The Bodyguard
Dayyan’s guards slackened their vigilance for a short while and allowed Bazmara, Omid, and Delara to visit me.
When they entered the chamber, Bazmara’s hands remained firm on their shoulders to keep them back.
I rose from the toshak and gave them a hesitant smile.
Delara shrugged her sister’s hand away and broke free, running toward me.
She plowed into me, her small arms curling around my waist. My arms shot out in surprise.
She gripped me tight as sobs clutched her chest.
“What is wrong? Delara, jaanam. Tell me.”
I glanced at Bazmara, asking without words, Is it the sickness? Bazmara shook her head and dropped her hand from Omid’s shoulder. The boy crept closer, uncertainty written all over his face.
“Delara, please tell me what is ailing you.” I pulled away from her fierce hold and kneeled before her, placing my hands on her cheeks. She stared at me with her round eyes blooming with tears.
“You are leaving us,” she murmured. “Is it true?”
“We heard you aren’t Shahdokht Farani.” Omid seemed more distrustful than his sister, his brows lowering. “Who are you?”
“I never meant to hurt you,” I told them, my voice breaking. “Come, sit with me.”
They followed me to the toshak. Delara plopped to my side and leaned against me.
Omid hesitated a long moment before sitting on my other side.
Bazmara sat on the toshak across from us.
Delara was blooming with life. She had recovered well.
A few drops of the desert roots had cured her.
Her cheeks were pink and her nose was red.
Tears streaked her face, tears she had shed on my behalf.
“She doesn’t trust easily,” Bazmara said. “But when she does, she does with her whole heart.”
Guilt carved through me. I lifted Delara’s chin. “I am so sorry, gulim. I did not know how this would affect you.”
“Why did you do it?” Omid’s voice was accusing.
I reached out to pull him closer, but he avoided my hand and shifted farther away. “I had no choice. Sultan Kasim ordered me. I could not refuse.”
They stared at me blankly, so I continued.
“I was Shahdokht Farani’s bodyguard, and when she disappeared, Sultan Kasim ordered me to take her place in order to stop the war.”
“You lied to us.” Omid glared at me. “You could have told us.”
I flinched. “Believe me, I wanted nothing more than to do so. But I was alone and afraid. I didn’t know who was the enemy and who was a friend. Not at first. But despite everything, the care I have for you two is the truth.”
They softened at those words. Though they were hurt, they were equally as forgiving.
Omid’s features shifted before settling into a fierce look. “I won’t let them kill you.”
Delara burst into tears again. I drew them both close to me. Omid did not resist this time.
“Sing us the song,” Delara mumbled.
“Which song?”
“‘Ablaze.’ It is my favorite.”
“What?” The word left my lips in a cold whisper.
“It goes like this,” Delara said, then broke into the familiar lyrics:
“A dark world lurked above,
shuttering the way,
the night a cold blanket.
The soldiers were restless, the leaders plotting,
the enemy scheming.
Darkness prevailed,
but the children . . . The children looked upward.
They saw the sky.
It was ablaze with stars.”
My heart staggered. “How do you know this song?” My voice emerged harried and urgent.
Bazmara leaned forward, her brows pulling together.
Delara shrugged. “Zeki sang it to us while I was in my sick chamber since I was little. Omid and I both memorized it.”
Omid nodded, confirming her words. I stood up, leaving them in bewilderment on the toshak. I placed my hands on the vanity to catch my balance. The room spun. Everything came together and fell apart. Confusion and horror and disbelief and hope bloomed through me.
“Zeki,” I whispered.
A hand touched my back, and I jumped, whirling around. Bazmara retracted her hand, scanning my face. “Are you all right?”
I pushed strands of hair back and forced a nod.
“Everything is in shambles now. I should hate you for ruining Dayyan. Especially after I saw him happy for the first time in years. But I see your helplessness.” Bazmara reached out again and touched my arm. “I see how much you care, and you also kept my secret about Zeki.”
“Zeki,” I whispered again, my mind finding a way through the maze of confused thoughts.
She nodded. “Yes. You could have told my father, and he would have had Zeki banished at best and killed at worst.”
Blood drained from my face at the images her implications brought up. Zeki hanging from a noose, his neck broken. I flinched. He could not die without answering me. I had to learn the truth. I would not step foot out of this palace without knowing.
“Dayyan has blocked everyone off. No one can break through his wall. No one but you.”
My eyes flicked to hers.
“They held a meeting to smooth matters over. My father and Wazir Elmas wanted Dayyan to marry Shahdokht Farani in a small ceremony with only the closest relations so word wouldn’t spread, to keep things concealed, and then continue as if nothing had happened.”
I nodded while hurt raged through me at the thought of Dayyan marrying Farani.
An image of him touching her cheek, caressing her skin, sprung to mind.
I squeezed my eyes closed. She would break through his shell quickly.
Farani was sweet that way. She could win over anyone she wanted.
Dayyan would adore her before long, and I would be a distant memory he shuttered away like a chest beneath boards.
“But Dayyan refused to marry Shahdokht Farani.”
My eyes snapped open. “What?”
Bazmara smiled, her fingers tightening around my arm. “If my brother hasn’t fallen for you, then I am not a princess of the North. He rejected their suggestions and left the council.”
I searched for words but couldn’t find any. My heart thudded, emotion filling me. Could Dayyan still care for me after my betrayal? Was there still hope for us?
“There is a ceremony tonight. A send-off celebration.” At the sight of my confusion, she explained.
“Shah Jihangir made an agreement with the princess. Dayyan and Bahir will leave with a small party. Shahdokht Farani will accompany them and lead them to the roots. She will be in the celebration tonight wearing a veil. Everyone will assume she is Dayyan’s wife. Everyone will assume she is you.”
My head lowered, but Bazmara placed her hand beneath my chin, lifting it up. She gave me a firm smile and stared at me with steely eyes. “You are Shahzadeh Dayyan’s bride, no matter what anyone else says. You will lower your head for no one. Go to the celebration and let everyone see that.”
I stepped back. “I cannot.”
“Leave the guards to me. I will take care of everything. This may be your last chance to break through Dayyan’s wall. And I want more than anything to see my brother happy.”
I had seen the hatred in Farani’s gaze when she spoke of avenging her father.
And with a cruel monster like Samir influencing her, it would be a simple matter to have Dayyan killed.
Perhaps she would even do it herself. A stab to the back.
A slice across the throat when he was least prepared.
The images tore my gut to shreds. I could not allow my dear cousin to fall down this dark path.
I squeezed Bazmara’s hand and nodded. “Together.”
Bazmara beamed. “Perfect. I have just the outfit for you.”
Evening had shadowed the palace walls by the time we stood before the celebration chamber.
I drew in a steadying breath, hoping the shaking in my hands would stop.
I fisted the fabric of my dress, my fingers disappearing into the folds of black silk.
It was so dark and beautiful that I had frozen at the sight of it draping my form.
The matching chadar Bazmara had placed over my hair brushed my neck.
Thin threads of silver ran through the black, glittering when they caught the light.
When I’d stared at my reflection, I felt intimidated by the woman peering back at me.
She looked imposing, confident. Radiant. I wished I felt the same inside.
Bazmara smiled, her kohl-lined eyes creasing at the corners. “You will be fine.”
She leaned toward the announcer and gestured to me as she spoke. The announcer nodded, and Bazmara guided me forward. The doors swung open, revealing bejeweled men and women chattering together.
“Her Highness, Shahdokht Bazmara, and Her Highness, Shahdokht Farani!”
I hesitated as the man presented us, glancing at Bazmara.
“Trust me,” she said.
Steaming trays of food swept by on the heads of passing servants.
Rings sparkled on soft hands; necklaces hung over dresses, falling to navels with the heaviness of sapphires.
Those closest to the shah reclined on long toshaks.
In the corner of the chamber, long-fingered musicians beat drums and melodic voices hummed the tune of the desert.
The familiar songs were soothing. And then the clatter of platters and rumble of voices crashed to a halt as gazes riveted on us.
I spotted Dayyan at once. His eyes collided with mine. He was wearing loose trousers and thick robes that matched my outfit exactly, down to the silver thread. He seemed to realize the same thing, because his brows lowered in a scowl. Bazmara smirked.
Farani entered at that moment. She was speaking to the announcer, who motioned to me with a confused expression.
Her brows drew together, and her arms crossed over a gorgeous green dress.
A thin emerald veil drifted over her hair and face.
She entered without an announcement, and her eyes found me.
She tilted her head in question. I had to get her alone and convince her to end this thirst for revenge, to warn her away from Samir before it was too late.
Shah Jihangir’s furious gaze flitted between us, and he squeezed a grape until the juice exploded. All eyes turned to him.
“Ah, here is our blushing bride. Farani, please join us.”
Farani moved toward him just as Bazmara nudged me forward to cut in front of her.
Farani stilled, her mouth tugging down. I stopped in front of the shah and nodded my head in greeting.
Anger simmered in his jaw, but he returned the nod.
There were too many witnesses for him to try to reverse the situation.
My face had already been memorized. I glanced at Dayyan, but he was no longer looking at me.
Farani moved to his side and spoke to him, holding his attention.
“Yildiz?”
Bazmara motioned me to follow her, and we stood off to one side.
Women came to speak with Bazmara, glancing me up and down.
I remained silent, listening as Bazmara dealt with each of them with practiced ease.
The women didn’t linger, likely growing uncomfortable when I held their stares.
One whispered to her friend as they darted away.
“The shahdokht is as cold as her husband.”
The comment brought the first genuine smile of the night to my mouth. That smile was doused when I caught sight of Farani still speaking with Dayyan.
“This won’t do,” Bazmara muttered. “He should have greeted you. Now the people will gossip.”
I didn’t respond.
Bazmara beamed suddenly. She waved her hand and Zeki approached. All my thoughts wiped away at the sight of him.
“This will get his attention,” Bazmara said. “He hasn’t been speaking to Zeki lately.”
“What are you doing?” I whispered.
“Trust the process,” she whispered back.
Zeki lowered his head. “Shahdokht Bazmara. Shahdokht Farani.”
“Are you prepared for your mission tomorrow?” Bazmara asked.
He nodded. “It is my duty to accompany Shahzada Dayyan and Bahir on their journey.”
They fell into conversation. I ignored their whispers and glanced over my shoulder. Dayyan was no longer listening to Farani. His eyes were riveted on Zeki before sliding to me.
“I will get us some refreshments,” Bazmara supplied before darting away. “Show the shahdokht the dagger I gifted you.”
Zeki stared after her, watching her roam through the crowd with a fond smile on his face. He unsheathed his blade and extended it to me. “Go ahead, Shahdokht.”
I took it. “You do not need to feign respect. You know the truth.”
“But others don’t.”
I examined the blade, admiring the intricate carvings. I stepped closer to Zeki. Dayyan still watched us. His jaw was now clenched, and his brows lowered farther.
“We must speak.” I softened my tone, and he leaned in to hear me. “Come to my chamber after the party.”
Seeing the seriousness on my face, Zeki nodded.
Bazmara returned, extending a plate of sheer pera toward us.
Sliced into the shape of diamonds, the sweet treat looked particularly inviting.
She looked over my shoulder and grinned in triumph.
A throat cleared and I jumped. Dayyan stepped beside me, widening the distance between me and Zeki with his bulk. He extended a glass of chai to me.
“Thank you?” I said, taking it.
He took the dagger from my hand and slapped it to Zeki’s chest.
Zeki smiled good-naturedly. “It was lovely speaking with you again, Shahdokht.” He nodded at me.
“I’m sure,” Dayyan muttered. “But I’m afraid I must steal her away.”
He gripped my arm. Tingles rushed over my skin. It had been days since he’d touched me, since he’d even looked at me. Bazmara took the chai from my hand as Dayyan pulled me away. I glanced back at her, catching her mischievous wink.
“What are you doing?” I asked Dayyan.
He didn’t respond. We were halfway to the other side of the room when a few couples blocked our path.
The melodic voices changed as they melted into a different tune—the one Dayyan and I had danced to during our wedding.
And we were stuck right in the middle of the floor.
If we left now, it would appear strange.
Dayyan turned to face me and held out his hand.
I stared at the powerful lines marking his palm before hesitantly placing my hand into his.
He tugged me close, our faces a breath apart.
“Why did you steal me away?” I asked, repeating his words.