Zara's home was nestled in the heart of Addâru Lbaydâ. By the standards of the city, it was not the most opulent home one
could have, yet for her, it was far better than some of the rooms that she had lodged in when she first ran away from her
father. Over the years, with the meager earnings she saved, she managed to buy and purchase this piece of land and the home
that sat on it. Through the many years of her absence while at sea, she always left a handsome purse behind for her builders in
order that construction and repairs could continue. Now, after so many years of work, her home was not only considered one
of the most beautiful in the heart of the city, but it had also become her refuge from the world outside.
"This is your home?" Gabrielle's slight whistle caught her attention as the carriage pulled past two tall pillars that had large,
wooden doors. Once they pulled into a circular enclave, two male servants ran behind the carriage to close the massive
doors. With a glance at the two young men, the tall Moroccan exited the carriage, then turned to help Gabrielle down. When
she saw the blonde staring up at her home with wide-eyed amazement, Zara glanced up to see what had attracted her
attention.
The outside of the home was as she remembered it to be. The simple brown walls rose upward toward the second floor. On
the second floor, the windows were surrounded by a mosaic of hand-crafted tiles. Like the doors entering the house, the
windows were rounded at the top and held thin lines of inlaid gold. When she looked behind her to the massive doors,
Gabrielle's eyes grew wide when she noticed that the protective wall had been built like an archway. Running along the side of
the opening were carved lattice designs.
"Zara, I had no idea!" Gabrielle exclaimed as she stepped from the carriage, her eyes darting all around the small courtyard as
she helped Nadrah down. "When you said you were quite well off, I had no idea just how well off you were!"
With a slight smile, the Moroccan glanced down at her lover and took her by the hand. "You believe me now, yes?"
"Yes," Gabrielle half-whispered as she was led from the courtyard to the large double doors. Like the archway into the
compound, the double doors were surrounded with carved latticework and a mosaic of colorful tiles that were organized into
carefully designed geometric shapes.
A line of servants, male and female, stood waiting in the courtyard. Zara recognized many faces and saw a few new ones who
must have been added to the house. In front of the line of servants stood three people who waited patiently to welcome the
Moroccan sea captain home. The first of the three to step forward was an elderly man, his simple tunic and breeches
combined with his wizened features spoke of his age. Beside him, an older woman shrouded with a scarf over her hair stood
with hands neatly folded in front of her. Her beautiful smile revealed a few gaps where her teeth were whittled away by age.
Standing behind them was a younger woman, her tall, slender stature and bearing showed her status despite being covered by
the thin beige veil.
The moment Zara noticed her, a guilty pang shot through her. When she glanced down at Gabrielle, she gulped nervously
when she remembered the Amazon's fury over the Arab woman she had spent the night with. Reading her mind, Abu cast a
slight glance her way, then nodded down at the Greek who was oblivious to their body language.
"Umm, Gabrielle, there is something which I must apologize for," she held the Greek woman back slightly as Nadrah ran to
the older couple, her words of greeting flying out even as they pulled her into a tight hug.
"Zara?" The blonde glanced at her confused. Her eyes searched the taller woman, then narrowed her eyes as she looked
back over at the three people waiting at the threshold.
"You see, I'm afraid that I, uh, neglected to mention…" but before she could finish, the young, lithe woman stepped toward
them. With a single, graceful move, she lowered her veil to reveal her striking beauty. In the subservient manner that the
captain always remembered her having, the tall woman knelt before her as she reached up and kissed the back of Zara's
hands.
"Gabrielle, I would like you to meet Inaam…" she motioned for the woman to rise as she turned to face the healer. "She is
the mistress of my home. Inaam controls all aspects of our home…a-and…she is my consort."
