Page 88 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Tears pooled in Zahra’s eyes. If Namir couldn’t be cursed because he was being protected, why had Zahra been cursed instead? It required a great sacrifice, so surely it had not been done on the spur of the moment. No, the spell of thekereshad been planned. Whoever cursed her had to know who she wasand that she would be the one to help Namir. Why else would they have cursed her?
It was a difficult question, one that made her head hurt even worse. If Zahra couldn’t find a way to break the curse, then her fate was as she feared.
The door creaked open, and Zahra wiped at her eyes, pushing the papyrus under another to hide it. She did not think Namir knew Ionic, but she did not want to risk him finding it.
Namir and Ramses entered the room, both holding food and water. “We got something for everyone,” Ramses said.
Namir used his free hand to pick up the papyri that he had left. “Help me move these, would you?”
Zahra forced a smile. She took the papyri from Namir’s hands and helped lower the plates to the table.
20
The Greedy Mistress
“Zahra.” Jala shook Zahra’s hammock. “It is time for the washing.”
Zahra groaned, pulling the sheet over her head. “Go without me.”
“Don’t fall back asleep,” Jala warned. “We need your help.”
Zahra sighed, rolling onto her back. She blinked a few times, trying to force the sleep from her eyes, and glanced at the window. Sunlight poured through it. How had it already gotten so late?
Zahra pulled herself out of her hammock, rubbing her eyes before she changed and slipped her sandals on. She stumbled out of the room, surprised to see her roommates standing outside. “I thought you left.”
“We don’t have enough hands to carry your load, too,” one of them said.
Zahra sighed, picked up the basket the others had prepared for her, and followed them outside. Namir and Ramses wouldbe there soon to pick her up. Usually, she would meet them on the road, but today she would have to meet them by the river. She blinked hard as she walked, her eyes droopy and her mind muddled.
The cold water touching her legs woke her, but her movements were still sluggish as she washed the clothes. A dull ache resided in her head, and vague thoughts of her death last night and the images she dreamed of floated about in her mind.
She was almost finished when a horse and rider approached the group. The other girls spoke to each other in hushed whispers, but Zahra stepped out of the water to greet the horse. She was surprised to see Ramses riding alone. He searched the area, spotting her as she came forward.
She lifted her hands and signed. “Where is Namir?”
Like every morning, Ramses had a reluctant and confused expression, but he quickly masked it as he dismounted and signed in reply. “He is in…”
Zahra’s brow furrowed when he made an unfamiliar sign. “Can you sign it again?”
Ramses repeated himself, spelling it for her when she still did not recognize it. “Iunu.”
Why was he all the way in Iunu? Last she had heard, he was still looking for his bride in cities near Inebu-hedj. “Why is he there?”
“He is purchasing something.”
This was unusual. They had followed the same routine every day for months. What had spurred him to go to Iunu?
“Zahra?” Jala asked. “Who is that?”
“A friend,” Zahra answered. She turned to Ramses and signed, “Will you take me to him?”
Ramses shook his head. “He said he would meet you here. I am here to offer my protection.”
Zahra froze at the sign forprotection. She sighed. She did not wish to stay there, but if Namir wanted her to stay until he was done, she would. “I must return to work.”
“Then I will watch from afar.” He gestured to her roommates. “I know this must seem unusual for them.”
Zahra smiled. “It is good to see you, Ramses.”
