Page 100 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“You will be safer elsewhere,” Namir insisted. “Your safety is my top priority.”
She refused to let go. “And yours is mine.”
Ramses put his hand on her shoulder. “It is time to go.”
The Great Overseer rode his horse outside, gathering his forces and heading around the back of the house where Zahra had seen Pesha.
Namir put his hand on Zahra’s cheek, and his silver ring pressed against her skin. “You have a way to see me. I promise, I will call for you if I need you.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “Namir, I?—”
Shouts could be heard from behind the house, and amedjaygrabbed Namir’s arm. “My King, we must leavenow.”
Namir held Zahra a moment longer before letting go and following themedjayto his horse.
23
The Forgotten Goddess
Zahra sat on the steps by the garden, her seashell necklace clasped in her hand. She closed her eyes, focusing on Namir’s ring. She saw his smoky form inside a building in Khem.Medjaysurrounded the place. He was still safe—for now.
Zahra let out a breath, leaning back and looking at the sky. The sun was dipping closer to the horizon, and she had received no word from Namir about the assassins. She felt helpless. Though she had learned how to reach out to Namir’s ring or learn Badari, there were many things that sat on the edge of her mind, things she knew could help them both if she tried to master them, but she was not sure how.
Zahra fingered her mother’s necklace. She had thought a lot about her mother as of late. Omar rarely spoke of her after her death, so most of the stories she had about her were from Heba or her own memory. The thing that burned at her most now was a question she was not sure either of them could answer—if her mother, too, was asibyl.
Ramses came bearing cool water and some food. He signed to her after he had set the tray beside her. “I received word that they have found some of the assassins.”
Relief flooded Zahra’s chest, and she signed back to him. “Is Namir returning here?”
Ramses shook his head. “He is remaining in hiding until all of them are found. He instructed that you stay here for the remainder of the day.”
Disappointment ate at her heart. She had wanted to see him again today.
Zahra turned her attention to the food, thanking Ramses for bringing it before eating.
Ramses sat beside her, catching her attention before signing. “What is troubling you?”
Zahra smiled. He hardly knew her, but somehow he could see her true feelings when few others could. “Many things.”
Ramses looked at her inquisitively. “Name one.”
Zahra bit her lip. “Geb’s confession.”
Zahra tried to explain her thoughts to Ramses, spelling out the words when she couldn’t think of the sign for her thoughts. It was clear to her that whoever sent Geb that letter was also responsible for the one sent to her father. Though the Thoth was safe in hiding now, Zahra wondered how they had come to know of it and its importance. As for the assassins, they had been here for weeks, and yet they chose to attack late tonight, on a day with almost limitless chances for success. The assassins, the Thoth, her father, and Geb were all connected in some way, but Zahra couldn’t see how.
Ramses was quiet after Zahra finished her explanation. After several moments, he raised his eyebrows and signed. “Have you asked your father more about the letter? He may have more to say.”
Zahra smiled at the idea, and she set her food aside. “You are right. He could know more.” Perhaps there was something he never told them that would complete the puzzle. He might have thoughts on the Thoth and the assassins as well. Perhaps he could see something she couldn’t.
“Could you have someone fetch my father and meet us at the library? I have research to do there, and I think he can help me.”
Ramses smiled and bowed his head before standing. “Yes.”
Zahra was surprised at the gesture, but she inclined her head to him, picking up the tray to return inside.
When Zahra and Ramses arrived at the library, most of the scribes had already gone home. Some were still searching records, even though everyone had been told to stop for the day. Nubia was gone as well, and Zahra was disappointed she couldn’t ask for her feedback.
Zahra had fetched the scroll and key to the hidden library when Omar arrived with twomedjayin tow. His eyes lit up when he saw her. “Poulaki mou.”
