CHAPTER 10
Arie
KADIN BROUGHT US TOa small abode on the edge of town. Made of the same pale limestone as the other buildings, I recognized the green door with peeling paint. It was where I’d first met him. An oddly small place for someone dressed like him.
In the early afternoon heat, the streets and roofs were empty. No one lounged outside to witness me enter.
My steps slowed.
Kadin strode ahead, confident, head held high. But I’d gotten enough of his thoughts in piecemeal to know he was as unsure as I was.
He glanced back as he pulled out a key. “Changing your mind?”
“No,” I said after a long pause, uncertain.
Remember the Severance,I reminded myself.For me, and maybe... maybe for Amir?
That was an idea I hadn’t considered before. It would certainly solve a lot of problems.
This is about more than just a job and a meal.I limped toward the green door on blistered feet with as much dignity as I could muster.
Unlocking it, his fingers curled around the handle and he pushed it open, ushering me in ahead of him. Stepping inside, I blinked, waiting for my eyes to adjust, appreciating the cooler air after the sun had beaten down on me without ceasing the past few days.
A low sofa stretched the span of three walls in the small front room, all three sides covered in brightly colored pillows. The decorative window covering let light in through a hundred different designs making patterns across the walls and floor. It was a beautiful home, but there was nothing personal, no paintings or tapestries. An older man lounged at the table, which held the noon meal.
My mouth watered.
The man didn’t look up, busy working with a knife and a piece of wood. He was nearly my father’s age and his skin was even darker than Baba’s. His head was shaved smooth, but he’d allowed a carefully trimmed beard to grow.
Kadin cleared his throat. “We have company,” he told the man, who glanced up at me. “This is Arie. Arie, this is Illium.”
The older man nodded, once, and returned to his work. The complete lack of thoughts about me proved his disinterest was real.
A younger man came through the kitchen door holding a tray with steaming cups of tea. Kadin repeated the introductions, adding, “This is Naveed.”
The younger man was closer to my age, and I assumed Kadin’s as well. He had light brown skin, closely cropped black hair, and warm brown eyes.
He set the tea down and stepped forward. Not saying a word, he just smiled and squeezed my hand.
Hello,he thought and let go, still not speaking.
It should’ve made me feel ill at ease, but it didn’t. I smiled back. “Wonderful to meet you both.”
Illium grunted, focused on his whittling.
