Page 11 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra came by Jala’s side. “What is happening?”
Jala turned to Zahra with excitement. “There’s amedjayupstairs! We think he is going to ask to marry one of the girls.”
Zahra’s eyes went wide. Nomedjaycame yesterday. At least, she did not think one did. She racked her brain for an answer, but the memories were difficult to grasp. Doubt swirled in her chest. Was any of last night real?
The whispering between the servants increased, and many glanced at Zahra. Her chest tightened at their wary faces. Why were they looking at her?
The servants scrambled at the sound of someone approaching the stairs. Zahra was shoved off balance, and she fell to the floor. Bahiti emerged from the stairwell, her eyes narrowed on the faces of the servants standing awkwardly around the room. Her gaze landed on Zahra, and her nose turned up in disgust. “What are you doing on the floor? Why are you wet?”
Zahra’s chest tightened as she got to her feet. “I was about to change, Mistress.”
“Change quickly, then,” Bahiti ordered. “He wishes to speak to you.”
Zahra froze as Bahiti turned around. “Who?”
Bahiti glanced over her shoulder. “The commander.”
Zahra’s face paled as Bahiti went upstairs. The face of the commander from last night—the one who had killed her—came into her mind.
Zahra ducked into her room and began digging through her chest, pulling out clothes to change into and the bag she was going to use to carry Eshe’s dress. The commander could only be there because of her father. He must have also remembered the day had come before, and he was here to arrest her before she could escape.
Zahra changed quickly, pulling on a new dress and shawl and tossing her savings into the bag. She had to find her father and warn him. The commander would see fit to kill them both.
Bahiti’s voice came from outside. “Sobki!”
Panic filled Zahra’s chest. She threw her bag into her hammock, hoping Bahiti wouldn’t hear the clink of the coins as the bag rolled to a stop.
Bahiti threw open the door. “What are you doing? I told you to come upstairs!”
“I will be up in a moment,” Zahra promised.
Bahiti grabbed her arm, her eyes narrowed. “You will comenow.”
Zahra reached for her hammock as Bahiti dragged her out of the door. “Wait?—”
Bahiti pulled her close once they were in the stairwell, whispering harshly to her, “Stand up. I do not wantthisto be how the commander views my servants. Wait a few moments before you follow me into the room.” She released Zahra’s arm, leading the way up the stairs.
Zahra straightened her back and followed Bahiti, her fists clenched at her sides. She eyed the front door as Bahiti turned toward the eating room to the left. If she ran, how far would she make it before the commander grabbed her? Surely he had brought reinforcements.
Zahra sucked in a deep breath and walked toward the eating room. No. She would have to face him herself.
Laughter came from the room as Zahra approached. Femi’s voice rang through the room. “Commander! I never thought your line of work would bring about such funny stories!”
A foreign voice chuckled. “My work is never without its moments of laughter.”
Zahra lingered outside of the room as she considered the voice. This couldn’t be the same man who had killed her the night before. His voice was lighter, bolder, and younger. Then who had come for her?
The commander spoke again. “Thank you for hosting me while I wait, Bahiti. This breakfast is delightful.”
“We are delighted to have you here,” Bahiti replied. “My servant should be here soon. She was running errands for me and got a little lost on her way back.”
“I am not worried,” he said. “Tell me?—”
The commander paused as Zahra appeared in the doorway. The group was sitting at the family’s table, with Femi and Keket on either side of him. Bahiti conversed with him from the opposite side of the table. The commander himself was tall, even compared to Bahiti’s daughters, who had their father’s stature. A leather vest covered a white shirt, which was simple and clean. He was young, perhaps a year or two her elder. As he turned to her, Zahra recognized his star-filled eyes.
“Ah, there she is.” The commander stood, smiling. “Zahra, is it?”
Zahra stared in shock. All manner of propriety and respect left her mind. This was the man from the Pharaohs’ Gardens last night. How had he found her?
