Kingdom:

Umara:
—You've been locked up in your chambers for too many days.-Sarab murmured, entering my room while carrying a tray in her hands.
—I feel unwell.-I muttered, sitting on the mattress and receiving the tray on which rested a series of foods that made me nauseous when I saw them.
Sarab sighed and sitting on the edge of the bed slowly stroked my hair.
—You are very disappointed, arent you, darling?
My eyes collided with hers and I could see the understanding and sorrow in hers.
—I know. Months ago I woke up one night, thirsty as you can't imagine, I went out to the garden and when I came back I saw you. You were accompanied by a man, although he covered his face I had no doubt who he was.
—Why didn't you tell me?- I pleaded.
—Well, because you looked so happy, surrounded by moonlight and the glow of fireflies, gathering roots and seeds. In truth, I suspected what was happening but chose not to say anything. There are very few moments in this life in which we are allowed to be truly happy.
—Did you ever love someone?- I whispered.
—Once.

Sarab settled on the edge of my bed, her gaze was distant, she smiled as if looking at her own memories.

—He was…beautiful, young and brave, he was the son of a general and he was training to take his father's place.- Her expression turned sad and her gaze met mine. A disease took him from me before we could even really love us.
How tragic!
—Is that why you decided to dedicate your life to the gods? Are you afraid of loving again and that fate will once again take away the one you love?"
—Nope. There are different types of Umara women. There are the frivolous, like Cassandra, who only love themselves. There are those who take what they are given and make the most of it, like the twins. There are some who pretend to be happy with their situation when they really yearn for something else, like Burya, and others… they simply settle for the fate that has befallen them, like Cítiê.
Sarab smiled slightly.

—You and I are very similar in this. We are not like the others, we are not satisfied with what fate draws us and when we give our hearts we do it only once.
At that moment my chin trembled.

—I want to dedicate my life to the gods, so that when I die, they at least grant me the mercy of sending me to the place of the underworld where Ramses is.

Sarab's words stayed with me for days. Without giving me direct advice, in her own way, she had made me reflect.
It was no use throwing myself into tears and wishing to die every day. With me or without me, life would go on and it was up to me how I wanted to continue living my life. It was so that when I met with the other Lunas, I found them nervous and trembling.

—What's wrong?- Zai whispered.
—The Emperor has summoned us all to his presence.
That news hit me like a bucket of ice water.

—Why?-I insisted.
Burya was biting her nails and pacing back and forth as Mem tried to calm her down.
—Cassandra has joined the rebels in the East and raised an army of ten thousand men. The Emperor has lost half the captains of his army and our enemies are marching closer to us.

A chill traveled all my body.
—A rebelion has broken out.- I murmured.

#####

Weeks had passed since the last time Alessios had laid eyes on his fierce nomad. Her refusal and subsequent refusal to remain in the favorite's chambers had come as no surprise to him. From the beginning, the Emperor had suspected that his tricks and half-truths would bring bitter consequences where the desert flower was concerned. However, he never suspected that his first wife was plotting against him under his very nose.

The silver diadem, which had the magical ruby in its center, rested cold and treacherous in the palm of her hand instead of adorning Cassandra's forehead as it should have.
—I have summoned them, my lord. As you ordered.- Cítiê announced.
One by one the women of the pavilion began to enter the throne room until it was the turn of the woman who haunted his dreams. Alessios smiled. His indomitable nomad came to her presence barefoot as always, with her black, long, glossy hair loose and sheathed in a gray dress. While most sought to please and even attract with their provocative clothing, she had set out to make him angry.
—My Lord.- three intoned, almost in chorus, falling to their knees and remaining silent. Standing two remained, the Egyptian who had sworn to bathe in his blood and the nomad, who with her look full of hatred made his heart ache.

Cítiê gave them a reproachful look, but the rebelwomen tood defiantly.

—Sit down.-Alessios murmured, and slowly they all obeyed, each one finding a comfortable cushion.-I have made you come because we are in grave danger. As you know, Cassandra has declared herself Empress and is marching against us with a force three times our own.

A deathly silence reigned in the great throne room.
—The people is still amazed at what happened to Umara, the rumor has spread throughout the kingdom that she is the reincarnation of the goddess Cimbel and this has caused a large number of peasants and freedmen to join the ranks of our army, but our number continues to be insufficient. They outnumber us three to one.
—Besides, the people know of Cassandra's ability to see the future, the sword that used to give us an enormous advantage in combat is now the one that threatens to cut our necks.-he snapped, squeezing the diadem between his fingers.
—This is why, that from this day, I appoint you all members of my privy council and it is my wish that Zai and Mem train you in combat.
Alessios rose from his throne and descended the steps of it, slowly.
—I fear that if there is a battle, I will not be able to protect you all, that is why I consider it convenient that you learn to defend yourselves by your own means.

Reaching the center of the room, Burya and the twins rose to their feet, coming to hug and surround him as expected. Cítiê, stood to his right keeping his head high. Alessios looked for Umara and found her standing to his left, but far enough away that it was impossible for him to touch her.
Only Sarab remained seated and impassive.
—I know that in the past I caused you a great wrong that I will only be able to pay you with my death.- Alessios whispered. "But I believe that our survival depends on whether we are able to fight together.
Sarab rose slowly to her feet, glaring at the emperor as if he were a vile, dirty cockroach.
—What you propose is suicidal and stupid. No matter what plans we make, Cassandra will beat us to it and we'll all die, unless...
—Unless…?
—Unless we are allowed to use our gifts.-Sarab concluded firmly.