Chapter Twenty-Three'Eyota.' Chumani approached her as she stood in the pleasure garden the servants were making for her. 'There is talk that you are alone too much.'
'Oh?' Melcorka raised her eyebrows. 'Who is talking about me?'
'The people are,' Chumani said. She stood at a respectful distance, with her head deferentially bowed.
It was some days since Melcorka had last spoken to her. 'What do you think I should do to these people who talk so disrespectfully?'
'That is not what I meant, Eyota,' Chumani said.
'So what did you mean, Chumani?' Melcorka asked. 'Be careful now.'
'I think you need a man,' Chumani said. 'You must be lonely.'
'I am not lonely,' Melcorka insisted. 'I am surrounded by people and if I ever require a man, I can order one of the servants to share my bed. They w
