"Shiek" - читать интересную книгу автора (Connie Mason)

Suddenly Saha appeared in the doorway and Zara closed her fingers over the packet. "I've brought you something cool to drink," Saha said, offering Zara a tall glass of sparkling red liquid. "I know how hot and dusty the souk can be on a day like this."

Zara eyed Saha suspiciously. Her act of kindness was unexpected and totally out of character. But if Saha meant to offer friendship, Zara certainly didn't want to discourage her. "Thank you, Saha, how thoughtful of you. Have you changed your mind about me?"

Saha gave a delicate shrug. "You seem to please Jamal and it has occurred to me that I should try to be more tolerant of you. I do not wish to incur Jamal's wrath for treating you badly. One day he will tire of you and turn to his concubines for comfort. So drink, Zara, and consider my offering an act of friendship."

"Why not?" Zara replied, aware that she wouldn't be in the harem long enough to develop a friendship with Saha even if she was inclined to do so. Saha was the last person with whom she'd share her plans.

Zara accepted the glass from Saha and lifted it to her lips. The cool liquid had just barely touched her lips when Nafisa rushed into the room and slapped the glass from Zara's hands. Zara watched in dismay as the glass shattered on the floor, creating a splash of red against the pale peach-colored carpet.

"What have you done, Saha?" Nafisa cried, rounding on the frightened concubine, who was cowering in a corner. "Jamal will kill you for this."

Zara was slow to react. When it finally dawned on her what Saha had tried to do to her, she began shaking.

"Please, Nafisa," Saha begged, "do not tell Jamal. No harm was done."

"No harm?" Nafisa cried. "You tried to poison Zara. What if I hadn't heard Amar and Leila talking about your plans? What if I hadn't arrived in time to prevent such a tragedy? Jamal must be told."

"You meant to poison me!" Zara cried, finally finding her voice. "Why can't you realize I'm no threat to you?"

"Jamal asked you to marry him," Saha charged.

The breath caught in Zara's throat. "How did you know?"

"Everyone knows," Saha claimed. "There are no secrets here."

"Get out!" Zara ordered. "The sight of you sickens me."

Realizing the gravity of her sin, Saha felt real fear. "Will you tell Jamal?"

"I will tell him," Nafisa said, answering for Zara. "Now get out of here. Go to your chamber and await word from Jamal."

Turning on her heel, Saha fled, sobbing loudly.

"What will happen to her?" Zara wondered.

"That's for Jamal to decide. What she tried to do cannot be dismissed."

Zara didn't want to feel compassion for the misguided concubine but she couldn't help it. Since Zara's arrival at Paradise, Jamal had all but ignored his women.

"Fear not, Zara, I will see that nothing like this happens again."

Exhausted from her trip to the village and lack of sleep the previous night, Zara decided a nap was in order. She hid the packet containing the sleeping powder beneath her mattress, then lay down and drifted off to sleep. Hours later she was awakened by the sound of angry voices and loud wailing. Within moments Jamal burst into her chamber.

"Are you all right? Nafisa sent word to me the moment I arrived home." Dropping down beside her, he dragged her into his arms and hugged her tightly. "How dare Saha try to poison you! I'll never let you out of my sight again."

"I'm fine, Jamal, truly. Nafisa arrived in time to prevent me from drinking the poison."

"I shudder to think what would have happened if Nafisa hadn't learned of Saha's plan to do away with you." He grasped her hand. "Come with me."