A shadow of a smile curved Maryam’s lips. ‘That is an entirely different conversation.’
Aisha exhaled, leaning back against the pillows. ‘Do you feel sick after a vision? Weak?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why does it happen?’
‘That is the cost.’ Maryam’s tone was gentle. ‘You feel it in your body afterwards. Weakness. Sickness. Headaches.’ She paused. ‘Longer visions may even cause stomach cramps and nose bleeds.’
Aisha had definitely noticed that the length of the vision impacted how poorly she felt afterwards.
‘That is another reason why it does not come every time,’ Maryam said. ‘Your mind saves its strength for what matters most.’ Her expression turned serious. ‘Whatever fate demands that you see.’
A soft knock at the door had Maryam getting to her feet and Mira twitching awake. Aisha was expecting it to be her sisters, so she didn’t even bother moving from the bed.
It was not her sisters.
‘Your Majesty,’ Maryam said when she opened the door, bringing a hand to her heart and bowing.
Farrah entered before Aisha had a chance to stand, looking around the room as though everything in it displeased her. ‘Oh my,’ she said when her gaze landed on Aisha. ‘You look awfully tired.’
Aisha went to get up, but the queen held up her hand. ‘No need.’ Then to Maryam, ‘Leave us.’
Maryam bowed again and quietly left the room.
Once they were alone, Farrah stepped into the light coming through the window. ‘I trust you will be well enough to attend the Binding Feast tomorrow?’
‘Of course, Your Majesty.’
The queen took a few steps closer to the bed, eyes travelling slowly over Aisha before pausing on her hands. ‘No gloves today?’
The question took her by surprise. ‘No.’
‘They must be quite the fashion statement in Avanid.’
Aisha hoped Farrah couldn’t see her heart pounding through her clothes. ‘I wouldn’t know. We weren’t out in society very often.’
Farrah’s eyebrows rose. ‘It is certainly an interesting style choice.’ She tilted her head. ‘We only use them for riding here.’
Aisha forced her face to relax. ‘That’s helpful to know.’
The queen’s gaze swept the room once more. ‘You will learn our ways soon enough.’ Her gaze drifted to Mira, who had gone back to sleep. ‘On the bed?’ She tutted. ‘Really. You are fortunate she has not injured you yet. Leopards are very unpredictable.’ With that, she turned and glided from the room, saying over her shoulder, ‘Do rest up. No one wants to see a tired bride.’
When the door closed behind her, Aisha listened for the sound of footsteps fading. Then, covering her face with both hands, she collapsed back onto the pillows.
Chapter 21
Tariq’s boots echoed off the stone floor as he made his way down the wide corridor to collect Aisha for the Binding Feast. Kaidon walked beside him. The cool breeze had the tapestries on the walls stirring.
‘So, the princess was feeling better when you went to see her last night?’ Kaidon asked.
Tariq nodded. ‘Though she told me my mother came poking around.’
‘Of course she did.’
‘Aisha’s convinced both she and Jamil know.’
Kaidon looked at him. ‘The queen doesn’t miss much, and Jamil will follow her lead. Hopefully she eases up after the wedding.’
