Chapter 26 Zahra’s Curse
Zahra’s Curse
Zahra followed Namir through the pr-aa, holding his hand tight. Her other hand held a white scarf together over her shoulders. The servants of the pr-aa watched her in confusion and envy. Waaiz and Ramses followed behind them. She could feel Waaiz’s glare on her back.
On the second floor, Namir guided Zahra to a giant room. She recognized it as his—Namir’s things were scattered around the space, and his outfit for that night was draped over a chair.
“I shall have the servants bring you a fresh pair of clothes.” He guided her to a chair and smiled. “Then I shall tell everyone of the news.”
Zahra thought of how Waaiz had looked at her just minutes ago. He and the Pharaoh Queen would not be pleased by the news.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. “Namir, I—I have something to tell you.”
A knock came at the door, and Waaiz poked his head in. “Menes, we need to speak.”
Namir’s eyes narrowed. “Not now.”
Waaiz challenged Namir’s glare with one of his own. “Now.”
Zahra’s mouth twitched into a smile. “Go. I will be alright.”
Namir’s brows knitted together, and he rubbed her arm. “Are you certain?”
She nodded. “I will be fine.”
“Do not worry, brother.” Nubia stepped out from behind Waaiz, smiling sweetly. “I shall ensure she is well taken care of.”
Namir let out a sigh. He placed his hand on the side of her face and kissed the top of her head. “I will be back.”
Zahra smiled softly and nodded. “I know.”
Waaiz scowled at Zahra as Namir pushed him outside.
Nubia smiled at Zahra. She had already changed into her orange dress, even though Namir was still in his night clothes. She took Zahra’s hands. “Let us get you washed up, shall we?”
Zahra clutched the shawl, numbly following Nubia downstairs. She was brought into a great room with a large, rectangular pool. Servants had already gathered and were filling the pool with hot water.
“Help her in and get her washed,” Nubia ordered. She pointed to one servant in particular, a young Auran girl, and waved her hand. “Get her a towel and some clothes.”
The servant bowed. “Yes, Vizier.”
Zahra clutched her shawl tighter as she was guided toward the pool. She flinched as they reached for her clothes. “I can do it myself.”
The servants pulled their hands away. They took her clothes from her as she removed them and carried them off. Zahra was thankful when she got into the warm water, foam from the bubbles hiding her shivering arms.
The servants whispered to each other as they scrubbed her arms and feet, commenting on her scars. One gasped when washing her hair, recoiling at the sight of Zahra’s debt tag.
Zahra covered it with her hand, her face flushing with embarrassment. One of the servants snickered.
“That is enough,” Nubia scolded, standing up from her seat. She waved the servants away. “I will finish with her. Wait outside for us.”
The servants removed their hands from the water and bowed. “Yes, Vizier.”
Zahra hugged her arms, letting out a relieved sigh as the door closed. “Thank you.”
“They can be a little much,” Nubia said, approaching her. “Do not worry. You will get used to it.”
The guilt hit Zahra once more.
Nubia gestured to Zahra’s wet curls. “May I?”
Zahra blinked in surprise. She nodded.
Nubia worked the soap gently into Zahra’s curls. She worked around Zahra’s earring, not mentioning or pausing to look at the scars on Zahra’s back.
Zahra relaxed, enjoying the smell of the various soaps and ointments in the water.
“I am happy he has found someone,” Nubia said as she worked. “He told me all about you this morning. I do not think I have ever seen him so excited.”
Zahra’s gaze snapped to her reflection. Thoughts of last night filled her mind—of the time she spent with Namir and the kiss they had shared. Of course he was happy. She was happy. At least, she would be if she could be.
“I have always wanted a sister,” Nubia added. “Menes is a great brother, of course, but he does not understand things a sister would. I am so excited to help you plan the wedding. It will all be official in a few days. And…” She paused. “My dear girl, are you crying?”
Zahra choked down a sob, burying her face in her hands.
Nubia let go of Zahra’s hair. “Oh, you poor thing. What is it? I am sure it is all too overwhelming. I am sure you have experienced nothing like this before.”
“It—It’s not that,” Zahra cried. “I cannot marry him.”
Nubia was quiet. “So you do not love him.”
Zahra turned around, planting her hand on the edge of the pool. “I do! I love him very much.” She gulped in air as she began hyperventilating. “But I am cursed! I can’t be his queen, because I will die at the end of this day.”
Nubia’s face filled with horror. “Cursed?”
Zahra nodded solemnly. “Evil creatures seek my life. I will be dead by midnight.”
Nubia leaned back, looking at the water as she processed this information. “Oh… Oh, you poor thing.” Sympathy filled her face. “Does he know?”
“No.” Zahra buried her face in her hands once more, quieting a sob. “I don’t know how to tell him! I don’t want to break his heart.”
Nubia placed her hand on the back of Zahra’s neck. “It is a little late for that, but you can still do the right thing.”
Zahra looked up, sniffling. “How?”
“Tell him the truth.”
Zahra looked down at her hands. “I…I can’t.”
“It will be hard,” Nubia agreed, “but you are doing a brave thing. You are right. Namir needs someone who can stay by his side. He will hurt from this, yes, but he will find another. It will be alright.”
Another. Zahra did not want him to find another. She wanted to be there for him. She wanted to stay by his side, be his queen, and support him through whatever challenges he would face as King.
But she couldn’t. No matter how much she wanted to.
Nubia finished with Zahra’s hair and helped Zahra dry off.
She fetched the dark green dress the servant had brought and helped Zahra change into it, then tied her wet curls back.
When Zahra was finished, Nubia guided her outside to the gardens.
The sun shimmered through the trees, and the sweet scent of dew filled the air.
She left Zahra on a stone bench. “Wait here. I will tell him you are waiting for him.”
Zahra swallowed as Nubia turned away. “Vizier?”
Nubia turned around, her eyebrows raised.
Zahra smiled sadly. “Thank you.”
Nubia nodded with a compassionate expression. “It is the least I can do.”
Zahra clenched her hands in her lap as Nubia left the gardens. Her chest quivered with each breath. It was taking everything she had not to break down again.
Namir stepped out into the gardens. Zahra took a deep breath, forcing herself to stand.
“Zahra,” Namir breathed. “You look—” His voice cut short once he saw her tears. “What is wrong?”
Zahra looked down at her dress.
Namir walked toward her. “Did someone say something to you?”
Zahra shook her head. “No.” He reached for her hand, but she pulled away, gesturing to the stone bench. “I need to tell you something.”
Namir let his hand fall to his side. He obeyed, sitting on the other end of the bench as she sat. “What is it? If this is too fast, I can move the wedding back. We do not have to obey tradition.”
Zahra shook her head, her hands gripping the edge of the bench. “No. That isn’t it.” She faced forward, pulling in a breath of courage. But the courage didn’t come. The truth sat in her throat, and her lip quivered.
Namir studied her face. He leaned forward. “Zahra.”
She pulled in a fast breath, turning to him. “I am cursed to die tonight.”
Namir stared at her. He half-smiled, letting out a raspy laugh as he shook his head. “No. No, you are not.”
“I am.” She tightened her grip on the bench. “There are creatures called keres that kindle anger in the hearts of those around me until I am killed. Every night, they come for me, corrupting the minds of those closest to me. The only reason I am not dead now is because the sun is out.”
“But you have not died every night,” Namir claimed. “If you had, you would have told me. You…” His face slowly filled with horror as he watched her face.
Zahra’s eyes softened. “I have died every night, Namir. When you end the spell, I will die for good. And I will not come back.”
Namir stood, stepping back. “No. No, you are wrong. If that were true, then I would have been affected by these creatures.”
“The keres can’t act when we are in moonlight, and for most nights, I have ensured you are elsewhere when the moon is weak. I did not want the keres to affect you.”
“But what about others? Ramses, my medjay…” His face fell. “Ramses would never—”
“He didn’t, but the keres made him try. They make everyone try.” She fought tears. “I’m sorry, Namir.”
Namir turned away from her. “I don’t understand. How long have you known?”
“Since you first used the ring.”
Namir shook his head, placing his face in his palms. “I knew something was wrong. I knew it, and I believed you when you told me otherwise.”
Zahra’s heart hurt as he started to tremble. “Namir…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Betrayal seeped into his voice, and he turned to her, tears in his eyes. “Did you not trust me?”
“Of course I trust you.” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the bench. “But I was afraid you wouldn’t let me help you.”
“You’re right.” He gritted his teeth. “We are not looking into the assassins again until we fix this.”
Zahra clenched her jaw. “This is why I didn’t tell you. It can’t be fixed!”
“No!” He swung his arm. “I will search every record. I will travel the Sea if I have to, but I will find an answer!”
Zahra shot to her feet. “There are none!” She clenched her fists by her side. “Do you think I haven’t tried? I have tried everything. I have read every scroll in the hidden library, asked even my father and Heba, but Katerina was right. No one has survived this curse.”
“Katerina is a bird,” Namir seethed. “She doesn’t know all.”
“The only other person who has had the curse was Asenath. Someone conspired with an evil netjer to see her dead, and someone has cursed me so I couldn’t help you past tonight.”
“Her death was hundreds of years ago. Zosar may know—”
“I already told you, Namir. There are no answers!” Tears slipped past her defenses, and her voice shook as she spoke. “You must move on. Today is the day that decides Aur’s fate, and I will not doom it by hoping for an impossible dream!”
“Well, I will.” He shook his head. “I won’t accept it. There must be a way.”
“There isn’t.”
“Then why did you say what you did last night?” he demanded. “Was it all a lie to ensure I lived? Did the netjeru put you up to this?”
“No. No, of course not.” She stepped forward, her hand hovering between them. “I meant it all. I want to be that for you, Namir, but I can’t.” She looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you about the curse because I didn’t want you to hurt more than this.”
“More than this?” He stepped forward, his eyes wide with tears as he gestured to his chest. “What could hurt more than this?”
Zahra’s lip trembled. “Your bride is out there.”
He gritted his teeth and turned away. “No. No.”
“You chose her,” Zahra stated. “That must mean you loved her in some way, some how, even if you do not remember. She will make you happy. She is what this kingdom needs. Please, Namir. You have suffered this night long enough.”
Namir turned to her, devastation in his eyes as he grasped her hand. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. “I would give a thousand nights if it meant you were by my side.”
Zahra closed her eyes, gasping as a flood of emotion coursed through her.
Namir took her other hand. “Zahra, please.”
She shook her head, looking down as she spoke. “You once told me I could be something great. You were right. I’m a sibyl, and I’m here for a reason. I’m here to protect you, but that’s all. I was never meant to be your queen.”
“You’re wrong.” He pulled her closer, but she refused to look at him. “You will lead alongside me. I know it. Zahra, please.”
“Namir!” She put their joined hands on his chest. She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge. “Please! There’s nothing you can do to change this!” She closed her eyes. “I have accepted it. I need you to accept it as well.”
Namir stood still for several moments as she cried. He let go of her hands, letting her collapse to the ground as he stepped back.
Zahra looked up in shock. A look of utter defeat had taken over his features. He covered his eyes, his lip trembling as he turned away.
Namir turned and ran into the garden. Zahra hunched over as she sobbed.