Chapter 20
Maryam was perched comfortably on the edge of Aisha’s bed, with Mira curled at her feet. Aisha sat opposite her, hands resting in her lap. The closeness felt natural now, a kind of sisterhood forged in secrecy.
‘I don’t even know what gifts my mother had,’ Aisha said. ‘I think she was too frightened to share things with us. She worked with herbs mostly. She always smelled of them. Dried petals, roots, tinctures.’
Maryam was listening intently. ‘That sounds like the gift of the Bloom.’
‘The Bloom?’
‘Herbal weaving.’
Aisha sat with that information for a moment. ‘She always told us she was a healer.’
‘She was. A very powerful healer.’ Maryam offered her a warm smile. ‘I am certain she would have taught you everything once you started showing signs. That is often when education begins.’
That was both comforting and painful—a reminder of the things they had missed out on. ‘Will you teach me about the Sight?’
‘It will take more than a single conversation. What are your pressing questions?’
Aisha leaned forwards. ‘Why does it happen sometimes and not others? Nothing when I hold my sister’s hand, but immediately when the sectarian touches me?’
Maryam nodded thoughtfully. ‘It is complicated because there is not only one reason.’
‘Then tell me all the reasons.’
Maryam smoothed a crease in her plain gown. ‘The first is conflict. The Sight responds most fiercely when there is tension, danger, or contradiction. For example, if you share a kiss with the prince, you feel safe, yes?’
Aisha blinked. ‘How do you know we…?’ Then it dawned on her. ‘Never mind.’
Suppressing a smile, Maryam continued. ‘The Sight has no reason to stir during such times. But with Jamil…’ She selected her words carefully. ‘His choices and his path clash with yours. That friction tears the veil open.’
Aisha thought she understood. ‘So, danger is the trigger?’
‘One of them.’ Maryam drew a breath. ‘There is also resonance. The Sight is drawn to those whose fates will tangle with yours. The greater the overlap, the stronger the pull.’
‘But Tariq’s fate and mine is entirely entangled, and I’ve only had two visions of him since our meeting.’
‘That’s because the prince is already bound to you. You do not need visions to know your paths entwine. Though that may change in the future.’
‘You mean, if the relationship fails?’
She hesitated. ‘Again, it is more complicated than that.’
Aisha fell silent, twisting her fingers together.
‘The balance between mind and body is also a factor,’ Maryam continued. ‘When you are deeply anchored in your body, through closeness, touch, or desire, the Sight quiets. It is grounded. But when your mind floats free, a vision can seize you.’
Aisha’s brows pinched. ‘So I have no real control.’
A shadow of a smile curved Maryam’s lips. ‘That is an entirely different conversation.’
Aisha exhaled, leaning back against the pillows. ‘Do you feel sick after a vision? Weak?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why does it happen?’
‘That is the cost.’ Maryam’s tone was gentle. ‘You feel it in your body afterwards. Weakness. Sickness. Headaches.’ She paused. ‘Longer visions may even cause stomach cramps and nose bleeds.’
Aisha had definitely noticed that the length of the vision impacted how poorly she felt afterwards.
‘That is another reason why it does not come every time,’ Maryam said. ‘Your mind saves its strength for what matters most.’ Her expression turned serious. ‘Whatever fate demands that you see.’
A soft knock at the door had Maryam getting to her feet and Mira twitching awake. Aisha was expecting it to be her sisters, so she didn’t even bother moving from the bed.
It was not her sisters.
‘Your Majesty,’ Maryam said when she opened the door, bringing a hand to her heart and bowing.
Farrah entered before Aisha had a chance to stand, looking around the room as though everything in it displeased her. ‘Oh my,’ she said when her gaze landed on Aisha. ‘You look awfully tired.’
Aisha went to get up, but the queen held up her hand. ‘No need.’ Then to Maryam, ‘Leave us.’
Maryam bowed again and quietly left the room.
Once they were alone, Farrah stepped into the light coming through the window. ‘I trust you will be well enough to attend the Binding Feast tomorrow?’
‘Of course, Your Majesty.’
The queen took a few steps closer to the bed, eyes travelling slowly over Aisha before pausing on her hands. ‘No gloves today?’
The question took her by surprise. ‘No.’
‘They must be quite the fashion statement in Avanid.’
Aisha hoped Farrah couldn’t see her heart pounding through her clothes. ‘I wouldn’t know. We weren’t out in society very often.’
Farrah’s eyebrows rose. ‘It is certainly an interesting style choice.’ She tilted her head. ‘We only use them for riding here.’
Aisha forced her face to relax. ‘That’s helpful to know.’
The queen’s gaze swept the room once more.
‘You will learn our ways soon enough.’ Her gaze drifted to Mira, who had gone back to sleep.
‘On the bed?’ She tutted. ‘Really. You are fortunate she has not injured you yet. Leopards are very unpredictable.’ With that, she turned and glided from the room, saying over her shoulder, ‘Do rest up. No one wants to see a tired bride.’
When the door closed behind her, Aisha listened for the sound of footsteps fading. Then, covering her face with both hands, she collapsed back onto the pillows.