Chapter 36: Aludra

As soon as she had returned to the harem Aludra sought out Princess Zubeydeh and asked what the nurse had meant by the cryptic remark about “a good or bad thing, depending what happens”.

Princess Zubeydeh explained, “There has been, in the past, some considerable jealousy about status among the possible successors to the Emirs. Some candidates, and some mothers even, have tried to improve a particular boy’s position in the list, and hence the chances of him becoming Emir, by removing one or more acknowledged sons higher in the list.”

“You mean... ?” Nicola’s voice trailed off.

“There are many ways that have been tried, from sowing doubts about the paternity, casting doubts about the loyalty, to causing physical injury, or even outright murder. Of course the paternity is no longer a matter of possible doubt with DNA testing. Physical injury would probably not be a problem, unless it was severe; an Emir who was mentally incapable would not be tolerated. Murder would be investigated as far as humanly possible, but it would be final for the victim, and could prove so for the perpetrator. Disloyalty would be the best threat nowadays, but that would not be a possibility until the boy is twelve years old, so you don’t need to worry about that for a while yet.”

That night Princess Aludra was summoned to the Emir’s bed. It was the first time since she had Prince Ghasaan that she had been called. After the usual preparations of being bathed and oiled, Aludra donned her harem gown with just one button at the top.

When she entered the Emir’s bed chamber Aludra made a perfect obeisance to her Master who was standing next to his bed.

“Up,” said the Emir and Aludra obediently stood up.

“What is my Master’s pleasure?” she asked.

The Emir remained silent but his eyes turned to the whipping bench.

Without hesitation Aludra discarded her gown and bent face down on the bench. She took a deep breath and pursed her lips, intending to stifle her screams as far as she could. She dreaded the pain but the Emir was her Master and his pleasure was her duty.

The Emir took a dog whip from the attendant eunuch and swung it in the air.

Whish! Whish!

Then something unexpected happened as the Emir sighed and returned the whip to the eunuch. “Not tonight, little one,” he said.

“Master?”

“Up,” he ordered.

A puzzled Princess Aludra obeyed and stood up.

The Emir took her by the hand to his bed and he undressed rapidly before joining her. He gently mounted her and kissed her passionately before proceeding to ravish her entire body. Even when he inserted his prick deep inside her, the Emir was very gentle and both had a mutually satisfying orgasm.

Aludra was very puzzled. If she didn’t know any better, she would have said that her Master had actually made love to her instead of simply taking his pleasure in her.

“Master?” she said as her head rested on the Emir’s chest.

“Yes?”

“Why did you not whip me?”

“Did you want to be whipped?”

Aludra was surprised at the Emir’s response and tried to think of a suitable reply. “Well ... I just thought you were going to, that’s all.”

The Emir laughed. “Well, believe it or not, Princess Aludra, I’m not quite sure. I had fully intended to do so but then I just wanted to do something different with the mother of my latest son. There will be other nights.”

The Emir looked at Aludra and perceived a certain anxiety in her face. “What’s troubling you?”

“Nothing, Master,” was Aludra’s uneasy reply.

The Emir put his hand to her chin to make her look up at him. “You may speak freely. I will not be angry, I promise. It’s your mother, isn’t it?”

Aludra was amazed at the Emir’s perception. “Well ... yes...”

“You want to know why she left so quickly and without saying goodbye?” finished the Emir.

“Please, don’t be angry with me, Master. I...”

“I’m not and I promised I wouldn’t be. Your mother made her choice just as you did. I decided it was best she leave without ceremony and thereby avoiding greater pain for you both. She lives comfortably now free of any financial worries.”

“I see, Master.”

“Have you decided on a British name for him?”

“I thought, David, if it please the Master.”

“I did say whatever name you wanted, but I am flattered. Now, is there anything else bothering you?”

“No, Master,” replied Nicola, not mentioning that David was a very traditional name in her own Price family, as well as being his British name.

“Sleep then and we’ll speak no more of it,” he said, holding Aludra closer to him. He knew Aludra was still worried about her mother but remained silent.

The following day the Emir summoned the Chief Eunuch to him and issued strict and confidential instructions.