‘I hate that our reunion’s here in this strange place,’ Safiya said. ‘And I hate that our next reunion will probably be in another strange place.’
It was true. The next time they were all together again would likely be Lilah’s wedding.
‘I just wish we were all at home,’ Safiya continued.
For all of Safiya’s bravado, she was actually a big sentimental softie at her core.
‘This was always the plan,’ Aisha said. ‘We do it for Avanid.’
‘And for Mother,’ Lilah added, ‘who couldn’t.’
They fell silent.
Outside, the sun was setting and darkness crept in. With her sisters there, she was in no rush to light the lamp.
‘This will all be worth it, won’t it?’ Lilah asked. ‘Dispersed across the empire. Separated from one another.’
Aisha swallowed. ‘Yes, it will be worth it.’
More silence.
‘Aisha,’ Lilah said.
‘Mm?’
‘Don’t forget there’s a kiss at the end of the Promise Exchange. The two of you should practise since the king and queen will be present. You want it to look as effortless as the dance.’
Aisha turned her head to her sister. ‘Maryam didn’t mention anything about a kiss.’
‘I’m certain Zara told me it takes place at the end.’
Aisha looked back at the ceiling.
Safiya held her stomach. ‘I don’t think I can watch.’
Aisha laughed softly.
That evening, despite the rooms across the corridor all made up for Lilah and Safiya, the three sisters slept in Aisha’s bed, like they had done so many times throughout their lives.
It was the best sleep Aisha had experienced since arriving in Gruisea.
Chapter 18
Tariq was walking along the carefully manicured paths in the garden when he spotted Aisha ahead. He half expected her to turn around and walk the other way, but she continued towards him. They stopped a few feet from each other.
‘Morning,’ he said.
‘Good morning.’
She seemed brighter than he had seen her in weeks. ‘Did your sisters settle in all right? Maryam said they stayed with you overnight.’
‘Did she?’ Aisha squinted up at him.
Maryam was only obligated to share visions that were relevant to Gruisea’s future, but lately he found himself asking questions about Aisha’s general wellbeing. ‘I happened to see her before I saw you.’ It wasn’t a lie.
Aisha searched his face. ‘My sisters and I had a lot to catch up on and fell asleep.’
‘I see.’ He looked past her to the fountain in the distance, where Lilah and Safiya were seated, watching Mira hunt an insect of some kind.
