SINBAD

I watch her from the far end of the room. I can't beleive we have been married for over a year. I know my brother disapproved of my choice. He made it clear when I gave him The Nomad. But there was no other choice. She was the only one left for me after that dreadful sea storm. The news of our wedding was a shock for my friends. Especially for Bryn. I knew she loved me but I could never love her that way. She is a sweet girl. I shouldn't have let her hope against hope. But what is done is done. I can't go back.

I have a wife now and she is expecting our first child. I just can't get used to the idea that she will give birth to my child. It shouldn't be her. Maeve should be my wife. After that storm, I have tried to get her out of my mind. But I couldn't. I kept feeling I should have rescued her. And Allah knows I have tried. That is why I finally gave up and married her. She was the logical choice.

My wife turns around and sees me looking at her. A machiavellian smile illuminates her dark face. She has finally got what she wanted. Or so she thinks. I never told her the true reasons why I have married her. Even my brother thinks I have lost my mind. And maybe he is right. I must have lost it when Maeve went overboard.

My wife slowly gets up and walks toward me. She said our first child would be a boy. She also said he would be very powerful. I guess she is right. With her at my side, I have discovered my powers. I was stunned by the strentgh a simple wave of my hand could hold. Dim-Dim would have been furious to see me use them as I did in the past year. But I don't care. He took her away for safe keeping but never allowed me to talk with her. He too is to be blamed for what I have become.

My wife puts her hand on my cheek and kisses me softly. I deepen the kiss and she responds to it with hunger. As I take her in my arms and carry her to our room, she softly whispers :

"Now Sinbad dearest, aren't you glad to be with me instead of that peasant wench?"

Kicking the bedroom door open, I smile back at her and kiss her once more.