Page 119 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir turned and ran into the garden. Zahra hunched over as she sobbed.
27
A Mother’s Song
Zahra collapsed as she cried. An ache deeper than any of her deaths penetrated her heart. She wanted to scream, but she couldn’t stop crying.
“Where has he gone?” A hand landed on her back, and Zahra looked up to see Nubia’s panicked face. “Where has the King gone?”
Zahra’s lip trembled, and she pointed toward the gardens.
Nubia rubbed Zahra’s back, gesturing at some servants who had followed her outside. “Take her home, please. She needs rest.”
Zahra let the servants lift her to her feet as Nubia ran off toward the gardens. They took her inside, changed her back into her nightdress, and then guided her to a chariot outside. She realized Nubia’s meaning as she was stepping onto the chariot, but she didn’t fight back as she was loaded inside.
The interaction with Namir had left her numb, but she knew one thing.
She would never see Namir again.
Bahiti showed genuine surprise when Zahra showed up at the door in royal clothing with two royalmedjayin tow. “The Vizier asked that she be returned home.”
Bahiti bowed. “Thank you.”
She placed her hand gently on Zahra’s back, guiding her inside. As soon as the door was shut, Bahiti dug her nails into Zahra’s arm. “Where is my horse?”
Zahra gritted her teeth, but she did not answer.
Bahiti screamed into Zahra’s ear, and Zahra closed her eyes. “Where is he?!”
When Zahra did not answer, Bahiti threw her to the floor. Zahra grunted as pain shot up her arm.
“I should have told them what you did,” Bahiti spat. “You should be executed for stealing from me!”
A crowd began to gather on the stairs. Femi and Keket watched from their room, their eyes tired and wary.
Bahiti circled Zahra. “Foolish, foolishsobki. You and your father will never be out of debt after this. Is that what you wanted? I will ensure you work here for therestof your life to make up for what you have done.”
Zahra said nothing.
Bahiti kicked her hard in the ribs, and Zahra let out a pained moan. “Speak! I will take everything you have, girl.”
“Then take it,” Zahra shouted, standing. “I have already lost all that mattered.”
Bahiti stared at Zahra in shock. She narrowed her eyes. “How dare you speak back to me, girl!” She lifted her hand. “Know your place!”
Zahra caught Bahiti’s wrist, shoving Bahiti back. Bahiti stumbled, landing hard on the ground. She looked up at Zahra in shock.
“This may be my last day,” Zahra seethed, “but you will not continue on this path. Soon, everyone will know of your crimes.”
“Crimes?” She laughed, getting to her feet and dusting off her dress. “What are you talking about,sobki?”
“That you are just as much of a thief as I am.” Zahra pointed toward Bahiti’s room. “In your closet you hide ourdeben. You tell us we owe you more than we do, and you lie to Master Darius about how much we do and give.”
Bahiti’s face lost its color, and for the first time, she looked at Zahra in fear. She laughed, a nervous smile appearing on her lips. “That is an outrageous claim!”
“I am telling the truth, and you know it. I told the King of your wicked ways. He will ensure you are punished.”
“How dare you blaspheme my name?!” Bahiti lunged forward.
