Page 151 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“They will not fade while an evil spirit is attached to you. Do you know what this is?”
“Yes, it’sapollos. The evil spirits will be gone come dawn, and I will be well again,” Zahra promised.
Heba studied Zahra’s face. “Zahra, what has changed last we met?”
Zahra smiled, suppressing a laugh. “Out of all of the days you could have asked that, I am glad you chose today.”
Heba’s face filled with confusion, so Zahra explained. She was glad to tell Heba the truth about the Thoth, the Feast, and the King that would become her husband tomorrow.
Heba leaned back, stunned by the information. “So you will end thisspellover Aur tonight at the Feast?”
Zahra nodded. “The King and I will finally put this to rest. Once I see the new dawn, the curse of thekereswill be broken, and mypsychecan finally heal.”
Heba blinked hard, tears forming in her eyes. “And you finally found your calling as asibyl.”
Zahra smiled softly, taking Heba’s hands. “I did. Mamáhas been with me since this day began. She has taught me much.”
Heba smiled, wiping at her eyes. “I prayed you would find your way.”
Zahra was surprised. Heba had always told her to listen to her dreams and that she was gifted, but she had never told Zahra the truth about her mother. “Why didn’t you tell me about Mamá’s gifts? You two were best friends.”
Heba bowed her head, ashamed. “Your father forbade me to tell you anything about who your mother truly was. Like him, I feared you would be punished or killed if you discovered the truth. Rina had always told me you would do great things, and I knew Selene would reach out to you when it was time.”
Tears swelled in Zahra’s eyes, and Heba pulled her into a hug. Zahra sniffled. “Thank you for raising me all of those years, Heba.”
Heba squeezed her tight. “Thank you for being my daughter.” She pulled away after a few moments, wiping at her eyes as shewalked toward the door. “I will tell the others it’s time to get you ready. You don’t want to keep your King waiting.”
Zahra smiled. “Thank you, Heba.”
Heba returned with other women from the village and they set to work, washing Zahra’s face and styling her hair. They dabbed small amounts of a rose-smelling oil on her neck, and accented her features with small applications of makeup.
Heba left the room and came back bearing her daughter’s dress. Though Zahra remembered wearing it, her heart still hurt thinking about it. “Oh, Heba, I can’t. It’s Isadora’s.”
“Nonsense,” Heba said. “If Isadora was here, she would have told you to wear it. Now come, try it on. I will have to hem the bottom for you.”
Zahra put on thechiton, its delicate blue fabric draping around her legs. She stood still as Heba hemmed the fabric with the help of the others. By the time they were finished, the dress hovered just above her toes. Bronze bracelets were slipped onto her wrists, and Isadora’s silverstefanawas placed upon her head.
The others left as Heba gave Zahra one last look over. She smiled and nodded proudly. “You are ready. I will tell Ahmose.”
“Thank you, Heba.” Zahra looked down at her dress, taking a deep breath. Tonight would change everything. In many ways, Zahra had already changed, but tomorrow brought a new dawn. She was scared and nervous to think of what awaited her, but she was also excited. She couldn’t wait to see Namir at thepr-aa.
The obelisk chimed two times in the distance, and Heba whistled from outside. “We are ready for you,o chara.”
Zahra smiled at Ahmose as she approached the cart. “I thought you would return to work.”
Ahmose grinned. “And miss seeing you off? Come on,adelphe. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Zahra grinned. Heba helped Zahra into the cart, and everyone waved as they set off down the road. Katerina flew overhead, and Zahra smiled up at her mother. The roads were filled with chariots coming from the river to thepr-aa. Each maiden she saw looked at thepr-aain wonder and anticipation. Finally, Ahmose’s cart pulled up to the front.
Amedjaydecorated in medals and wearing a helmet came up to her, offering his hand. Zahra recognized Ramses beneath the helmet and smiled. She took his hand, signing once her feet were on the ground. “Did he send you to fetch me?”
“He said to look for the one from Ionia in a dress like the Sea,” Ramses signed with a smile. “It is good to meet you, Zahra.”
Zahra grinned. “Today will be the last time we meet.”
Ramses nodded to her, and Zahra turned to Ahmose. He took her hand, pride in his eyes. “If the King breaks your heart while you are in there, I will be nearby.”
Zahra smiled at him. “Thank you, Ahmose, but I wish for you to go home. Celebrate with the others. I will be safe here tonight.”
