Golden Bird

As Sara slipped the dress over her head, the smooth fabric caressed her body. It had a round neckline and long flowing sleeves. She admired the detailed pattern of a bird, embroidered on the pale blue fabric with tiny golden threads.

Once Sara was dressed, Yasmine brushed out her long blond hair that she had admired earlier, then stood back to survey her efforts. Pleased with the result, she led Sara back through the bedchamber to a large sitting room. This room was also illuminated by candlelight, and Sara vaguely wondered if they had electricity in this place.

The floor was covered with a deep red Persian carpet with small gold birds perched in lush green trees woven into the heavy wool. In the exact center of the room was a low, round table with four large gold cushions arranged in a circle around it. A fan with long blades rotated lazily from the high ceiling, and the soft draft it created fluttered the sheer white draperies that hung from long arched windows along the outside wall. It was dark outside, and Sara could see nothing though the windows.

"I will go now to get my brother." said Yasmine, and before Sara could question her again, the young girl slipped out the heavy wooden door.

Once alone in such a foreign setting, Sara felt fear forming a hard ball in the pit of her stomach, but she forced herself to remain calm. Luckily it was only moments later that she heard a knock on the door. It opened abruptly to reveal a tall, dark, handsomely bearded man, wearing a long white robe with bands of black and gold embroidery around the cuffs, neckline, and down the open front, under which he wore a loose white silk shirt and pants. Wrapped around his waist was a wide band of the same black and gold embroidered design as on the robe. His dark eyes burned into Sara's until she turned away, unable to deal with the raw passion he exuded.

Rashid could not disguise the immediate desire he felt as soon as he laid eyes on this woman who's welfare was now his responsibility. He could almost understand his uncle's actions regarding this dream girl, considering it was his own first impulse to throw her to the floor and take her, then and there, fortunately, for her, rape held no fascination for him.

Only after her eyes left his was he able to gain control of his emotions. He cleared his throat, and said, "So ... our guest is awake."

Sara spun around with fire in her eyes. "Guest! Somehow I don't remember checking into this motel. Listen, buddy, I want some answers. Just who the hell are you, and what am I doing here?" She glanced around the room, "... wherever here is."