpected. I wanted you to be aware of the realities of her, if you weren't already, before I speak to you further. You are aware she is hardly perfect, correct?"

Tariq glanced around briefly, trying to figure out what answer was least likely to end with his head adorning a pole. "Yes?"

The Sultan nodded. "I have had something of a problem with Eliska. She has long been one of my favourites, something that is an ill-kept secret within the palace and harem, and I have long taken careful consideration with regards to her future. Our sister Lizina, who you've met, has some plans for Eliska as well, but succession among the shadows is not something I am supposed to interfere with."

He continued before Tariq could form more than a general feeling of confusion. "However, she is far past the normal age for these things and I have been very concerned with finding a solid match for her. She requires someone with a certain...mental fortitude. While some of my sisters and even a few of my daughters, are content to lead their households and partnerships, Eliska is someone who requires a true partner. Someone to rein her in when required. You have impressed me so far, reacting well when put into unexpected situations and not dying easily either."

Tariq froze. It almost sounded like the Sultan was suggesting he-

Kasimer met his gaze steadily. "How would you feel about taking Eliska as your bride?"