Maryam pressed her lips together.
Noticing, Kaidon said, ‘Maybe you could help him out by telling him what he’ll choose.’
She frowned up at him. ‘The Sight does not quite work like that. And the prince does not need my help.’ She looked at Tariq. ‘His heart will guide him.’
Kaidon snorted, then cleared his throat. ‘Sorry.’
Tariq looked off in the direction of the castle. ‘I’ll go to her in the morning. Hopefully I come up with something in the meantime.’
Chapter 11
Sleep had eluded her. Now Aisha sat at the table near her window, arranging the bits and pieces she had gathered on her walk earlier: leaves, flowers, bark. It was something she always did with her younger siblings back in Avanid. They would find things in the gardens and create pictures with them. And when they were done, they would return everything to the garden.
She had just finished arranging a colourful butterfly when there was a soft knock at the door.
‘Come in,’ Aisha called out.
Maryam stepped inside, balancing a brass tray. Steam drifted from the spout of the teapot. She crossed the room and set the tray on the table. ‘Some tea and fruit, Your Highness.’ She then proceeded to pour the tea. When she was done, she looked over at the bag Aisha had gotten out. ‘You are still planning to leave, then?’
Aisha drank before answering her, savouring the warmth of the tea. ‘It feels like the only sensible choice.’
Maryam observed her a moment. ‘Does it?’
Why did that simple question make Aisha choke up?
Maryam tilted her head. ‘Perhaps you are not ready to decide. It is all right if you need more time. Time to see more, to know more.’
Aisha sat back, her fingers tight around the cup. ‘At what point is it too late to turn back?’
‘After the wedding.’ Maryam’s mouth curved up.
It was the first time Aisha had seen her attendant attempt humour. She liked Maryam. There was something about her that felt safe, familiar even.
A knock sounded at the door. Maryam went to answer it for her. Tariq stood in the corridor, freshly washed and looking every bit the prince in his dark blue tunic and riding trousers. He looked past Maryam, green eyes meeting Aisha’s.
Maryam excused herself, then slipped past Tariq.
‘Can I come in?’ he asked.
Aisha got to her feet. ‘Of course.’
He stepped inside, leaving the door open behind him. She felt oddly nervous.
‘I wondered if you might like to see some more of Gruisea before you leave,’ he said. ‘Something other than corridors, courtyards, and mines.’
That wasn’t what she had been expecting him to say. Her first instinct was to refuse, but there was something in his tone that stopped her. Something quiet. He sounded like a man trying rather than a prince commanding.
‘See what, exactly?’ she asked.
His gaze drifted to her butterfly construction on the table. He stepped forwards to see it better. ‘What is that?’
‘Nothing.’ Aisha moved to stand in front of it. ‘Just something I do to entertain myself.’
Undeterred by her repositioning, Tariq stepped around her so he could see it. ‘You made this?’
She turned on an exhale. ‘I did.’
He reached out and touched a piece of bark, withdrawing his hand when it moved. ‘Sorry.’
