THE DESERT ROSE | ONGOING

Seductress of the night

She wouldn't call the thing she was wearing, a dress. It was just a flimsy piece of cloth that only covered her vital parts. The shimmery strips of the lower part were of the color of lemongrass, which revealed the parts of her thighs much more than her comfort. While, the upper part was golden, wrapped around her breasts. The rest of the dress consisted of thin gossamer strips around her arms and shoulders that fluttered with the slightest of wind.

Trinkets and charms hugged around her waist and limbs chimed with every move she made, and her hair swung loose with only a cheap green gem-like rose-shaped buckle that held them from cascading off everywhere.

The lady that was appointed to help her get dressed said that men wouldn't be able to their eyes off her, and now that Inara saw their reaction, she wouldn't dare doubt her words at all. Even Kais' usual laid-back face looked dumbfounded as he gawked shamelessly at her.

She didn't find such kind of attention amusing one bit. It was not like she always wore modest clothes like a widow, but this really made her feel exposed in front of everyone's eyes. And she knew that the worst part was yet to come. The part for which she had to dress so scandalously.

Wasn't it just a few days ago when she criticized Leila for her filthy job? And here she was, dressed like a tramp, ready to seduce almost an army of men. Fate had never been kind to her. It always teased and tormented her in every way possible, and who knew what other dirty things it had stored in for her.

If fate were a person, it'd be the greatest criminal in the entire world.

"I think this is a bad idea," Kais mumbled.

A small frown creased her eyebrows, "Why so?"

I'm enduring so much for this and you say this is a bad idea?

"Because there's a high chance that I might forget our plan and just stare at you,"

"Damn right," Sadeq agreed, wiping his face with his palm.

Oh, that better not happen in reality!

"In that case," Baha spoke, throwing the hook attached at the end of a rope towards the roof of the inn they had rented for the night. "I'll remind you of your plans up from there," flashing them her catapult, she climbed up to the roof like a cat, swift and sleek.

"Did I forget to tell you that she never misses her target?" Sadeq asked Inara, pointing his thumb in Baha's direction amusedly.

With a small sigh, Inara muttered, "I'm glad that she's here."

"So are we," Kais chuckled.

"And by the way," Inara chipped taking out the veil she had tucked under her waistband, "I'm putting this on." Because she'd be risking too much if she wouldn't cover her face with the veil.

Kais gave a curt nod, "you should." She was surprised by the seriousness with which he said those words.

"Then let's get over with this,"

As everyone took their planned positions, she turned around to face Aydin.

"You know what to do, right Aydin?"

Contrary to her expectations, Aydin didn't reply with a yes, or a nod like he usually did. Instead, he stood still, all taut and distressed, gazing at her intently.

She asked again with disbelief, "Aydin?!"

No! He knew what to do! He should know it! They had gone over this again and again and there was no way he'd not know it. She was not going to remind him of everything once again, not when their baits were just a door away from them.