Chapter 16 In pains

• Roksolana bit her lips as she came face to face with Lady Miriam. She hoped the woman hadn't realized what had happened between the sultan and her. She didn't need to add jealousy to the woman's reason for hating her. Her eyes widened as she saw Lady Miriam walk toward her with a menacing look. Roksolana took a step backward for each step Lady Miriam took until her back hit furniture in the room. When lady Miriam got to where she was, she slapped Roksolana hard on her face. Removing the hijab on Roksolana's head, Miriam wrapped it around her neck, choking her with it. Roksolana slapped the woman's hand, but she refused to let go. It wasn't until Roksolana was losing consciousness that the woman released her.
• "I'll make sure you regret making the sultan mad this morning." Lady Miriam told Roksolana. "Is there anyone out there?" The woman called out.
• A man rushed in immediately. Roksolana couldn't believe her ears when Lady Miriam ordered the man to tie her to a chair. Before Roksolana could find her voice back to protest about such treatment, the man was already tying the knots of the rope holding her down. She was thinking about what the lady had in mind for tying her when Roksolana saw Lady Miriam coming back with a razor blade and a plate of chili pepper. Roksolana pushed at the rope holding her down, praying the lady wasn't thinking what she thought she was thinking of doing.