‘You haven’t even made it through greetings yet?’ Kaidon asked.
Safiya shook her head.
‘What did you come all this way to tell me?’ Tariq asked.
Aisha put some distance between them, and that’s when he realised it was serious.
‘There’s a fleet of Slevaborg ships coming to Gruisea,’ she said. ‘Many people are going to die.’
Tariq glanced back at Kaidon, who wore the same shocked expression he did.
‘So I came here to warn you,’ Aisha continued, ‘and help in any way I can. I know I’m probably the last person in this empire that you trust, but I couldn’t stay in Avanid knowing?—’
‘I trust you,’ Tariq said with his entire chest.
Aisha swallowed. ‘Oh.’
‘Get back on your horse,’ he said. ‘We’re going to the castle.’ When Aisha didn’t move, he realised that she didn’t trust him. ‘You’re safe,’ he assured her. ‘You have my word.’
Aisha stared into his eyes, then turned back to her horse. ‘All right. Let’s go to the castle.’
Aisha couldn’t ignore the nerves in her belly as she entered the gates of Azura Castle. It was late in the afternoon, and the high walls cast shadows over them. She tried not to shrink in the saddle as she passed the curious stares of the guards and servants.
Once they had dismounted, they followed Tariq across the courtyard, through the great doors, and into the cool corridors of the castle. Their boots sounded impossibly loud on the polished stone as they made their way to the council chamber looming at the end of the hall. The heavy doors swung open at their approach, revealing a long table covered in maps, scrolls, and parchment. Several faces turned in their direction. One of those faces belonged to Queen Farrah.
Aisha froze in the doorway when their eyes met.
Farrah rose slowly from her seat. The last time they had been face to face, the queen had ordered her to be burned. The memory sat heavy in Aisha, threatening to break her apart from within.
Safiya stepped up next to Aisha, staring defiantly at Farrah.
When Tariq realised Aisha wasn’t behind him, he returned to her. ‘What did I tell you? There’s nothing and no one to fear. All right?’
She was melting under Farrah’s scrutiny, but nodded. Only as she entered did she realise that Jamil was there too. Double the bad memories and discomfort.
‘Right,’ Tariq said, looking around at his council. ‘Listen carefully.’
He then proceeded to tell them about the ships coming their way while Aisha watched the colour drain from their faces.
‘We should double the coastal patrols,’ Kaidon suggested.
Farrah nodded. ‘Agreed.’
Jamil looked over at Aisha. ‘Tell me, Princess, how did you learn of their plans?’ His tone was thick with suspicion.
Everyone in the room was now looking straight at her, waiting for her answer.
‘Come now,’ Safiya said. ‘You don’t actually expect us to reveal our sources, do you?’
‘And it’s Your Majesty when addressing the queen,’ Tariq said, staring the sectarian down. ‘You would do well to remember that.’
‘How much time do we have?’ Farrah asked.
Aisha shook her head. ‘I’m afraid I don’t know.’
‘It seems your source was a little light on important details,’ Farrah said.
‘I want patrols running day and night,’ Tariq told Kaidon. ‘And tell the harbourmaster that no vessel is to dock without approval.’
