There was a knock at the door.
‘We can speak later,’ Maryam said.
‘All right.’ When Maryam went to open the door, Aisha said, ‘The nausea always passes.’
Maryam looked back at her. ‘Yes, it does.’
In walked Lilah and Safiya, clearly done waiting.
‘Didn’t you hear us knocking?’ Safiya asked, looking between the two of them.
Maryam bowed her head. ‘Apologies, Your Highness. We had some trouble with a clasp.’
Safiya turned her attention to the piece of jewellery around Aisha’s neck. ‘Oh, it’s gorgeous.’
Aisha reached up to touch it. ‘It belongs to the queen.’
Safiya screwed up her face. ‘At second glance, I can definitely see some flaws in the gem’s setting.’
‘No, you can’t,’ Lilah laughed, walking over to Aisha. ‘You look so beautiful. I’ve no idea how you’ll top this on your wedding day.’
The gown was made of light blue silk embroidered with silver thread that looked like water when it moved. It had short fitted sleeves and a high neckline.
‘Yes, very nice,’ Safiya said, waving Aisha towards the door.
‘You have the token?’ Aisha asked.
Safiya nodded. ‘Yes. We’re good to go.’
‘I hope the exchange goes well, Your Highness,’ Maryam said, holding out a pair of light blue gloves. ‘I shall take good care of Mira until you return.’
Aisha took them from her and slipped them on. ‘Thank you.’ She glanced in the direction of the sleeping cub before following her sisters.
The trio made their way through the corridors of Azura, Aisha still feeling slightly sick from the vision. She made a mental note to ask Maryam what symptoms she got.
The exchange was to take place in the Temple of Salithar at the southern end of the castle grounds. Salithar was the god of marriage, union, and reconciliation. A figure with two faces was carved into the door. When they entered, Aisha found a small gathering of nobles who had come to bear witness. The king and queen were seated at one end, and Tariq waited beside them. His expression softened when he caught sight of her, and he watched her make her way over.
‘Your Majesties. Your Highness,’ Aisha said when she reached them.
The king extended his hand to her. She minimised contact as she kissed it, not wanting to risk a vision.
‘You are late,’ Farrah said, even though she wasn’t. She nodded towards Aisha’s hands. ‘You will need to remove the gloves for the ceremony.’
She had been afraid of that.
Farrah gestured to Jamil, and the sectarian made his way over. Before he reached them, Tariq leaned in and whispered, ‘After obeisance. There should be no more contact after that.’
She nodded.
There was more kissing of hands and polite reverences, then Lilah swooped in to take the gloves before the ceremony began.
Tariq must have noticed the slight tremble in Aisha’s hands, because he leaned in again. ‘It will be over soon enough.’
Jamil cleared his throat, and the room fell silent. ‘We are gathered here today to witness the promises exchanged between Prince Tariq of Gruisea and Princess Aisha of Avanid.’ He bowed his head and said a prayer: ‘Salithar, guide their steps where shadows gather. Let truth be their compass and mercy their strength. May your light guard their hearts and minds.’
He then placed a small bowl of water, with a sprig of fresh rosemary in it, at the altar. A humble offering to Salithar.
Turning back to Tariq, he said, ‘Prince Tariq, what is the promise you ask of your future wife?’
