Page 153 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“We can head inside early,” he said, “and rest for tomorrow.”
She laughed. “This is a celebration,o méli. I want to enjoy my time here for once.” As long as they went inside before too late, the moonlight would keep her safe.
He smiled and spun her. “Of course, my Queen.”
Namir and Zahra walked outside, their hands intertwined.
“Tonight, I shall tell the Pharaoh Queen of my intent,” Namir said. “Tomorrow, we shall be wed.”
Zahra thought of Namir’s family. “Will your mother and uncle ever accept me?”
“They will have to,” he said. “Give them time. I know you have only seen the worst sides of them, but they are not as awful as they seem.”
Zahra knew that much was true. She had seen the way the Pharaoh Queen and Waaiz cared for Namir. Some day, she hoped, they would find it in their hearts to care for her, too.
They found a stone bench in the garden that overlooked the city and beyond. Zahra sat down, leaning her head on Namir’s shoulder and letting out a heavy sigh.
Namir squeezed her hand, looking down at her. “What is it?”
“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath. “I think, in some way, I am still scared to see the new dawn.”
“Nothing bad will happen,” Namir assured her, “but I understand your fear.”
“I know. But think of it, Namir—a thousand days we have been in this spell. So much has changed in the years we have been trapped here.”
“But we are free.” He kissed her hair. “There is much to change, but with you by my side, I know we can do it.”
Zahra took a deep breath, raising her head to better see the rest of the kingdom. He was right. There was much to change. Much needed to be done to achieve the united Aur that she had seen in her vision.
“My ancestors died protecting a future where our people could be one. Tomorrow will mark a new day for all of us. Our people have feared one another for too long. It is time to bring our two worlds together. We may have different names for things, but ournetjeruare the same at heart. We will be one people, just as my ancestors foretold.”
Namir smiled proudly at her. “One people—I like that.”
Zahra’s cheeks flushed, and she kissed his lips. “Tell me about tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow will be my happiest day.” Namir grinned. “But I look forward most to the days that come after.”
They spoke softly to each other as the moon rose higher in the sky. Their conversation took them to the future, where they discussed the plans for ideas they had thought of long ago.
The obelisk chimed five times, and Namir leaned back with a yawn. “That’s our sign to head inside for the night.”
Zahra covered her mouth as she yawned. “This will be a long night.”
Namir shook his head as he stood, offering his hand to Zahra. “I have placed a mattress in the armory so you may rest while I keep watch by the door.”
Zahra’s eyes softened, and she took his hand. “You did not have to do that.”
Namir guided her back toward thepr-aa. “I wanted to ensure you would be comfortable.”
Zahra smiled, hooking her arm in his. “Thank you, my King.”
Namir nodded. “I had some clothes for you prepared in my room, and then we can head to the armory.”
Zahra glanced at the dimming moon before Namir took her inside thepr-aa.Medjaywere stationed by entrances and in the halls, casually conversing with each other, and pausing to bow as Namir and Zahra passed.
Zahra held tight to Namir’s arm, watching the eyes of themedjay.Though Namir was careful to keep Zahra in the moonlight filtering down from the windows, many of themedjaywere in the shadow or areas lit by lamps. In their eyes was the red glow of thekeres, but themedjaydid nothing more than bow and return to their conversations.
Zahra’s forehead creased as Namir took her up the stairs to his room. There were lessmedjaystationed on this floor, likely due to Namir’s request. Theirkhopesheswere absent from their sides. Again, their eyes glowed red as Zahra and Namir passed, but they made no move to attack, despite the dimming moonlight.
