But after a second cup of coffee, Philippe said, with obvious regret, that he would have to leave. “An early flight, alas. But please allow me to return your hospitality. I would be honored if you would visit me in Paris.” Bending over Amira’s hand, he kissed it lightly, his breath like a caress.

Scarcely noticing Ali’s searching look, she went to bed reliving that moment, Philippe’s touch, his voice, his elegant manner, that special glance from his eyes.

O

In the quiet time before dawn, while she was still fast asleep, Amira felt a hand on her breast, fingers trailing so delicately on her skin that she moaned with pleasure. But suddenly, the fingers were no longer gentle. They squeezed and pinched and hurt. She cried out in pain and pushed the hand away. A sting- ing slap jolted her awake. Ali was beside her, his face mottled red with anger. “Listen carefully, woman,” he said between clenched teeth, “and listen yet again. I decide, do you understand? I decide what happens in this bed and outside it, and that’s how it will be until the day you die.” Amira listened, eyes wide, scarcely breathing. Why was he so angry? What had she done? Could he possibly know that she had slept with thoughts of another man? That her body had responded to his touch? She searched Ali’s face for answers, but found none. Without another word, he got up from the bed and left.

Later that day, she found a sura from the Koran, written on parchment and nailed to the wall of her bedroom: “If you fear that they (your wives) will reject you, admonish them and remove them to another bed; firmly beat them. If they obey you, then worry no more. God is high and great.”

And for the first time in her marriage, Amira feared her husband.

15. Motherhood

Motherhood

“Are you certain, Amira? Absolutely certain?” “The doctor confirmed it today.”

Ali fell to his knees and began kissing her hand. “This is the greatest gift of all, Amira, not only to me but to my father. Now you are truly my queen.” “The king’s pleasure and yours are as my own,” she said, meaning every word. Now the pressure to conceive was over; now her husband, her mother-in-law—and everyone else—knew she was not deficient in any way.