The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith Page A

the cushioned couch, sipping his wine. He had planned this well. Rahab would need more protection now. Two strong eunuchs should do, or one impressive in size. He swirled the liquid in his cup, contemplating his options. He startled at the prince’s approach and scrambled to bow at his feet.
    “Do not trouble yourself, Dabir. You nearly spilled the wine over your robe.” The prince’s tone held candor and a hint of amusement.
    Dabir straightened, heat creeping up his neck and filling his face in a rush. “I am sorry, my lord. I was lost in thought and did not hear or see your approach.”
    Prince Nahid sat beside Dabir on the farthest end of the plush couch. “I want to purchase Rahab from you.”
    Dabir straightened and clutched his cup, studying the elaborate spread of food before him, scrambling to collect his thoughts. What nonsense was this? He swallowed, forcing his anger to calm. This was Rahab’s doing.
    He looked up, met the prince’s amused gaze. “I don’t understand, my lord. You assured me that Rahab was mine.”
    “I changed my mind.” He studied one manicured finger. “I find her quite pleasing.” His smile seemed cocky and too self-assured to Dabir’s thinking.
    “As I expected you would, my prince.” He smiled and nodded. He could not let this man, prince or not, do this to his plans.
    Prince Nahid gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, his gaze aimed in Rahab’s direction. After a lengthy pause, the prince looked Dabir in the eye. “I will cancel her debt and return the money you paid for her. She will become my servant.”
    Dabir’s middle tightened against the blow of the prince’s words. “I’m afraid your words confuse me, my lord. Rahab is worth far more as a consort than a free woman.”
    The prince’s gaze narrowed but did not waver. “I do not intend to free her, Dabir. I intend to produce an heir by her.”
    This was unexpected. Perhaps not Rahab’s doing at all. Dabir’s mind raced, calculating, unwilling to submit this loss. “You are aware, my lord, that the woman is barren?” It was a risk to say so, as he could not prove it, but he would make sure it was true before the prince took her. He swallowed, his pulse racing in time with his thoughts.
    The prince looked at him strangely. “I was not aware.” He accepted wine from a servant and drank deeply before speaking again. “You are sure of this?”
    Dabir nodded, not daring to release any sign of relief. “Gamal had her for five years, my lord, and they had no children. I have been to her bed many nights for at least three months, and still she carries no child.”
    “And you are sure this is not of her own doing? Women have ways of preventing a child.”
    Dabir nearly squirmed under the prince’s scrutiny. “I am certain Rahab wanted to give Gamal a son, as all wives are wont to do, my lord. But in five years with Gamal,” he emphasized again, “she did not conceive a child.” He stroked his bearded chin and lifted his gaze to the prince.
    The prince looked across the room to where Rahab still sat at the bridal table. “She is exquisite,” he said, his tone wistful. “Together we could have created fine sons.”
    Dabir offered a sympathetic sigh. “I am indeed sorry, my lord. If you would still wish to have her, please, I give her to you as a gift. She is of no use to me if she cannot please those closest to you. And they will not desire her if you find her wanting.” A flicker of regret accompanied his offer, but he knew he had to take the risk. He could not fight against the king’s only son without ending up at the end of a stake or sold as Gamal had been.
    “No,” Prince Nahid said, though his gaze did not meet Dabir’s. “If she has not conceived in all that time with two different men, then I cannot take the chance that she will be able to do as I’d hoped. Besides, she is right. I do have other sons.”
    He had spoken to Rahab of this? Dabir gritted his teeth. She would use such knowledge