The Bodyguard
I startled awake at the soft thud of the bedchamber door closing.
A quick glance at Dayyan’s sleeping area revealed his absence.
I lifted the blankets, accepting the chill as my feet touched the carpeted stone.
After several seconds of battling myself, curiosity won over, and I slipped my chadar over my hair.
I stepped into the hall. The guards standing watch froze, uncertainty on their faces.
I used their hesitation to my advantage and rushed past them, glancing at both ends of the hall for a glimpse of the shahzadeh.
The warmth of the torches grazed my freezing form.
The guards’ gazes lingered on me until I faded from their view.
I heard voices and slowed, peeking around the corner.
Dayyan stood in front of the harem, speaking to a tall woman who dripped with authority.
Her stern eyebrows rested over narrow eyes.
Banu Kerma. I had seen her several times.
She oversaw the harem’s needs. Why would Dayyan be speaking to her? Unless . . .
“Ready the girl and send her to my private office.” Dayyan’s words drifted toward me.
My gut clenched. Dayyan handed Banu Kerma a pouch that she pocketed as she bowed her head and slinked off. I moved fast, making my way to the office to see what Dayyan was planning. I entered the room and quickly dashed to the small balcony into the night.
Desert wind bit my skin, making me wince.
A glimpse at the sky informed me it was nearing morning prayer time.
I counted my breaths to slow my racing heart as I waited.
The doorknob turned, and the wood creaked as someone entered.
I ducked against the wall and hoped it would conceal me before peeking around the stone and spotted a young woman dressed head to toe in sparkling jewels and glimmering red fabric that hugged her body.
I swallowed. Was this how Dayyan had spent his nights before my entrance into his life?
Esana had said he hadn’t set foot into the harem since all those years back.
But perhaps he never needed to step foot inside; instead, he simply ordered them to go wherever he wanted.
I continued watching the woman and noted the trembling in her hands and painted lips.
Tears filled her eyes as she glanced at the door.
Pity replaced the sizzling emotion that had been beginning to fill me.
The poor girl was scared out of her wits.
Something about her struck me as familiar.
She was one of the Southern prisoners Dayyan had taken during the wedding. Anger blazed through me.
Dayyan entered, snaring my attention. He approached the girl, and tears now streamed down her cheeks.
She spoke to him, but her voice was far too low to make out.
Dayyan nodded in response and then motioned for her to be silent, but she launched into him, sobbing against his chest. Dayyan stood stiff before lifting his arms and patting her back.
A surge of something fiery trailed up my chest. It was not envy; it couldn’t be.
Dayyan pulled back and placed a pouch into her palm.
Did he think gifting her with gold would lessen the guilt using her would impose on him?
I had seen enough. But there was no escape from this chamber.
Horror gripped me as I realized I would have to wait until they finished their business.
I grimaced, and my hand thumped against the stone.
Footsteps approached. I ducked my head and lifted my chadar over my face to conceal my features just before Dayyan’s large presence spilled into my periphery.
He gripped my arm with brutal force and shoved me against the balcony railing.
I bit my cheek to hold in my gasp, keeping my head down.
He forced my chin up. Any attempts to disguise myself were useless.
My chadar fluttered from my face, exposing me to the night and Dayyan’s cruel gaze.
I opened my mouth to speak, but his rough hand slipped up from my chin and covered my lips and nose as he leaned in, glaring down at me. I wanted nothing more than to give him a solid hook to the jaw, but I unfortunately remained plastered against the railing and almost plastered to him as well.
“I’m going to lower my hand. You will remain silent. Nod if you understand.”
I lowered my brows but nodded. He waited a second more before his calloused palm dragged across my mouth, parting my lips as he lowered his hand.
He focused on the sight, his pupils dilating before he blinked, giving a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head.
I rediscovered my wrath and shoved hard against his chest. He stumbled back, and the night air found its way between us, dousing my breathless lungs with cold air.
Soft footsteps neared. The prisoner woman approached, worry pinching the skin between her brows.
She glanced between us, with no sign of recognition when she looked at me.
Most who’d seen Farani saw her from afar.
Dayyan extended an arm toward her, urging her to keep her distance, as if I would attack her.
“Shame on you,” I told him, my mouth twisting in disgust. “There are plenty of willing women in the harem.”
Astonishment coated his features. “Whatever idea you have in your head is a complete misunderstanding.”
“They said you spend your time with the prisoners. That is the reason you never enter the harem. Because you prefer . . .” I forced out the words. “You prefer Southerners in your bed.”
He stared at me in bewilderment. “I have never in my life touched a prisoner in that manner. I’m here to save her from a cruel fate. And she’s fearful because she doesn’t want to be caught.”
The girl watched me with wide eyes. She was afraid. Afraid of me, I realized. Her fingers were tight around the pouch.
“Why the gold?” I glared at Dayyan.
“For her future. She’s going to join her sisters once she crosses the border. I sent them before her.”
It was impossible to believe. After everything he’d done, why would he go to all this effort?
“You murdered my people as though they were animals. Slaughtered them without mercy. Why save one when you killed hundreds?”
Dayyan stepped closer, his powerful aura intimidating me. But I held my ground. With his gaze, he begged me to believe him. Waves of his hair brushed over his forehead. “I can’t save them all.” His whisper was loaded with self-loathing and torturous regret. “But at least I can save one.”
When I didn’t respond, he motioned toward the girl.
“If you don’t believe me, ask her.”
I turned toward her, softening my expression. “Is he speaking the truth? Do not be afraid.”
She gave me a meek nod. “Please, Shahdokht, he’s aiding my escape. This dress and jewelry are all for show, to convince the shah once Banu Kerma reports to him. Once I am gone, the shahzadeh will reveal that I am dead and that he disposed of me.”
And all would deem it true. Dayyan’s reputation preceded him.
The girl stared at me with wide eyes. “But if I do not leave soon, the watch will return.”
I shook from the freezing night now that my concern had fizzled. Warm fingers brushed my hand. I glanced at Dayyan.
“Farani, I cannot give you many promises, but I can give you my oath that I would never betray you in that way.”
I wasn’t sure what bothered me more: that he’d called me Farani or pledged his loyalty. I tucked my hand into the folds of my nightdress. “Do not make promises you cannot keep.” Or to people you do not truly know.
His brow furrowed. “You are cold.”
He made a move to unbutton his outer robe, but I slipped past him into the hall and returned to our chamber. I berated myself, wondering why I was so upset. I didn’t care for him. Certainly didn’t love him. I was bound to him by a marriage I had no control over.
I splashed water over my face and then performed the cleaning ritual I had been taught as a young girl. Water trickled down my arms as I rolled out my prayer rug. I performed the morning prayer, and the confusion and anger faded away, giving me some temporary measure of peace.