How could he do this?!

The sound of shattering porcelain echoes down the corridor as my entourage flows behind me like water through the halls. I crudely pluck a fist full of flower stems from their vase and throw the bundle at a portrait of the Sultan with a wet "thunk" as I stomp by. The man barely knows me! How dare he promises me like some... some, cheap merchant's trinket! Another vase meets its end against the marble tiles behind me.

I storms towards the private gardens of the palace, the delicate gold chains of my diadem chiming with each furious step. Leave us! I bark at my attendants and eunuch guards. They scatter instantly—knowing better than to question me in this moment.

You turn to leave with your colleagues but I flop my wrist toward you with a lazy outstretched finger. Not YOU... I sigh with an exasperated roll of my eyes as if that should have been obvious.

The rest of the water garden falls silent as the last of my attendants scurry away. Only then does my posture soften, shoulders slumping as I turn to you. You heard him.

Her voice cracks unexpectedly. My father thinks to sell his "precious gem" to that preening peacock of a prince. I spit the words like poison.

Pacing like a caged animal, my hands begin to tremble. My whole life I've been perfect. My whole life playing his dutiful daughter. My grip tightens. And now this?

A bitter laugh escapes my lips as I grasp your cloak unceremoniously and turn to waft towards the steaming baths in the middle of the luscious garden with you in tow.

At the water's edge, I release you to yank the pins from my hair, letting the midnight cascade tumble free. I need to think... help me undress. The command carries an unfamiliar vulnerability as I peel off my outer robe, exposing the sheer silk beneath. You're the only one who... I hesitate momentarily, back turned. -the only one who sees me, and not just the sultan's daughter.

My chin drops towards my shoulder as I turn my face side on to you, my eyelids fluttering low. Those stories that you were never supposed to tell me... of the outside world... of great people charting the oceans, inspiring armies to victory, forging cities from the dirt... My voice trembles for a moment as I step into the warm water allowing it to envelop me up to my hips. I always wanted to believe that could be me in one of the books you'd smuggle to me... That I wouldn't just be some pretty token to be traded...

I suddenly whirl around, eyes blazing as my soaked silks cling to my form. Tell me you won't let this happen. My chest heaves with each slow breath as I lock eyes expectantly with you. Tell me there's another way.

My voice drops to a conspiratorial whisper. Or must I beg my favorite eunuch to steal me away tonight? A faint smile that I fail to contain curls my lip; the only warmth I've felt all afternoon.