Empire of Dreams

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The silver tray in front of me was getting cold.

Chilled yogurt soup with dill, mint, green raisins, and walnuts, cold and refreshing on the tongue; stewed chicken with tart sweetened barberries; saffron rice with a crunchy brown crust; tangy sheep's cheese; hot bread; and a plate of radishes, fresh mint, and bitter greens awaited my husband's arrival.

I rolled around and swung my feet back on the carpeted floor. Heading to the small bookcase I had ordered to be brought in yesterday, I picked out one of my recent loans from the royal library. Just as I was settling down, Ali burst into the room, his eyes wary, his turban in his hands.

I got up to greet him and he pulled me in for a brief kiss.

"How was the meeting?" I asked, watching him run a frustrated hand through his hair. It was fascinating to watch him be this relaxed and unguarded in my presence.

"Was your cousin always this annoying?"

I chose my words carefully "He has a tendency to be overdramatic."

He made a sound of amusement. "How diplomatic of you," I shrugged and proceeded to place the food on his plate. He nodded his thanks and sat back, taking a bite of his food.

"Was it really that bad?"

"We got the land, message conveyed, story over. Now he wants us to go down to the Moroccan border," Why would Mehmet want to go to Morocco? There was no need for a Turkish presence there. Not to mention that the Byzantinians were just across the sea.

"That's strange."

"Baba thinks so too.We got a missive from Emir Abdullah. Your father will be coming home tomorrow. We'll go and pay him a visit tomorrow, if you want" he added after a small pause.

"Is it safe?"

"No one will dare hurt you now," I was not too sure about that.

I moved to place the book back on the shelf, just as he grabbed my arm, his eyes squinting at the title.

"War history?"

"I'm the wife of a General, I should know this." His eyes narrowed as surprise flickered across his features.

"As much as I appreciate the thought, you're the wife not the General."

"I know that..."

"You could have just asked me."

"This is the first time in days we've had lunch together."

Amusement flickered over his face. "Ah, always quick to remind me." He moved closer, his knee brushing my thigh, his body inches away.

"You wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"Did you like them?" His hands were now playing with my hair.

"Hmm?"I muttered distracted.

"The cushions, did you like them?"

"Yes, they're lovely"

A smirk pulled at his lips. "Remember what I said?"

I decided to feign ignorance. "Remind me?"

"I'd rather show you," he leaned in and inhaled. Butter-soft lips brushed my neck, his breath a hot caress.

"As much as I'd like that..." I inched back, trying to ignore the feelings swirling in my stomach "We need to slow down. We barely know each other."

"There's nothing to know"

"Ali!"

"Fine, but if you can concentrate."

"What?" He smiled before his lips started to  move fervently against my neck and his palms slid across my stomach.