Tarek could not and did not hide his disappointment when Kara balked at her responsibility. He shook his head slowly. "Your father would be disappointed to hear you speak this way." Tarek said to her in a low voice. "He was a great man who accepted his responsibilities with dignity."<br/><br/>Tarek said nothing more and led Kara through the palace. The guards fell into step, flanking them once more. The interior of the palace was very splendid, and many grand decorations covered the walls in the form of beautiful paintings that depicted desert scenes that were remarkably full of life and joy. One painting depicted the waterless fountain in the courtyard as it must have been at its prime, with young djinn dancing around it and tossing the petals of desert roses in the air while other figures took their ease - a slice of life captured forever with such realism and skill that it might have been a photograph. There were busts of ancient djinn and statues that seemed to capture a zest and lust for life that seemed entirely absent in the djinn now.<br/><br/>Kara was led to a chamber near the center of the palace. It was marked with a red door and the interior was the same. Within there was a low, round table and many cushions to relax upon rather than chairs. Kaseem was already present, and he sat with three other djinn who were dressed in silvery and red robes. Black-clad guards with silver masks stood at the walls, their imposing arms folded over their chests. The king and his entourage were sipping green tea with mint and eating dates, discussing some minor matter. As Tarek was admitted within with Kara, a demon was making a gracious bow to Kaseem before tracing away. The demon was very handsome - the very same handsome species that Kara had seen hunting her.<br/><br/>Kaseem smiled broadly and swept his hand over the cushions. "Please, darling, sit. Be comfortable." The words and invitation were spoken warmly, but with what Kara knew now, it was no invitation at all. He gave Tarek a long-suffering look and waved the djinn away. Tarek gave a low bow and backed out of the room.<br/><br/>"You are a much more pleasing sight, now, darling. Your clothing is much more suited to your royal station." Kaseem said with a wide smile, looking Kara over with an unbecoming forwardness. "But ah? What is that bauble you wear?" He gestured towards the ring at her finger. "A crude piece of Gaia." His lips turned to a thin line and he turned to one of the robed men beside him. "Have the servants responsible whipped. Twenty lashes each." He said casually, and the djinn addressed rose swiftly.<br/><br/>"It shall be according to your divine will, my king." The djinn said, and swiftly left the room.<br/><br/>Kaseem reached for a date and took a small bite, chewing slowly. "Were you defiled by some Gaian male?"