Chapter 12
Tariq found his mother seated in the garden playing cards with one of her attendants. Farrah placed her hand of cards on the table when she saw him coming, then excused her companion.
‘There you are,’ Farrah said when he reached her. ‘You were gone all day yesterday, and then you were training with Kaidon all morning.’
He took the seat her attendant had vacated. ‘I train with Kaidon every morning.’
‘For what reason I have no idea. Enjoy the peace your father has provided for you.’
It infuriated him that she acted as though obedience to the Emperor meant they were safe. He knew better than to lay his weapon down.
‘Where were you yesterday?’ Farrah asked, looking him over.
‘With Aisha.’
Her eyebrows rose slightly. ‘Oh, it is Aisha now, is it? How very familiar. I thought the princess would be busy packing.’
Tariq didn’t take the bait. ‘I’ve come to tell you that she’s staying here in Gruisea, and I would like to publicly announce our betrothal.’
Farrah’s mask of composure slipped for a second. ‘Given she is prone to changing her mind, perhaps we should wait.’
‘No need. We’ll also need to set a date for the wedding so guests can plan their travel.’
For a moment, Farrah didn’t speak. The sound of the fountain filled the silence. ‘It must have been some day out yesterday,’ she said eventually.
He didn’t reply.
She turned her teacup so that the handle was at the right angle. ‘If you are certain the princess will support you in carrying out the work we are doing here, and you know she is capable of forging a different path to that of her mother, then perhaps I could discuss it with your father.’
He gave her a knowing look. ‘I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you if there were any doubts.’
As though summoned by the mention of him, the king entered the garden at a fast walk, eyes locking on Tariq. The prince recognised that look. Something was wrong.
‘What is it?’ he asked, rising.
‘It is the Ashwaq Mine.’ Hamza came to an abrupt stop in front of him. ‘The workers are striking. I need you to travel there and fix the situation quickly. We need that mine open and running in order to fulfil our obligations.’
The stress on his father’s face made Tariq genuinely sad. He had looked up to the man his whole life—until the day he hadn’t. Now he was just another frightened man, like so many others across the empire. ‘Have they given a reason for the strike?’
Hamza wiped sweat from his brow. Sweat. ‘There are some safety concerns. The foreman has tried to reason with them, but the situation has escalated.’
‘Then perhaps the safety concerns are valid,’ Tariq said.
‘They may be, but we still need a functioning mine while we address them.’ Another wipe at his brow. ‘Better you go. They are more likely to listen to you.’
What he was really saying was that they were no longer listening to him. He had thrown away the respect of his people when he had signed the new trade deal with Slevaborg, and the only reason they listened to Tariq was because he represented future change.
‘If production halts, the ripple effects could be catastrophic,’ Hamza said, sounding defeated.
‘No pressure,’ Tariq muttered.
The queen spoke up at that. ‘You are the crown prince. The position comes with responsibilities, as you well know.’
Tariq gave a defeated nod. ‘Very well. I’ll handle it.’
‘Today,’ the king said. ‘I want that mine up and running by the morning.’
What a mess.
‘I understand.’ Bowing, he left the garden.
‘Where are we going?’ Kaidon asked when they reunited.
‘Ashwaq.’
Kaidon winced. ‘I heard about the strike.’
Tariq didn’t slow down. ‘I’m not thrilled about leaving Aisha alone here after breaking the news of her staying.’
‘Understandable.’
‘I need to tell her I’ll be away for the night.’ He glanced over his shoulder. ‘And warn her that the queen may take full advantage.’
A smirk came and went on Kaidon’s face.
‘What are you smiling at?’
Kaidon raised his hands defensively. ‘It’s just amusing watching this marriage of convenience turn into something else.’
Tariq looked at him. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘I’m talking about the fact that you like her.’
Tariq rolled his eyes forwards again. ‘Of course I like her. She’s intelligent, capable—’
‘Funny.’
‘Yes.’
‘Beautiful.’
Tariq sighed. ‘I was pointing out the important things.’
‘Always so practical.’
Tariq ignored him.
When they reached Aisha’s chamber, Kaidon hung back to give him the illusion of privacy.
She answered the door wearing a loose embroidered robe.
Her hair was braided to one side, falling down her shoulder, and her face was scrubbed clean.
Was he imagining it, or was she growing more beautiful every time he saw her?
‘Your Highness,’ Aisha said, looking confused. ‘Is everything all right?’
He was so busy staring that he had forgotten to speak. ‘Yes.’ His gaze fell to the part of her collarbone that was visible, then shot back up again. ‘Well, no. I came to tell you I’m going to Ashwaq for the night. There’s a matter the king has asked me to deal with.’
She leaned her weight on one foot. ‘You’re going today?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh.’
Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth, and he watched it until it was freed.
‘Then I’ll come with you,’ she said.
That had him looking up. ‘What?’
‘I’ll come with you to Ashwaq.’
So he hadn’t misheard. ‘It’s a mining village. There’s nothing there.’
She shrugged. ‘You’ll be there. Maryam will help me pack.’
Tariq didn’t know how to respond. ‘It’s a four-hour ride.’
‘I’ll bring water.’ Her face fell a little. ‘Please.’
He realised then that she would rather sit on a horse for four hours and visit another limestone mine than be alone at Azura Castle.
‘We can bring extra guards,’ Kaidon said—which did not help.
Tariq ignored him. ‘The workers are striking. It’s really not safe.’
Aisha’s expression turned almost pleading. ‘If my options are alone here with your mother or an unsafe mine with you, I’ll take my chances in the mine.’
Kaidon chuckled quietly.
Tariq stared at her for a long moment before exhaling. ‘Fine.’ He caught the flicker of relief in her eyes when he gave in. ‘We leave within the hour.’
Aisha stepped back into her chamber. ‘I’ll be ready.’
The door closed softly between them, and Tariq stared at it before turning to Kaidon. ‘Thanks for backing me up.’
‘I figured it would be more bonding time for the two of you.’
Tariq shook his head. ‘Go round up the guards for the journey.’ He headed for his quarters. ‘Let’s not take any chances.’