The Sun God's Heir: Return (Book One) by Elliott Baker
Author:Elliott Baker [Baker, Elliott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Hypatia Press
Published: 2020-02-03T16:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
AKEEFA SAT before the mirror. When gazed upon from certain angles, the gold filigree dolphins frolicked around the glass, their delicate artistry a joyful metaphor of freedom. Her father received the mirror as a gift from Louis XIV. Citing his lack of appreciation for its unique beauty, she promptly appropriated the piece.
Her servant’s sour expression added little to the finely crafted mirror. Sabah brushed Akeefa’s hair with angry strokes as if the brush was at fault for her young charge’s recent adventure, uncovered and unrepentant. Sabah could no more have left the tent without her veil than she could have voluntarily ceased breathing. Theirs was an old argument and they had agreed to disagree. Well, at least Akeefa had agreed.
Poor father. He had given in to her young demands for a sword, and the training to go with it, far too easily. He expected her to get bored rather than go on to outstrip every available teacher in Morocco by the age of thirteen. The Spanish swordmaster came afterward. At first he had been insulted by the request that he train a woman, but eventually, once he finally condescended to meet her, he had agreed to train Akeefa. He had left that first meeting visibly shaken. He was the one who showed Akeefa how dangerous her anger was, how any denial of her freedom would provoke it. René had identified that weakness in one session, and that was mortifying.
The thought of him was exciting. He was too strong to be susceptible to pressure. He had attained the power of the calm center. She too had found that calm center, but was unable to remain there. He could help her. If only she could work out how to encourage him to do so. For the first time, she was unsure how to go about fulfilling a desire. The situation was unsettling and frustrating, but even that was somewhat exciting. She did love a challenge.
“He is beautiful, is he not?” Akeefa turned toward Sabah.
“How am I expected to brush your hair if you keep moving? Be still, child.” Sabah continued brushing while her lips moved as she counted silently.
Akeefa dutifully faced forward. “But he is, you must agree?”
“He is a kafir and beneath your notice.”
“Oh, stop being so old-fashioned, Sabah. We have traveled throughout Europe. Have you never even looked outside your own tent?”
“The only reason I would have to look outside my tent would be to empty the chamber pot, and I have never found anything of great interest at the end of that walk.” Sabah placed the ivory handled brush onto an engraved silver tray.
“Well, I think he is beautiful. Such eyes, and the way he smiles. Father told me he is betrothed, but unable to return home. I have not persuaded Father to tell me why yet—honor and such—but I will. I will know everything about him.” She stared into the mirror, not really seeing her reflection.
“Come dear, it has been a long day, and you will need your sleep.
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