Page 29 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra inhaled a deep breath, lifting the cup to her mouth. She tested the temperature against her lip before drinking it. The mixture was warm and reminded her of the tonics her fatherwould make for her as a child. It sloshed in her stomach, calming the fury within.
Namir leaned forward, clasped his hands once more, and considered her as she drank.
His study of her unnerved her. Finally, Zahra lowered the cup. “What is it, my King?”
His gaze shot to hers. “What do you mean?”
Zahra hesitated. “It seems that something is on your mind.”
Namir’s eyebrows raised in surprise. He lowered his hands from his face. “I have a question for you.”
Zahra’s stomach churned at the words. “I will answer whatever questions you may have, my King.”
Namir considered his clasped hands. When he said nothing for several moments, Zahra lifted the cup to her lips with shaking hands.
Namir’s question came. “How long have you known you were asibyl?”
The liquid sputtered from Zahra’s lips, dripping down her chin and chest. She coughed, wiping at her face as she tried to speak. “What did you say?”
“Asibyl,” he repeated. “A servant of Nebthet.”
Zahra shook her head. “I am not.”
“You must be.” He unclasped one of his hands, revealing the silver ring from earlier.
Zahra flinched. “Why do you have that?”
“Something happened down there.” He squinted at the piece of moonstone on the ring. “It was as if you were in a trance. When the pottery broke, you did not move, and when I spoke to you, it was as if you could not hear me. I tried to grab your arm, but as soon as I touched you, strange symbols appeared on your face and skin—the same symbols that thesibylsin the drawing bore.”
Zahra’s face paled. “It—It was dark. It was a trick of the light.”
“I know what I saw. It was not until I removed the ring that you came back to yourself.” He held the ring closer to her. “I imagine, if you held the ring now, it would happen again?—”
His voice cut off, his forehead creasing in concern as Zahra focused on the ring. The cup trembled in her hands, and tears formed in her eyes.
Namir leaned back and lowered the ring. “What did you see?”
“Nothing.” She turned away. “It was a dizzy spell, my King. Nothing else.”
Namir was silent for a moment. “Did you truly not know?” he asked softly.
Zahra let her hair hide her face. “I am not one of them.”
The door slammed open, and Zahra and Namir turned toward it. Themedjayfrom the front of the library were there. The one whose sword Zahra had tried to take was in front. A mob of curious priests, scholars, and servants followed him. His gaze darkened when he saw Zahra. “It was her! She cursed me.”
Zahra’s jaw fell, and she glanced at Namir.
Themedjayfollowed her gaze to Namir. He bowed deeply with his hand on his chest. “My King, she is a dangerous sorceress who cursed me. We must get you to safety.”
The othermedjaystepped forward, holding a rope.
Zahra stumbled from the couch. Her cup fell from her lap and broke in half on the stone floor. The liquid within it splashed on her feet. “I did no such thing! My King, I?—”
Namir lifted his hand toward her, silencing her. His gaze settled on themedjayas he stood. Namir stepped in front of Zahra. “What is the meaning of this accusation?”
Themedjaythat had accused Zahra stood tall. “An illness overtook me but moments ago. I was of perfect health until aspecter rested upon me.” His gaze narrowed on Zahra. “It had her face.”
Zahra’s lungs grew tight. She had done nothing to him. At least, she thought she had not. All she had done was grab his sword. Her gaze dropped to the floor as themedjaycontinued.
