CHAPTER EIGHTY-ONE
Hyacinth entered the heat of the Odalisque’s hamam and approached Haseki. Bending down onto his knee he offered her a letter embossed with the seal of Sultan Suleyman Khan the Magnificent. She squealed in delight at Khadija and the two of them ran to the cool comfort of the first room to read his words. Lounging on the divan and sipping apricot tea, Haseki unfolded the letter and read its words. The Favorite’s countenance darkened and the letter in her fingers began to shake. She pressed her hand to her mouth to hold back her horror.
“What is it, Haseki? Is Suleyman harmed? Ibrahim?”
Haseki offered the letter to her companion.
“My darling,
“Our forces are currently on the march from Pest toward that Red Apple Vienna. There has been much hardship on our crusade so fa
