He remained composed, knowing that any reaction would confirm it.
‘You must have suspected it after she told you to clear that mine before it collapsed,’ Farrah continued. ‘That was her. Correct?’
He couldn’t decide what surprised him more, the fact that she knew or that she had kept it to herself. One thing was for sure: If she suspected the family’s involvement in the king’s death, she wouldn’t be keeping any secrets now.
‘Why do you think I tried to prevent this marriage?’ Farrah asked. ‘Look at where we have ended up on the first day of your union.’
He waited until he could speak calmly. ‘You cannot lay blame at their feet without proof, and you know it.’
She didn’t so much as blink. ‘You want proof? All right. Your bride’s sister was witnessed handling and mixing herbs in her chamber minutes before arriving at the feast. Minutes before the king’s collapse.’
That couldn’t be true. ‘The princesses were coming and going because they were caring for their father.’
‘It was Lilah, in case you were wondering.’
He laughed at that. ‘If you had said Safiya, I might have paused to consider the possibility. But Lilah? Come on now.’
Farrah took a step towards him. ‘One of the servants informed me that she arrived here with a bag full of witchery.’
He rubbed tiredly at his forehead. ‘Apparently you’ve forgotten how many people were angry at the king. He might have been tolerated by the nobles, but he was loathed by the miners.’
Her composure fractured, but only for a beat. ‘His body is barely cold, and you dare speak ill of him.’
Tariq’s face went slack. She was right. Now was not the time for those conversations.
‘You want to believe they’re all innocent,’ Farrah continued. ‘I understand that. Except you are king now. You are loyal to the throne above all else.’
Tariq looked away, his jaw aching from the tension.
‘You trust Kaidon, do you not?’ Farrah said. ‘Send him to investigate if my word means so little. Doing nothing is not an option for someone in your position.’
For a moment, neither of them moved. The only sound was the gentle crackle of the fire.
‘I’ll look into it,’ Tariq said, realising he had no choice. ‘Including a thorough investigation of Zahvik Barakat.’
Farrah sighed. ‘You are a smart man. You know the Emperor wanted Hamza on that throne for as long as possible.’ Her expression softened. ‘If you had been killed, on the other hand, he would have been first on my list.’
He hated that she was right.
When she turned back to the window, Tariq folded the physician’s report in half. ‘Try to get some rest,’ he said, then left her chambers.
Kaidon was waiting for him when he exited, a mirror of his own exhaustion. ‘Well?’ he asked.
The request Tariq was about to make felt like betrayal. ‘I want you to search all the rooms of the Nazari family.’
It took Kaidon a moment to respond. ‘What am I looking for?’
He handed the physician’s report to him. ‘Lethal herbs,’ he replied, then drew a steadying breath. ‘I want everything done properly so I never have to have this conversation with my mother again. Understand?’
Kaidon ran his eyes over the note, then looked up. ‘All of the rooms?’
Tariq nodded slowly. ‘All of them.’
Chapter 29
Aisha failed to find Maryam anywhere. The other servants had confirmed sightings of her throughout the day, but no one knew where she was. Exhausted, Aisha gave up the search and went to speak with Zara about her encounter with Farrah.
She sat on the edge of a low settee with her hands clasped tightly in her lap while Zara sat opposite folding a piece of linen with absent-minded precision. Omar and Yasmin were now in their own beds in the adjoining room.
