Page 109 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra looked at her feet. “I don’t know how to do this.”
Namir took her other hand. “Then I will teach you.”
Zahra’s cheeks warmed as Namir led her in the dance. She followed along clumsily, stepping on his foot more than once. He did not mind her mistakes, instead gently correcting her movements and prompting her to follow the music.
As they danced, he guided her to a small grove where the others couldn’t see, but the music could still be heard.
Zahra was so focused on moving her feet correctly that she did not notice for some time. She looked around in amazement as she noticed oil lamps and blue fabric hung like the ocean on the trees around them. She laughed. “What is this?”
Namir smiled, speaking in Ionic. “It is for you.”
Zahra looked up with wide eyes. She smiled teasingly, replying in Ionic, “How long have you known how to do that?”
“Heba has been teaching me.” Namir spun her, and she laughed as her curls landed on her shoulder. He hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her closer as he continued to speak in Ionic. “I wanted to surprise you.”
Zahra looked into his eyes. He had orchestrated this whole thing, and Ramses and the whole town were in on it. No wonder they had not been bothered this whole time.
Namir let go of her hand and ran his fingers through her hair, cupping her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with his curls as they swayed.
Nervousness bubbled in her chest as she thought of the trees that blocked the moonlight around them. “You did not have to do this.”
He rubbed his thumb against her cheek, lowering his head toward hers until their faces were an inch apart. “Yes, I did.”
Their foreheads brushed, and all at once Zahra forgot about her fear of death and her curse. Her eyes fell to his lips, and she moved her face closer. With him, she was safe. Thekerescould not touch her here.
His breath was warm on her lips, and he smelled of sweet honey. Her eyes slipped closed as his lips neared hers.
He smiled against her lips, speaking in Ionic as their lips brushed. “I love you.”
Zahra’s eyes opened wide as an intense feeling of danger overwhelmed her. She shoved Namir away, not realizing she had done so until they were both on the ground. Zahra took in gulping breaths, her hand on her chest. She pulled her trembling hand away, expecting something to be on her fingers, but there was nothing.
“What was that?”
Zahra looked to see Namir sitting up. A heartbroken look sat on his face.
Oh no.
“Namir—”
“I was so foolish,” he said, standing. “I… I shouldn’t have thought?—”
“It was not you.” Doubt entered her mind, but she pushed it aside as she stood. “I don’t know what it was, but it was not what you did, I promise.”
His voice cracked as he turned to her. “Then why did you push me away?”
Zahra’s voice caught in her throat. Why had she pushed him? The movement had felt involuntary, but what if it was not? What if she had pushed him away so he wouldn’t kiss her?
“I…”
“Did you even hear what I said?” Namir asked. “Or did you just not want to hear it?”
Zahra swallowed, her mouth dry. “I understood.”
“Andthatis how you responded?” He stepped back, running his fingers through his curls. “I—I thought… I wouldn’t have if you had—” He shook his head. “I thought I was being obvious.”
Zahra shot to her feet. “Obvious? You told me you were going to choose another!”
“Yes! You! I was going to chooseyou,” he said, stepping toward her. “Why else would I have brought you here? Why would I have gotten you gifts or brought you with me on my work?”
