‘I didn’t know the king was one for poetic sentiment.’
‘He has his moments.’ Tariq stopped and pointed up at the trees above. ‘Look. A sooty falcon.’
Aisha followed his line of sight and spotted a bird perched on a high branch, its sleek grey and white feathers shimmering in the sunlight. ‘It’s gorgeous.’
They watched it spread its majestic wings and take flight.
‘Are you hungry?’ he asked.
She looked at the saddlebag he was carrying. ‘You brought food?’
‘Credit goes to Maryam. I usually forget to eat during the day.’
‘Ah.’
Opening the saddlebag, he pulled out a tightly rolled blanket and laid it out on the ground, gesturing for her to sit. He then retrieved a small bundle of food wrapped in cloth and a flask. He opened the flask, smelled it, then offered it to her. ‘I think it’s honey wine.’
Aisha took it from him. ‘I’m guessing there aren’t any cups in the bag.’
‘Afraid not.’
She removed her gloves before drinking.
Tariq opened the food parcel, revealing some flatbread, dried fruits, and cheese. Once he was seated comfortably, she handed the flask back to him, watching his lips press against the same place hers had been moments earlier, without any hesitation. They ate with the gentle sounds of the spring as a backdrop.
When Aisha was finished, she leaned back on her hands and looked at Tariq. ‘Tell me about your sister.’
He held the flask out, and when she shook her head, he placed it on the blanket between them. ‘Amani is the perfect daughter. Not only is she married to the future King of Kuzebet, but we’ve also just learned she’s pregnant. Now she’s the extra-perfect daughter.’ He followed the comment up with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
‘Do you think she’s scared?’ Aisha asked.
‘Of the birth?’
‘All of it. She’s barely eighteen with no family nearby.’
Tariq picked up the flask. ‘If you say that to my mother, she’ll tell you how blessed she is to have her husband’s family to care for her.’ He drank before saying, ‘Your father seems in much less of a hurry to marry his daughters off.’
‘I think if he had his way, we’d never marry,’ Aisha said in a joking tone, even though it was the truth. ‘Zara, on the other hand…’
He watched her a moment. ‘Which sister are you closest to?’
‘I’m close to all of them for different reasons. Zara keeps me anchored. Lilah keeps me sane. Safiya keeps me stressed.’
Tariq’s mouth turned up.
‘And Yasmin…’ She remembered the exact feel of her youngest sister curled against her. ‘Yasmin keeps me guessing. She has a way of seeing the world that makes one think they’re seeing it wrong.’
He was silent a moment. ‘And what about Prince Omar?’
‘Oh, he’s the worst parts of all of us,’ Aisha laughed. ‘Impulsive, mischievous, reckless.’
‘But he’s also twelve, so there’s still hope.’
Her smile faded. ‘Those boys are too young to be working in mines. But you already know that.’
Tariq’s eyes moved between hers. ‘Yes.’ He held out the flask to her, and she took it. ‘My family built this dynasty to endure, no matter the cost. Whereas I refuse to let Gruisea endure like this.’
He sounded sincere.
