Chapter 22
Year 1061, February (453 from the Hegira, month of Muḥarram), palace of Muhammad ibn al-Thumna
Mohammed was able to console himself for military humiliations through the comfort offered by Nadira, demanding his wonderful body, and losing himself in his splendid eyes. Even with many women available, Mohammed forgot that he had a harem and asked for Nadira to be present for all the nights until he remained at the palace. The girl therefore became the new Qā'id refuge, a refuge in which to shut herself up was so satisfying that she forgot the pleasures of wine.
Nadira on the other hand began to accept her new life, certain that there was no way out. She strengthened herself by seeing the hatreds and envies of his rivals, aware that if she showed minimal weakness those others wou
