Page 116 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Waaiz scowled at Zahra as Namir pushed him outside.
Nubia smiled at Zahra. She had already changed into her orange dress, even though Namir was still in his night clothes. She took Zahra’s hands. “Let us get you washed up, shall we?”
Zahra clutched the shawl, numbly following Nubia downstairs. She was brought into a great room with a large, rectangular pool. Servants had already gathered and were filling the pool with hot water.
“Help her in and get her washed,” Nubia ordered. She pointed to one servant in particular, a young Auran girl, and waved her hand. “Get her a towel and some clothes.”
The servant bowed. “Yes, Vizier.”
Zahra clutched her shawl tighter as she was guided toward the pool. She flinched as they reached for her clothes. “I can do it myself.”
The servants pulled their hands away. They took her clothes from her as she removed them and carried them off. Zahra was thankful when she got into the warm water, foam from the bubbles hiding her shivering arms.
The servants whispered to each other as they scrubbed her arms and feet, commenting on her scars. One gasped when washing her hair, recoiling at the sight of Zahra’s debt tag.
Zahra covered it with her hand, her face flushing with embarrassment. One of the servants snickered.
“That is enough,” Nubia scolded, standing up from her seat. She waved the servants away. “I will finish with her. Wait outside for us.”
The servants removed their hands from the water and bowed. “Yes, Vizier.”
Zahra hugged her arms, letting out a relieved sigh as the door closed. “Thank you.”
“They can be a little much,” Nubia said, approaching her. “Do not worry. You will get used to it.”
The guilt hit Zahra once more.
Nubia gestured to Zahra’s wet curls. “May I?”
Zahra blinked in surprise. She nodded.
Nubia worked the soap gently into Zahra’s curls. She worked around Zahra’s earring, not mentioning or pausing to look at the scars on Zahra’s back.
Zahra relaxed, enjoying the smell of the various soaps and ointments in the water.
“I am happy he has found someone,” Nubia said as she worked. “He told me all about you this morning. I do not think I have ever seen him so excited.”
Zahra’s gaze snapped to her reflection. Thoughts of last night filled her mind—of the time she spent with Namir and the kiss they had shared. Of course he was happy.Shewas happy. At least, she would be if she could be.
“I have always wanted a sister,” Nubia added. “Menes is a great brother, of course, but he does not understand things a sister would. I am so excited to help you plan the wedding. It willall be official in a few days. And…” She paused. “My dear girl, are you crying?”
Zahra choked down a sob, burying her face in her hands.
Nubia let go of Zahra’s hair. “Oh, you poor thing. What is it? I am sure it is all too overwhelming. I am sure you have experienced nothing like this before.”
“It—It’s not that,” Zahra cried. “I cannot marry him.”
Nubia was quiet. “So you do not love him.”
Zahra turned around, planting her hand on the edge of the pool. “I do! I love him very much.” She gulped in air as she began hyperventilating. “But I am cursed! I can’t be his queen, because I will die at the end of this day.”
Nubia’s face filled with horror. “Cursed?”
Zahra nodded solemnly. “Evil creatures seek my life. I will be dead by midnight.”
Nubia leaned back, looking at the water as she processed this information. “Oh… Oh, you poor thing.” Sympathy filled her face. “Does he know?”
“No.” Zahra buried her face in her hands once more, quieting a sob. “I don’t know how to tell him! I don’t want to break his heart.”
