Adora (15 page)

He was shocked by the old man’s appearance. Orkhan looked his full seventy years. His hair and beard were snow white. His dark eyes were faded. His hand quavered slightly. He seemed to have shrunk, and his body even smelled of age. Yet, Orkhan’s voice was strong.

“Sit down,” he commanded his son. The prince obeyed silently. “Coffee?”

“Thank you, Father.” Murad waited, as good manners dictated, for the boiling hot coffee to be poured into the eggshell-thin cups. A slave handed him the coffee which he politely sipped before setting it upon the round brass tray table. “How may I serve you, my father?”

“Theadora and her son have been kidnapped,” said Orkhan. “She took the boy to the Springs of Apollo in Thessaly. Returning home, the ship got caught in a severe storm. Praise Allah that they were saved! But the ship was badly damaged and virtually helpless when it was attacked by pirates. They are being held for ransom in Phocaea by the pirate lord who calls himself Alexander the Great. I want you to take the ransom there and bring my wife and son back safely.”

“I hear and obey, sire,” replied the prince with a calm he did not feel. Orkhan went on to explain the financial arrangements, but Murad heard only a few words.

He had seen Theadora only once since her marriage to his father, and then they had sniped at each other. He had been hurt and had wanted to hurt in return. He grimaced. It was just like her to have gotten herself into this situation. She could not, of course, accept the fact that her son was a cripple. No! She must take the child across wild seas to a supposed healing place.

Murad listened with hidden, impotent rage as his father babbled on about his precious Adora and the importance of her safety. Orkhan spoiled her! She had always been cosseted and spoiled. But if she had been
his
woman he would have taught her obedience! Suddenly the memory of her swept over him with a force that stunned him. He remembered a lithe young body with soft breasts; a heart-shaped face with amethyst eyes that looked so trustingly up into his; a sweet, kissable mouth that quivered beneath his. Allah! She was a temptress, he thought bitterly. Given the chance, she would probably be a whore like her two scandalous sisters in Constantinople. Sophia had been killed recently with her latest paramour, and the empress Helena openly took lovers. He gritted his teeth and forced his mind back to what his father was saying. “And you will personally escort them back to Bursa, my son. My poor Adora will undoubtedly have suffered greatly. And little Halil, too.”

Pah! thought Murad, sourly. The witch will undoubtedly have been made quite comfortable. All she need do is dazzle the pirate chief with those fabulous eyes. As for my little half brother, he is probably treating this whole thing as great adventure.

It did not help Prince Murad’s temper to find, on his arrival in Phocaea, that his predictions were apparently correct. The sultan’s third wife was quite elegantly housed, and Prince Halil was obviously doted on by his captor. In fact, the pirate seemed on excellent terms with both of his royal captives.

Murad arrived in Phocaea in late afternoon. It would have been impossible to complete the business of ransoming before
nightfall. It would have also been an appalling breach of manners not to accept the pirate chief’s hospitality. To Murad’s surprise, this hospitality was not only lavish but in excellent taste.

First, however, he was taken to see that Theadora and Halil were safe, and were being honorably treated. Murad had been troubled all the way from Bursa. He had not seen her in nearly eight years. Had she changed? Probably. Byzantine women could run to fat, and his father liked women with meat on their bones.

It didn’t help Murad’s troubled mind that she was still willow slim, or that when she looked up her eyes were filled with an emotion he did not comprehend.

Then she stood and came toward him, her slim hands outstretched in welcome, her face a polite mask.

“Prince Murad. How very kind of you to come to our rescue. How is my lord Orkhan? I pray we have not distressed him greatly by our unfortunate situation.”

He bowed curtly. “My father is fine. You have been well treated, Your Highness?”

“Lord Alexander has been the soul of courtesy from almost the first moment of our capture,” she replied.

Was there a hint of laughter in her voice? Why did that big blond buffoon who called himself Alexander the Great look so uncomfortable? “I will complete the ransom negotiations tomorrow and come for you and Halil then,” Murad said gruffly. “Be ready.”

It was not, however, as easy as Prince Murad had anticipated. After a marvelous feast, excellent entertainment, and an exquisite blonde Circassian virgin to warm his bed, he awoke to a rainy morning and the realization that his host was adamant in his demands.

“I told your father one hundred thousand gold Venetian ducats, Prince Murad. I am not a merchant to be haggled with. Nor are the princess and her son to be bargained over like
yesterday’s melons in the marketplace. I will accept the fifty thousand that you have brought me in exchange for the princess. But the boy must stay here in Phocaea until I receive the other fifty thousand ducats.”

“Why not let the boy go, and hold his mother?”

Alexander laughed. “Because I am not a fool, Prince Murad. Your father has many women to amuse himself with, but few sons. If I let the boy go I might never hear from your father, but Princess Theadora is not going to allow your father to leave her only child in captivity. No, Highness, you may return to Bursa with the princess, but Prince Halil remains until I am paid in full.”

“You do not know her, Alexander. She is stubborn. She will not leave the boy behind.”

“That, Prince Murad, is your problem. But I think it is you who do not know her. She is a highly logical woman, and we Greeks have always valued women of intelligence. She will see the sense in this.”

Murad gritted his teeth and went to tell Theadora that her son was to be left behind because Orkhan had not sent the full ransom. To his surprise she fell into neither hysterics nor a rage. She said quietly, “Your father is a great warrior and ruler, but he is a poor diplomat. Very well. Halil must remain for the present. I will have Iris stay with him, and I will go with you.”

“Allah! What kind of mother are you? Will you not even
offer
to remain in the child’s place?”

She looked surprised. “Would lord Alexander permit it? I think not, for he is no fool. Your father would surely haggle over my ransom for my only importance to him was Tyzmpe, which is now his. But he will not haggle over money for Halil, for my little son is his pride. In his old age, the boy is proof of Orkhan’s continuing virility. That seems to be important to him.”

Murad was infuriated by her calm, and even angrier that Alexander, on such short aquaintance, seemed to know her
better than he did himself. “You hold yourself in low esteem, madame,” he said coldly. “Your husband wept and babbled over your safety.”

“Did he really?” she asked, mildly interested. “How strange. I have not seen him in several years now, except on state occasions.” She shrugged, then said, “I must tell my son of this turn of events. When do you wish to depart?”

“Within the hour.”

“I shall be ready.”

He sat quietly for a few minutes after she left him. She had changed from the innocent, willful girl she had been. She was serene now, but one thing had not changed. She was unable to hide her intelligence and in fact did not even try. He had grown older in the years since their first meeting, and he flattered himself that he had also grown wiser. Yet he still found it hard to accept the fact that Theadora had a mind. It was unnatural in a woman, especially a woman of such beauty. Women, beautiful ones in particular, were meant only for a man’s pleasure, and a man did not want to discuss matters of importance with them. Allah! No!

He laughed aloud and went out into the rainy courtyard to make the final preparations for their departure. He had been forced to leave his escort outside the walls of Phocaea and had arrived alone. Alexander the Great made arrangements for Theadora to travel across the city in a closed litter. Once met by her escort, she would be transferred into a royal Ottoman vehicle, and the pirate’s litter would be returned to him.

Theadora came into the courtyard dressed for travel, accompanied by Iris and Halil. The boy ran eagerly to his elder half brother, and Murad lifted the child up. “So, Halil! You are finally to escape your mother, and be a man!”

“Yes, my brother!” The boy’s eyes were shining with excitement. Then he lowered his voice and whispered confidentially, “I have learned many things of value to you, Murad. Because I am a boy they do not pay much attention to
me, and they do not think I understand.” He grinned impishly. “But I do! When you are the sultan I shall be a great help to you, for I have a quick mind.”

“Our brother, Suleiman, is our father’s chosen heir, Halil.”

The boy looked at his older brother with his mother’s violet eyes and said, “That is true, Murad, but will you let him reign?”

“Wise monkeys often get their noses pinched, little brother,” chuckled Prince Murad. As he put the boy down the child again flashed his impudent grin, then ran back to his mother.

Theadora held her son close. “I do not like to leave you, Halil, but if I do not deal with your father personally—” she hesitated. The boy laughed. “I should end up being a grown man with children of my own before you saw me again, Mother,” he finished for her.

Now it was her turn to laugh, and Murad was pained by the sight of their heads, so alike, close together. There was an intimacy between them that he could not penetrate, and he felt almost jealous. “We must go,” he said gruffly. “I want to reach the outside walls before dark.”

She looked across at him, and her gaze was so understanding that he felt himself flushing. Bending, she hugged the boy tightly. “Obey Iris and do not annoy Alexander too greatly, my Halil. I love you, my little darling, and I will eagerly await the day we are reunited.” She kissed him, and then climbed into the waiting litter.

Alexander came into the courtyard and, leaning over, said quietly for her ears alone, “Do not fear, beauty. Your son will be as safe with me as my own sons are.”

She smiled up and pressed his arm with her fingers. “I know you will care for him well, Alexander. But do not spoil him too greatly, I beg of you. You know what a clever little monkey he is—so keep him occupied.”

“I will, beauty, but who will keep
me
occupied now? I shall regret the loss of our chess games.”

“So shall I. In my world the men do not treat their women with such respect. I shall miss you, Alexander. God keep you. Farewell.”

“Farewell, beauty.” The pirate chief straightened to find Prince Murad’s eyes on him, blazing and angry.
Holy Christos!
thought Alexander.
I wonder if she knows. So I have a rival for her! But I am aware of you, my fine prince, while you cannot really know my intentions
. He walked over to where the prince sat mounted on his stallion. “Tell your father, my lord prince, that Prince Halil will remain safe and honored in my house until his ransom is paid.” And without giving Murad a chance to reply, he turned and walked back into his house.

Furiously, the prince pulled at his horse and signaled the others forward. The slaves picked up the litter and moved out of the courtyard into the city. Alexander had provided them with a small but very impressive escort, which accompanied them to the north gates of the city where the sultan’s soldiers were waiting.

It had begun to rain again, and Prince Murad dismounted to carry Theadora from one litter to the other. She looked him full in the face for a moment before modestly lowering her marvelous amethyst eyes. She was soft, and sweet, and her perfume intoxicated him. He stumbled, and she laughed low. He could feel a pounding in his temples. He wanted her! Dear Allah, how he wanted her!

Depositing her roughly within her litter he remounted his stallion. There were still some hours of daylight left, enough to put more miles between them and the city of Phocaea. He rode silently at the head of the cavalcade, and the soldiers accompanying him thought his grim look resulted from his having to leave Halil behind. Murad, Beg of the Ottoman, always prided himself on doing a job well.

But the truth was that the prince was thinking of the woman in the litter. He had never lacked for women, but Theadora Cantacuzene had been the only woman who had ever engaged his heart.

He remembered once telling her that when his father died he would make her his wife. It surprised him to admit to himself that he still wanted her. But not for his wife! No! He shook his head angrily. She was a Byzantine whore like her sisters and wasn’t to be trusted. Look how she had tempted him just a while back and then laughed at his discomfort.

When it was nearly dark Murad gave the order to make camp. The men were used to sleeping in the open, but a tent was set up for Theadora. To her delight it was quite luxurious. As she had left Iris behind to care for her son, she was waited upon by an elderly soldier. He brought her water warmed by the fire for washing, and he flushed and grinned foolishly when she thanked him sweetly.

Her tent had been set upon a wooden platform whose rough boards were covered with colorful, thick wool rugs and sheepskins to keep out the cold and damp. It was not a big tent. There was a large brass tray table set on folding ebony legs, a charcoal brazier for heat, and a bed made of sheepskins covered with a velvet mattress and some silk pillows. Two small glass lamps hung on brass chains from the tent poles.

The old soldier returned bringing her food—small pieces of barbecued lamb with pepper and onions, seasoned with rosemary and a touch of olive oil, and served over a bed of saffroned rice. Accompanying it was a small, flat loaf of bread, just baked in the coals of the fire, a skin of icy water from a nearby stream which had been flavored with orange essence and cinnamon, and two crisp apples. She thanked the soldier. Asking after the prince, she was told that he was eating with his men.