Page 118 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir turned away from her. “I don’t understand. How long have you known?”
“Since you first used the ring.”
Namir shook his head, placing his face in his palms. “I knew something was wrong. I knew it, and I believed you when you told me otherwise.”
Zahra’s heart hurt as he started to tremble. “Namir…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Betrayal seeped into his voice, and he turned to her, tears in his eyes. “Did you not trust me?”
“Of course I trust you.” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the bench. “But I was afraid you wouldn’t let me help you.”
“You’re right.” He gritted his teeth. “We are not looking into the assassins again until we fix this.”
Zahra clenched her jaw. “This is why I didn’t tell you. It can’t be fixed!”
“No!” He swung his arm. “I will search every record. I will travel the Sea if I have to, but Iwillfind an answer!”
Zahra shot to her feet. “There are none!” She clenched her fists by her side. “Do you think I haven’t tried? I have triedeverything. I have read every scroll in the hidden library, asked even my father and Heba, but Katerina was right. No one has survived this curse.”
“Katerina is a bird,” Namir seethed. “She doesn’t know all.”
“The only other person who has had the curse was Asenath. Someone conspired with an evilnetjerto see her dead, and someone has cursed me so I couldn’t help you past tonight.”
“Her death was hundreds of years ago. Zosar may know?—”
“I already told you, Namir. There are no answers!” Tears slipped past her defenses, and her voice shook as she spoke. “Youmustmove on. Today is the day that decides Aur’s fate, and I will not doom it by hoping for an impossible dream!”
“Well, I will.” He shook his head. “I won’t accept it. There must be a way.”
“There isn’t.”
“Then why did you say what you did last night?” he demanded. “Was it all a lie to ensure I lived? Did thenetjeruput you up to this?”
“No. No, of course not.” She stepped forward, her hand hovering between them. “I meant it all. I want to be that for you,Namir, but I can’t.” She looked down. “I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you about the curse because I didn’t want you to hurt more than this.”
“More than this?” He stepped forward, his eyes wide with tears as he gestured to his chest. “What could hurt more than this?”
Zahra’s lip trembled. “Your bride is out there.”
He gritted his teeth and turned away. “No. No.”
“Youchoseher,” Zahra stated. “That must mean you loved her in some way, some how, even if you do not remember.Shewill make you happy. She is what this kingdom needs. Please, Namir. You have suffered this night long enough.”
Namir turned to her, devastation in his eyes as he grasped her hand. She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. “I would give a thousand nights if it meant you were by my side.”
Zahra closed her eyes, gasping as a flood of emotion coursed through her.
Namir took her other hand. “Zahra, please.”
She shook her head, looking down as she spoke. “You once told me I could be something great. You were right. I’m asibyl, and I’m here for a reason. I’m here to protect you, but that’s all. I wasnevermeant to be your queen.”
“You’re wrong.” He pulled her closer, but she refused to look at him. “You will lead alongside me. I know it. Zahra, please.”
“Namir!” She put their joined hands on his chest. She tried to push him away, but he wouldn’t budge. “Please! There’snothingyou can do to change this!” She closed her eyes. “I have accepted it. I need you to accept it as well.”
Namir stood still for several moments as she cried. He let go of her hands, letting her collapse to the ground as he stepped back.
Zahra looked up in shock. A look of utter defeat had taken over his features. He covered his eyes, his lip trembling as he turned away.
