Chapter 10
Tariq stormed into his mother’s private chambers, his boots striking the polished stone floor with force.
The room smelled faintly of jasmine and parchment, sunlight spilling through the arched windows onto silk-draped walls.
Everything was orderly, precise—like the woman who ruled it.
His mother was seated by the window, sipping tea as though she hadn’t just attempted to dismantle his future.
‘You took her to the mine?’ His voice was low, dangerous.
The queen’s guard had followed him in, an apologetic expression on his face. Farrah set her cup down with delicate precision and waved him out.
‘Yes, I took her to the mine. I see you are upset about that.’ She gestured to the chair opposite her. ‘Would you care to sit? This angle has me straining my neck.’
He ignored her invitation. ‘Not approving of my choice is one thing, but deliberately sabotaging it is something else.’
Farrah sighed and turned in her seat to face him. ‘The girl must comprehend the realities of her future—the burden as well as the opportunity. I did her a favour.’
‘She just got here,’ Tariq said. ‘She’s missing her family. I was giving her a moment to breathe.’
‘If you feel the need to shelter her from reality, then I am afraid she is not the right person for the job.’
Tariq raked a hand through his hair, eyes closing. ‘It’s not sheltering. It’s courtesy. She’s my responsibility.’
Farrah rose. ‘It is your responsibility to ensure Gruisea’s safety and stability in the future, and it is my responsibility to see to those things now.
’ She paused, letting her words settle. ‘If the princess cannot stomach the sight of children working in a mine, she will not survive the weight of this crown.’
Fury simmered in his chest. ‘Even the strongest among us are struggling to watch children in those mines.’
Farrah’s eyes moved between his before looking away. ‘The alternative would have been war, and you and I both know we would not have won.’
Tariq exhaled, his shoulders falling an inch. He didn’t have it in him to have that fight over and over again.
‘I will give you this,’ Farrah said. ‘There is kindness in her. I believe she will make a good mother.’ Her gaze returned to him. ‘I just do not think she will make a good queen.’
He slowly nodded. ‘I actually came to congratulate you.’
‘On what?’
‘On getting exactly what you wanted.’ He wet his lips. ‘Aisha’s returning to Avanid.’
Farrah’s expression didn’t shift. Not a flicker of regret. ‘If that was all it took to deter her, then the alliance was never meant to be.’
His jaw tightened as he turned on his heel. He didn’t give her the satisfaction of looking back.
Tariq threw open the doors to his mother’s chambers and stalked out, his heart pounding.
Kaidon was leaning casually against the wall opposite and didn’t appear at all surprised by Tariq’s dramatic exit. ‘You look ready to break something.’ He straightened. ‘I gather it didn’t go well?’
Tariq charged past him, forcing Kaidon to jog after him. The air in the corridor felt too heavy. He needed space to breathe, so he headed for the garden.
Once they were outside, Kaidon asked, ‘What happened?’
Tariq stopped in the shade, turning in a circle. ‘Aisha’s leaving, and my mother’s thrilled.’
‘You can’t just let her leave,’ Kaidon said.
‘What choice do I have? I can’t force her to stay.’
Kaidon let out a noisy exhale. ‘Maryam saw the wedding. Can visions be wrong?’
‘I don’t know.’ Tariq shook his head. ‘We don’t even know the specifics of what she claimed to see. I’ve put far too much trust in this woman, and look where it’s gotten me.’
‘I can’t think of a reason she would lie.’
Tariq touched his temple, where a headache was forming. ‘She’s a covenweaver, for the gods’ sake. We’re supposed to hand her over to the sectarian, not follow her down to the underworld.’
Kaidon’s gaze shifted past Tariq, narrowing slightly. ‘I think someone’s ears were burning.’
Tariq followed his line of sight and found Maryam standing at the far end of the path, hands folded neatly in front of her, watching them.
‘Should I bring her over?’ Kaidon asked.
The last thing Tariq was in the mood for was another cryptic pronouncement, yet he found himself nodding.
Kaidon went to her. They exchanged a few words, then Maryam followed him over to where Tariq was waiting.
‘Your Highness,’ she said quietly. ‘I thought you would seek me out. Since you have not, I have come to you.’
Tariq drew a breath. ‘I gather the princess has informed you that she’s leaving?’
Maryam’s expression tightened. ‘She did not have to tell me.’
‘Ah.’ Tariq shifted his weight. ‘Then you saw her leave.’
She considered her words carefully. ‘I saw her board a ship, yes. But when, I cannot say.’
Her words struck surprisingly hard. ‘That’s not terribly useful, is it?’
Maryam didn’t appear to take offence. ‘I have seen her wearing a wedding gown, here at Azura Castle. That I do know.’
He had no idea what to do with that information. ‘So, I’m supposed to force her to stay?’
Maryam’s gaze didn’t waver. ‘I do not think that is necessary.’
He waited for her to say more, and when she didn’t, he asked, ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen another way?’
She appeared sympathetic. ‘The gods brought her here. She is yours to keep, or yours to lose.’
The ambiguity was too much for him.
‘The queen has shown her all the reasons she shouldn’t stay,’ Kaidon said, joining the conversation. ‘Maybe you should show her the reasons she should.’
Tariq waited for him to continue.
Kaidon frowned back at him. ‘You have to come up with the reasons.’
He’d been afraid of that.
‘What does she enjoy?’ Kaidon asked.
‘I don’t know.’
‘You must know something about her by now,’ he pushed.
Tariq thought. ‘She needs dresses. Perhaps I could take her into the city to shop for fabric.’
Kaidon appeared to like that idea. ‘So, she enjoys shopping?’
‘No idea,’ Tariq replied.
Maryam pressed her lips together.
Noticing, Kaidon said, ‘Maybe you could help him out by telling him what he’ll choose.’
She frowned up at him. ‘The Sight does not quite work like that. And the prince does not need my help.’ She looked at Tariq. ‘His heart will guide him.’
Kaidon snorted, then cleared his throat. ‘Sorry.’
Tariq looked off in the direction of the castle. ‘I’ll go to her in the morning. Hopefully I come up with something in the meantime.’