Chapter 21 Zahra’s Truth
Zahra’s Truth
Zahra lay on her stomach in a daze. Her face was half buried in a pillow, and her back was exposed.
She gripped Namir’s hand firmly, clearly aware of the physician’s every move.
The physician spoke to her softly, assuring her that the pain would soon subside.
Zahra flinched with every touch to her back, fighting whimpers and praying that this would be over soon.
Namir sat in a chair beside her, holding her hand and watching the physician work.
He swore to her that the physician wouldn’t hurt her.
The physician had insisted she tend to the King’s injured hand first, but Namir had declined and ordered that Zahra be seen first. Ramses had tended to Namir’s right hand instead.
The bandage was bloody, the wound a result of Namir catching the rod before it could hit Zahra.
She couldn’t see her back, but she could guess how it looked: a mess of bruises and welts, with a thick cut diagonally across her spine where Bahiti had struck her twice.
The physician had looked at her with surprise and pity. A feigned expression of worry for the benefit of the King, no doubt.
The physician finished sealing the cuts and requested that Namir leave the room so she could apply the bandages. Zahra’s gaze shot to Namir’s, her grip on his hand tightening.
Namir looked at her with uncertainty. “You will have more privacy if I leave.”
She did not care. She did not want to be left alone with her.
Namir turned to the physician. “She would like me to stay.”
“Of course.” The physician was kind as she helped Zahra into a sitting position. Namir turned away as the physician undid Zahra’s dress and applied the bandages. All the while, Namir did not look, but he held Zahra’s hand.
When the physician was done and Zahra was dressed, the physician excused herself and beckoned Namir to follow. Namir invited Ramses back into the room, letting go of Zahra’s hand. “I will be right back. Ramses is here for you.”
Zahra hugged her arms, her voice stuck in her throat as she watched him go. She turned to Ramses. He was watching her with a worried expression. He moved his hands, asking if she needed anything, but she shook her head.
In truth, she had not needed anything. Namir could have left her there, and she would have cleaned herself up and borne the pain for the day. That was how she had always handled it. Tomorrow, her wounds would be gone anyway.
What she had asked of him was selfish, and she was ashamed that he now knew her secret. He was never supposed to know. She had not wanted him to. And now, he, Ramses, and many others had seen her scars, and there was nothing she could do about it.
Zahra moved to a nearby couch. She declined Ramses’s offer to help her walk, settling herself on the soft fabric.
She hugged a pillow to her chest and waited for Namir to return.
It was not long before he came back and excused Ramses from his post. He sat in a chair across from Zahra, trying to meet her eye.
She avoided his gaze and stared at the floor.
Her chest tightened. She wished to say something, but what could she say? What did he want to hear?
“Thank you,” she mustered.
Namir was silent. She was tempted to look at his face to know what he was thinking, but she did not allow herself to. Did he regret helping her? Was he disgusted by her life, by her weakness? By her?
The words that broke the silence were not the ones she was expecting. “How long have you worked for Bahiti?”
Zahra glanced up as she tried to gauge the intent behind his question. “Why do you want to know?”
Namir stared at her in disbelief. “I wish to help.”
“You did help.” The words came out sharper than intended. The anger at Bahiti—at herself—was bubbling in her chest, along with the shame and embarrassment of having been seen by him.
Namir’s brow lowered. “Will you not answer my question?”
“What use will the information be to you? You have done what I have asked and more,” she answered. “There’s nothing else you need to do.”
Namir looked at her, dumbfounded. He turned away, focusing on his knotted hands in front of him.
“There were other wounds on your back. The physician said some had scarred over years ago, and there were bruises from at least a week ago. The one on your face was from today.” He looked up at her.
“So I ask again, Zahra, how long have you worked for Bahiti? How many times has she done this to you?”
Zahra bit her tongue, trying to keep her emotions and tears at bay. The pressure in her chest felt as if it would flood out of her at any moment. “It does not matter.”
“Of course it does.” Namir scooted forward, but Zahra wouldn’t grant him the privilege of looking into her eyes. “I don’t understand you, Zahra. Why do you elude me so? Why do you insist on playing games instead of giving me a straight answer?”
“You are King!” She turned to him, her eyes and chest hot with fury. “You are King, and yet you speak to me as if I am more than I am. You know what I am! A sorceress. A servant. A slave by every right but name!”
Namir sat up straight. “I don’t think of you as those things.”
“Don’t lie.” Her voice cracked as she spoke.
“After this night ends, I will be of no use to you. You will not starve for companionship, for another person with freedom and choice. You will have all that you need, and I will have nothing for you. How can I trust your intentions when we will not speak once this curse has ended?!”
Namir’s eyes went wide. Shame toiled within her heart as she saw, for the first time, tears within Namir’s eyes.
Zahra’s mouth hung open, but she couldn’t take back her words. “I…”
Namir waited, and when she said nothing more, he gritted his teeth and leaned forward.
“You are my own. It is my duty as King to help my people in their struggles, and that includes you.” His hands clenched the arms of the chair.
“How could you question my intentions after all this time? Are my intentions not clear? I care for you, Zahra. I hate to see you in pain. I want to help you because you are important to me!”
Namir’s words echoed in the empty room, leaving them in silence. Their gaze did not leave the other.
Zahra sniffled. “You consider me your own?”
Namir’s features softened, and he leaned forward, grasping her fingers. “Of course. You and your people, though different, are under my protection. You are Aurans, too.”
His words melted her anger, and the small voice in her mind reminded her of what she already knew. Namir was there for her, and he wouldn’t abandon her as so many others had.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I have been so foolish.”
Namir stroked her hand as she wiped at her eyes. “I don’t think you are foolish.”
“I am,” she cried. “I am sorry. I should have come to you. Instead, I let this happen, and now you are hurt. It is all my fault.”
He worked his fingers between hers and squeezed her hand. “None of this is your fault.”
She sniffled. “But—”
“None of it.”
Zahra smiled, wiping at her eyes as she tried to slow her tears. Though she did not believe the words, it felt good in her heart to hear them.
There was a brief silence as they both collected their thoughts. Finally, Namir spoke. “If you don’t wish me to know, I will not ask. But, Zahra, I want to help, if you will let me.”
Zahra quieted a cry, her voice cracking as she let out a bitter half laugh. “It is not a happy story.”
He smiled softly. “I don’t expect it to be.”
Zahra considered his words. She did not want to face him, but something within her wanted desperately to speak—to share the truth that she had for so long buried.
“I was nine when I came to Aur,” she began.
“My master, Darius, was one of many who were asked by your father to offer work for my people. My father became interested in serving in the temple, and Darius used his connections to get him a place in Inebu-hedj. This put my father in debt, and he offered my services as collateral to help pay off his debt faster. In exchange for providing my basic needs, I would serve Darius by helping with the housework, and any additional work would contribute to paying off my father’s debt.
“The punishments began as soon as my father made permanent residence at the temple. Darius was often busy and left the servants in his wife’s care.
Bahiti was not kind like her husband. She worked me harder than any child servant and put costly mistakes under my father’s debt, forcing more debt onto our shoulders.
Her punishments, in her mind, were just. I was prone to mistakes as a child, and Bahiti made sure I knew I was in the wrong. ”
Namir’s fingers traced over the faded scars on her wrists. “Since you were that young?”
“Heba protected me as much as she could,” Zahra whispered, watching his fingers.
“Bahiti was happy to punish another, but Heba eventually moved away with her son. I was grateful when she left. I was afraid she would die at Bahiti’s hand.
She feared for my life, but I told her I would be alright.
” She paused. “Since then, that’s what I have been. That’s what I had to be.”
Namir was silent, his features controlled but his anger evident. “Why did she do this to you today?”
“I… I discovered she had been stealing from us.” Zahra swallowed. “I accused her of theft, and she…”
Namir waited for her to continue. When she did not, he nodded in understanding. “And… Kanefer. Who is he?”
Zahra was stunned by the question. Her lip trembled. “I… I…”
Namir leaned forward. “You do not have to tell me.”
“N—No, it’s not that…” She found that she wanted to tell him. She wanted to explain all that had happened to her. And she feared she wouldn’t ever tell him if she did not do so now.
Zahra wiped at her tears. “Kanefer came under Darius’s care when I was twelve.
He was a new orphan, and his uncle had him work under Darius to pay for some of his debts.
We grew up together, and we always talked about running away from Bahiti and living as nomads where no one could find us.
They were childish stories, but somehow I always thought we would escape Bahiti together despite it. ”
Zahra swallowed hard, avoiding Namir’s gaze. “A year ago, he asked me to marry him. He promised to protect me from Bahiti and pay off both of our debts so we could purchase some land or a boat. I thought I could be free, so I said yes.” Her lip trembled as the memories returned. “But he lied.”
Namir listened quietly as she tried not to cry. “While on a trip with Bahiti and her daughters, Femi broke an expensive pot and blamed it on me. I tried to explain I had not done it—I had been with other servants in a different room at the time—but no one believed me.
“When we returned to the house, Bahiti beat me for hours, eventually locking me in that same room you found me in. Kanefer was there. I called out to him, but he did not come. I remained there for days with little food or drink, until Kanefer was finally allowed to nurse me back to health. When I could finally speak, he asked for my forgiveness, but I broke off our engagement. He is gone with Bahiti’s husband today, so I have not seen him in some time, but I must have gotten confused when you came and thought you were him. ”
Namir was silent. “Does your father know about any of this?”
Zahra shook her head. “I tried to tell him years ago, but he thought I was not telling the truth. He did not think the wife of a priest would do such a thing.”
Namir held her hand in his hands, mulling over her words. “I will have her punished for this.”
“She has done nothing wrong,” Zahra said. “She has not broken any laws. At least, none that I can prove. It is legal to punish servants.”
“Surely not as she has been,” Namir claimed. “And if it is so, I will change it. This… This should not happen.”
Zahra looked down. “It is fine. It will not happen again. I have been saving to pay off my debt, and soon I will have enough.”
“What if she steals from you again?” Namir questioned. “What if she prevents you from leaving?”
Zahra was not sure how to answer. In truth, she did not know how she would leave. Would Bahiti even let her?
Namir rubbed the skin between Zahra’s thumb and finger, trying to catch her eye. “Let me help you, Zahra. I can take you away from that place. You will never have to see Bahiti again.”
Zahra’s voice quivered. “You would do that?”
“Yes.” Tears swelled in her eyes, and he smiled. “Here, look what I got you.” He released her hand and retrieved his bag. From within, he pulled out something small and held it in a closed fist. He took her hand, placing the object in her palm.
“A seashell.” Zahra traced its spiral shape, studying the soft, golden spots on its off-white surface. It hung from a thick white cord, creating a beautiful necklace. “Where did you find this?”
“I traveled to Iunu and purchased it this morning.” Namir grinned. “It comes from the beaches of Ionia, as far as I was told. I know it does not compare to your mother’s necklace, but I thought you would still like it.”
Zahra sniffled as she studied the shell. “You remembered.” She had not given more thought to where he had gone off to that morning, and all along he had been searching for a gift for her. “It is beautiful. But I have nothing for you.”
“Your company is gift enough.” He leaned forward, his breath soft on her skin. His black eyes sparkled. “I have no intention of letting you drift from my memory when this spell ends. I hope you will still accompany me to the library or take me to visit your people’s homes.”
Zahra laughed. “Of course, I will.”
“Good.” He gestured to the necklace. “Do you want to wear it?”
“Yes.” She offered it to him, and he took the strands, securing them around her neck. She clasped it in her hand, smiling at it. “I love it.” She turned it over with her fingers. “It is a pity it will return to the seller tomorrow.”
“Then I shall find it again,” Namir said with a grin. “It is yours now.”
Zahra smiled at Namir’s happy face, and she let her tears fall. “Thank you.”
Namir’s eyes softened, and he pulled her toward him. She collapsed into his chest, soft sobs leaving her body. He held her tightly, rocking her as she cried. He kissed her hair and whispered into her curls, “Anything for you.”