Page 51 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Ramses helped Zahra off the horse and guided her inside. Zahra’s eyes filled with awe as she entered through the main doors. The inside of thepr-aawas grand, with large, rectangular rooms with plants and statues ofnetjerusprinkled throughout. The walls and pillars were decorated with carvings of Badari and painted with vibrant colors. Geometric and floral patterns covered the floor. The walls themselves were higher than even those of the temple, and lush fabric hung from open ceilings and around tall windows that let the light and heat in. Open tunnels in the floor carried water from Iteru to indoor gardens, which bloomed with flowers and trees that provided shade and cool air to those walking by.
Ramses and Zahra climbed the stairs to the second floor, where there were more designs depicting Aur’s history and the Pharaohs of old. There were even moremedjayon this floor. An older military official stepped in their path. His stance was tall and domineering, and he wore an expensive cloak. His head was bald, and he had a black-and-gray beard. A large scar was on the side of his face. Insignia on his clothing and his silver jewelry signified a high military office.
Zahra recognized him instantly: Namir’s uncle, the Great Overseer of Aur’s Army.
Ramses bowed his head to the Great Overseer. “Waaiz.”
Waaiz looked gruffly at Zahra. “Why is she here?”
“The King requested I bring her to him,” Ramses answered. “For what purpose, I don’t know, but he said it was important.”
Waaiz scrutinized Zahra’s face. He turned to Ramses and began to sign. Waaiz’s face became increasingly confused and angry as the two conversed. After several minutes, he finally stepped aside.
Ramses led Zahra to a room at the end of a hall. There were threemedjaypositioned outside, all of whom stepped asidewhen Ramses approached. Ramses knocked on the door, waited a moment, and then pushed it open.
The room was comprised of a lush bed, several chests, and a desk. Namir was waiting near the desk, wearing the clothes she had seen him in yesterday morning. Ramses shut the door behind Zahra, leaving the two alone.
Zahra bowed deeply. “My King.”
Namir waved his hand. “There is no need for that. Please, take a seat.”
Zahra’s gaze followed his line of sight to the bed.
“I know it is not the most ideal meeting place.” Namir took a seat at the desk. “Waaiz will not let me leave this room with news of the assassins.”
That was why Ramses had come for her this morning. Zahra sat upon the bed, surprised at its plushness. “Ramses said you had questions for me.”
Namir clasped his hands together on the desk. “I do, but first I wanted to thank you.”
Zahra blinked. “Thank me?”
He nodded. “You saved my life at the cost of your own.”
Zahra avoided his gaze. “I knew I would come back.”
“You knew as well as I did that the spell could have ended last night,” Namir countered. “Still, you risked your life.”
She rubbed her arm. “I hoped that a king couldn’t be killed so easily.”
Namir inclined his head to her. “I am grateful regardless.”
Zahra was stunned by the act. She cleared her throat as she pushed a curl behind her ear. “Was Lady Eshe your bride?”
“No.” His features showed his relief as he said it. “I am grateful for that. She was young, and her heart belonged to another.”
Zahra nodded in agreement, though she knew he was not entirely relieved. The day of the Pa-sekhemty Feast wouldcontinue, and the hunt for his bride had resumed. “What will you do now?”
“I plan to fulfill our deal.”
Zahra’s mouth fell open. “But I am a criminal. You brought me here to ask me questions about the assassins, not to help me.”
“I have questions about the assassins as well,” Namir clarified. “But you saved my life. That, at the very least, warrants that I hear you out.”
Zahra considered his words as she studied his face. Was he telling the truth?
Namir turned away from her and picked up a blank papyrus from his desk. He folded it in his hands. “What makes you believe your father is innocent?”
Zahra hesitated. Namir’s curious black eyes landed on her. She breathed out, playing with her dress as she spoke. “Every day around the hour of Re, a temple messenger arrives with a letter from my father instructing me to leave the kingdom.”
