Page 57 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“Bring her here.”
Zahra yelped as rough hands grabbed her and pulled her forward. Omar yelled as they dragged her across the floor. She was tossed at the Pharaoh Queen’s feet, her knees, shoulders, and face crashing into the limestone tile.
“Mwt—” Namir cried out.
The Pharaoh Queen interrupted him. “Kneel.”
Zahra struggled to lift herself, her hands bound tightly behind her. Her knees groaned as she bowed deeply to the Pharaoh Queen.
The Pharaoh Queen stood from her throne, coming to a stop in front of Zahra. She grasped Zahra’s chin, wrenching Zahra’s neck upward. Zahra cried out as pain raced to her skull, but she promptly closed her mouth as the Pharaoh Queen looked down at her.
Wisps of gray hair slipped out from beneath the Pharaoh Queen’s wig as she studied Zahra’s face, turning Zahra’s head to analyze every part of it. After a moment, she pulled Zahra closer and stared into her eyes. The Pharaoh Queen’s eyes were dark like Namir’s, but Zahra did not see stars within them.
Instead, she saw fire—the power of the sun came from within the Pharaoh Queen’s eyes. Heat from the sun’s flames licked at Zahra’s cheeks, and Zahra whimpered under the Pharaoh Queen’s touch, which burned like hot iron. Her frame trembled, the might of the sun overwhelming. This was a woman to be feared—a ruler without her other half and with the magic of the sunnetjerat her disposal.
The Pharaoh Queen threw Zahra away from her. “Sorceress.”
Gasps filled the space as Zahra collided with the ground and let out a pained cry. She looked up at the Pharaoh Queen.
“She carries the mark of a foreignnetjerwithin her,” the Pharaoh Queen announced. “She will be executed for her crimes, and the other will be branded and banished as an example.”
“No!” Omar moved to stand, butmedjaywere on him in seconds. “Please, kill me instead!”
“I am not a sorceress,” Zahra cried. “I don’t know why I remember, but I did not work with the assassins, nor did we take the Thoth!”
The Pharaoh Queen’s jaw ticked, and she turned on Namir. “Youtoldher?”
“I—I had to.” Doubt flashed in his eyes as he glanced at Zahra. “I thought it necessary.”
The Pharaoh Queen threw her arms out. “Now our most precious gift is gone, and they have the secrets to use it against us.”
“I do not think they are the ones behind the assassins.” Namir shook his head, his brow furrowed. “It does not make sense. Why would they kill her if?—”
“Do not question their madness.” The Pharaoh Queen turned on Zahra. “Where are the assassins? Where have you hidden them?”
“I don’t know!” Zahra choked down a sob. “My King, please?—”
“Silence!” The Pharaoh Queen nodded to Waaiz. “End her.”
Waaiz stepped forward, unsheathing hiskhopesh. Omar yelled, struggling against themedjay.
“Mwt,” Namir cautioned, stepping forward. “Please, I do not think?—”
“Silence, Menes!” The Pharaoh Queen walked back to her throne. “You have done enough. Let me handle this.”
Namir shrank back, looking over at Zahra with sorrow in his eyes. She caught his gaze, and he turned away.
Nubia stepped up and rubbed Namir’s back. “It is alright, brother.”
“Namir,” Zahra screamed. “Do something. Please, do something!”
“Enough,” Waaiz growled. He raised his blade.
Zahra fell on her back, trying to escape. “Please. No. No!”
Omar broke free of themedjay,and he ran toward them. Zahra screamed as Waaiz brought the blade down on her.
A line of blood spattered across Zahra’s face as thekhopeshhit another. Omar fell to the floor, twitching as he struggled for breath.
