Page 50 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Pesha gagged, falling off balance as Zahra pulled. They tumbled to the ground, but Zahra kept her weight on Pesha, pinning her down. She looked at Namir with alarmed eyes. “Go!”
Namir stared at her in bewilderment. “But?—”
“Namir, go!”
He scrambled to his feet, holding his side as he ran toward the lights of thepr-aa.
Pesha threw Zahra off and locked Zahra to the ground with her knees. Zahra screamed, trying to shove her off. Pesha held themakhairato Zahra’s neck, her eyes narrowing as she hissed. “Traitor.”
Zahra’s screams were cut off as Pesha drew themakhairaacross her throat. Darkness ate at the corners of Zahra’s vision as she flung her arms and legs. Blood sputtered from her throat.
Pesha pushed off her and ran after Namir.
No, Zahra wanted to say.No! Stop!
Amedjaytackled Pesha, shoving hiskhopeshinto her side. Pesha gasped, crumpling to the ground. Hermakhairaclattered against a rock, finally settling in the dirt.
Voices swirled in Zahra’s head as her vision blurred. Namir was working his way back to her, the reflection from Ramses’s armor catching Zahra’s gaze. With Ramses came reinforcements, some of whom had already detained the other assassins.
Themedjayswarmed Namir, ensuring he was alright. Zahra’s body panicked as she struggled to move or find air. Hereyes rolled into the back of her head as themedjaythat killed Pesha came to her. He put his hand on the back of her neck and waved his other hand in front of her face.
“Let me through,” Namir demanded, his voice distant as Zahra fell into darkness.
11
The Father’s Confession
Zahra swallowed a lump in her throat as she knelt before the river. Her hands shook as she washed the clothes. She looked back at the treeline often, waiting for someone to emerge.
The King had so clearly laid out her fate the night before that she knew he would come for her. She had saved his life, but would that be enough to change his mind? Her father was a criminal, she was a liar, and by the decree of Aur’s laws, they were both bound for execution. Zahra could try to run, but it would be of no use.
The other servants began packing up their loads, and Zahra glanced back at the trees once more. The King had not come for her.
Zahra followed the servants back to the estate, hanging the clothes to dry before taking her basket inside. All of the servants were standing by the stairs, listening and conversing about amedjayupstairs.
Zahra’s stomach dropped. He had come, after all. She took a deep breath, joining the others by the stairs.
Jala was standing nearby, and turned when she saw Zahra. “Zahra, they?—”
“I know.” Zahra pushed past the small crowd, walking up the stairs.
Bahiti’s voice rang through the room. “Of course. I will have a servant fetch her for you.”
Bahiti’s eyebrows raised in surprise as Zahra entered the room. She bowed to Bahiti. “Mistress, I heard you were looking for me.” She turned to bow to Namir, but she froze when she saw Ramses standing there instead.
Ramses’s features were stoic as usual, and he scrutinized her appearance, turning to Bahiti when she spoke again.
“Zahra, this is Ramses, the Captain of the King’s Guard. He has some questions for you.”
Zahra’s legs stiffened as Ramses turned back to her, motioning toward the door. “We will speak out here.”
Zahra nodded, avoiding Bahiti’s gaze as she followed Ramses outside. He led her to his horse, which was tied nearby with a boy watching over it. Ramses paid the boy, and once the child had run off, he turned to Zahra. “The King has requested your presence at thepr-aa.”
Zahra swallowed and nodded. “I will go willingly.”
Ramses helped her onto the horse, riding behind her. Thepr-aawas the first thing to come into Zahra’s vision as they approached Inebu-hedj. Iteru flowed to the north, its waters sparkling and littered with boats. A large port could be seen not far off, the first completed of sixteen new ports commissioned by the King.
As they approached the front entrance, Zahra noticed several groups ofmedjayguarded thepr-aa’sperimeters. Had it been this protected the night before?
