The hot afternoon sun burned brightly outside when Sara got up from the chaise lounge where she had been reading. She put the book down, marking her place with a ribbon, and sauntered over to the arched doorway leading to the garden. She stepped outside and tilted her face towards the sun. The warm rays felt good, but she knew better than to expose her skin for too long. She surveyed the garden with its bright flowers and lush greenery. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen.
In the center of the garden was a pool of clear blue water. Sara sat down on the edge and hiked her skirts so she could dangle her feet in the cool water. She felt peaceful here, alone in the garden where she could almost forget that she was a prisoner. For that's what she was, no matter how often Rashid denied it.
The past six weeks had gone by in a blur of new sights, sounds, and experiences. Sara felt as if in a dream where she was a pampered royal princess. She even had a handsome prince courting her. Of course in reality the prince was her jailer, but he was courting her just the same, and Sara found herself liking Rashid more each time she saw him. He had made it a habit to join her for dinner most every night, and if he was unable to make it, he always sent his deepest regrets, as well as some little present. Once he sent a jeweled comb for her hair, and though she had admired it, she wouldn't wear it. She wasn't going to accept anything from him that she didn't have to. She knew he was trying to buy her with his trinkets, and she was determined to show him not every one could be bought. Of course there were all those beautiful gowns, but she needed them since she had no other clothes.
Every evening, before he arrived for dinner, she would tell herself that he was the enemy, that she shouldn't enjoy his company, but usually before their meal was even finished, Rashid would make her forget her cool politeness and draw her into animated conversation. She would then berate herself once he had gone. She should hate him, and yet, she felt drawn to him. The smoldering passion she saw deep in his eyes excited and scared her at the same time. She was in a state of emotional confusion. More and more, she was catching herself imagining what it would be like to kiss him and feel his lean, hard body against her own.