Page 55 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“The Pharaoh will have us killed for a crime we did not commit.” She turned away, soft sobs working their way up her throat.
Themedjayforced her forward.
Namir grabbed her arm. “Zahra.”
The sound of her name on his lips calmed the raging emotions within her. Namir’s black eyes fought to keep her gaze. He believed her, and she believed him. He would save her.
“I will speak to her,” he promised, and then he was gone.
12
The King’s Mistake
Zahra hugged her legs, moonlight from the window above her illuminating her toes. The prison was halfway in the ground. The entrance was in the tiny room above them and filled withmedjay. It was somewhere between three and four Atum, and there had been no news from the King or the Pharaoh Queen.
Zahra took a deep breath, letting the cool air soothe her tight chest. Namir would speak to the Pharaoh Queen. He would make her understand. All would be well.
“If only he didn’t also remember,” Omar said from his spot on the floor. “You could try again tomorrow.”
“He will help us.” The words hung in the air, but Zahra believed them. She had to. She couldn’t give up hope.
“I planned to steal something.” His gaze met hers. His eyes were tired, swollen from tears. “That alone is worthy of execution in the Pharaoh Queen’s eyes.”
Zahra shook her head. “I trust the King.”
Omar sighed and sat beside her. “Poulaki mou.”He hesitated. “If I die tonight?—”
“You will not.” She almost saidwe, but she remembered what she had told him. As long as Namir was on their side, her father would never find out the truth.
“If,” he repeated. “My debt will be gone, and you will be free, but I want you to stay with Darius and Bahiti.”
Zahra leaned away from him. “What?”
“They will take care of you. Bahiti is a kind master; she and her husband have done much for us since we arrived in Aur.”
You know nothing of what kind of master she is, Zahra almost told him, but she turned away instead. “I want to leave her, Patér. Don’t you understand?”
“It’s not wise.” Omar put a hand on her shoulder. “She will use your skills. You will be happy there. And Kanefer is there.”
Zahra gritted her teeth. “Remember why we stopped speaking, Patér?”
“You were best friends as children. He is good for you, if only you would give him another chance.” Omar leaned back against the wall. “Please, Zahra. I don’t want to die with this rift between us.”
Zahra hugged herself, ache eating away at her jaw as she clenched it.
“Please,” Omar begged after a few moments. “Promise me you will stay with her.”
Zahra let out a trembling sigh. “I can’t promise that, Patér.”
The door swung open, and twomedjaywalked in. “The Pharaoh Queen demands your presence.”
Zahra and Omar glanced at each other.
Zahra took a deep breath, lowering her voice. “All will be well, Patér.”
Themedjaybound their hands with rope and carried them to thepr-aaon horseback.
Zahra looked around in awe as they approached the throne room. The doors were large and covered in jewels and intricate carvings.Medjaypulled them open from the other side, letting the prisoners in.
