"Stephen Goldin - Storyteller" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

won't. They all say Ahmad's much too noble to do anything like that. Do you reallywant me to go to
Ravan?"

тАЬI think youshould go,тАЭ Rabah said carefully. тАЬMarriage to Haroun is a price to pay, but in a few months
he'll attain his majority and be crowned king of Ravan. That will make you queen. Haroun is a cipher,
easily ignored. As long as you don't interfere with his mother's political rule, you'll be able to do as you
wish. You'll have the freedom you say you want so badly. The price is your maidenhead."

тАЬHaroun may get that from me, but he certainly won't get much else."

Princess Oma lay silent again for a while as Rabah's fingers kneaded her flesh. Then she said, тАЬRabah,if
I go to Ravan, will you come with me?"

тАЬI can't, O my princess, you know that. I'm your father's concubine; I belong here with him."

тАЬI could make him give you to me as a servant. You know he'd do it if I asked him the right way."

тАЬNo.тАЭ For just the faintest instant Rabah's fingers tightened on the muscles in the princess's neck. The
pressure was gone again almost before Oma realized it was there. тАЬI belong here with your father,тАЭ
Rabah continued emphatically.

тАЬBut I'll be alone and friendless in a strange city,тАЭ Oma protested.

тАЬYou'll make new friends quickly enough, of that I have no doubt,тАЭ Rabah smiled knowingly. тАЬOnce
you're queen you can have friends ofboth sexes."

тАЬBut I want a familiar face to remind me of home."

тАЬWhy not take your handmaiden Hinda? You like her, and she'll remind you of home."

тАЬHinda has buck teeth and a hairy lip."

тАЬBut she also has very talented fingers.тАЭ Rabah tickled the princess in a particularly sensitive place, and
was rewarded with a delightful squeal.

Princess Oma turned over onto her back and looked up at the older woman. тАЬI'll miss you, Rabah,тАЭ she
said, peering straight into the other's eyes.

тАЬAnd I'll miss you, O my princess,тАЭ Rabah said, returning the gaze. тАЬPerhaps kismet will decree a short
separation and we can be reunited again after all."

The princess reached up and wrapped her arms around her friend's neck. тАЬKiss me, Rabah,тАЭ she
whispered. тАЬGive me something to remember if the nights in Ravan prove too long and lonely."

She pulled Rabah down on top of her and Rabah did indeed give her something to remember for many
weeks to come.
****


Later, in the middle of the night when the young princess lay snoring gently from exhaustion, Rabah stole