Page 146 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir pulled away, resting his head against hers as he stroked her cheek. “I should have known it was you all along.”
“I think you did,” Zahra said. “Despite my best efforts, you did your best to keep me. I was the one who was stubborn.”
Namir chuckled. “I had my fair share of stubbornness.” His face grew serious, and he dropped his hand to the place on her chest where the arrow had struck her all those nights ago.“Despite knowing what could have happened, I wish it hadn’t hit you. It was aimed at my heart.”
Zahra took his hand in hers, moving it over her heart. “I am alive.Weare alive. We have all we need to end this day for good.”
Namir smiled softly. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I know.” Zahra moved her hand back to his neck. “There is still one more thing, my King.”
“Of course.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Are you ready?”
Zahra smiled and nodded. Namir placed his hands on her cheeks, cradling her head as he pulled her in for another kiss. Her body buzzed with energy as the marks on his chest glowed. The mark with the wings disappeared from his chest, and there was a burning feeling on her own chest. She pulled away, wincing as the mark appeared on her skin. It glowed for a few moments before vanishing.
Namir stepped back, pulling her with him. “Now that that’s finished, there is somewhere I want to take you.”
Zahra’s eyebrows raised. “Where would this be?”
“It’s a surprise,” Namir teased, “but it’s outside of the kingdom.”
Zahra’s smile faded. “Namir, you know I can’t?—”
“It will be only us,” Namir promised. “Zosar and the assassins are detained. Nothing can harm us.”
Zahra thought of an excuse, but Namir was right. Iset could send nothing else their way. “Only if I can ride my own horse.”
Namir smiled. “I would not have it any other way.
The sun followed their journey, growing closer to the horizon as they drew nearer to the edge of the kingdom. They rode throughthe gates of Rhakotis, following the river until they moved west toward open land. When Namir finally came to a stop, the sun was setting. Zahra slid off her steed, and Namir tied both horses to a tree. Their view was obscured by a small hill. Humid wind that smelled of salt swept her curls from her face.
Namir removed his cloak and took her hand, his bare shoulders shining in the setting sun. “Close your eyes.”
Zahra laughed, amusing him by obeying his instructions. “I can hear it.”
He hushed her, taking her hands and leading her away from the horses. Her weak sandals slipped on the rocks and wet sand as they climbed the hill. The ground began to level out, wet sand penetrating the spaces between her toes.
Zahra laughed as she slipped, and Namir caught her in his arms. After several more steps, Namir stopped. He released her hands, whispering in her ear, “Open them.”
Zahra sucked in a breath as she opened her eyes. The beautiful Sea danced before her, its sweet song rushing over her. The sun was setting over the horizon, painting delicate purples, pinks, and oranges over the sky. The colors dipped into the Sea, blending with its magnificent blue.
Zahra breathed like she had not breathed in years, savoring the air’s salty flavor. The Sea lapped at her feet, and she stepped forward, letting it touch her ankles. It seemed to beckon her in, and she could almost hear it speaking to her.Come in. Come home.
She dipped her fingers into the sand, letting the water wash over her palms. The hem of her dress drifted in the water, and she gladly let it as the sun shone on her face. “I forgot how endless it is. It is as if there is nothing but water for the rest of the world.” She looked up and found Namir standing over her, watching her with a joyful smile.
“Well?” he asked, smiling with a boyish grin. “Are you going in?”
She laughed. “It is a little cold.”
He shrugged. “We can build a fire.”
Namir scooped her up, holding her legs and shoulders as she let out a gleeful squeal. With one jump, he submerged them both.
Zahra breached the surface, pushing her wet curls from her eyes. Namir popped up, holding one of her sandals. She had not even realized it had slipped off her foot. She laughed, reaching for it. “I need to get new ones.”
He held it out of her reach, flashing a cocky grin. “I think I shall hold onto it.”
Zahra smirked, a competitive gleam in her eye. She lunged for the shoe. Namir stepped back, struggling to run against the current.
