Surreptitiously, Aisha slid further away from Tarkus and Layla as they settled on the steps.  She closed her eyes, and prayed to the Gods for the ability to close her ears as well.  She had known this was going to happen.  She and Tarkus had had several long discussions about the joining ritual, and although she understood the why's and how's, she didn't like it.  Not one little bit<br/><br/>It was all the young woman could do not to storm over to the couple, grab a handful of Layla's hair, and drag her off her Prince's lap as roughly as she was able.  Instead, she somehow contained her anger and sat quietly, waiting for it to be over.  And, if the Gods were listening to her prayers, perhaps Layla would be so unwilling to be taken, or so unable to please her Prince, that Tarkus would cast her out of the Harem and decide that Aisha was all he'd ever need.<br/><br/>A single tear slid down one delicately rouged cheek as Aisha realised that the Gods were not going to listen to her plea to be struck deaf.