Page 84 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
“Yes. I see that now. It is why I can see things no one else can, and it’s why I can remember that the day is repeating.” Shehalf laughed. “The Pharaoh Queen was right, after all. I am a sorceress.”
“She does not understand what you are,” Namir argued, “but I am beginning to.”
Zahra met his eyes. They were kind, not at all like the eyes that had condemned her to death so many nights ago. “I don’t yet understand everything about myself.” She hesitated. “But I know that I am meant to protect you.”
Namir’s brow furrowed. “From the assassins?”
“From dark forces which seek to bring about a horrible fate for this kingdom,” Zahra explained. “From what I have been told, the threat on your life occurring on today of all days is not a coincidence.”
Namir frowned. “I… I don’t understand.”
Zahra turned to the stream, recalling the screams she heard in the vision Katerina had shown her. “In truth, neither do I. And I know this is strange, but we must continue to work together to find your bride and end the spell. Otherwise, whoever wants you dead will win, and Aur will suffer a fate worse than anything it has faced before.”
Namir shook his head. “But I can’t find her, and I can’t end the day until I am certain you, Ramses, and so many others are out of harm’s way.”
Zahra’s voice caught in her throat as she studied Namir’s face. She could see the turmoil raging within him, and she recalled the many times he had watched in agony as she died before him. If she told him about her curse, he might not focus on finding his bride and ending the spell. She looked forward, accepting what she already knew. Namir would save her father and her people, and she would save him. She would find answers to her curse on her own.
“The assassins have only come out at night. Each night, I will remain with my father. My people will be protected, and youand Ramses will hide alone. We don’t know who we can trust.” She paused. “The ring will help us communicate. If ever there is danger, you can summon me, and I will come to your aid.”
Namir scoffed. “I can’t allow that. If you are hurt?—”
“Namir.” Her gaze softened. “Please. This is why I am here, and as long as you live, I will return.”
Namir looked away from her eyes, clenching his jaw. “I will only use it when needed.”
Zahra smiled softly. “That’s all I ask.”
Silence fell between them once more.
“Your cousin, Ahmose,” Namir began after several moments, “pointed out something I had long overlooked.”
Zahra looked at him curiously.
He focused his gaze on his hands. “Since my father’s death, some members of Aur’s nobility have questioned me, and it seems their disloyalty is worse than I thought. The assassins were likely brought into the kingdom by someone who had the resources and authority to do so undetected.”
Zahra nodded. “But my people in that village may know where the assassins went. Should we not ask them before accusing others?”
“I believe now that they were telling the truth. Their testimonies were consistent with what you told me. There was a man who housed the nomads, but he said he did not have a personal connection with them and that they left early in the morning when he was out fetching water.” He sighed. “However, it is clear that the assassins are working with someone.”
Zahra considered his words. “How are we to discover who betrayed you?”
“I will have scribes search the border records of those who have entered the kingdom recently. My sister can oversee the process.” He stroked his brow. “We have had many coming in and out of the kingdom through the new ports for the Feast. Itwill not be easy to find record of them, especially when all of the work will be lost each day.”
“Then we shall make a system.” She turned fully to him. “We will examine the records by days, analyzing and, if needed, memorizing the names and information of those that stand out.”
He nodded, the plan coming to fruition in his mind. “I can have Nubia instruct the scribes to search in that fashion and to alert me immediately if they find anything.”
“And I can help you sort through whatever you find, but—” Zahra hesitated. “What of your bride?”
Namir winced. “I will tell my family the truth, and I will spend my days looking for her.” He sighed. “When I started this spell, I did not think that so much would prevent me from ending it.”
Zahra lifted her hand and placed it on his back. He looked up at her, stunned. She smiled. “We will face these challenges together. We will find your bride, and we will stop the assassins.”
Namir mimicked her smile.
Zahra’s face grew warm, and she withdrew her hand and clutched his cloak around her. “I should change so I can return this to you.”
Namir cleared his throat and shot to his feet. “Of course. I shall fetch Victory and return to get you.”
