Golden Bird

"My interest is none of your concern." she snapped. "What you should concern yourself with is getting rid of her. Her presence here can only create trouble for us all."

"Do you have access to the girl."

"Hmmf, she's hardly a girl." snorted Laila. "But in answer to your question, no, only Yasmine, Fatima, and of course Rashid, are admitted to her suite."

Abdulah nodded, thoughtfully. "Can you use Fatima?"

"The girl will do anything I say, although she has become fond of the American, despite my warnings, so we should not alarm the girl."

"Well, what do you propose we do?"

Laila held up one bejeweled hand. "First, dear brother-in-law, let us get one thing clear, I do not care how you use the fair Sara, but I do not want her alive. Once Rashid learns she is no longer within these walls, I believe he will not stop until she is found. There must be proof of her death, and you must provide it."

"How can I do this without implicating myself?"

"It will not matter. Our problem will be solved, and that is the only concern. I am sure your brother, the King, will be glad to see this complication out of his son's life. He approves of Fatima, and if this obsession with the American should continue," she rolled her dark eyes to the heavens for effect, "Allah only knows what grief could befall this family as well as the country."

Abdulah appreciated this woman's line of thought. She was a gifted manipulator. They continued planning the second abduction of Sara Mathews late into the night as Mohammed snored on in the background.

The next morning Laila called for Fatima, and when the young girl arrived, Laila motioned for her to sit beside her on the soft cushions. She stroked the girl's hair as a gesture of affection.

"Tell me, my dear, how is our American guest adjusting. You mentioned the other day that she was homesick."

Fatima nodded her head. It was true, the woman had said so herself. At first Fatima resented Sara's presence. With each passing day, Fatima watched Rashid falling in love with the golden haired stranger, and every day the jealous girl wished a different death upon her rival. For Fatima loved Rashid and had dreamed since the moment she first saw him, of becoming his wife.

She had been six years old when she had first come to the Palace after her parents were killed in a tragic fire. Rashid had been a young man of twenty-four, and though she had been only a child, she had known this was the man she wanted to marry. Through all the years as she grew into womanhood, Rashid had remained unmarried, and Fatima had taken that as a sign that he was waiting for her. But suddenly this golden woman had been brought into their lives and was capturing his heart before she'd even had the chance to convince him she was no longer a child, but a woman who loved him. Of course Fatima did not realize that this love had been planted and nurtured by her aunt's subtle instigation.