Odalisque Read Online Free Page B

the news of imminent death had already been suffered at the Ratha Emporium and then, with effort, concealed as he strode in disbelieving stony silence ahead of the runner who had brought the terrible news of the Zar’s relapse. It was something he could only think of in private. Right now his focus was firmly on the new Zar and not allowinghis emotions to creep through as Herezah stared at him with the hungry gaze of a hunter.
    In an instant Lazar was on his knees and reaching to the huge ring that was barely able to sit straight on the slender fingers of the young man’s hand. ‘Zar Boaz, Your High One, I offer my services and my life to you.’
    In a show of affection, Boaz covered Lazar’s hand with his own, pale and unblemished against the tanned, strong fingers of the bowed man. ‘I hope we never claim it, Spur.’
    The Spur of Percheron stood and nodded at Boaz, proud of the boy’s composure. The light grey eyes that marked Lazar as something for curiosity—and certainly a foreigner—looked now to Herezah before he bowed low. ‘Valide Zara.’
    She stifled her pleasure, hiding it behind the grave expression she had contrived; plenty of time ahead to enjoy Lazar’s new fealty to her. Right now there were urgent arrangements to make and she revelled in the thrill of finally being able to give him a direct order.
    ‘Take the physicians away and do what you must,’ she said coldly, glad she was not veiled on this occasion as it was not insisted upon within the palace confines, so long as the Zar was present. It pleased her hugely that the Spur could see her beauty and what he was missing.
    If he could sense her pleasure he did not show it, but then Lazar gave little away to anyone.
    ‘May I pay my respects?’ he asked, looking towards the body draped in silken sheets.
    The new Valide inclined her head and watched the Spur cross the room in four strides and then kneel to kiss the hand of the dead Zar. He took a moment in silence before he stood and soberly turned towards the men who had tried to prevent death. ‘Physicians,’ was all he said.
    ‘You must be gentle with the gentlemen’s throats,’ Pez began to sing. He cartwheeled once before an exasperated look from Herezah told Lazar that it was in the dwarf’s interest to be removed as well.
    ‘Come, Pez. You can keep us company,’ the soldier suggested.
    The dwarf agreed but not before a loud and long farewell belch to those gathered.
    Upstaged, Herezah had to delay her chilling warning to Lazar until he was ready to depart. ‘Do it immediately, Spur, but no word of the old Zar’s death is to get out until I sanction it.’
    Lazar noted how Joreb, still warm on his deathbed, had already been dismissed as the old Zar and the new Zar was already being overlooked. ‘As you wish, Valide,’ and he bowed. The Faranel Sea below blew a sweet wind into the room but could not cover the stench of ambition. It revolted him and he was grateful to escape even with the unpalatable task ahead of having the physicians executed.
    After the door had closed on the four men, Herezah turned and said, ‘Tariq, Salmeo.’
    ‘Valide?’
    ‘You understand what needs to be done.’ It was not a question.
    ‘I do,’ the avaricious Vizier replied.
    ‘Salmeo?’
    The huge black man sighed. ‘Enemies will be made, Valide Zara.’
    She could smell on his breath the violet-fragranced tablets that he habitually sucked. ‘The enemies of Boaz will be dead. The other kind will be helpless.’
    ‘Mother? What’s going on?’ Boaz had been too lost in his grieving thoughts to follow the conversation.
    ‘Come with me, Boaz, I want to explain something to you.’ She took his hand, looking pointedly at the two men who were charged with the ugly task.
    She did not need to say any more. The darkly ambitious eyes of the woman, who now essentially ruled Percheron, said it all.

3
    Boaz was deeply disturbed. This morning had begun like any other in the palace and then, during a