Page 149 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
35
The Last Day
Zahra hummed as she walked, the basket of fruit by her side, and the payment from Fukayna sitting on top of it.
“Sobki!” Bahiti stormed down the stairs, her jaw clenched as she saw Zahra. “Where have you been, girl?”
“I was buying your fruit,” Zahra said with a slight bow.
“We already ate, you foolish thing!” She swiped her hand at the basket, but Zahra stepped out of the way.
Zahra took the pouch ofdebenoff the top and handed the basket to Bahiti. “Here you are, Mistress.”
The servants began to gather. Even Femi and Keket watched from the stairs.
Bahiti smacked the basket from Zahra’s hand, spilling the fruit all over the floor. “Never mind the fruit. What is that you have?”
“My payment from Fukayna,” Zahra said, stepping to the side again as Bahiti tried to take the pouch. “I will be saving this now that my debt is paid off.”
Bahiti laughed. “Paid off? Your tag says otherwise. You still have much left to pay, girl.”
“Oh, this tag?” Zahra moved her hair, revealing her bare ear. “I paid off my debt this morning. Apparently, my father’s debt is separate from mine. I only owed fortydeben.”
Bahiti gawked at Zahra’s ear. “You thief. What money have you stolen from me and my husband to pay for this?”
A voice came from the kitchen. “None.”
Bahiti turned in horror as Darius stepped out from the kitchen. A practiced smile came to her face. “My dear! I did not expect you to be back so soon.”
“The King let me off early,” Darius said. “It was fortuitous, it seemed, because I received a message from my scribe about possible foul play under my own roof.”
“Foul play, indeed.” Bahiti pointed an accusing finger at Zahra. “She has been stealing from us. She removed her debt tag and claims she is free!”
Disappointment filled his features, and he shook his head. “I wish you had not said that.”
Bahiti looked at him, confused. She scoffed and glanced at Zahra. “You believe her over me?”
“No. I believe my records and the words of my closest financial advisors.” He stepped toward his wife. “Not only has someone been updating our financial records incorrectly, but the servants have been charged for ridiculous reasons. After I saw you waste that fruit, I wonder if any mistakes were made at all.”
“Then it is one of the scribes,” Bahiti insisted. “She is working with that Ionian one.”
“He is the one who pointed out the discrepancies to me,” Darius said, “and the records are inyourhandwriting, not his.”
“I have done nothing wrong,” Bahiti defended, her voice growing shrill. “I may not have explained the changes accurately, but the servants are sloppy and cost us much.”
“They cost me very little. You, however, have been spending well over your monthly limit. I did not notice for so long because you were stealing from our servants’ pockets. Our daughters were very helpful in pointing me to your secret stash ofdeben.”
Unanimous gasps and whispers erupted from the servants, and Femi and Keket darted upstairs when their mother turned to glare at them.
Bahiti looked around, her face burning. “I can explain. It is not what it looks like.”
“Do not embarrass me further.” Darius turned toward the stairs. “She is down here.”
Bahiti’s eyes bulged from her head asmedjaycame down the stairs. “Darius!”
“It will not be for long, dear,” Darius said, indifferent. “Only a few days. You see, I have to ensure our daughters make it to the Feast in time, and I must investigate how much we owe our servants and the Pharaoh Queen because of you. Do not worry. I hear it is furnished.”
“You cannot do this to me,” Bahiti cried as themedjaygrabbed her arms.
