The Palace, from up close, was even more stunning and imposing. It seemed as if every surface was coated with gold from the inside, by the way the halls glistened through the big oak doors and large arched windows.
The women could only gape at it as they dismounted in its yard, still being drawn by the long chain in their new master's hand.
They were made to line up, albeit side by side this time.
Zarqa, having gone through a similar thing when she was sold to Jamil, the lord of the Two Heavens, realized they were up for an appraisal, where someone would judge whether or not they were good enough to be bought off.
She looked up, her eyes catching five women standing before the palace's stairs, as though waiting for something. The one that dominated them was a tall middle-aged woman in white robes at the very front. She carried herself with pride, her chest held high, her narrow eyes almost closed, but Zarqa could feel her scrutinizing gaze upon them.
