Shocked, but somewhat pleased that Layla had ignored her Prince's hand, Aisha serenely accompanied Tarkus to the baths below his royal chambers, all the while doing her best to ignore the other woman.  The flash of anger in his eyes hadn't gone unnoticed, and she suppressed a self satisfied smile at his reaction to Layla's rudeness.  Perhaps Aisha wouldn't have to share her Prince afterall.  If she continued with this kind of behaviour, Layla would likely find herself executed.  Or worse, banished.<br/><br/>As they passed by the 'lounge' room, Aisha couldn't help but shiver deliciously.  She was, by nature, a sexual being, and had spent many a happy hour in that particular room, pleasing and being pleased by Tarkus.  Pushing the picture of Layla tied in ropes that had, until now, only been used on her out of her mind, the dark haired beauty followed her Prince to the edge of the bath, watching him disrobe appreciatively.  The sight of his nakedness never failed to take her breath away, and already her body was reacting to his.  Heat and moisture began to pool between her legs.<br/><br/>When Layla undressed, Aisha sucked in her breath audibly.  Her skin was literally black and blue in some places, green and yellow in others.  Fresh bruises and older ones mingled, creating a hideous montage that made Aisha turn her head away.  The compassionate part of her wanted to bathe the poor woman gently, soothing away her aches and pains.  And although Aisha was generally an empathetic soul, she also had a vindictive streak, and it was this part of her that had her moving towards the torches, intent on lighting them so Tarkus could see the ugly sight of Layla's naked, emaciated body.  Such a creature was not worthy of a place in the Princes' harem.<br/><br/>Before she could light the first torch, however, Aisha realised that if Tarkus saw the state Layla was in, he would likely forgive her earlier behaviour, and allow her some leeway for future missteps.  His sense of righteousness would be awoken, and he would likely punish those who had done this to her, all the while pitying the woman and allowing her to worm her way into his heart.  Turning back toward the bath, Aisha left the room dimly lit, effectively keeping Layla's secret for her.<br/><br/>Quickly removing her robe, she stepped delicately into the warm, soothing waters of the bath, forging her way directly to where Tarkus was and wrapping herself around him possessively.<em>Let Layla do what she wishes,</em>the now head concubine thought to herself, fully intent on keeping her Prince distracted enough that he wouldn't even noticed that there was another woman in the water with them.