‘Wow,’ Lilah said. ‘It’s beautiful.’
They all looked ahead at the castle’s imposing silhouette contrasting a bright blue sky.
‘So, that’s the infamous Azura Castle,’ Safiya said, taking it in.
The horses moved into a canter, their hooves growing louder as the road turned to stone.
When they arrived in the courtyard, grooms rushed forwards to assist.
Numair appeared, hands folded behind his back. ‘The king and queen are waiting for you in the throne room.’
Aisha and Tariq exchanged a knowing look before they all followed after the steward.
‘I thought you were exaggerating,’ Safiya said to Aisha after the meeting, ‘but you’re right. The queen hates you.’
‘What gave it away?’ Aisha asked. ‘Was it the permanent look of disdain or the constant commentary highlighting all the ways I fall short?’
‘It was the breath she drew every time you opened your mouth,’ Safiya replied.
‘And her expression whenever she said “Avanid”,’ Lilah added. ‘As if the word tasted bad.’
Aisha’s chamber was warm with late-afternoon sunlight. It filtered through the lattice windows, creating shifting patterns across the ceiling. The three of them lay sprawled across Aisha’s bed, staring up at the pale stone, while Mira slept curled at the foot of the bed.
‘She should be thanking you for marrying her son after everything you’ve told us,’ Safiya said. ‘If we had known about the true state of things here, we would have steered clear of Gruisea altogether and had you marry a prince with some personality.’
‘Tariq has personality,’ Aisha said quickly.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile,’ Safiya replied.
Aisha had seen him smile. Sure, it was mostly subtle and fleeting, but always contagious.
She sat up and slid to the edge of the bed. ‘He’s actually funny—in a quiet sort of way.’
Lilah sat up as well and looked at her. ‘What was that?’
‘What was what?’ Aisha asked, confused.
‘That whimsical tone you just used.’ Light filled her face. ‘Have you fallen for your husband?’
‘He’s not her husband yet,’ Safiya pointed out. ‘And of course she hasn’t. Did you miss the part of the story where Tariq blatantly said their marriage was a business transaction?’
Lilah waved her words away. ‘What he said and what he feels are not the same.’
‘You almost sound against us liking each other,’ Aisha told Safiya.
Safiya rolled onto her stomach. ‘It’s much harder to manipulate someone you admire.’
Aisha gave her a disapproving look. ‘I didn’t come here to manipulate him.’
‘I know it’s not the nicest word, but that’s exactly why you came,’ Safiya replied. ‘And he knows that. He’s just prepared to acknowledge it aloud while you remain in denial.’
Her sister’s words landed hard. Aisha sat with them, remembering her conversation with Tariq on their return trip from Ashwaq. She had felt so used at the time, but perhaps he had felt that way all along. Tariq had been speaking the truth, and she didn’t want to hear it. The question was why?
Because somewhere along the way, she had developed feelings.
Maybe as early as the journey to Gruisea, when he took care of her during the storm, or the night of the banquet, when she felt his stare like physical touch. Or the kiss in Ashwaq—the one she replayed in her mind over and over…
‘Are we realising some things?’ Lilah asked in a teasing tone.
