'If he ever calls for me, ' she thought.The Chief Eunuch broke the news that Maryam was not pregnant and was relieved that David did not blame him for...this occurrence."When will she be fertile again?" asked David, as though discussing a favourite mare."In twelve days' time, Master. I recommend filling her daily then for five days," said the Chief Eunuch, happier now that this was all out in the open and was just a matter of breeding an heir and not a case of the Emir having some unnecessarily. The giggling all around me made me think the girls were in on whatever it was, so I asked what nefarious plot was in the works."No plot, dear", chortled Geri. "I think the poor young girl saw that huge bed, and figured out we all slept in it at the same time. I'll bet she has some very interesting dreams, the next time she sleeps."Silly me. Because of their scarcity, people here didn't know much about wizards. I suppose I didn't either. Delia helped my education, by explaining "Only wizards are. D’ordinaire, tu préférais les taches plus physiques. Tu étais l’homme le plus musclé et le plus en vue du village.La fille du chef t’était promise. C’était la plus ravissante et la plus coquette des filles du village. Dans quelques jours, elle aurait dix-huit ans et avec la bénédiction de tous vous vous marierez.C’est pourquoi, aujourd’hui allongé dans l’herbe, tu rêvassais à ta nuit de noce, peu enclin à retourner au village. Tu attendis que le soleil soit bas, tu ne pouvais paresser plus. I wanted that feeling back in my mouth. I suddenly feltsomething quite different against my lips. Not her fingers. Somethingbigger, something far more solid than Vanessa's fingers. I reared backbut Vanessa's hands clamped around my head and forced me back."Do not be afraid, Jamie. This is the start of your training."At that moment Vanessa took off the blindfold and light flooded backinto my eyes. As my eyes came back into focus I saw Vanessa standingthere before me like a Nordic angel; long.