When her tears had finally dried, Ara lay in her bed, numb with shock. She gently soothed the still stunned lizard before settling him back in her caftan hood. Night came and, with it, the normal life of a harem. People moved through her room getting their bedding and preparing for sleep. On her finger, Layla’s ring reminded of her folly.
“Child, what is wrong? Are you ill? I was told you were sick and in bed.” Su’ah leaned over Ara and stroked her hair. Layla hovered beside her, stepping from one foot to the other.
“I have a headache,” Ara said as she turned restlessly in her bedding. She wished they would go away. How could she explain all that had happened? Suleiman was a lizard because she had misbehaved. The tears rolled again.
“You’re crying,” Su’ah stated with alarm. “What happened? Did you get into trouble? Are you hurt?” She sat on the edge of the bed and checked her charge’s forehead.
“My head aches,” Ara repeated. Why won’t they go and leave me alone? “I just want to sleep.”
“I knew you were coming down with something. You shouldn’t have gone traipsing around this evening.” Su’ah tucked the blankets around. “Why, you’re still in your caftan. Let me help you off with this.”
“No, please.” Ara feared for the lizard in her hood. “I’m fine. It’s only a headache. I’ll undress for sleep. Please, Su’ah, get me some mint tea. I think that will help.”
“Of course, dear. Let me go find a kitchen servant and order you tea. I’ll be right back. Layla, maybe you should sleep with me tonight. I don’t want you and the other children catching this,” Su’ah added over her shoulder as she left the room.
“Ara, can I do anything?” Layla asked quietly.
From beneath the covers, Ara pulled the ring from her finger and handed it to Layla. “I found it. Please, go away. I don’t want to talk. Can’t everyone leave me alone?”
Layla stared at the ring in her hand. “Oh Ara, thank you.” She hesitated then turned to leave, saying, “May your rest be easy.”
“Wait.” Ara sat up, suddenly alert to the difficulty of hiding the lizard Suleiman in the harem. “You must promise to tell no one,” she whispered, reaching into the hood of her caftan.
“Tell what?” Layla leaned over to listen. She jumped and gave a little yelp when Ara held out the lizard. “What are you doing with that lizard?”
Ara choked. “I can’t tell you—but you must promise that you will hide him very, very safely. He must be protected from any harm. It’s so important, Layla. Please do this for me,” she pleaded. She clutched Layla’s hand. “Su’ah mustn’t find him, and you must tell no one. Promise!”
“I promise,” Layla wrinkled her nose at the lizard and reached for him carefully. “Will he bite?” she asked.
“No, and he won’t run away. He needs food and water. I think they eat bugs. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to take care of him, but if I keep him here tonight, Su’ah will find him for sure.”
“What’s Suleiman going to say when he finds out you’re keeping a lizard in the palace?”
Tears threatened to roll down Ara’s cheeks. “He’s gone. Don’t say anything to Su’ah or Father until I tell you.”
“Suleiman ran away?” Layla whispered in disbelief. “He wouldn’t! He loves us.”
“He didn’t run away,” Ara sniffed. “Su’ah’s coming back. I’ll tell you tomorrow. Please, just don’t say anything, not about Suleiman and not about the lizard.”