‘Back from the guardrail, all of you,’ Zara said as she stepped out onto the balcony. Her gaze went from Omar to Safiya. ‘Will you let him breathe, please?’
Safiya’s hand remained in place. ‘He can breathe just fine through his nose.’
Shaking her head, Zara continued forwards to get a look at the prince—since no one was moving back as instructed. Yasmin made room for her, and Omar pulled free of Safiya’s grip, pushing between them.
‘Which one is he?’ Zara asked.
Lilah wrapped her arms around Omar. ‘They’re all dressed the same, so we don’t know.’
One of the men chose that moment to look up in their direction, spotting them all on the balcony. Everyone took a fast step back—except Aisha, who held his gaze despite the nervous pounding of her heart. That was him, the prince. Somehow, she just knew it.
‘In the middle,’ she said.
They all took a step forwards, Lilah at the front.
‘How do you know?’ she asked.
Aisha didn’t have an answer. Her mother’s strong intuition, perhaps.
Safiya made a face. ‘Hope your children get your nose.’
‘Ignore her,’ Aisha said. ‘You can’t even see his nose because it’s covered.’
Zara leaned forwards and whispered, ‘Keep your voices down. If he hears you, it will be a long wait for the next prince to arrive.’
Aisha took Lilah’s hand.
‘Down to the courtyard,’ Zara instructed, adjusting the silk folds of her skirt. ‘All of you. Make sure you’re there to greet our guests.’ She ran a hand over her hair to smooth it despite not one strand being out of place. ‘I’ll get Baba.’ With that, she left the balcony.
Safiya ushered Omar, and Yasmin set the cat down and followed.
When Lilah went to move, Aisha held her in place.
‘I’m fine,’ Lilah said, sounding defensive.
Aisha searched her sister’s eyes. She was afraid. Of course she was. ‘Trust yourself when you meet him.’
Lilah offered a reassuring smile. ‘It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters what he thinks.’
The words struck Aisha like a knife. ‘Don’t say that.’
‘It’s true.’ She squeezed Aisha’s hand. ‘We need this.’
Her beautiful sister, with all her beautiful human parts, reduced to an asset for trade.
‘I’ll remain at your side the whole time. Fill every awkward silence. Ensure the light is hitting you at just the right angle. Whatever you want.’
Lilah laughed. ‘I appreciate that.’
Looping her arm through her sister’s, they went inside.
He was taller than Aisha had expected. A full head above Safiya. His watchful guards stood back, but within hearing range. As the women approached, his gaze met Aisha’s for the second time before shifting to Lilah.
‘May I present my sisters, Lilah and Aisha,’ Safiya said, gesturing to each in turn.
He bowed, which was unnecessary, but it gave Aisha a moment to get a proper look at him. Even fully covered, she could see the outlines of a strong body. This wasn’t a man who sat idle. The only visible parts were his hands. Veins traced the backs of them like desert rivers. When he straightened, she noticed his eyes were moss green up close, ringed with bright gold. The shadow of stubble gave him a rugged edge.
‘This is Prince Tariq,’ Safiya said, in case it wasn’t clear to anyone.
