Page 32 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zosar barely considered her. “She is a sorceress.” He spoke over Zahra’s head. “Guards!”
Thundering footsteps raced toward Zahra, and she stumbled into the room. She looked in panic toward Namir. This was why he had brought her. To accuse her as thatmedjayhad.
Namir considered Zahra’s face before lifting his hand to halt themedjaybehind her. “She is not a sorceress.”
Zosar’s eyes narrowed at Namir as themedjayleft the room. “Then why have you brought her here?”
“I did not come here to talk about her.” Namir pulled the scroll out of his bag and handed it to Zosar.
Zahra sucked in a breath, her fists clenching at her side.
Zosar’s nose scrunched, but still he took the scroll and unraveled it. “Ah, yes. So you have chosen your bride but have chosen wrong?” He glanced at Zahra. “I understand why she is here now.”
Zahra studied the length of the scroll in surprise. The scroll was much longer than the scroll about thesibyls. Relief flooded her bosom. Namir had not brought her here to accuse her.
“I did not choose her,” Namir growled. “As I told you this morning, I cannot find my bride, nor can I remember her name or what she looks like.”
Zosar smiled, rolled up the scroll, and patted Namir’s shoulder. “My dear boy, do not fret. She is out there somewhere. Think back on your foggy memory. You will find her.”
Namir’s shoulders slumped beneath Zosar’s hand. “You do not understand. I cannot recall meeting her at all. One night I had two marks, and by dawn I had only one.”
“This process is supposed to be enjoyable for you.” Zosar removed his hand from Namir’s shoulder. “You had one too many drinks. That is alright.”
Shame flickered in Namir’s eyes as he glanced at Zahra. He turned away and lowered his voice. “I have given up on finding her, Zosar.” He gestured to the scroll in the Hem-netjer’shand. “According to the ancient writings, I should be able to remove the mark from the chosen maiden and give it to someone else. All I need to know is how to do it.”
Zosar sighed. “My boy, I fear you will have to find her before you can remove the mark.”
Namir’s eyes narrowed, and Zahra stepped closer to hear Zosar better. “What do you mean?”
“You must be touching her to remove the mark, just as you would to end the spell.”
Namir’s mouth pressed into a thin line, and his eyes filled with desperation. “There must be another way.”
“I cannot help you more than I have.” Zosar stepped away from Namir. “I have other obligations tonight. I am bound by my duties, as are you. The blood moon tonight is a pressing concern, and I must do all I can to defend Aur should Apep choose to attack.”
Namir nodded. “Then what do you suggest I do, Zosar?”
“You can begin by ridding yourself of distractions so that you can focus on finding your bride.” Zosar gestured to Zahra. “Starting with her.”
Namir glanced in Zahra’s direction, and she stood tall. “I am here to help the King.”
Zosar leveled his gaze at her. “How dare you speak out of turn, especially in Re’s space?”
“I meant no disrespect,” Zahra said, “but your conversation involved me, so I felt obliged to share my piece.” She met Namir’s eyes, confidence filling her bosom. “I am here on the King’s request, aren’t I?”
Namir’s eyebrows lifted in amusement, but Zosar spoke first. “Should the King not have sponsored your visit, your presence here would be most unwelcome. Your kind do not belong here with your pagan deities and unrighteous idols.” His eyes narrowed on her necklace. “You have come bearing tokens of your gods, which is a clear attack on Re, and yet you use the King’s mercy as your excuse.”
Zahra placed her hand on her necklace. “I made no such attack. It was you who attacked me and my people the moment I entered the room.”
Namir’s eyes narrowed in warning. “Servant of Bahiti.”
Zosar stepped toward her, holding out his hand. “Give me your token.”
Zahra tightened her grip on her necklace. “I will not.”
“It is my role as Re’s most trusted servant to ensure incorrect beliefs are cast out. The people of Ionia fear the moon more than they fear the might of the sun. Therefore, your token is an offense to Re. Surrender it, now.”
“We love the moon as much as you love the sun,” Zahra corrected, “because we believe she has the right to be valued. Tonight,yourpeople will celebrate her passion and vigor. You can’t do so and deny us the same right!”
