Chapter 24
The new arrivals spilled across the pale stone paths, draped in the finest fabrics and smiling politely to one another. From a shaded balcony above the gathering, Aisha stood with Zara, Lilah, and Safiya, watching them. Zara had insisted they assess all opportunities beforehand.
When Queen Farrah suddenly stepped out onto the balcony, they immediately straightened and bowed.
‘Your Majesty,’ they all said, exchanging glances.
Farrah looked out at the view, then shifted her gaze to Zara. ‘What a superb hunting spot.’
Zara feigned confusion. ‘I’m afraid I have no idea what you mean, Your Majesty.’
‘I am quite certain that is not true.’
Aisha had felt somewhat differently towards the queen since the Binding Feast—ever since she had leaned in and told the king to give the toast. While Aisha had no proof that it was an act of kindness, she couldn’t come up with another reason for it.
They had barely exchanged more than a few words since then, but the tension between them seemed more tolerable than usual.
Below, a herald announced the arrival of a tall figure in black robes. His presence was like a crack of thunder in the garden. Everyone paid attention to him.
‘The new King of Cogalla, Rakan,’ Zara said. ‘His father recently died in what some are calling a suspicious hunting accident.’
‘His first act as king was to execute his mother’s lover,’ Farrah added. ‘An act he carried out himself by all accounts.’
A look of horror settled on Lilah’s face.
Safiya took a step forwards to get a better look. ‘Why’s he just walking by without greeting anyone?’
‘Because he’s the King of Cogalla,’ Farrah said simply. ‘They dominate the iron ore, tin, and copper trade. People have to smile at him.’
‘Unmarried,’ Zara said, ‘but rumoured to have his sights set on Imperial Princess Ranya.’
‘The Emperor’s daughter?’ Safiya asked.
Farrah interrupted them. ‘Actually, he has shown little interest in marriage. It is the Emperor who is pushing his daughter in the king’s direction.’
Safiya exhaled sharply. ‘No surprises there given Cogalla controls all the materials needed to produce weapons.’
Another new arrival was announced, and they all leaned forwards slightly—even the queen.
‘The Crown Prince of Makan,’ Farrah said. ‘Majid.’
‘And who’s that behind him?’ Safiya asked.
‘His younger brother, Prince Taim,’ the queen replied confidently.
Zara glanced sideways at her. ‘Currently second in line for the throne—until Majid’s children arrive.’
‘I think I’ve heard of him,’ Safiya said. ‘He’s supposed to be a great swordsman.’
Zara didn’t comment.
‘Prince Majid is betrothed to Princess Nalia of Montia,’ Farrah said pointedly.
‘Betrothed is not married,’ Zara replied bravely.
They all fell silent for a moment, until a familiar figure entered.
‘Is that Nasir?’ Lilah asked, perking up. ‘I didn’t know he was coming.’
‘He’s the head of the diplomatic mission to Avanid,’ Zara said. ‘And the bride is from Avanid, so I’m not surprised.’
A throat cleared behind them, and they all turned around. Tariq stood there casually, arms crossed, looking very princely. The corners of Aisha’s mouth turned up at the sight of him.
‘Why are you not down there greeting our guests?’ Farrah asked, as if she weren’t herself an equal host.
‘I was just on my way.’ He stepped onto the balcony. ‘Who are we spying on?’
Farrah appeared immediately offended by the question. ‘The very accusation… I am going to do my duties, and I suggest you and your betrothed follow.’ She left the balcony.
The relationship between Aisha and Farrah hadn’t yet progressed enough for the queen to refer to Aisha by her name. For now, she remained ‘your betrothed’.
Zara ushered Safiya and Lilah inside. ‘Come. We need to check on Yasmin and Omar before we join the gathering.’
That left Aisha and Tariq alone on the balcony.
The prince’s gaze drifted downwards. ‘You look as beautiful as ever.’
The deep tone of his voice had Aisha’s insides melting. She needed to get a grip. ‘Thank you, Your Highness.’
He closed the distance between them and kissed her in a way that made her not want to go downstairs. When he broke the kiss, he said, ‘Kaidon tells me your father isn’t coming.’
‘No.’ She rested her hands on his chest. ‘But he assures me he will be at the wedding.’
Tariq angled his head, studying her. ‘You sound rather certain.’
She lowered her voice. ‘That’s because I saw it.’
‘You saw our wedding?’
‘Sort of.’ Her hands fell away. ‘When I visited him last night, I had a vision of him standing in the temple, dressed in his formal robes. Naturally, I asked him what he planned to wear, and he showed me what his attendant had laid out for him.’ She paused, feeling pleased with herself. ‘It matched my vision perfectly.’
What she didn’t tell him was that it had been her first attempt at summoning a vision. It had been a chance to practise what she had learned. There had been a window of opportunity while her father’s focus was elsewhere, and she had taken it.
He searched her face. ‘And have you recovered all right?’
‘Yes. I was better by morning.’
His face relaxed after hearing that.
She hated that she couldn’t tell him everything. Her new knowledge and skills felt like a dirty secret. She trusted him completely, but she couldn’t break her word to the woman who had helped her understand herself.
Tariq leaned in and kissed her forehead. ‘Shall we go greet our guests?’
‘Absolutely.’
When he offered his arm, she wrapped herself around it.
The garden was even more crowded by the time they entered. Guests formed elegant circles around shaded tables, and musicians plucked softly at their instruments. They went first to King Rakan, who Tariq had met a number of times over the years—before he was crowned.
The king had the darkest eyes Aisha had ever seen. He wore no ornamentation beyond a thick leather belt.
‘Your Majesty,’ Tariq said, bowing politely. ‘It’s good to see you again.’
Rakan nodded once. ‘And you.’ His assessing gaze drifted to Aisha.
‘Allow me to introduce Princess Aisha of Avanid,’ Tariq said.
Rakan didn’t offer his hand, merely inclined his head. ‘Princess.’
‘Your Majesty.’
‘I heard your father’s here,’ Rakan said, looking about. ‘But I haven’t seen him.’
She had been expecting those types of comments, so her smile never faltered. ‘He’s resting ahead of a big day, Your Majesty.’
Tariq guided the conversation in a different direction, and Aisha was content listening to the two of them speak about everything from ships to copper.
At one point, Aisha saw the king’s gaze drift, then shift entirely. Curious as to what had caught his attention, Aisha followed his line of sight all the way to… Lilah. She was standing by a citrus tree, inspecting the leaves, no doubt wishing she could pluck some for her bag.
Rakan smoothly returned his attention to the conversation, and Aisha pretended she hadn’t noticed a thing.
After a few more minutes of copper discussions, Tariq told the king to make himself at home, then excused them so they could continue making their rounds.
When they were a good distance away, Tariq whispered, ‘I’ve heard rumours that their military is developing a new type of weapon.’
Aisha frowned. ‘I don’t know whether that’s a good or bad thing.’
‘I suppose it depends on whether Slevaborg get their hands on it or not.’
She stopped walking when she heard a ripple of noise moving through the crowd. A low murmur that dropped to a hush. She looked around.
‘What’s wrong?’ Tariq asked.
Aisha grew uneasy. ‘I’m not sure.’
A moment later, he quietly said, ‘Aisha,’ then pointed discreetly towards the garden’s main entrance, where a figure stood at the edge of the lawn.
Her heart sank when she spotted her father. He was wearing his royal robe, but it hung loosely from one shoulder. His hair was uncombed and his sandals… there was only one sandal. He was frozen in place, staring at something or someone—
‘Zahvik’s here,’ Tariq said.
Just the name had Aisha’s stomach tightening.
She looked in the direction her father was staring and found the sectarian staring right back.
Her lungs faltered as she headed straight for her father.
Zara reached him first, gracefully turning him around and guiding him away from Zahvik and the other guests.
Safiya and Lilah got to him at the same time Aisha did.
All eyes were on them, and the silence was loud.
Bilal’s guard appeared, out of breath, like he had been running for some time, which he probably had. He gave Zara an apologetic look, and she glared back at him.
‘Let’s go, Baba,’ Lilah said.
Bilal blinked at her, his brow creasing. ‘I heard music.’
‘You should have sent for us,’ Zara replied.
Bilal tried to look back. ‘He was right there.’
Zara nodded. ‘We must ignore him, remember?’
His worried gaze went to Aisha. ‘I do not want to embarrass you.’
‘You could never embarrass me,’ she said, her throat closing.
‘Go back to the party,’ Zara told Aisha. ‘You too, Lilah. Safiya and I will join you as soon as we can.’
Zara always seemed to know the next right move. The guests had enough to whisper behind their backs about without the entire family being absent. It was on Aisha to return and show everyone that all was well.
She stopped walking, and Lilah stopped a few paces after her. They watched their father’s retreating back until he disappeared through the door of the castle. Only then did Lilah turn to Aisha with eyes full of sadness.
‘He’ll be all right,’ Lilah said. ‘You saw him in his wedding clothes. He’ll be fine after a good night’s sleep.’
Aisha nodded, barely, then turned around and walked back to the party.