Wild beasts:

The council fell silent after hearing Cassandra's words. A dozen slaves, nervous and obviously frightened, were called to testify against Lady Umara.
—She refuses to drink of the holy water.
—She raises songs of worship to other gods.
—She prostrates on the ground before trees and speaks to them.
—She does not eat the food first offered to our gods.
—Three times a day, she prays and commits treason against our laws.
The testimonies of the servants painted an unfavorable picture for Umara. She wasn´t being accused of a minor crime, but of committing heresy, openly and brazenly.

The emperor contained the strong attack of rage that ran through him, at that moment his greatest desire was to see those court maidens bleed, one by one.
—As you can see, my Lord, the evidence against the nomad is incontrovertibl.-Cassandra murmured sweetly, so sweetly that the emperor found it disgusting to see that she was unable to hide the poisonous hatred which ate at her.
—What do you have to say about this, Cítiê?- whispered the monarch.
The second Imperial wife, joined the palms of her hands as a prayer before her chest, and avoiding looking directly at her King, replied:
—All this is my fault, My Lord.-The little woman's lips trembled while her eyes filled with tears. -With everything that has happened in recent months, the droughts that have tormented our people, the rebellion of the tribes of the East,…I have not made an effort to properly educate Lady Umara and therefore she does not understand or respect our laws.
—That is enough!- Cassandra roared indignantly. -Even if she had been among us for centuries, that savage would not have learned a thing! She is impetuous and rebellious, she does not respect the hierarchy. Since her arrival she has only caused trouble and if allowed, she will contaminate the rest of the women in the pavilion with her barbaric practices.
Cítiê released a sob, covering her face with her hands and Cassandra slowly resumed her seat.
—What do you propose, as punishment, Cassandra?-the emperor whispered. He wasn't about to sacrifice Umara, but he wanted to get to the bottom of this. Knowing very well that, very much against his will, he had to let events happen, it is not convenient to oppose destiny.
—Enforce the law. Heretics and false devotees are thrown to the beasts, it is the judgment of the gods. This is how the infidels of the faith must be punished.
A deathly silence reigned in the spacious room where the Council was taking place.
From the expressions on the faces of his vizier and army general, the emperor knew that both men supported Cassandra's verdict, therefore he refrained from defending his seventh wife, knowing that trying would be a lost cause.
—In agreement. Tomorrow at dawn, Lady Umara will be condemned for treason against the faith and heresy.
Cítiê let out a loud sob, bursting into tears as Cassandra tried to hide her triumphant smile.
— From now on, any entry or exit from the pavilion is prohibited. Lady Umara will be subjected to the judgment of the gods, as the law demands. Let us raise prayers so that the sentence is fair and we are not punished for condemning an innocent person to death.
*********
Umara:
—Something's not right.- Sarab murmured, pacing back and forth inside under the pavilion's main dome. -There's been too much tension in the Palace these days. And Cítiê's absence from breakfast this morning gives me a bad feeling.
—Oh please. We already have enough with Cassandra playing the bird of ill omen so that now you also join her. - Burya murmured.
—This is serious Russian. The emperor believes that because we live locked up in this place we are blind and deaf to the events out there, but he is greatly mistaken. Your tour of the river a few days ago was not a mere parade, not even a display of power by the tyrant...

Sarab approached the rest of the women sitting on soft cushions on the floor, sitting between them.
— I have heard that three of the eastern tribes have rebelled against the empire, and if this terrible drought continues it is possible that the Kurani people themselves rise up in arms.
The great expression of joy on Sarab's face caused a slight sting in my heart. I couldn't understand the Egyptian's reasoning, no matter how hard I tried.
—If the Palace is attacked, we will all die.- assured Mem with finality. -My sister and I, we can defend ourselves against a reasonable number of enemies, but we could not defeat an angry mob.
—I know.- Zai whispered sadly.
—There is something that I do not understand. If Burya controls the weather, why hasn't she made it rained to combat the drought?
I watched as Burya's cheeks gradually reddened.
—Well, because Burya's power is tied to her emotions. And since she is not able to control what she feels, she does not control the climate she generates either.- explained Mem.
—Oh I see.
—Anyway, I'm telling you something very ugly is going on.Cítiê is very strict with the rules, we all know that and the fact that she didn't come this morning…- Sarab insisted.
—It's a sign that something isn't right,- Zai whispered.
********
"Omara, wake up!"
They called me again in my dreams, but this time I didn't hear my father's voice, but another man's. A man who gave me mixed feelings and also strong and strange desires. I protested, at my mind's blatant fabrication, and tried to continue sleeping.
—Umara!- Strong hands shook my shoulders and I growled in exasperation.
—What?!- I barked, opening my eyes, sitting up on the mattress. My sleepy gaze collided with the gaze of the intruder. Who just smiled. I knew, because even though he was wearing his characteristic burqa, his eyes crinkled and gaze sparkled with amusement.
—Don't get mad little flower.- Alessios whispered. -I've come for an important matter. Come on, get up, we have to go. - Saying this, he took my hand and pulled me. - Here, change your clothes, quickly, we don't have time to waste.

My friend handed me a bundle of men's clothes, and hurried me to change. I reluctantly obeyed, still half asleep. I didn't have the heart to protest and changed my clothes while he kept his back to me.
—Let´s go.- he pulled me back, leading me out of the pavilion, practically running through the corridors until I reached a wall richly adorned with huge stuffed heads of wild boars, elephants, a lion, and other beasts.
Alessios caressed the wall, at the level of his manly chest, and then pressed on one of the stones . In seconds the wall began to go back before my amazed eyes, giving way to a dark tunnel. My companion took one of the burning torches from its place and holding it in one hand while supporting me with the other, we entered the unknown passageway.
—Where are you taking me, Alessios? What's going on?- I whispered. I was already more awake and my friend's strange attitude made me suspect that something was really wrong.
—You must escape.- he murmured breathlessly as he ran, turning here and there following the route of the tunnel. -Cassandra has accused you of heresy, and you have been found guilty.
That made me stop dead.
—What, but how?! When did the trial take place?
—Yesterday morning.
—I don´t get it. What kind of justice is this? Why haven't I been given the opportunity to defend myself? - I demanded indignantly.
—That doesn't matter anymore.- Alessios whispered, pulling me once more. -Tomorrow at dawn you will be thrown into a den of beasts as punishment for your heresy. I'll help you escape, hurry up.
We ran down the dark corridor for a few more minutes, until we finally reached the end of the passageway, which opened into a cobbled grotto that opened onto a beach.
Waiting on the pristine sand were two horses and two camels, my heart pounded at the thought that my gardener was planning to run away with me, but my hopes perished instantly when a very dark-skinned, coarse-complexioned slave ran up to us. Among them they exchanged rapid words in a language unknown to me, while the slave showed my savior the provisions we had for the trip.
—He is Ikbal, he is trustworthy and knows the route to the northern lands, he will take you safely back to your tribe´s territory.-Alessios quickly explained to me, as he took the reins of the steed that he would take me, bringing him closer with every intention of helping me get into the saddle.
—Come with me.- I whispered, holding on to his hand.
—I can not, little flower. My place is here, in the Palace.
His words cut deep into my heartstrings. I couldn't understand how it was possible that he preferred to remain a slave under the Kurani yoke to escape, with me. Tears welled up in my eyes and my throat went dry.
—Don't you love me?- My voice was barely a choked whisper.
Alessios stuck me to his body, pressing against his chest in an iron embrace. He took my face in his hands looking into my eyes, I was able to see the shine of tears in his.
—I love you more than my life. My lady, my owner and the flower of my desert.
I trembled. My whole body burned with passion at the words I would have so wanted to hear under other circumstances. My beloved wrapped his strong hand in my hair holding me while I sobbed with rage, helplessness and disappointment.
—Don't cry, little flower. Be free, knowing that you take my heart away with you.
—Come with me!- I demanded angrily.
—I can't.- he whispered, his voice filled with enormous sadness. -Damn luck, that made me find you too late. Cursed destiny that forces me to let you go.
—Come with me...- I begged through tears. Drowning in my own suffering.
Alessios lifted his burka, exposing the lower part of his face and without giving me time to protest he took my lips with his. He kissed me as if he were a lost pilgrim and I a fresh Oasis, his kiss tasted of desperation, desire, rage and tenderness. For my part, I kissed him back, giving him back everything he gave me and still gasping for more.
He broke the kiss and brought his forehead to mine, then kissed my temple and pulled away from me. The moment his warmth left me, I was hit head-on by reality.
—I can't leave. If I do, the emperor will kill the other women in the pavilion.