She was about to enter when someone grabbed her arm. Whipping her head around, she expected to see Kaidon, but instead she found herself face to face with Farrah. The queen’s features looked as though they were carved from granite. She pulled the door closed, then dragged Aisha away from it.
‘Your Majesty,’ Kaidon said, following them.
‘Leave us,’ Farrah instructed.
‘Your Majesty, Tariq is waiting for?—’
‘I said leave us.’ Her voice cut in like steel.
Kaidon hesitated, then cast an apologetic glance at Aisha before leaving them.
The queen’s grip on Aisha tightened as she pulled her further away from the door, away from Kaidon, clearly not wanting anyone to hear what she was about to say.
‘You’re hurting me,’ Aisha said, panic rising in her chest.
Farrah stopped and turned to stare at her. ‘You have some audacity to complain to me.’
The hatred in her voice was paralysing. ‘What?’
‘You could not even wait one day to take my place.’
Words jammed in Aisha’s throat, with nowhere to go.
‘When the physician told me he suspects poison, I did not need to think too hard about who might do such a thing.’ She leaned in. ‘A covenweaver. Yes, I know what you are.’
Aisha pulled her hand free and cradled it. ‘You think I murdered the king?’
Farrah tilted her head. ‘Zara would be so proud of this little innocent act of yours. What a wonderful performer you are.’
She’s grieving, Aisha reminded herself. ‘I understand you’re in a lot of pain right now, so I’ll do you the courtesy of forgetting this conversation ever happened.’
Farrah took a fast step towards her, and Aisha steadied herself on the wall.
‘A covenweaver should never be trusted,’ Farrah said. ‘I told Tariq that when he brought you here.’
Aisha held her gaze because looking away felt like an admission of guilt.
‘He really thought he knew better,’ Farrah added.
There was nothing Aisha could say to alter the course of the conversation, so she remained silent, enduring every word.
‘You should have stayed in Avanid,’ the queen said coldly. ‘When the cause of death is confirmed, all eyes will turn to you.’
The door to the king’s chamber opened, and soft light spilled out into the corridor. Farrah turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness and leaving Aisha consumed by nausea.
‘Aisha?’
She turned and saw Tariq standing in the doorway. ‘Yes.’
‘What are you doing?’ His voice was thick with exhaustion. ‘Where’s Kaidon?’
She promised herself in that moment that she would protect his heart and mind while he grieved his father and king. Whatever Farrah said to her would remain between them.
‘Here I am,’ Kaidon said, reappearing.
His steady gaze met Aisha’s briefly, and she realised that he would protect Tariq too.
Drawing a shaky breath, she went to join her husband and pay her respects to the king.
