The Harem 10
H10
I'm sitting in his room. I'm lying on Constantine's sheets. They smell like him. It is later that day when he returns. I turn to see that he is staring at me from the corner in his eyes. I don't look back at him. Not directly at least but there is a vase in the distance that is so reflective that I can see his confused eyes.
"Is he dead?" I ask him.
I had just poisoned the Vizier.
"They took his body away."
"Is he dead?"
"I'm not sure," he states.
"Dammit," I reply.
I get up at that moment and head over to the door. I have to find a way to get to the Vizier. I had to find a way to make sure he was dead. I was being sloppy. I was being so sloppy. Constantine had insisted that I go to his room though once chaos started breaking out. He was doing it to protect me. I was sure about that but the risk now was too great.
"People think it's the plague right now. If you go out there and start acting weird people will start thinking that something else is going on," he explains to me.
He had a point. I knew he had a point but it didn't make it anymore easier.
"You don't understand."
"I'm sure you finished him," he explains to me.
I look at Constantine. I look back at the door.
"You don't understand."
I start walking towards the door but Constantine stops me. He grabs me up and holds me there. He keeps me by his side. I can tell that things are getting weird by how he does it. He refuses to move me.
"Stay with me."
I look at Constantine's eyes. I've never felt a weakness towards someone before. The way he was looking at me now shows I am just as vulnerable as he is.
"OK."
We lay on the bed. He spoons me, pushing his body up against mine. A few moments pass. It's awkward at first but he speaks and there is so much stress in his voice.
"You killed the Vizier for me," he tells me, "Why?"
"He wanted me to kill you.'
"So why didn't you do it?"
I had made a choice. It was an emotional one but I knew that I had made the right now. The Vizier wanted me to prove myself to him. If I hadn't killed Constantine I knew that the Vizier would look at me as his enemy.
"The Ottoman empire has factions. People who come together for a cause. I was raised by the same people that raised Loras. He grew up to be the Vizier and I was raised to help him. These people are dangerous and they have been planning something for years."
"Planning what?"
"To kill the Sultan."
Constantine turns me around. I can see the terror in his eyes. No one would dare say the words that I just said out loud.
"Have you lost my mind?" he asks me, "It's impossible. No one can get close to the sultan. They say that he's a god. They say he reads minds. They say..."
"He bleeds. All men bleed," I tell him.
He pauses. I had heard the rumors that Constantine had heard. The sultan goes nowhere with less than a 100 guards. Besides the guards were 100 servants. His servants carry carpets with them to lay at his feet. They don't allow him to touch the bare ground because they feel like it would taint his divinity. That was the problem. That is why he had grown old and cruel. People thought he was a god.
"These people. They sound like they've been planning this for a while," Constantine says, "What happens if they found out that you turned against them and killed Loras."
"They'll come for me."
"To kill you?"
I nod, "Yes..."
Constantine looks pissed right at that moment.
"Why the hell did you do it? Why did you risk your life to save me!"
Constantine clearly wants to talk about this more but I turn away from him. I close my eyes and I go to sleep. I can feel him close to me the entire night tossing and turning with discomfort.
I feel heavy. It was only a matter of time. The people who raised me wouldn't let me leave the Harem alive. They had been planning to kill the sultan for too long. I knew their identities. I knew their secrets. They wouldn't rest until I was destroyed.
~
It's morning the next day. Constantine isn't in my bed. I remember how he looked the night before. He was almost angry. I don't get it.
I make my way outside. The other boys are at the table. The eunuchs are cleaning up. I look around for Constantine but I still don't see anyone.
"Good morning," I state.
I sit at the table with the other boys. Alexios and his people are there. Alexios doesn't give me the time of day. He just looks at me as I sit.
"What happened to you last night?" Polo asks me.
The other boys seem to wonder the same thing. I shouldn't have listened to Constantine. I should have stayed on the scene. What looks suspicious was me disappearing as soon as the Vizier fell sick. I understood why Constantine didn't want me around but Constantine wasn't trained like I was. He didn't know what he was doing. I should have been more careful.
"I got a little sick," I state.
"Hope you aren't coming down with the plague," Alexios states.
He says it in a way that makes me think he actually hopes that I come down with the plague.
"That would be bad," Mendeecees states, "The city is on lock down after word is going out that the Vizier caught the plague."
"Is he dead/" I ask the group.
The boys shrug. It's a copper toned boy named Yusef who shakes his head, "I heard he was on his death bed. I heard he probably won't last another night."
I shake my head, "Such a shame."
"No shame," Alexios states, "With them closing the gates on the city the nobles won't travel. You know what that means? It means that we are going to get a lot of suitors."
The boys cheer. The cheering stretches out even to Polo who is smiling at the idea of getting more visitors to the Harem.
"Do you realize someone is about to die?" I ask Alexios.
I can't help but to stare hard at him.
"People die," Alexios shrugs, "Get over it."
"Death shouldn't be taken so lightly!"
I slam my fist as hard as I can on the table. This is bothering me more than I would like to admit. The fact that I'm so angry right now is proving it. I slam my hand so hard that I splinter the wooden table. A few of the boys seem a little shocked by my emotions.
"Hush calm down," Polo states, "What's the problem?"
"He's just really emotional," Alexios responds, "He clearly needs to grow a little bit of a backbone especially if he is taking a stranger's death so hard."
I can't take this anymore.
I grab a knife off the table. I jump over the table. The eunuchs almost seem immediately alarmed. I'm holding the knife at Alexios throat. I watch him swallow, his Adam's apple is hitting the blade of the knife a little bit.
"Are you afraid, Alexios? I'm sure you are. All men die and most men are afraid of death. It's only when you realize that there is no escaping it that you really find freedom. You laugh at the idea of another's death but you will die one day Alexios. Death is the only one that has the last laugh."
I notice at that moment that Alexios has a look that he hasn't given to me in a while. He is afraid. He is completely terrified. The others are watching me as well. Everyone is just staring at me with this crazed look.
I drop the knife at that moment and leave.
I head out into the hallway and get stopped immediately by Polo.
"What WAS that?" he asks me.
"I lost control...damn it. I messed up," I state.
"Lost control?" he asks me, "That was amazing. It was like you were a whole different person. I swear Alexios just pissed himself."
This wasn't good. The attention I just got wasn't good.
"Polo, I really don't want to talk about this. Have you seen Constantine?"
"He's sunbathing."
"Sunbathing?"
"Yeah out there. Are you OK?" he asks me, "You seem different since the Vizier died."
"I'm fine."
He wants to say something else. I'm sure of it but I don't wait until he opens his mouth to speak. I end up walking away as fast as I can.
I find Constantine in the courtyard. He's alone. There is a eunuch posted out there not doing anything. Constantine is completely naked His already bronzed body is baking in the sun. There is a small patch of pubic hair nestled over his dick. It's not hard by any means but it still has some healthy weight on it as it is lopped over the side of his leg. When he looks over at me and sees me he turns on his stomach, pressing his head to the granite and allowing the sun to bake his soft, round tight ass.
"You didn't wait for me this morning," I tell him.
"You were asleep."
"I need to speak with you," I tell him.
"You're already speaking."
I sigh. He's treating me a little funny.
"I messed up," I tell him, "I lost it with Alexios. People are getting suspicious."
"You'll be fine."
He puts a towel over his head blocking the sun from his head and blocking any vision of me even before I'm done speaking.
"Is that all you have to say?" I ask him.
"What else did you want me to say?" he responds.
"I'm not sure."
"Listen. Everyone still sees you as dumb innocent Hush. There is nothing to worry about. You're paranoid."
"I'm scared."
"We both know you aren't afraid," he states, removing his towel to show me just how serious he is.
"Are you angry at me?"
I can just feel this vibe coming off of Constantine.
He sighs, "You shouldn't have done it."
"Done what?
"Saved me from the Vizier."
"You didn't want to be saved?"
"If something happens to you it will be my fault," he realizes out loud.
I sigh, "I made my choice, Constantine. Why are you so angry with it? What are you so afraid of when it comes to me?"
"I don't owe you anything. You know that right?"
He gets up. He looks at me. He domes over me. His naked body only inches away from mine but not reacting in the way that I thought after choosing him. I thought he would seduce me now. I thought he would fall for me and we would at least build from where we used to be. If anything me poisoning the Vizier had the opposite effect. Constantine's wall has just gotten taller.
"I never said you owed me anything."
"Fine. Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page. Excuse me. I need to tan. The suitors and the princes are coming to visit the Harem tonight."
With that he walks away from me. I can see this anger inside. I can see this misplaced anger. I don't understand Constantine. He is angry at the fact that I saved his life. The more I think I get close to understand him the more I see him pull away.
~
The night comes quick and the princes are there. This is the first time they've been in the room since Prince Dhaamir's death. I wonder if one of the two princes were responsible for their brother's death. Thinking about it I would put my money on Dhaakir. He just had this real paranoid look on his face even now. He thinks his younger brothers are out to get him. I can just see how his guards don't put any space between him and anyone else. The only boy from the Harem who is allowed anywhere close is Constantine. All the other boys don't get anywhere near close.
Prince Daai on the other hand seems a lot calmer. That is not to say he doesn't look like a snake though. He has several boys dancing around him. He seems to enjoy their dancing but every once in a while he gives his older brother an intimidating stare.
I sit off to the side watching both princes. They are on separate sides of the Harem. There isn't really much dancing tonight. There isn't really much of anything. The tension is thick.
"I think there's going to be a fight," Polo says.
Polo has a point. The princes both have more guards than I've seen before. They are staring at one another. The fact that they are even in the same room after all that has happened blows my mind.
"That's none of our business."
At least I don't want it to be. The way the guards are securing their weapons means they are ready to fight if there needs to be action. It looks like Daai just might actually want to take action as well.
Daai is enjoying this in a sick way. A smile spreads across his face. He is the youngest son of the sultan. He has nothing to lose by challenging his older brother and I think he knows that as well. This was about succession. Who would become the next sultan? We all knew that and I think we all knew that Daai was ready to do whatever it takes.
"I need your help," someone says.
I turn and am surprised to see Constantine. He had been over there by Dhaakir this entire time. That didn't work though.
"With what?" I ask.
I'm surprised Constantine is coming up to me especially how he treated me last night.
Constantine struggles to talk. He looks over at Polo.
Polo notices the awkwardness and nods, "I'll go feed some of the suitors."
As soon as Polo leaves I can tell that Constantine feels easy to talk.
"He's safe you know. He's not Basil," I respond.
Basil was the reason Dhaamir was dead. I had no doubt that his brothers had decided to take him out because he was plotting.
"I need to your help fixing this," he explains, "I need to make peace with the brothers."
"Why?" I ask.
I don't understand why Constantine would care if the brothers were at peace or not. As far as I was concerned they could kill one another. Just as long as I was nowhere near it when it happened. There were other suitors for us to get our gifts from.
Constantine seems secretive.
"You trust me?" He asks me.
"Yes, but I still want to know what you're up to."
"You are the last person that should be talking about keeping secrets," he replies.
I sigh. He had a point. I don't know why Constantine wanted the princes to get along but he wanted them to get alone.
"You are the only one who Daai has shown a real interest in. I think if I can seduce Dhaakir to give it a chance then you can seduce Daai into giving peace a chance."
"You want me to get that involved."
He nods.
"Yes..."
He wanted me to use my sex. He wanted me to single handedly stop a civil war with princes in the Ottoman empire. I didn't get it but I knew that he was depending on me. I could see it in Constantine's eyes.
I nod.
I head over to Prince Daai. I look over my shoulder and see Constantine headed to Prince Dhaakir. I was so sure that he wouldn't have a problem convincing Prince Dhaakir to do anything he wanted. Dhaakir was obsessed with Constantine. I, on the other hand, had no idea how Daai really felt when it came to me. I did have an accident on him after all.
I make my way to the Prince. He has that sneaky smirk on his face when I approach.
"Look who it is," he states.
He sucks on his lips.
"May I dance for you?" I ask him.
"Not with any clothes on."
He is aggressive. He knows what he wants. He seems all of a sudden to stop provoking his older brother with smirks though and turns his full attention to me. The youngest prince waits and watches as I undress in front of him. He examines my body fully.
"Do you like?" I ask him.
He nods, "You've been working out."
I have been. I had no choice. The boys here were all gaining these perfect bodies and to compete even a little bit I had to do the same. I find myself getting over to the prince and sitting on his lap. He grabs my butt when I do it. I begin to move on his lap throwing my hips from side to side. He holds onto my hips and my butt the entire time. Slowly he works his way up my back. He makes it to the top of my ass and he slowly, lets his finger penetrate me.
"Mhmm..." I moan.
"You like it?" he asks.
"Of course. I want you to enjoy yourself. You've been looking so tense all night," I explain to the prince.
The prince looks to the other side of the room. I can see Dhaakir and Constantine talking. I don't know what Constantine is saying to the other prince but right now they definitely seem like they are getting along. It also seems that they are staring over here, but not in the same way as they were before. The oldest prince doesn't have this paranoia about him.
"My brother thinks I killed Dhaamir," Daai says.
"That's outrageous," I state.
"He thinks I want his throne. He's become more and more maddened with the idea," Prince Daai explains to me.
I feel bad. I can feel the tension between the brothers and it's getting thicker.
"He's still family," I state.
He nods in agreement, "Yes. Things are different for the successors though."
"How so?"
"The sultan won't live forever. He's getting older," Daai explains.
"So you can understand why your brother may be a little paranoid."
"Sure."
"So can you talk to him?"
Daai looks me in my eyes, "Talk to him?"
"He is your brother after all."
"So I should make up with him because of it?" he asks me.
"Yes. Why not?"
Daai laughs. A few of his attendants laugh as well. I am pretty sure they don't find what I said funny but they are doing it so the prince doesn't laugh alone. I've seen it happen before with royalty. They treat these men like gods. They put them above everything. I can understand how that kind of power can become addicting.
"You want me to make up with my brother?" he asks me, "Why?"
"For the good of the empire?"
"I am not the empire. I'm just a prince. What do I get out of the deal?"
"What do you want?"
I shove his finger deep down my hole. He closes his eyes. He wants to feel it. I watch his facial expression as I tighten my ass muscle. I can hear him breathing.
"I want you now," he states.
I begin to unbuckle his pants. I turn at that moment. I look at Constantine wondering what kind of progress he is making. Constantine isn't even talking to the prince anymore though. He's abandoned the prince and is standing there looking at me.
What the hell is he doing?
Just at that moment the prince pulls his penis out. He is hard. He begins to lower me on his dick. I can feel him breaching my walls at that moment. His big dick entering me. I sit on it until my butt hits his torso and I get all of him in me.
"Excuse me," Constantine says.
I turn shocked that Constantine is there. He grabs me and pulls me away.
"What are you doing slave?" the prince says.
The prince gets up angrily. He's dripping precum.
"I saw him eat heavily today. I don't want him to...have another accident."
There is laughter at that moment. Alexios and the other boys start laughing. Alexios literally stares at me and points. I can see myself getting so angry at that moment. Why would Constantine do something like that?
Why would he embarrass me when I was helping him?
The prince is still horny and clearly wants me but doesn't stop me when Constantine begins to pull me the hell away. Daai probably wants me but he would probably be embarrassed to act on it now that Constantine has called me out.
We get to the backroom and I push Constantine hard on his chest.
"Why would you do that?" I ask him.
Constantine doesn't answer me.
He looks down.
I push him as hard as I can, "Why would you do that! I was helping you."
"I didn't want you to do what you were about to do," he explains.
"What are you talking about? I was doing what you asked me to do," he explains.
"Not the sex part..." he argues.
"Constantine. We are in a Harem. That's what we do."
He looks up. That's when I see tears in his eyes. They are real tears. Constantine is CRYING right now.
"You don't get it."
"Get what?"
"I'm falling in love with you," he explains to me, "I don't want anyone to have you. I don't want him to have you. Ever. I want you to be mine and only mine. I don't care if we are in a harem. No one else can have you. I love you, Hush."
Hearing him say those words are amazing and horrifying at the same time.
He leans over and kisses me.
I let him kiss me. I kiss him back but truth is I don't know what this means. I am falling for Constantine too. There is no other reason I would have killed Loras if that wasn't the case.
"I love you too."
It scares me though. How does one survive in a harem without having sex?
Just at that moment I realize how bad this might be. I realize because there is a sound of fighting outside. The fighting sounds really bad.
"Wait here," Constantine says.
He leaves me and runs out to the front. I don't listen to him though. I run out after him. What I see when I get back is a pure blood bath.
"What's happening?" I ask.
I answer my own question.
The fight is over and there is one brother who has come out on top. Daai.
It looked like Dhaakir was right not to trust his brother. I keep thinking that maybe if Constantine didn't pull me away then maybe we could have had a chance to stop the tension and fix the fight. I could be right or I could be wrong. I might have bought Dhaakir another day but there was something in Daai's eyes that said he had this planned all along.
"I'm the successor now," Daai says dropping his sword on his dead brother's body.