‘He was…’ Zara lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. ‘Adored. People were crying in the streets. And you know what he’s like. He just cried right along with them.’
The burning in Aisha’s throat was relentless. She had to look away and collect herself.
‘This marriage has given people hope,’ Zara said. ‘We must ignore Zahvik’s presence and stay focused on why we’re all here.’
That made Aisha smile. ‘All right. Take me to see Baba.’
Aisha waited for her father’s guard to announce her. When he returned to the door and gestured for her to enter, she stepped into the dark room. The heavy curtain had been drawn across the tall window. She peered through the dark and found her father seated in a high-backed chair on the other side of the room with a blanket draped across his knees. He looked smaller than she remembered, like a man trying to disappear into himself.
‘Aisha?’ His voice was fragile, uncertain.
She went to him, dropping to her knees at his feet and taking his hands in hers. ‘I’m here, Baba.’
He studied her face in the poor light, eyes flicking across her features. ‘Our beautiful Aisha.’
The ‘our’ made her chest constrict. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’
He reached up, his trembling fingers brushing her cheek. ‘You look well,’ he said softly. ‘I was worried you would fade without Avanid’s sunshine.’
Aisha smiled through the ache in her throat. ‘Turns out there’s sunshine in Gruisea some of the time. I’m learning to embrace the cooler weather.’
He nodded. ‘Good. And Prince Tariq? He treats you kindly?’
‘He does,’ she said. ‘He’s a really good man, and he’s going to make a wonderful king one day.’
Bilal exhaled, his shoulders sinking with relief. ‘I prayed for that.’
That made her smile. ‘Well, the gods delivered.’ She glanced over at the window. ‘Do you mind if I open the curtain a little? So I can see you better?’
Even in the dark, she saw the worry on his face. ‘Just a little.’
She got to her feet and walked over to the window. ‘You should see the gardens, Baba. Different from what we have back home, but no less beautiful. And you can smell the ocean from here.’
He blinked against the light. ‘Maybe later.’
Returning to him, she took hold of his hands once more. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’
With his brow creased, he waited for her to speak.
‘Zahvik Barakat is in Gruisea.’
Nothing.
‘He’s here at Azura Castle, and he’ll be at the wedding.’
At first, it seemed like Bilal didn’t understand. But then his hands went rigid in hers, and he looked past her. ‘No.’ The word was almost voiceless. ‘It is not safe. You must leave this place. We must all leave.’
‘Baba.’ She tightened her grip on him. ‘Look at me.’
His gaze returned to hers. ‘What fool would allow him into these halls? I will speak to the king. I will?—’
‘He’s a guest here.’ She kept her voice soft.
‘A guest?’
She nodded. ‘But he cannot touch us here. Tariq won’t allow it. The court won’t allow it. The people here are entirely invested in this love story. If the sectarian does anything to upset this union, the whole kingdom will turn on him.’ She didn’t really know that. Maybe they would cheer him on.
His shoulders eased slightly. ‘Love story?’ The idea seemed to calm him down.
