‘Time for us to go in,’ Lilah said, ushering Safiya, Yasmin, and Omar towards the door. Zara and Aisha remained to update Kaidon.
‘He’s not coming,’ Zara said bluntly. ‘He has asked me to walk Aisha down the aisle and bless the union in his place.’
Kaidon looked between them. ‘Is this a joke? Because I have a very good sense of humour, and this isn’t funny.’
Neither of them responded.
He cursed under his breath. ‘Who else knows?’
‘Only you at present,’ Zara said. ‘It was a rather last-minute change.’
Leaning in and lowering his voice, Kaidon said, ‘They’ll halt the ceremony.’
‘Would it be better to not go in?’ Zara asked. ‘Leave the prince standing before the altar?’
A tense moment of silence passed as they stared each other down. It was broken when Nasir exited the temple. He was dressed in formal robes of deep indigo, with Slevaborg’s diplomatic seal gleaming at his shoulder. The High Verran looked between the three of them. ‘What’s the problem?’
‘There’s no problem as far as we’re concerned,’ Zara replied, eyes on Kaidon.
Nasir gestured to the temple. ‘Then perhaps Princess Aisha should make her way to the prince waiting inside to marry her.’
Kaidon exhaled. ‘What a mess. I’ll go and let him know you’re on your way.’ He went to leave, but then looked back at Aisha. ‘You look lovely, by the way. Forgive me. I should have led with that.’
Her mouth stretched into a smile. ‘Thank you.’
Kaidon returned inside.
‘I gather by his reaction that King Bilal isn’t coming?’ Nasir asked with genuine concern on his face.
Zara took Aisha’s hand and placed it on her arm. ‘I’m afraid not.’
Nasir straightened when he caught sight of something behind them. ‘It appears that you’re wrong.’
Aisha whipped her head around and found her father standing in the middle of the pathway—dressed in his wedding clothes. He looked tall and composed. His guard stood a few paces behind him, looking quite pleased with himself.
‘Baba,’ Aisha breathed. She practically ran to him, wrapping herself around his middle. ‘You’re here.’
‘Sorry I am late,’ he said.
Zara looked heavenwards on an exhale, then muttered a prayer.
‘Come,’ Nasir said to Zara, gesturing ahead of him. ‘I’ll walk you in.’
Zara touched the corner of her eye before going with him.
Aisha stepped back from her father to look him over. ‘You look so handsome.’
‘And you…’ There was pain in his smile. ‘I wish she could see how beautiful you look today.’
Aisha swallowed down the burning sensation in her throat.
‘Ready?’ he asked, offering his arm to her.
She took it, unable to hold back the smile that followed. ‘Ready.’
Together, they walked into the temple.
The music changed when they entered, prompting Tariq to look towards the door. The prince’s posture relaxed when he saw Bilal, and his eyes creased at the corners when he saw Aisha. He stood at the front of the assembled guests, dressed in ceremonial robes. He looked at her like she was the only thing in the temple worth seeing.
