Maryam looked even more sympathetic. ‘If you confess, Tariq will find a way to protect you, and your family will be free to return home. I cannot think of another solution that keeps you all alive.’
Aisha looked away. ‘This is all getting out of hand. I need to go find Tariq.’ She smoothed down her hair and dress, then stepped past Maryam.
‘If I am exposed for cooperating with Zahvik, I will be labelled a traitor and sentenced accordingly,’ Maryam said.
Aisha stopped, her hand hovering over the door handle.
‘I deserve that,’ Maryam continued, her voice softening. ‘But my family will pay at the other end of this. And they do not deserve any of it.’ Her voice cracked when she said that last part.
Aisha’s throat tightened. ‘I have to go.’
She left with no plan.
No power.
And no idea what was ahead of her.
Chapter 30
Tariq abandoned his formal robes and replaced them with a cream tunic and trousers. He was desperate to see Aisha but forced himself to wait until the searches were complete—until he could face her with all the facts. They could then face his mother as a united front.
A knock at the door had him rising from his chair. Kaidon entered with a bag in hand. Dread pooled in Tariq’s belly as he recalled the bag of ‘witchery’ his mother had mentioned. He reminded himself that a bag of medicinal herbs wasn’t evidence of murder.
Kaidon placed it on the table and opened it. A sharp, earthy scent filled the room. ‘This was among Princess Lilah’s belongings,’ he said. ‘Various dried leaves and roots.’ His tone remained neutral.
Tariq stared down at the open bag. Aisha had told him herself that Lilah was knowledgeable with herbs. They weren’t hiding anything.
‘Take the bag to the physician and find out what all these are. I want to know their uses and what they’re capable of.’
Kaidon didn’t move. ‘Then what?’
That was a very good question. ‘Then we do the next thing.’
Still, Kaidon did not move. ‘There are rumours circulating.’
‘Of course there are.’
‘Your mother has witnesses claiming Lilah was burning herbs in her bedchamber while the feast was underway.’
Tariq brushed a finger down his nose. ‘One thing at a time.’
‘She’ll be labelled a covenweaver and?—’
‘Burned,’ Tariq finished. ‘I’m well aware of our laws.’
Kaidon bowed and headed for the door. When he pulled it open, Aisha was standing there, face pale and hair loose. And her expression…
Gods, her broken expression. A tight mask of restraint barely holding back exhaustion.
Her eyes landed on the bag in Kaidon’s hand.
‘That bag belonged to my mother,’ she said, her voice frayed.
Tariq gestured for Kaidon to go. The guard slipped past Aisha, taking the bag with him. She watched it leave.
‘She’s an herbalist,’ Aisha said. ‘You know that.’
Since she didn’t appear to want to come in, he walked over, meeting her at the door. The tension coming from her almost repelled him.
