The latter three had been at the palace for a long time and lived in the capitol city of Muzdahir near the palace and were long time friends. Halene was the one that always took care of the linens and cleaning in Amira's chambers where she resided. Chang had approached the tall somber looking black haired woman when she came in to change the bedsheets.

Despite her appearance she was a very amicable person and they quickly hit it off and Chang helped her carry the linens out chatting with her brokenly. Halene had then introduced her to Dinara and Miray, who generally worked in the kitchens.

Leila was smas.h.i.+ng the dough between her two hands her brown sugar-cinnamon colored skin unable to hide her burning blush. Her thick lashes perfectly framed her large crystal black eyes that glared at the fair blue blue-eyed Dinara who had been heckling her.

Dinara chuckled in spite of the face her ample rosy cheeks glowing as she wiped tears of mirth from her eyes with the back if her hands. Leila had recently come to the palace a couple weeks ago from the a small town several hours to the west at her parents request, and had instantly become smitten with the stable hand Yusef.

Dinara and Miray couldn't help teasing her for her taste as the man had rather.. distinguis.h.i.+ng eyebrows, as well as being almost a head shorter than Leila. Chang couldn't help giggling a bit to herself as well she couldn't believe the beautiful young lady across from her was interested in shortie caterpillar brows. To each their own though she thought, there's only one man who could capture her thoughts. Chang thought about him his bronze skin glowing as he smiled down at her as he caressed her skin. Chang smiled while blus.h.i.+ng thinking about the time on the boat, even though she at first hadn't wanted to do it again, she now felt herself longing for that. Chang sighed to herself thinking about his rough warm palms on her skin.

"~Oohoo and what are you thinking about Chang!~" Dinara called at her provocatively and Chang pulled out of her reverie her face warming as she realized what she had bee. fantasising about in front of her friends.

"Oh nothing nothing!" Chang turned her attention trying to avoid Dinara and Miray's attention, the two were like little devils! Miray's green eyes met Dinara's blue and the two grinned wickedly at eachother.

"You forget that we are omnipotent, you were probably thinking about doing something nasty with you husband!" Miray laughed evilly throwing her head back her thick lush black hair was tied into a long loose braid swung.

Chang cursed to herself and tched through her teeth, she was right on the mark but she couldn't let them know that or it would never be the end of it. As the three were unmarried they wanted details about it, especially insider information about what went on in the bedroom. There were some things she just couldn't share!

The usually quiet Halene even joined on this and fanned herself with one hand." Not that you could blame her, the young lord is quite attractive."

"You mean tasty." Dinara gave Halene a toothy smile. Chang felt the heat spreading to her ears hearing Dinara's choice of words.

"Hmm why thank you ladies." A rich voice sounded out from behind them. The man had come upon them silently and heard the latter half of their conversation. His eyes fixed steadily on Changs back as she worked on the dough in front of her. "Would you mind if I borrowed her for a moment."

"Oh please take her, take her." Miray chimed in and they made shooing motions for Chang to go. Leila shot her an apologetic look, understanding what it was to be like under their mercy. Chang rinsed her hands in the bucket of water near them and shook them dry before standing and going to the man who leaned in the door frame eyes smouldering.

He didnt say anything for a moment as he took in the sight of her, still wearing her riding boots from earlier.

"How come you didnt let me know you were back from your ride?"

"I'm sorry, I went to my mom first, I made another painting for her, then wanted to help with dinner."

"Hmm. I missed you today." He took her hand and brought it to his lips causing the women behind Chang to t.i.tter.

"You see me every day." She muttered even though she was getting used to his constant touching and affection it was still embarra.s.sing in front of other people. Hearing her friends behind her she pulled him along and away from the gossipmongers.

After they were far enough away down the hallway she slowed down to walk side by side with him and chatted telling him what she did that day.

Jian looked at the sky that still carried a few hours of sunlight to it.

"Would you still want to go for a ride with me?"

"No but what about tomorrow after I get back from town with my mom?"

"You're heading to town tomorrow?"

"Yeah mom wants to see the bazaar."

The man walking beside her was quiet for a moment before looking at her and told her to be careful while she was there. His serious tone surprised her but she agreed to take extra care.

"Hmm well since you dont want to go for a ride with me, would you like to ride me?" He continued his serious tone looking at her earnestly.

It took a second before it processed in her head. When his words. .h.i.t her she dashed ahead of him to the sound of his laughter.