Page 98 of A Thousand Nights Before Dawn
Namir pondered her words. “He must be punished.”
Zahra nodded. “I know.”
“I could take his riches and his land and give them to another who is more deserving of them. He will be made to till the fields he once oversaw.”
“It will be a lot of change for his family,” Zahra pointed out.
“Yes, but they will live.” His uncertain eyes met hers as he took her hands. “Do you agree with my judgment?”
Zahra smiled and nodded. “I do, Namir.”
He smiled, too, and stepped back. “Wait here.”
Confusion filled her features.
“I do not wish to scare you,” he explained, rubbing his thumbs against her hands. He let her go and disappeared into the room.
Zahra remained in the hallway, and heat came into her cheeks. She bit her lip, leaning her head back on the wall. Namir’s sweet smell was still with her, and she placed the name of the scent as she held her hands to her chest. “Méli.”
Honey.Her father used it in the tonics he would make, and Namir reminded her of its sweet scent. She tucked one of her curls behind her ear as she thought of how he had trusted her to come with him.
“No!”
Geb’s cry rang through the entire house, and Zahra was jarred from her thoughts.
“My King, please! Have mercy!”Medjaycarried Geb from the room and down the stairs as he wailed. “Have mercy!”
The upstairs vacated, but Zahra remained, waiting for Namir to leave the room. When he did not come, she left her spot by the wall. Voices drifted from the room.
“She meant no harm.”
Zahra’s feet froze inches from the doorway, her breath quieting as she listened.
“It does not matter,” Waaiz stated. “You left to consult with aservant. Do you know how that makes you appear as King?”
“It shows I listen to all of my people,” Namir replied with a sharp tone. “Would you rather I only listen to those in my closest circle?”
“Of course not, but I thought you knew better than this,” Waaiz hissed. “You cannot dress her up and hope she will act like one of us. What would your father say if he saw you mingling with an indentured servant, let alone one of her kind?”
Zahra glanced down at her clothes. Her other hand went to her ear. Waaiz must have seen her debt tag outside.
“Don’t bring my father into this,” Namir spat. “He would have been proud to see the Ionians taking an interest in these affairs. I will not have you condemn her for something that was not her fault.”
Waaiz growled in response. “One day you will learn, boy. My brother made a mistake in allowing them into this kingdom.”
Zahra stepped back upon hearing approaching footsteps. Waaiz stormed out of the room, glaring at her as he passed and went down the stairs.
Zahra waited a few minutes before walking into the room. Namir was sitting in the chair Geb had occupied, his head hanging low and his hand covering his eyes. He looked up and smiled as she approached. “Zahra, there you are! I was about to find you.”
Zahra smiled sadly. “Are you well?”
“Of course,” Namir assured her. “I was only speaking with the Great Overseer. We will have to find another lead.”
“Yes.” Zahra held her arm, studying him. “I overheard your conversation. I wanted to say I think you are doing great, despite what your uncle may think.”
“How much did you hear?” Namir asked. Zahra hesitated, and he sighed, burying his face in his hands. “Enough, it seems.”
“I did not mean to intrude.” She came to his side. Her hand went to his shoulder, and she rubbed it, her thoughts elsewhere. “But…I worry how his words might affect you.”
