Chapter 2
The Mad King of Avanid seemed surprisingly…
sane. Yes, he sweated too much for the climate, and he gripped his robe as though it was the one thing keeping him upright, but the rumours of his mental deterioration had been somewhat exaggerated.
He was more than capable of coherent conversation—even if he clearly wished he were elsewhere.
Tariq’s gaze drifted to Kaidon, his anxious bodyguard who was pacing nearby, then to Aisha and Zara, visible through the archway at the edge of the garden. It was abundantly clear that the eldest princess was the one making all the decisions.
‘They are all good girls,’ Bilal said, rocking slightly in his seat. ‘I just want them safe.’
The king looked in need of a lie-down.
‘I understand,’ Tariq said. ‘You’ve been successful so far.’
When Bilal met his gaze, Tariq saw the pain in his eyes.
The story went that a decade after his wife’s death, the king was still grieving.
That grief had consumed him entirely. It was visible in every crevice of his face.
Even his clothes resembled those worn by a widower.
Despite his advisers urging him to remarry, his heart and soul remained bound to his dead wife.
A covenweaver.
Many women had since met the same fate. The Emperor had no tolerance for people with abilities he couldn’t control or possess—especially women.
The two sisters glanced in his direction, confirming that they were talking about him. It had been clever to suggest Lilah as a match, knowing his parents were seeking a pliable wife. But Tariq hadn’t travelled to Avanid for a good wife. He had come in search of a covenweaver.
Aisha turned to go indoors, and Tariq watched her retreating back, wondering if he had imagined the change in her when their hands had touched, the way her eyes glazed over and her pupils expanded.
‘Apologies, Your Highness,’ Zara said as she took her seat. ‘Everyone seems to be dispersing.’ She glanced at the king. ‘What did I miss?’
Bilal didn’t appear to hear.
Tariq gestured towards the garden. ‘I was just admiring your carved wall.’
Zara looked over at it. ‘My mother’s design. She was quite the artist.’
Bilal seemed to come back to life at the mention of her, staring at the wall as though seeing it for the first time. ‘She really was.’
Zara reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, the way one might a child’s.
‘The craftsmanship’s a testament to Avanid’s dedication to artistry,’ Tariq said, keeping the conversation moving.
Zara lowered her head in gratitude. ‘Thank you, Your Highness.’
Conscious of time, he brought the conversation back around. ‘I was wondering if you could tell me about Princess Aisha.’
That had Bilal looking up.
Zara sat back, assessing the prince. ‘She’s as educated and capable as her sister.’ She paused before adding, ‘And just as beautiful, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.’
He had noticed. But he wasn’t about to let a pair of pretty brown eyes impair his judgement. There was no way of confirming that Aisha had abilities without putting her in danger. Covenweavers hid behind safer words like healer, confidant, or mentor.
‘Aisha’s attributes are endless,’ Zara continued. ‘And she’s not spoken for—yet.’
It seemed Zara didn’t mind which sister he wanted, so long as it was one of them.
‘She doesn’t have any current marriage prospects?’ Tariq asked.
Bilal closed his eyes. ‘It is the rumours. He wants them all to burn.’
Zara’s hand shot out, silencing him with a simple touch. ‘People love to talk.’
‘They lie,’ Bilal said to no one in particular.
Another squeeze from Zara.
‘I try not to pay too much attention to rumours,’ Tariq said, eyes on the king. ‘With your blessing, Your Majesty, I’d like Aisha to accompany me to Gruisea.’
Bilal slowly lifted his gaze, staring at the prince with the most tortured of expressions. But before he had a chance to respond, Aisha rushed into the garden, looking slightly panicked.
‘Nasir’s here,’ she said to Zara. ‘Requesting an audience.’
Kaidon must have recognised the name, because he gestured to the other guards to move in. Tariq had to assume they were referring to Nasir Handal, the head of the Slevaborg Mission to Avanid. A so-called peacekeeping ambassador, who was more of a highly trained spy.
Our time is up.
Rising, Tariq said, ‘I’ll leave you to—’
Too late. Nasir walked in before he was fully upright, apparently unable to wait. He was dressed in a decorated red tunic and flanked by a guard. His sharp gaze locked on Tariq, though his expression didn’t change.
‘Apologies,’ he said, stopping a polite distance from everyone. He looked at Zara then. ‘I was unaware you were entertaining.’
It was the first time Tariq had seen Zara look uncomfortable, though she hid it well. She held the High Verran’s gaze for a moment longer before saying, ‘I believe you’ve met Prince Tariq of Gruisea.’
‘A very long time ago.’ Nasir nodded politely, his jaw tight. ‘You’re a long way from home, Your Highness.’
‘I am,’ the prince replied.
Nasir’s gaze flicked to Kaidon. ‘What brings you to Avanid?’
If he thought Tariq was going to share that information, he was deluded. ‘Private business.’
Nasir’s eyebrows rose slightly. ‘I wasn’t aware Avanid had any private business.’ He looked back at Zara.
‘He means family business,’ she said, keeping her tone light.
‘The royal family’s business is everyone’s business, is it not?’ Nasir replied.
The king chimed in with ‘Not when it comes to matters of the heart.’
Nasir was silent a moment. ‘And whose heart would that be?’ The question was asked to Zara.
She drew a breath. ‘What’s the reason for your visit, High Verran?’
Nasir turned his attention to Tariq. ‘I received word that an unidentified ship had docked in the port. The ship’s currently being searched.’
Kaidon moved to take a step, but Tariq stopped him in his tracks with a small movement of the hand. ‘Searched for what reason?’
‘Safety.’
Zara briefly pressed her eyes closed.
‘It’s standard procedure when unmarked foreign ships arrive in Avanid’s ports—unannounced,’ Nasir added.
Tariq’s temperature gently rose. ‘I assume you mean unannounced to Slevaborg?’
‘The prince just arrived,’ Aisha said. ‘We’ve barely had time to serve him tea, let alone notify authorities.’
Nasir cast her a doubtful look. ‘Believe it or not, this is actually a courtesy visit.’ He looked back at Tariq. ‘There are men waiting for you at the port.’
There was no stopping Kaidon this time. He marched forwards, hand going to his weapon. ‘What men?’
Nasir’s guard drew his sword, which had Aisha stepping in front of Zara.
So, she’s the protective type.
‘Enough,’ Tariq said, careful not to raise his voice in someone else’s house.
Nasir gestured to his guard. ‘Let’s keep our weapons in their sheaths. There’s no need for any of that.’
Beads of sweat had formed on the king’s brow. Zara noticed.
‘I appreciate you coming by,’ she told Nasir. ‘Was there anything else?’
The High Verran observed the king for a moment, then lowered his head. ‘I apologise for the interruption, Your Majesty.’ Then to Tariq, he said, ‘Have a safe journey back to Gruisea.’
Tariq nodded in place of a response.
Bowing, Nasir said, ‘Your Majesty. Your Highnesses.’ His gaze returned to Tariq as he rose. Then he turned and left, with his guard trailing behind him.
Once the men were gone, Zara turned back to Tariq.
‘You should return to your ship as soon as possible. We have no way of protecting you outside these walls.’ She glanced in the direction where Nasir had exited.
‘He was doing us a favour by coming here. If the Emperor’s men find you, there’s a risk they’ll take you across the border for questioning. ’
Despite everything Tariq knew about the Emperor, he was still shocked by the control he had over Avanid. ‘We didn’t get very far with our trade talk.’
Bilal wiped his forehead.
‘We’ll provide you with all the information we have,’ Zara said. ‘If it’s direct trade you want, we’ll consider any fair proposal you bring to us.’
Tariq could feel she wasn’t done.
‘After the wedding,’ Zara added.
And there it was.
‘It is too dangerous,’ the king said quietly.
Zara’s expression softened. ‘It has to be now.’ Then to Tariq, she said, ‘You must take Aisha with you. This might be our only chance.’
When Tariq looked at Aisha, he expected to see complete shock on her face but was surprised to find only concern.
‘We haven’t finished that conversation either,’ Tariq pointed out. ‘Princess Aisha hasn’t even consented.’
‘Aisha will do whatever she can to benefit the kingdom,’ Zara assured him. ‘Isn’t that right, sister?’
Aisha stared back at Zara, while the king stared at the ground. ‘Yes.’
Tariq struggled to hide his surprise at how quickly and easily she agreed. ‘It’s a bold move to hand her over to strangers.’
‘Now’s the time for bold moves,’ Zara replied. ‘And we know you’re a man of honour.’
Tariq set his gaze on Aisha. He could see her heart beating through her abaya.
‘Once you have the king and queen’s blessing, write to us,’ Zara said. ‘We’ll announce the betrothal together. I’m envisioning a large wedding in Gruisea, with royalty from all over the empire in attendance.’
So she wanted a spectacle—a middle-finger salute to the Emperor.
‘Your parents will approve the match?’ Zara asked cautiously.
Tariq could feel Kaidon’s eyes burning holes in the back of his head. ‘Gruisea’s strength depends on such alliances. They know it as well as I do.’ At least he didn’t lie.
‘Should anything change,’ Bilal said, ‘you must return her safely to us. I want your word on that.’
Not a madman, but a father. ‘You have my word, Your Majesty.’ He looked at Aisha, who was doing her best to remain composed. ‘We’ll be departing shortly if you choose to come with us.’
It would surely go down as the worst marriage proposal in history. There was no softness to his words, just the grinding weight of duty.
‘I…’ Aisha swallowed when her voice came out hoarse. ‘I’ll go pack my things.’
Her response didn’t even include the word yes.
‘Pack light,’ he said. ‘Whatever you can fit into one bag on the back of your horse.’
Nodding, she turned away. Tariq made a point of not looking at Kaidon, though he was confident he could guess his bodyguard’s expression.
‘I’ll come and help you prepare,’ Zara said. ‘And tell the others the good news.’ She followed her sister, leaving Tariq standing with the king.
Tariq was at a complete loss as to what to say next.
‘In a different world, at a different time, they would marry for love,’ Bilal said, filling the silence for him.
How the hell was he supposed to respond to that? King Bilal’s love story was one of the greatest and most tragic of its time. And Tariq had followed it with ‘We’ll be departing shortly if you choose to come with us.’
He didn’t know where to look. ‘I’ll keep her safe.’ There weren’t many other assurances he could offer to make the man feel better about handing over his daughter. ‘You have my word.’
Bilal nodded, the motion sluggish. ‘I would ask the palace guards to escort you to the port, but I do not want to draw the attention of holy warriors in the region.’
‘My men will provide all the protection we need.’
Another nod. ‘Cover your faces. Keep them covered until you are safely on the ship.’
‘Of course.’
Bilal turned away. ‘Excuse me.’ He gestured to one of the servants to follow him as he exited the garden.
Only Tariq, his men, and a handful of servants remained now. Kaidon walked up beside him and said in a low voice, ‘You sure about this?’
‘Mostly.’
‘Mostly?’ Kaidon did a quick check to ensure the servants had not heard him. ‘It’s a long way to drag her only to find out she has no abilities.’
Tariq was well aware of the fact. ‘There’s a reason they’ve agreed to this. We’re all playing the same game. We’re just playing for different reasons.’
‘Isn’t the point to play for the same side?’
‘Tell that to my sister who spills all her husband’s secrets in her letters to the queen.’
A sigh slipped from Kaidon. ‘Because the queen demands it of her. Who’s brave enough to tell your mother no?’
Tariq didn’t reply.
Kaidon glanced in the direction of the other guards. ‘Are we going to assume the princess can stay on a horse?’
‘We’ll find out soon enough.’