Chapter 40
Aisha noticed the change in Zara the moment the guard announced Nasir’s arrival at midday.
It was subtle—a smoothing of her braid and a quick glance at the brass mirror mounted beside the archway—but for someone like Zara, it was telling.
She stood a little straighter, her fingers laced neatly behind her back.
Aisha saw a flicker of something very close to anticipation cross her face.
‘Are you all right?’ Aisha asked as they walked to the audience chamber together.
Zara glanced sideways at her. ‘Why do you ask?’
Aisha gave a small shrug. ‘You just seem a little on edge.’
‘I’m always on edge when there’s news from Slevaborg.’
Aisha let the subject go.
Nasir entered the chamber with the same serious expression he always wore, because he never delivered good news. His two guards waited for him by the door.
‘Your Highnesses,’ he said with a small bow.
‘High Verran,’ Zara replied, addressing him formally.
His gaze cut briefly to Aisha. ‘Forgive the intrusion.’
The irony of his statement was seemingly lost on him.
‘Should I send for some refreshments?’ Aisha asked.
He shook his head. ‘Please don’t trouble yourself. I’ll get straight to the reason for my visit.’
They waited, trying not to appear anxious.
‘I wanted to inform you that Gruisea has recently cut all trade with Slevaborg. Every route.’
Zara’s brow lifted. ‘Oh.’
‘Why?’ Aisha blurted, stepping forwards.
Zara levelled her with a stare that had her moving back. She tried again. ‘I mean, what reason have they given?’
‘No official reason was given.’ Nasir paused. ‘Though there have been some rather big changes there of late. The closure of Ashwaq Mine and the banning of child labour, to name a few.’
Aisha’s hands went to her chest, where her token had once sat. ‘He actually did it.’
Both Nasir and Zara looked at her.
A laugh escaped Aisha. ‘He got the children out of the mines just like he said he would.’ The smile fell from her face when she saw Zara’s pointed stare. ‘Apologies.’
Zara turned her attention back to Nasir. ‘What has the Emperor’s response been to the halt in trade?’
‘You know I can’t share those details, but I’m sure you can imagine. There will be a push for Avanid, along with other kingdoms, not to engage with them.’
‘Isolate them, you mean?’ Aisha said, unable to hide her irritation.
Nasir looked at her. ‘I can’t imagine that will be too much of an issue for Avanid given the current state of your relationship with Gruisea. You’re wanted for the murder of King Hamza, are you not?’
Something in his tone and expression hinted that he didn’t believe it.
‘If you do have any ties to Gruisea at present, I recommend severing them,’ he said. ‘Or you risk provoking the Emperor.’
Of course he would say that.
‘I’m sure you understand that we make decisions in the best interests of Avanid,’ Zara said, feigning the freedom to do so.
Nasir frowned. ‘Perhaps you can tell that to Zahvik when he arrives. He’s on his way to Khorasan Palace.’
‘What?’ the two sisters said in unison.
‘That’s why I came here—to warn you.’ Nasir looked between them. ‘He’ll be here in the morning.’
Aisha’s mouth fell open. ‘Why on earth would he think he’s welcome here? The man tried to burn me.’
‘And you murdered a king,’ Nasir replied. ‘With a potion.’
Aisha rolled her eyes. ‘Clever use of “potion” there. Sounds much more covenweavery than poison.’
Looking heavenwards, Zara gestured for calm.
‘We don’t want him here,’ Aisha said. ‘Tell him that.’
‘He already knows,’ Nasir replied calmly. ‘He’ll be coming to you under the guise of a pardon, but make no mistake, he wants loyalty in return.’ He looked between them. ‘If you trade with Gruisea, you’ll fall with Gruisea.’
Neither Aisha nor Zara spoke for a moment. Aisha was trying to imagine her father receiving Zahvik into his home. How on earth were they going to protect him from the harm this visit would cause? Khorasan Palace was the only place he felt safe.
‘I wanted to give you some time to prepare,’ Nasir said, his voice quieter this time. He gave a short, formal bow. ‘Good day to you both.’
Zara bowed her head but didn’t say anything as he turned and left, his guards following him out. The two sisters stood in stunned silence.
Aisha was first to speak, her voice a whisper. ‘We don’t have to let him in, do we?’
Brushing an invisible strand of hair back from her eyes, Zara replied, ‘Of course we do.’ Her eyes searched Aisha’s. ‘But we can be smart about it. Keep Omar well away from him for a start. We’ll tell Zahvik he’s unwell.’
‘And Yasmin.’
A nod. ‘And Yasmin.’ Zara exhaled and looked around the room. ‘We’ll need to find a way to get Baba there—at least for part of it.’
Aisha nodded, barely.
‘Let’s not panic,’ Zara said. ‘Let’s prepare.’
They began walking slowly towards the door.
‘If he wants to pardon you, great,’ Zara continued. ‘We’ll take the pardon.’
They exited the chamber and continued down the corridor.
‘Even Nasir admits he’s not coming to pardon me,’ Aisha said.
‘Of course not. He’s coming to remind us who holds the leash.’ When they reached the staircase, they started to climb. ‘I’ll leave you to break the news to Safiya and Lilah.’ She drew a slow breath. ‘I’ll go tell Baba.’
The palace was quiet. Too quiet. Even the fountains seemed to hush as the gates creaked open and Zahvik’s carriage entered the palace grounds.
His visit had caused complete chaos as everyone scrambled to prepare.
Now they all stood in practised formation, guards lining the marble paths with the Nazari family at the top of the steps, dressed in ceremonial silks—minus Omar and Yasmin.
They were under guard at the far end of the palace.
Aisha leaned forwards to check on her father.
He stood with his spine straight and hands balled into fists.
His face twitched, and small beads of sweat were already forming across his brow.
Zara had her arm threaded through his, just in case.
She looked in Aisha’s direction, giving her the smallest nod, which was meant to reassure her.
‘Here he comes,’ Safiya said.
The procession was completely unnecessary for someone of his rank.
Anyone would have thought the Emperor himself was coming.
Boots struck stone in perfect rhythm as two rows of scarlet-cloaked holy warriors marched towards them.
Behind them were the banner-bearers with their bright red flags embroidered with a black sun.
Then, finally, the carriage, six horses pulling it when two would do.
It rolled to a stop at the bottom of the stairs.
A footman positioned a stool before opening the door. Then, from a dark hole, Zahvik emerged.
Aisha took in his smug, clean-shaven face, and a familiar anger rose inside her. But it dissipated when a second figure stepped out of the carriage.
Maryam.
The chains connecting her hands and feet clinked softly as she stepped out. Aisha’s stomach turned at the sight. She was dressed in the pale grey uniform of an imperial servant, and her once-vibrant eyes remained locked on the ground because she wasn’t permitted to look up.
Aisha instinctively moved towards her, but Safiya grabbed a firm hold of her arm before she had even taken one step.
‘That’s exactly what he wants,’ she whispered. ‘Don’t give it to him.’
Aisha slowly moved back into line with the rest of her family.
Zahvik made his way to the foot of the steps, then paused to say a prayer. When he opened his eyes, his gaze moved over them one by one before settling on Bilal.
‘Your Majesty,’ he said as he climbed the steps, Maryam following him silently.
The king merely inclined his head.
Since everyone at the palace had objected to having him in their home, Zara had made the decision to host him in the garden, where the scent of citrus might drown out the stench of evil.
Aisha couldn’t take her eyes off Maryam.
‘This way, Your Holiness,’ Zara said when he reached the top, taking immediate control of the meeting before he extended his hand and expected anyone to kiss it. She led the way to the garden.
Low couches had been arranged with far more space between them than was necessary. Dates and sugared almonds sat on a polished tray next to a steaming pot of tea. These were clearly refreshments for a short visit.
Zahvik sat, crossing one leg over the other as he looked around. Maryam stood behind him, the length of her chains clinking softly as they settled around her feet.
Aisha was desperate for Maryam to look up so she could look into her eyes, but she kept her chin firmly tucked to her chest and her gaze pinned to the ground.
Aisha buried her hands in her lap to hide the angry tremble in them.
It was clear Zahvik wanted to remind them who was in control.
Maryam was an example of what happens when a woman steps out of line.
‘Tea?’ Zara asked.
Zahvik nodded. ‘Thank you.’
Zara poured it and placed it down in front of him.
Maryam stepped forwards and carefully picked up the cup.
She sniffed the tea, then took a sip. A moment later, she handed the cup to Zahvik with a bow.
The chains barely rattled as she returned to her place behind him.
He didn’t speak to her or acknowledge her in any way.
It wasn’t unreasonable for him to think the Nazari family might try to poison him after everything he had done. The thought had definitely crossed Aisha’s mind.
Aisha glanced at Lilah, who looked as distressed as she felt.
‘What is the purpose of your visit?’ Bilal asked.
Zahvik took a sip of tea before replying.
‘I came here for two reasons.’ He looked up.
‘First, Gruisea’s recent actions have created some trading turbulence, and unfortunately, such turbulence can be problematic for the whole empire.
I wanted to let you know that the Emperor will be stationing ships at your ports to ensure Avanid’s coastline is protected. ’