He checked their surroundings before continuing. Even Maryam had fled the scene. ‘I know about Maryam. Everything you know, I know. There are a million reasons why we’ve both been keeping secrets, but that all ends tonight.’
Aisha’s breath came fast, her chest rising and falling beneath his hands. ‘You know?’
He nodded. ‘She’s the reason I was able to find you. She saw our future long before our paths crossed.’
‘She told you about her visions?’ Her voice was thick with shock.
His gaze never left hers. ‘I swore to protect her secret, but I don’t want to keep secrets from my wife. That’s what I was speaking to her about.’
She stared at him in the quiet corridor—then threw herself at him. He caught her, his arms instinctively wrapping around her as she pressed her face to his chest.
‘Thank the gods,’ she said, her breath shaky with relief. ‘No more lies. No more secrets.’
He was completely taken aback by her response. ‘That’s it? That’s your response?’
She pulled back just enough to look up at him, eyes shimmering. ‘This is the best wedding present I could ask for.’ Her head returned to his chest. ‘I wanted to tell you. You wanted to tell me. All three of us were trying to do the right thing.’
He stroked her hair for a moment. ‘So, we’re still getting married tomorrow?’
‘Yes.’
He released a slow breath, full of relief. For the first time ever, they were truly standing on the same side.
Chapter 26
The sun came out the morning of the wedding. It shone through Aisha’s window, throwing patterns across the floor. She stood in front of the mirror while her sisters moved around her, fastening clasps, smoothing fabric, and adjusting jewellery.
‘You look like a painting,’ Lilah said when she stepped back to admire her.
‘A nervous painting,’ Aisha replied, touching the corner of her lips.
Yasmin looked over from her perch by the window. ‘It may not even go ahead.’ She was playing with Mira instead of preparing the flowers for Aisha’s hair like she had been instructed. ‘You could be nervous for no reason.’
Everyone stilled and looked in her direction.
‘Why would you say that?’ Lilah asked. ‘Of course the wedding will go ahead.’
Yasmin took in everyone’s expressions. ‘I simply meant if Baba doesn’t show up?—’
‘Have you finished those flowers yet?’ Lilah asked, cutting her off.
Yasmin placed the cub on the ground with a huge sigh, then began sorting and trimming the flowers.
‘She’s not completely out of order,’ Safiya whispered to Lilah.
Lilah gave her a look that translated to stop. ‘Don’t listen to them,’ she told Aisha. ‘Zara will get him there.’
There was a soft knock at the door before it eased open. Maryam stepped inside, carrying a tray of tea. Her gaze met Aisha’s in the mirror. ‘Something for the nerves.’ She placed it down on the dressing table.
‘Thank you,’ Aisha said.
Maryam bowed her head, then left the room.
Lilah went to pour the tea for Aisha. As she poured, she sniffed the air. ‘What tea is this?’
‘The usual, I imagine.’ Aisha slipped the chain of her token over her head and tucked it into her dress. ‘A blend of lavender, fennel, and balm, I think.’
Lilah lifted the cup to her nose and inhaled deeply, her brow furrowing instantly. ‘And something else.’ She gave it another careful sniff. ‘What is that?’
