Chapter 17
Aisha sat cross-legged on her bed, absently stroking Mira as she dozed in her lap. The heartbeat beneath her hand was steady, comforting. Maryam sat nearby on the dressing-table stool, humming while she sewed.
Ten days had passed with barely a glimpse of Tariq. Maryam informed her the prince had returned to Ashwaq for a few days. But what about the other days? Was he avoiding her?
The queen certainly wasn’t. She was at every dress fitting, every meeting with Jamil, always there to offer her opinion.
Ten more lonely days.
The decision to keep feelings out of their marriage was a wall between them.
It didn’t help that Aisha’s thoughts kept circling back to the kiss, to the press of his hand at the back of her neck.
To the warmth. She had felt something she had wanted to believe in, only to witness its poisoning.
A connection born of half-truths and too many omissions.
She hated herself for wanting more from a man who had blatantly told her there was no need for it.
Yet when she caught glimpses of him across a room, she couldn’t ignore the lifting sensation in her belly.
‘Please don’t feel obligated to stay here,’ she told Maryam as she traced a finger over Mira’s spotted back. ‘I’m sure you have other duties to attend to.’
Maryam’s eyes softened with sympathy. ‘It is really no trouble.’
A knock at the door made Aisha jump and Mira leap to her feet. Rising, Aisha went to answer it.
It was Tariq.
His posture was composed like always. The morning light sharpened the lines of his shoulders, and a lock of dark hair fell across his temple.
He was so effortlessly handsome, and she was trying really hard not to notice.
Surely the underlying attraction would be helpful when it came time to produce an heir.
‘Hello.’ She was annoyed at the level of breathiness in her voice.
‘Change into your riding clothes,’ he said. ‘We’re going out.’
The instant excitement she felt when he said that.
‘Out where?’
‘To the port.’ He began backing away. ‘Meet me in the mounting yard as soon as you’re ready.’
Aisha turned to Maryam, bewildered.
‘I will watch Mira for you,’ the attendant said, her eyes smiling.
Aisha hurriedly changed into her riding clothes. Her leg bounced impatiently as Maryam braided her hair.
‘Go,’ the attendant said when she was finished, clearly amused.
Aisha shot up off the stool. ‘Thank you.’ She gave Mira a quick pat before hurrying out the door.
Down in the mounting yard, she found Tariq and Kaidon waiting with their horses.
The groom brought out a chestnut mare for Aisha.
Tariq approached, hands going to her waist before lifting her into the saddle.
The pressure of his fingers sent heat to her face.
He was walking before she had even gathered the reins.
As they were riding to the port, a thought hit her: What if he was planning to put her on a ship and send her back to Avanid? But surely he would have her pack her belongings if that were the case. She pushed the destructive thought from her mind.
Salty air filled Aisha’s lungs as they neared the sea.
Not long after, she spotted several ships along the harbour, their masts reaching into the clouds.
Dock workers and merchants scurried about, shouting and laughing.
She looked past them to the horizon. There was no better sight than scenery without walls.
Tariq slowed his horse to a walk as they approached one of the piers. Aisha looked up at the sleek vessel moored there, its crew busy on deck. When he stopped his horse, she rode up beside him.
‘Now are you going to tell me why we’re here?’
‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ he said before dismounting.
The sun burst through an opening in the clouds as Aisha was helped from her horse. Her hand went up to shield her eyes. There was movement on the deck, and her gaze narrowed on two familiar figures. Her heart leapt into her throat as recognition dawned.
She gasped.
Standing at the ship’s railing were Lilah and Safiya.
Aisha blinked multiple times to ensure she wasn’t hallucinating, but the image didn’t change.
Her hands flew over her mouth as she turned to Tariq, trying not to cry.
‘What are they doing here?’ Her voice shook.
‘They’re not supposed to be here for another two weeks. ’
His expression was unusually soft. ‘I thought you might want them sooner.’ He swallowed. ‘I didn’t want you to be alone with everything ahead of you.’
Aisha felt her heart expand in her chest, followed by a rush of affection. She looked back at her sisters, who were preparing to disembark, and took a few hurried steps in their direction before coming to an abrupt stop. She returned to Tariq, throwing her arms around him.
The prince stiffened.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered, dizzy with gratitude.
Slowly, hesitantly, his arms encircled her. The closeness felt familiar, and for a moment, she forgot that the man holding her with such addictive strength was the same man who chose her for her Sight.
‘You’re welcome,’ he said, his chin brushing the top of her head as he released her. His expression turned serious once more. ‘You better go welcome your sisters.’ He nodded in their direction.
Aisha turned and ran towards the ship, all propriety forgotten.
She reached the gangway just as Lilah and Safiya stepped off it.
Lilah squealed as Aisha crashed into her, hugging the air from her lungs.
Tears spilled down Aisha’s cheeks as she soaked up the feel of her sister.
She reached for Safiya, pulling her into the chaos.
‘That might not be wise,’ Lilah said. ‘Safiya was sick the entire journey.’
Safiya held Aisha tightly. ‘I can’t believe I have to get back on that thing to get home.’
Aisha laughed, stepping back. ‘Gods, I’ve missed you both.’
Lilah sniffed. ‘We’ve missed you too.’
The three of them made their way over to Tariq, who was patiently waiting.
Lilah’s hand went over her heart as she bowed. ‘Your Highness. Thank you for your generous invitation and organising transport. We’re honoured to be here.’
Safiya bowed her head. ‘Yes, thank you.’
Tariq eyed Safiya. ‘Rough trip?’
She smoothed her hair back from her face. ‘You could say that.’
‘Will you be all right to ride to the castle?’ Aisha asked.
‘If the alternative is getting back on the ship, then yes, I’ll be fine.’
Tariq gestured to the waiting horses. ‘After you.’
As they prepared to leave, Aisha found she could not stop crying.
Not only because her sisters were right here with her, but because the gesture had been so incredibly thoughtful.
How on earth was she supposed to keep emotions out of the relationship with all the emotions currently flooding her body?
She rode between her sisters on their way to Azura, asking questions about home while pointing out landmarks they might find interesting. She noticed that Safiya carried a sword.
‘You’ll have to remove that weapon when we reach Azura,’ Aisha whispered to her sister. ‘Kaidon will take care of it for you.’
Safiya’s hand went protectively over it. ‘I’m not going to stab anyone.’
‘While that’s pleasing to hear, you’re a princess entering someone’s home. I’m going to need you to act like one.’
‘Wow,’ Lilah said. ‘It’s beautiful.’
They all looked ahead at the castle’s imposing silhouette contrasting a bright blue sky.
‘So, that’s the infamous Azura Castle,’ Safiya said, taking it in.
The horses moved into a canter, their hooves growing louder as the road turned to stone.
When they arrived in the courtyard, grooms rushed forwards to assist.
Numair appeared, hands folded behind his back. ‘The king and queen are waiting for you in the throne room.’
Aisha and Tariq exchanged a knowing look before they all followed after the steward.
‘I thought you were exaggerating,’ Safiya said to Aisha after the meeting, ‘but you’re right. The queen hates you.’
‘What gave it away?’ Aisha asked. ‘Was it the permanent look of disdain or the constant commentary highlighting all the ways I fall short?’
‘It was the breath she drew every time you opened your mouth,’ Safiya replied.
‘And her expression whenever she said “Avanid”,’ Lilah added. ‘As if the word tasted bad.’
Aisha’s chamber was warm with late-afternoon sunlight. It filtered through the lattice windows, creating shifting patterns across the ceiling. The three of them lay sprawled across Aisha’s bed, staring up at the pale stone, while Mira slept curled at the foot of the bed.
‘She should be thanking you for marrying her son after everything you’ve told us,’ Safiya said. ‘If we had known about the true state of things here, we would have steered clear of Gruisea altogether and had you marry a prince with some personality.’
‘Tariq has personality,’ Aisha said quickly.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile,’ Safiya replied.
Aisha had seen him smile. Sure, it was mostly subtle and fleeting, but always contagious.
She sat up and slid to the edge of the bed. ‘He’s actually funny—in a quiet sort of way.’
Lilah sat up as well and looked at her. ‘What was that?’
‘What was what?’ Aisha asked, confused.
‘That whimsical tone you just used.’ Light filled her face. ‘Have you fallen for your husband?’
‘He’s not her husband yet,’ Safiya pointed out. ‘And of course she hasn’t. Did you miss the part of the story where Tariq blatantly said their marriage was a business transaction?’
Lilah waved her words away. ‘What he said and what he feels are not the same.’
‘You almost sound against us liking each other,’ Aisha told Safiya.
Safiya rolled onto her stomach. ‘It’s much harder to manipulate someone you admire.’
Aisha gave her a disapproving look. ‘I didn’t come here to manipulate him.’
‘I know it’s not the nicest word, but that’s exactly why you came,’ Safiya replied. ‘And he knows that. He’s just prepared to acknowledge it aloud while you remain in denial.’