The Sheik and the Slave Read Online Free PDF Page A

had wanted to dwell on, but it had been too long not to realize
that Yasmeen was not going to have another child. By the merciful Allah, he was
allowed four wives and there had been no male heirs and no more pregnancies. It
was a bad sign.
    He knew he must begin choosing his next wife. He thought of
his neighboring cousins and their little Amira. She would be of an acceptable
age soon and perhaps she would do. No, he surmised. She was too hairy and her
hooknose was not attractive. Perhaps his Egyptian family on his mother ’ s side would know of a
princess who would be acceptable.
    He must give this much thought and ask his advisors. They
would surely know of an acceptable woman to be his second wife, one who would
be fertile and amiable. He wanted a woman who would understand pleasure, yet be
a kind and loving mother.
    ***
    The voyage was long and Katharine was fortunate to be one of
the only passengers aboard. She remembered her father told that often ships
were packed to overflowing with passengers to increase the pockets of those who
benefited. Small cots would be lined up, and hammocks as well, so that people
would be crammed together; disease and sickness flourished. Katharine was
indeed lucky, as she had her own cabin and was treated well, even though she
was a prisoner.
    After a week at sea, the food turned moldy and the water was
foul. She knew of one seaman who was very ill and another who had died. As
there was no way to preserve the body, his had been thrown overboard with a
small makeshift service performed by the captain.
    A storm had arisen halfway through their journey to their
destination, which she still did not know, and they had been blown off course.
However, she had been told they were back on course and would arrive shortly.
Where they were and where their destination would be remained a mystery.
Katharine was completely oblivious.
    She had spent the first few nights in a state of panic. She
knew that she was sailing further and further away from everything she knew and
everyone she loved. She had pounded on the door so much that first night that
her small fists were red and bruised, but no one answered her. What kind of men
were these who would do something so monstrous as to kidnap a woman from her
home? The more she thought about it, the more she decided to keep to herself
and not draw attention. They fed her, but the moldy food and water was not
drinkable. The coffee fared little better due to the water used to make it, but
she drank it to help keep her strength.
    She began to lose weight and was only taken up on deck at
nights to avoid the interaction with the sailors. Because of this, Katharine
became very pale. But she was left unmolested, for which she was very grateful.
As she stared into the vast sea with nothing around the ship but endless ocean,
she worried and contemplated what was going to happen to her.
    ***
    Bismillah Palace was the home of the Sheik and his great
court. It was not only his residence but served to function as the seat of
government where his people could be heard, conflicts resolved, and his realm
protected. It was a beautifully constructed palace home to over 3,000 people
and self-contained to function without the outside world. His audience and
consultation chambers served to oversee the government and visitors, who were a
constant flow into the palace. The palace was a vast place and had gardens,
schools, a mosque, kitchens, a harem, and large pools for bathing.
    The audience chambers were adorned outside with marble, and
gold lettering glittered about the door with a verse from the Qur ’ an for those to see as
they entered:
    Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the
trusts to those to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you
judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which Allah gives
you! Truly, Allah is Ever All-Hearer, All-Seer .
    Inside the audience chambers, the room was decorated with
valuable Persian rugs in