Page 128 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zosar lifted his brow. “On your choice of bride?”
Namir’s jaw ticked. “No. She is cursed. We need help freeing her from it.”
“Cursed?” Zosar stepped back, apprehension in his features. “You are certain of this?”
Namir nodded. “She dies every night.”
Understanding dawned on Zosar’s face. “I see why you have not ended the spell.”
A knock came at the door. Nubia popped her head in. Her eyes widened upon seeing the small crowd. “I apologize. I did not mean to interrupt.”
“You may come in.” Zosar turned to Namir. “Have her sit on the couch. I will see what I can do, but I cannot promise that I can do anything to help. If she truly dies every night, the curse on her must be powerful.”
“Die?” Nubia asked, horrified.
Ramses smiled at her and guided her to a chair.
Namir held Zahra’s hand, offering a comforting smile as he sat her down. “Just breathe. I will be right here.”
Zahra took in a deep breath and nodded.
Namir sat down on the other couch beside Nubia, who took his hand and started whispering to him, her eyebrows knitted in worry. He whispered back, gesturing to Zahra as he explained.
Zosar stood in front of Zahra, blocking her view of Namir. He lifted her arm, examining it. Though she was sure the others couldn’t see it, she could see green glitter dance around his eyes as he looked her over. He turned his attention to her other arm, then her legs and feet. She flinched as he touched her face, his wrinkled hands soft yet firm as he pulled at her cheeks and nose. “Herkais injured, but I can see no trace of what wounded her.”
“I saw that, too,” Namir said. “Can you see anything else?”
Zosar leaned back to look at Zahra’s entirety. He shook his head. “I see nothing else.”
Nubia rubbed Namir’s back. “Please, Hem-netjer,there must be something.”
“There is nothing,” Zosar insisted. “I—Wait, what is this?” He reached forward, touching her shoulder. There was a flash of red, and Zahra gasped as she saw a snake in place of Zosar. She shoved it away from her.
Everyone in the room stood, except Zosar, who sat on the floor. Horror was painted onto everyone’s faces.
“What is that?” Nubia cried, tears in her eyes.
“Oh,” Zosar whispered. “My dear boy.”
Zahra looked down. The snake she had seen on herself in the Duat was wrapped around her chest. Its eyes glowed, and its teeth were hooked into the skin over her heart. The snake had grown, now wrapping around her lower torso.
Namir helped Zosar off the floor. “You have to help her!”
“This is powerful magic,” Zosar said, steadying himself. “I have only seen its kind in ancient scrolls.”
“Then there must be a cure,” Namir insisted.
Zosar shook his head. “Not that I have read.”
Namir grabbed Zosar’s arm. “Please, Zosar. You said you would be there to help me when I became King. This is it. I need your help.”
Zosar sighed. “I will see what I can do, son.”
“Thank you.” Namir moved toward Zahra, but Zosar stopped him.
“Stay back,” he hissed. “It may turn on you once it leaves her.” He faced Zahra. “Lie down on the floor.”
An eagle’s cry sounded from outside, and Zahra turned to the window. There was nothing at first, but then she saw her mother fly past, letting out another shriek.
