Page 145 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“I am sorry I worried you,” Namir said, “but I have something to tell you.”
Nubia’s gaze drifted to Zahra. She straightened herself. “Did you choose your bride?”
“Yes and no.” He gestured to her seat on the balcony. “Let me explain.”
Zahra stood in the doorway, listening as Namir explained all that they had seen and learned from the Thoth’s vision. “That night, the assassins hurt you, and in the chaos, I gave you the mark. But we have the assassins now, so they cannot hurt you again.”
Nubia leaned back in her seat, her face filled with confusion and fear. “I do not understand. Would I not remember as well?”
“You would if I had touched you since that day, but I have not. I have been searching for whoever had the mark, but all along it was you. Now, I can take the mark back from you so that I can end the Thoth’s spell.”
“End it? With…her?” Nubia clarified, glancing at Zahra.
Namir nodded. “Waaiz has already sent for Zosar’s capture. Once I give the mark to Zahra, I can end the spell tomorrow.”
Nubia rubbed her temples. “I still cannot understand. This is all too much.”
“I know it is,” Namir said, moving beside her, “but I promise all will be well.”
Nubia stood, taking a long breath. “Then do what you must to end this day. I do not want to give Zosar or those assassins more chances to hurt you.”
Namir smiled softly. “Thank you, Nubia.”
Zahra moved closer, and Namir took Nubia’s hand. Nubia sucked in a breath, her eyes widening and filling with tears. She looked overwhelmed, and Zahra’s heart hurt for her, knowing the feeling of remembering so many days at once.
The wings appeared on Nubia’s chest. As Namir held Nubia’s hand, the mark faded from her skin, reappearing on Namir’s chest.
Nubia fell forward into Namir. “I feel weak. I need a physician!”
Zahra helped Namir move Nubia to her bed. “I will fetch the physician,” she said as Namir propped Nubia up with pillows. She went out the doors, leaving Namir and Nubia alone.
34
The Sea
Zahra waited in Namir’s room, admiring the embroidery on his sheets. She glanced out the window. The sun was starting its descent in the sky. It was only one Re, but it felt as if so much more time had passed.
A knock came at the door. Zahra looked up. Namir was standing there, his tired eyes watching her. He smiled. “May I come in?”
Zahra smiled, standing to greet him. She took his hands. “How is she?”
“Doing well. Her strength is gone, but she is resting. She will recover.”
“I am glad.” Zahra studied his face. “I still can’t believe she was here all along.”
“Nor I.” He exhaled a shaky breath. “The memory of her death is fresh in my mind, though it happened so long ago now. I sat and talked with her for some time about what has happened since then, about why I chose her that night.”
Zahra rubbed her thumb against his palm. “Why did you choose her?”
“I don’t know,” Namir said, “but I think that in that moment, when I saw her wounded and dying, all I wanted was to save her. And so, the mark went to her.” He looked down, his forehead creased. “I think if I had had the chance to hold you right after you were struck, it would have gone to you instead, but everything happened so fast. I couldn’t be with you until after the assassins had been detained. If I had, we would have saved so much time.”
Zahra wrapped her arms around his neck. “But we wouldn’t have learned what we have. Despite what has happened, it’s good that you chose her that day.”
“I suppose so.” Namir wrapped his arms around her waist, swaying.
Zahra followed his movements as she stared into his eyes. She could recall the first time she met him—not in the garden, but on the steps of thepr-aa. His eyes were so alive during their first dance. Now, his face was tired, and deep, purple bags hung under his eyes. But he still had his bright smile.
Namir lifted his hand to her chin, tilting her head up as he leaned down. Zahra smiled as they kissed, glad for the safety they had behind thepr-aa’swalls. These past few days had been some of her longest, but she was thankful for this chance to slow down.
