Free The Debt of Tamar by Nicole Dweck Page A

business,” he turned his attentions back to José, “how about we celebrate with a drink?”
    José looked up, not sure if he was being tested, or if the Prince Selim was actually serious about breaking one of Islam’s more serious prohibitions.
    “Stop gawking, José. It doesn’t suit you. Even a Muslim prince needs to have some fun once in a while. And telling from the purple stain on your tongue, I can tell you are a man who likes to have a good time too.”
    “Your Highness , I…” José stuttered.
    “Let’s keep this our secret.” Selim winked as a tray was presented to them with two silver goblets. The prince smiled mischievously, before taking a swig of wine. He smacked his lips then squinted. “I think I like you, José.” He took a moment to consider his own statement, then nodded in agreement with himself. His eyes twinkled with delight and his smile was warm and playful. He slapped José on the back before turning and heading away from the garden. “See you tomorrow!” he called out as he disappeared from the courtyard.
    José lowered his face to his palms and felt warm tears of gratitude against the inside of his hands. Standing alone in the middle of the Sultan’s garden, surrounded by fluttering tulips and the smell of the sea, José gave thanks. He brought his fist to his heart and lowered his chin to his chest. With his eyes closed tightly, he recited a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord.
    “ Blessed are you our G-d,
    Ruler of the World,
    Who has granted us life,
    Sustained us,
    And enabled us to reach this moment.”
 
    He stood motionless for some time, overwhelmed by gratitude and remorse. He had been blessed with so much and yet he had been blind to it all.
    He would recite that same prayer once again, later in the day. He would return home and take his daughter in his arms, recite those same words of gratitude, and give thanks to the Lord for the miracle of life.

9
     
    Several years had passed before Suleiman the Magnificent retreated from palace life and his son Selim ascended the throne. José’s wisdom and aptitude became increasingly apparent as the young sultan sought out his advice on various matters, from how to deal with quarrelling concubines to more serious issues regarding political dealings abroad.
    While the family had been condemned as heretics throughout all of Europe, José’s wealth, wit, and charm still opened many doors. When visiting the palace, European diplomats were intrigued and completely taken in by this strapping Portuguese exile. He looked and spoke in the same manner they did, and yet he was a Jew living an exotic life in a faraway land under the protection of the Sultan himself.
    After five years of service, José was granted a small Dukedom and raised to the status of official Ottoman nobility. He was gifted a permanent villa on palace grounds where he and his family were to reside.
    *
 
    As winter approached, the winds swooped down from the mountain steppes, rattling the lattices and the shutters of the Nissim villa. Silence descended from the grey sky along with a blanket of snow. The fish in the fountains had grown lethargic, barely swimming at all. Winter in the villa was a quiet, somber affair.
    Reyna wrapped herself in a Siberian fur and drank eucalyptus tea alone by the fire.
    Her chambermaid, Arabella, approached and handed her a scroll. “Doña Reyna, a message for you.”
    Reyna unwrapped the scroll then glanced up at Arabella. “I’ve been invited to a lady’s party, hosted by the Sultan’s Beloved, Nur-Banu Sultana, to celebrate the birth of her daughter.”
    “What an event it will be. You’ll need to have something made.” Arabella eyed the white robe that her mistress wore most days. “It’s been so long since you’ve been out. What about that new turquoise fabric I brought back from the Bazaar?”
    “Yes, that fabric would be just right,” Reyna mused as she popped a grape into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. “And