Page 152 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
His eyes narrowed. “Are you certain?”
Themedjayhollered for him to move, and Zahra let go of his hand. “I am certain.”
She bid Ahmose goodbye and followed Ramses toward thepr-aa. The obelisk chimed three times. As they approached the event area, Zahra heard the other maidens speaking about her.
“What is asobkidoing here?”
“The King will not chooseher.”
“Ew, did you see her shoes?”
And yet, even with those that mocked or shunned her behind her back, she heard just as many offering words of kindness.
“Look at how beautiful her dress is.”
“I wish my Ionian friend had come. She would have loved to see this.”
Ramses offered his hand to Zahra as they approached the more crowded area. She shook her head. “I wish to walk to him myself.”
Ramses fell behind as she pushed through the crowd. There were many who stared, but Zahra took their stares in stride. Though the day was not new for her, it was a new day for her people—one that would be remembered for generations.
Zahra paused at the edge of the room, holding her eagle necklace tight and looking up. Katerina watched from atop one of the nearby sculptures. With a bob of her head, Katerina took off into the sky, and Zahra turned back to the crowd, keeping her head high as she walked. She found a pair of black eyes in the crowd and smiled.
The maidens spoke excitedly to each other. “The King is coming this way!”
Zahra stayed still, letting him come to her. The maidens went silent, watching Namir as he passed. Those in front of him, upon seeing his true target, stepped to the side and made a path for him.
Namir looked like a King. It had been so long since she had seen him like this, bearing his goldenusekhcollar and golden bracelets. His curls fell out from beneath his golden crown. He extended his hand to her, grinning. “Daughter of Nebthet, would you dance with me?”
Zahra placed her hand in his. “I would be honored, my King.”
Namir pulled Zahra into the center of the room. The maidens made space for them, pushing each other back to the edges to watch. Others took off in a fury or went to the food table with defeated-looking faces.
Namir raised his eyebrows at her. “You are late.”
Zahra shrugged. “I couldn’t come to the Pa-sekhemty Feast in servant’s clothes.”
“You are right.” He let go of her waist, spinning her. The crowd gasped as she returned to him. “This suits you. You look not at all like an Auran but?—”
“Like an Ionian?” She grinned at his teasing smile. “I wanted to bring my home with me. This was Heba’s daughter’s dress. The people in Heba’s settlement gifted me some jewelry and perfume as well.”
Namir breathed in the smell. “Amazing gifts, indeed.” He pulled her closer. “Are you ready to end this spell?”
Zahra grinned. “We do have a captive audience.”
“Don’t mind them.” He held her hand tight, resting his forehead against hers. “Focus on me.”
Zahra looked into his eyes. Namir smiled and spoke words in Badari. The spot where his mark hid under his collar glowed, and she could feel the warmth of a glow on her own chest. The area itched, and she sensed the Thoth’s powers retract back into it. The pressure on her mind from holding back Zosar’s spell disappeared. She let out a breath. Her eyes slipped closed as she recalled that first night, meeting Namir under the stars, dancing with him in front of a thousand others, and being struck by Pesha’s arrow.
The pressure faded in an instant. All seemed silent around them. Namir rubbed her back, whispering to her, “It is done.”
Zahra looked around as her senses returned to her. Most of the maidens were no longer paying attention to them, instead picking at the food, dancing on their own, or leaving altogether. Those that watched had confused and curious stares, as if they had seen the glow that Namir and Zahra had briefly shared but were not sure what to think of it.
Zahra let out a breath of relief. “It feels like a dream.”
Namir placed his fingers under her chin, turning her head to him. “I promise you, it’s not.”
Zahra grinned. She moved closer to kiss him, but she stopped, remembering the many pairs of eyes still watching them. “Maybe we should go somewhere else.”
