The Bodyguard
We stood before the throne room doors, and I marveled at the drastic difference compared to the last time we had been in the same place.
The immense hatred I had felt for this prince beside me .
. . The doors swung open and Dayyan extended his arm.
I wrapped my fingers around it, splaying them like they belonged there.
We swept into the throne room. Dayyan shortened his long strides so we matched paces.
Shah Jihangir’s dark stare lurked on us until we stopped a short distance before him.
A large glittering ring with a lapis stone that took up most of his hand glinted at us as he reached for a grape from one of the servants standing beside his throne.
He chewed thoughtfully, allowing an air of disturbance to reign before his gaze slid to Dayyan.
A question seemed to hover between them.
Dayyan’s chin dipped in a nod. My brows drew together, and my hand tightened around Dayyan’s arm as I glanced between them.
“Shahdokht Farani, I was told you toured the city. What is your opinion of the North’s people?”
Something else bubbled beneath the question.
“Your people have much heart. It was an honor to meet them.”
“There is no doubt of that. But I am sure you must have witnessed the dire conditions under which they live.”
A shah would not point out the negative aspects of his city without a reason. I slowly nodded.
“There is not much we can do for the people. The war damaged us just as much as the South, Shahdokht. Only your people had a source of life to fall back to. They knew their princess could save them if they ever needed. With your knowledge of the golden roots, the South would never fall. The North needs the roots to continue on, to return to its vibrant state. You cured my daughter with them. Your heart must be soft enough to have mercy on the rest of the poor civilians.”
His mouth split into a wicked grin. He popped another grape into his mouth, chewing while holding that decisive stare.
I turned a betrayed look to Dayyan. He didn’t meet my gaze but stared straight ahead.
He had promised he wouldn’t tell his father, but I should have known better than to trust him.
Of course he would report to Shah Jihangir.
Dayyan’s jaw flexed; it was a small motion, but it told of his anger. When I’d first met him, I could not decipher his thoughts, but now the tiniest of movements gave him away. Someone else had informed the shah.
“Where are the golden roots, Shahdokht?”
That was why Dayyan had taken me to the city. It was his father’s order: make me pity their poor and sick enough to divulge the information that kept me living. My hand slid from Dayyan’s arm. At the loss, his gaze shot to mine. I couldn’t bear to look at him any longer.
“The roots, Shahdokht.” The command was laden with warning. Shah Jihangir’s cunning smile had slipped, and now something like fire burned in his eyes.
“I cannot give you the location.”
Dayyan tensed at my firm answer. Shah Jihangir shot up from his throne, casting the platter from the servant’s hands. The servant scrambled to the floor to pick up the fallen grapes.
“Enough of these games,” Shah Jihangir fumed. “Take her to the dungeon. We will wring the location out of her if we must.”
Guards started my way. I retreated a pace, my hand slipping to my belt. Dayyan crossed in front of me and the guards stilled.
“You will not lay a finger on her.”
Shah Jihangir broke through the guards. “You will go against my orders for a Southern wretch? She will speak.”
Dayyan turned to me, showing the shah and guards his exposed back. His entire focus caressed my face. He cupped my cheek. “Farani, this is our chance to help those people. Tell me where the roots are. I will not allow harm to befall you. Trust me.”
A swell of emotion crested in my throat. I had lied to him. I wasn’t the woman he thought I was. I couldn’t tell him that now. I couldn’t bear it. But I also could not allow this facade to continue, to fear every moment he would learn the truth.
“Dayyan, I cannot.”
“You cannot what?”
“She cannot tell you,” a familiar voice called out. “She cannot tell you because she doesn’t know.”
I turned, my heart plummeting to my stomach at the sight of my dear cousin Farani.