‘Yes.’
‘Beautiful.’
Tariq sighed. ‘I was pointing out the important things.’
‘Always so practical.’
Tariq ignored him.
When they reached Aisha’s chamber, Kaidon hung back to give him the illusion of privacy. She answered the door wearing a loose embroidered robe. Her hair was braided to one side, falling down her shoulder, and her face was scrubbed clean. Was he imagining it, or was she growing more beautiful every time he saw her?
‘Your Highness,’ Aisha said, looking confused. ‘Is everything all right?’
He was so busy staring that he had forgotten to speak. ‘Yes.’ His gaze fell to the part of her collarbone that was visible, then shot back up again. ‘Well, no. I came to tell you I’m going to Ashwaq for the night. There’s a matter the king has asked me to deal with.’
She leaned her weight on one foot. ‘You’re going today?’
‘Yes.’
‘Oh.’
Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth, and he watched it until it was freed.
‘Then I’ll come with you,’ she said.
That had him looking up. ‘What?’
‘I’ll come with you to Ashwaq.’
So he hadn’t misheard. ‘It’s a mining village. There’s nothing there.’
She shrugged. ‘You’ll be there. Maryam will help me pack.’
Tariq didn’t know how to respond. ‘It’s a four-hour ride.’
‘I’ll bring water.’ Her face fell a little. ‘Please.’
He realised then that she would rather sit on a horse for four hours and visit another limestone mine than be alone at Azura Castle.
‘We can bring extra guards,’ Kaidon said—which did not help.
Tariq ignored him. ‘The workers are striking. It’s really not safe.’
Aisha’s expression turned almost pleading. ‘If my options are alone here with your mother or an unsafe mine with you, I’ll take my chances in the mine.’
Kaidon chuckled quietly.
Tariq stared at her for a long moment before exhaling. ‘Fine.’ He caught the flicker of relief in her eyes when he gave in. ‘We leave within the hour.’
Aisha stepped back into her chamber. ‘I’ll be ready.’
The door closed softly between them, and Tariq stared at it before turning to Kaidon. ‘Thanks for backing me up.’
‘I figured it would be more bonding time for the two of you.’
Tariq shook his head. ‘Go round up the guards for the journey.’ He headed for his quarters. ‘Let’s not take any chances.’
Chapter 13
