Page 140 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir placed the Thoth on his bed, looking at his chest. He traced the mark of the circle and the wings that surrounded it. He let out a long sigh. “Do you think I can find her in one day?”
“The Thoth allows you to take as much time as you need,” Zosar said, picking up the Thoth. “Do not feel pressured to rush. You know what will happen if you choose wrong.”
“I know.”
Zosar left the room, and the vision changed. Namir was dressed in his clothes for the Feast, and he leaned over abalcony, looking at Aur below. The sun was setting, and the people below were busy with celebrations. Namir watched the scene with worried eyes.
Nubia leaned in the doorway, watching him. She stepped forward. “Jt said the first night was the worst.”
Namir looked back in surprise. His shoulders relaxed as his sister joined his side. “That was Jt. I am not worried.”
Nubia tilted her head, leaning on the balcony’s wall and raising her eyebrows. “I know you too well for your tricks, brother.”
Namir’s smile faded, and he looked back down at the crowd. “My choice will decide the kingdom’s fate. What if I choose wrong?”
“You will not,” she said. “Just because Jt chose Mwt quickly does not mean you need to. Take your time. The spell allows you to.”
“But I do not wish to use it more than necessary.” He placed his palms on the wall, and his brow creased. “I cannot help but feel as if I am going to fail.”
Nubia’s gaze drifted down to the kingdom. She bumped her arm playfully against Namir’s, mimicking his posture. “They are not only cheering for Re, you know. They are cheering foryou. You will be their Pharaoh soon. Are you not excited?”
“Of course, I am,” Namir said, looking out at the kingdom. “I am honored to be their King.”
“Then remember that,” Nubia said with a smile. “They believe in you, and so do I.”
Namir grinned. He opened his arms, and Nubia shook her head. “You know I am not?—”
Namir pulled her into a hug, smiling at her annoyed face. “Thank you, sister.”
The balcony was quiet as the vision changed once more. Namir was standing at the Feast, surrounded by thousandsof maidens. He had a smile on his face, but he was clearly overwhelmed. Girls clamored for his attention. Femi and Keket pushed a few to the side.
Femi bowed. “My King, I am the daughter of Darius, the hour priest.”
Keket shoved Femi to the side, smiling sweetly at Namir. “I am his youngest daughter.”
Femi pushed Keket back. “I was talking to him!”
“No, I was!”
Namir watched the pair with intense apprehension, and he darted away from them as soon as they were not paying attention to him. More maidens flocked to his side. The clock rang three Atum, and Namir looked exhausted and overwhelmed.
Suddenly, the music and loud chatter quieted. Namir followed the gazes of the maidens, who were all looking at someone. They whispered to each other, and someone laughed. “Why isshehere?”
Namir pushed through the crowd. Some girls looked up with smiles as if he was walking toward them, but when they realized he was going toward the source of the confusion, they stepped out of his way. Before him, many more maidens stepped aside. He froze in place as his gaze caught hold of a beautiful blue dress.
Startled amber eyes met his across the room. It was Zahra. Her hair was tied back in a fishtail braid decorated with silver star-like pins, and some of her curls hung around her ears. She was wearing Isadora’s wedding dress, and Isadora’s silverstefana—wedding crown—was on her head. A purple bruise was visible on her face.
The voices picked up, and other maidens stepped in Namir’s path. “My King!”
“My King, can I get you something to drink?”
“Dance with me!”
Zahra disappeared into the crowd, her amber eyes vanishing from his sight.
Namir stood in the center of the room, stunned. He ignored the others’ calls for attention, pushing his way toward the edge of the room. He left the Feast, searching the maidens standing outside. His gaze landed on a form leaning against one of the pillars.
Zahra’s eyes were turned toward the sky. She clutched her necklace tight, and her mouth moved as if speaking. She was praying.
