Page 123 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra shook her head against Katerina’s chest. “But I can’t break my curse! How am I to do these many things if I am dead?”
“Because you will live.” Katerina stroked Zahra’s curls. “O chara, this was never meant to be a fight you would face alone.”
Zahra choked down a sob. “Then I have already missed my chance. He has given up on me.”
“The only one who has given up is you.” Katerina held her close, kissing her curls as she cried. “Don’t fret, Rhodopis. Your King is on his way, and I will stay with you until he arrives.”
Zahra hugged her mother. “I have missed you, Mamá.”
Katerina smiled against Zahra’s curls. “I have always been here.”
Loud voices startled Zahra out of her sleep. “Where is she? Zahra? Zahra!”
Zahra opened her eyes. Namir was running toward her. He cupped her cheek, his other hand holding her arm. His worried eyes trailed the wounds on her neck and head. “What has she done to you?”
Zahra blinked slowly. Was it really him?
A sob worked its way into her throat. “I almost killed her.”
“No. She hurt you. She…” His fingers hovered over the bruises on her neck, rage in his eyes. “I should never have left.I’m so sorry. I thought you were in thepr-aaall this time. I didn’t realize…”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I drove you away.”
Namir’s forehead creased, and he knelt beside the bed, tucking one of her curls behind her ear. “You could never drive me away. I needed some time with my thoughts. That is all.”
Zahra’s lip trembled. “I thought you wouldn’t come. I am doomed, and I…I have given up.”
Namir wiped the tears from her face, smiling softly. “But I have not. I will not rest until I find a way. Thenetjerubrought us together, and I will not let us part.”
A sob escaped her chest, and she lifted her trembling hands to her face.
Namir sat on the bed beside her, pulling her into his lap. “I am here, Zahra. I will not leave you. Rest, please. All will be well in the morning.”
Zahra leaned into his chest, looking around at the others in the room. Her father, themedjay, and Ramses were all quiet. Those that spoke did so in a whisper. The sky was dark, and Omar looked at Zahra somberly.
Zahra relaxed in Namir’s arms and closed her eyes, thinking of the Sea’s comforting rocking as she drifted off to sleep.
28
A Vision of the Thoth
Ahand stroked Zahra’s hair, waking her from her dream. She groaned and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Her sight was blurred, but she smiled as she blinked. “Namir.”
He smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. “Good morning, Zahra.”
Zahra sat up in her hammock, grunting with effort as she swung her legs over the edge. Namir’s face twisted with worry, and he held his hand out to steady her. “Take it slow.”
Her tired body obeyed, and she rested in the hammock. “What time is it?”
“Almost three Khepri.” He placed the back of his hand on her forehead, his brow furrowing. “You are warm.”
Zahra said nothing.
Namir’s eyes grew sadder when he saw her lack of surprise. He took his hand away. “Perhaps Zosar will know what ails you.”
Zahra’s forehead creased in apprehension.
“I know you do not like him,” Namir said, “but he is knowledgeable in ancient magic.”
