Page 75 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Zahra massaged her fingers as Heba left her. If not even Selene could protect Zahra, then she doubted that Heba’s crystals and prayers could. Still, she would take the amulet. Perhaps it would help.
Zahra stood as Heba offered her a small cord with a piece of black onyx. “This should ward off the spirits, and we can cleanse the spirit from you after the celebrations.”
Zahra took the cord and slipped it over her head. “Thank you, Heba.” She hid the amulet under her shawl before turning to the door. “Let me help you finish cleaning.”
Heba remained in the room as Zahra moved toward the door. “Zahra.”
Zahra paused. “Yes, Heba?”
Heba stepped toward her. “I am ready to listen whenever you need.”
Zahra smiled softly. “I know.”
Heba smiled, placed her hand on Zahra’s back, and led her outside. “Let us go help the others.”
Zahra helped gather the food into bowls as dusk claimed the land and the moon shone overhead. The group of kids laughed in the distance, hiding from view in the low light. Zahra saw Ramses still signing with the girl from before.
“Where is your other friend?” Heba asked.
Zahra’s brow furrowed, and fear gnawed at her chest. “I don’t know.”
The children ran into view, tossing around a ball. Relief flooded Zahra’s chest as she found Namir among them, trying to catch the ball. The children laughed, tossing it over his head with expert aim and nimble hands. Zahra laughed in disbelief as Namir caught the ball, feigning tiredness so they could grab it from him.
“You should join them.” Heba gestured with her hand. “He only knows you here. It will be good for you to be with him.”
Zahra nodded. “Yes…I think I will.” She left her task behind and walked up to the group.
Namir stopped moving and grinned as she approached, even as the children were hanging on his legs and back, trying to get the ball. “Zahra!”
She grinned. “May I join?”
He smiled and tossed the ball in her direction. “Catch.”
Zahra caught the ball, fumbling with it in her hands. The kids detached from Namir and swarmed her. Zahra laughed and ran away. The moon grew higher as Zahra and Namir tossed the ball to each other, stealing it from the kids and running into each other when the kids stole it back.
Namir caught the ball from Zahra and was immediately tackled to the ground. Zahra laughed as the children shoved Namir into the dirt and sand. She leaned against a tree as they reclaimed the ball once more and called for him.
“I think I am done for now.” He grinned at Zahra as he walked over to her, breathing heavily. He was covered in a layer of dirt and sweat, his shirt half open, and his curls stuck to his wet forehead. He brushed his curls away from his eyes. “What is that game called? I have never seen it before.”
“Ouriania,” Zahra answered. “It is from Ionia.”
Silence filled the space as they watched the children play. “Do you ever miss it?”
Zahra raised her eyebrows. “The game?”
“Your homeland.”
“Of course.” She fingered her curls. “But it’s gone. Aur is my home now.”
Namir watched her hands. “What was it like?”
She smiled at his question. “Who knew the King of Aur would be curious about a dead land?”
He grinned. “I genuinely wish to know!”
Zahra laughed. Namir smiled as her laughter settled in her chest. She bit her lip as she looked up at the stars. “I lived on a beach. My village had the most trees and the clearest skies. Mymamáandpatérwould take me out on the Sea, and we would count the stars and tell stories of our ancestors who lived up there.”
Namir’s brows raised. “In the sky?”
