It felt like someone had thrown a pail of water over Aisha. She climbed off the hammock, Mira grunting in protest as she tumbled off her lap. This was it. The annulment they had all been waiting for.
‘Has someone told Baba?’ Lilah asked.
Safiya was already running back in the other direction. ‘Zara’s fetching him now.’
Aisha and Lilah made their way to the front of the palace, arriving just as Safiya took the envelope from the courier. Aisha eyed the Gruisean seal as they waited for their father to arrive. Losing patience, Safiya held it up to the light, trying to see the words written inside.
‘Stop,’ Lilah said, taking it from her.
Safiya snatched it back and held it out of reach. A throat cleared. The three of them turned to see Zara and Bilal approaching.
Safiya immediately extended the envelope towards their father, who tutted as he stepped up slowly and took it. He broke the wax and pulled out the thick, folded parchment. Aisha leaned forwards slightly, but a glance from Zara had her straightening again.
Bilal’s lips moved soundlessly for a moment as his eyes scanned the page. Then, finally, he read it aloud:
* * *
‘To the esteemed house of Nazari,
Let it be known that, on the first day of the month, the Crown of Gruisea passed peacefully to its rightful heir.
Tariq, son of Hamza, has been crowned king in the Temple of the First Light in Gruisea’s capital.
In accordance with the rites of our ancestors, he was named and confirmed by the sectarian and the noble houses present.
Gruisea endures, and its future is secure.
Faithfully,
Commander Kaidon ibn Gharan, Royal Guard of the Crown
On behalf of His Majesty King Tariq of Gruisea.’
* * *
When Bilal finished reading, he slowly lowered the letter. Silence followed. Aisha stared at the page in his hands, confused that there wasn’t more. It couldn’t just be news of the coronation.
‘So…’ Safiya said, equally as confused. ‘Is the annulment on the back or…?’
Bilal turned the page, even though they all knew it was blank. ‘That is all it says,’ he confirmed.
Lilah looked at Aisha. ‘I guess you’re still the Queen of Gruisea.’
‘They’re likely working through formalities one at a time,’ Zara said. ‘I assure you the annulment is coming.’
‘If my spouse killed my father,’ Safiya said, ‘I’d hand him the annulment right before his execution—out of spite.’
The tightness in Aisha’s chest intensified.
‘It’s clear he can’t bring himself to end the marriage,’ Lilah said.
Bilal reached out and patted Aisha’s arm. ‘You do not need a piece of parchment to move forwards.’
She needed something, because she was entirely stuck.
Bilal slid the letter back into its envelope, kissed the top of Aisha’s head, and turned to go inside. Safiya and Lilah dispersed, leaving Aisha and Zara standing there.
‘Walk with me,’ Zara said.
