The betters

"So what do you plan to do with the whelp?" Basma asked through narrowed eyes. She cannot understand why the girl isn't dead yet.

"I am scared of what he would do when she dies" she confessed. At least, Basma is a partner in crime. The two have so much skeletons in their closets that they feel at ease in confiding in each other. Particularly because if one betrays the other, it shall not bode well for the anyone of them.

"If you are really afraid of his highness, you wouldn't touch Aaidah" she fired back impatiently. "I grow tired of this dance Neemah. I am apprehensive on your behalf. The more this goes on, the lesser your chances of win. Don't procrastinate Neemah. It's an advice you should heed well" she warned.

Queen Neemah knew her friend is right. Afterall, she was better off getting away with killing Aairah all those years ago than suffering this reality now. Each day that goes by, increases the chances against her. She cannot risk letting His highness begin to feel something more than just pity for the girl. Some nagging feeli tells her she is already late.

"There is something about the way he told me about making her Sultana that gives me pause Basma. My instincts are always right" she confided. "Aariz is a closed book. But sometimes, he opens himself up for reasons only he knows. He didn't have to tell me about her. We were never that close enough for him to feel the need to tell me what he would do. The last time he offered for her hand, I did not know until the day it happened. He didn't tell anyone. Between announcing his intentions and offering for her hand Basma, it was only two hours. An hour later, there was a marriage pact!" Her frown deepened with thought.

"I ask myself often why he would tell me he is sharing my hard earned power with some twit Basma. I am so afraid he is testing me" she sighed. "I wonder if he found out something" she worried. "Do you remember history Basma? Sultana Raheena was the only Sultana who was an emir's wife in the past. Do you remember the story?" Queen Neemah asked.

"Yes I do Neemah. She lasted all of three months before she died. Queen Ralia was a force to be reckoned with" Basma grinned. "I rather think she was quite tolerant for letting the silly girl live that long. But I admire her iron will. Remember, she was celebrated as the most popular queen in history"

"Yes I remember the story well. Her daughter was made Sultana after Sultana Raheena. The Taha clan has ruled the Sultanate on behalf of the emir for so long now it's practically a sort of dynasty. I've never been to the Sultanate Basma. Have you?"

Basma shook her head. "No. But I've heard the elders discuss the problem of letting the Taha clan rule further. There is rumors of treason in the air. They might wish to be independent of Maicki. I've been told that if the Emir allows the erection of the new military school, then, no one can say what they would do. They are growing quite powerful"

Neemah nodded her accent. "Perhaps the Emir wants to marry her so he could plant his own dominion there to thwart the Taha clan and work on establishing a sure foothold. I'm just surprised he chose a daughter of an Abdulaziz"

"I find that curious as well. Your husband likes to make things uncharacteristically complicated. He is so unpredictable Neemah. I don't like it. You need to find a way to put a leash on his wandering thoughts or at least, make him confide in you. That is the only way you gain total control. I've told you before. History has shown that men are just trophies for a woman's control" she seems upset.

Queen Neemah knows that no matter how she says it, no one will understand Aariz unless they lived with him. Basma wouldn't understand.

"First, I need to make Aairah an impossible candidate for his highness" the queen stated.

Basma rolled her eyes. "You have tried severally and failed. The emir believes in his power all too well that a few twist and turns will not deter him. His arrogance isn't misplaced either. If he likes, he could bring the Mrithi Abdulaziz back and clear his name. It's not that hard for a man in his position. As you have said before, he must be considering something. If he truly wanted her, then he would marry her as soon as possible and nothing would stop him. So I ask you my friend, what do you think will make him stop?" She asked.

Neemah sighed. "I don't know" she confessed. "But I don't need to know either. I just need her eliminated. Don't you wish to know what I have in mind?" She raised a perfectly arched brow.

"Tell me" Basma sounds excited.

"I want to have the Abdulaziz clan disbanded. I need to reduce them to nothing so even history will be ashamed to remember them. My friend, can you guess how I can do that?" She asked.

Basma's eyes lit with excitement. "Am I not your friend? I should know that you wish to replace the shadow king with their Mrithi. Make it seem like he is the shadow king. It will be flawless Neemah. I'm impressed" she finally smiled with grim satisfaction.

"But I will need your family influence to concoct evidence and damn the honorable clan. With my own influence and that of my family, I don't doubt the clan will be disbanded in no time at all. Then I could focus on making you Sultana. Let's work together Basma. Let us rule Maicki side by side" Neemah grinned, goading her friend with a card she cannot refuse.

Basma could hardly believe her luck. For once, her greed exceeded becoming the mistress of her husband's clan. Perhaps, she could really be more. Her husband would be Sultan and she, the Sultana. She could almost taste it now. Her heart rushed with a feeling so intense, she shook with it.

Power at last. It is coming my way. She mused. Aairah dear, rest easy. Your betters are coming for you, she swore.