EIGHT

Cora woke up early in the morning and went to Amal's chamber. When she entered, Amal was nowhere to be found. She parted the curtains.

"What?! Who asked you to enter my chamber without my permission?" Amal's hard voice startled her. She panicked and looked back only to see a bare chested man behind her.

She felt her cheeks getting hot as she looked away from the disturbing sight of her Sultan. Amal smirked arrogantly and walked towards her. "Good morning, Sultan." Cora bowed gracefully, avoiding eye contact as told to do by Khadijah.

Amal gritted his teeth when she bowed. He wanted her to stare into his eyes. He held her face towards his, forcing her to look up into his eyes like he desired. "I asked you a question." When she opened her mouth to speak, his eyes involuntarily moved to her lips. He gulped as his throat felt dry.

He blinked once, twice then let go of her as he cleared his throat. "Go and prepare my bath." He ordered, trying to sound stern. "I do not know how to prepare your bath." She said, keeping her eyes low.

Amal gritted out,"my bath is full of hot milk, rose water and honey." Cora said in shock,"the food that the natives might be needing." Amal glared at her.

"It is not your place to complain. You are expected to follow my orders." Cora bowed in response and went to make his bath for him.

"Wash my body", he said when she attempted to leave. "W-what?" Cora asked in disbelief. Amal replied sarcastically,"I was so sure that I didn't stutter when I spoke."

She apologized,"sorry, Sultan." She took slow steps towards the man in the bath. She fisted her hands. She just wanted to slap that annoying arrogant smirk off his handsome face.

She took the cute golden bowl. She began washing his hair to his chest and back. Amal caught himself smirking in satisfaction at the feel of her soft palms. He was really going to enjoy the afternoon's massage.

"Bastard." Cora gritted out in a whisper. "Pardon me?" Amal asked. He had heard her but he wanted her to say it again so that he could get a chance to hurt her.

"Nothing, Sultan." Cora said firmly. Wanting to frustrate her, he spoke,"get into the bath."

"I have cold." Cora quickly crafted an excuse. Amal completely took her by surprise when he suddenly stood up, turned around and grabbed her by the waist. He easily picked her up and got her into bath. He smirked as he sat inside again. Cora tried to get away from him but she only slipped and fell into his arms. Amal found her amusing as he clenched his jaw, looking at the scared looking girl.

"I never knew that you wanted to be so close to me. You like me, right?" He teased her. A cute frown adorned Cora's facial features. "Are you out of your mind?" She asked as she held onto his shoulders for support while she stood up. Unfortunately, she slipped again but Amal quickly held her, preventing her from hitting her head against the edge of the tub.

Amal carefully got her out of the water and called for the servants to bring them new sets of clothes. The way the maids glared at her, she knew that she was in trouble. Samira, Khadijah's daughter, especially had a thing for the Sultan and Cora had been made fully aware of it the previous night.

Amal was only adding more to her misery when he asked her to come and eat with him. It was an order she couldn't and didn't want to defy after all, she was very hungry.

As she served Amal, the sleeves of her dress rode up a bit, exposing her marked wrists. Amal had to control the urge to murder the culprit who did that to Cora.

"What happened to your hands?" He asked, pretending to be calm about the matter. Cora quickly covered her hands. "I...b-burnt my hand while trying to cook something for you last night." She lied. Amal nodded, as if he believed her. Cora sighed in relief.

"Cora. Look at me." She did. Amal continued,"the next time you are maltreated by any of the servants, come to me or else when you want to lie, look me in the eyes and do it." Her eyes widened. "Tell Khadijah that I want to see her and do come with her." He ordered. Cora bowed and walked out.

Amal inhaled sharply. What was Cora doing to him? Just a week and four days and he was already wrapped around Cora's little finger.

Khadijah entered the chamber with her head bowed with Cora closely following in the same position. "Greetings, Sultan." Khadijah greeted. Cora had changed before coming with Khadijah. Amal was almost done dressing.

Cora caught herself shamelessly staring at him. Amal smirked arrogantly. Cora gritted her teeth, glaring at him. Khadijah saw the romantic exchange between the two. Was she called to come and witness the Sultan's love for his captive. When Amal winked at Cora who in turn blushed profusely, Khadijah decided that she has seen enough.

"Sultan, you called for me, I believe." Khadijah bowed respectfully. Amal chuckled at the sight of Cora's red cheeks before he cleared his throat.

"Khadijah." Amal called slowly. "Sultan", she responded. "Who touched Cora last night?" He asked her.

Khadijah panicked. This was literally the first time the Sultan had chuckled genuinely amused at the same time, it was the first time the Sultan was questioning her about his captive getting hurt.

What would happen to her now?