“Fine. What have you learned?” he continued.
She frowned and glanced from the shadows to the stone railing beyond.
“Shahrzad. You’ve been here for weeks. What have you learned? What are the boy-king’s habits? His weaknesses?”
Tell him what you know.
“I—don’t know. He’s difficult to read.”
Why can’t I tell him?
“Difficult? He has the personality of an aging camel. Just as surly and just as useless.”
A strange pang cut through Shahrzad at this assessment. “What do you mean?”
“He picks at his food, lounges in sullen silence, and lets his wife fight his battles for him.”
“What? No. You misunderstood the situation.”
“Please tell me you’re not defending him. He barely acknowledged your presence the entire evening, except to parade you before everyone like a prize he had won . . . and then that irritating moment when he fidgeted with your jewelry. I could have done without that.”
“I’m not defending him. I’m saying that it’s—complicated.” Even through the layers of darkness, Shahrzad could see Tariq’s thick eyebrows gather at the bridge of his nose.
“Complicated? There’s nothing complicated about it. As far as I’m concerned, all I need is ready access to a weapon and a clear shot.”
No!
Shahrzad heard a sound in her room.
Her heart stopped. She pressed a hand to Tariq’s lips and shoved him into the shadows. Then she strode into her chamber, sighing with relief to find no one there.
Tariq was leaning against the wall when Shahrzad returned.
“Are you expecting someone?” he asked in a cool tone.
“You have to leave.”
“Why?” There was a note of warning to his voice.
“Tariq, please.”
His eyes narrowed to silver slits. “Will he come to see you tonight?”
“You need to leave. Now.” Shahrzad tugged at his wrist, but he refused to budge from the wall.
“Good. Let him come. That will solve the matter on all fronts.”
“Do you have a death wish?” she cried in muted despair.
Tariq laughed, and the sound was full of heedless arrogance. “From the boy-king? That aging camel?”
“You idiot! He’ll kill you!”
“Are you sure? You don’t think he’ll ask his mother to do it for him?”
Shahrzad sucked in a breath. Before she could stop herself, she launched into a whispered tirade.
“You know nothing about him, and your ignorance will be your downfall. Get out of here, Tariq, because if Khalid walks through that door, he will cut you to ribbons before you have a chance to open your mouth, and it will destroy me. Beyond words. Beyond time. If you love me, do not force me to watch such a sight.”
Shahrzad clutched the front of his rida’ as she spoke. Her features twisted in deep distress.
Tariq’s initial shock melted away at the prospect of her pain. “Shazi—I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just . . . go.”
Tariq took a slow step from the wall. Then he swiveled around to grab Shahrzad by the waist and press her back against the stone. He ran his palms along her arms.
“I love you, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran. There is nothing I would not do for you. Nothing I would not consider if it meant keeping you safe. The world itself should fear me if it stands between us.”
“I—I love you too, Tariq.”
He smiled. Then, without warning, he caught her lips in his. Shahrzad’s jaw slackened in surprise, and Tariq deepened the kiss, tilting her chin upward with a gentle caress of his thumb.
Shahrzad’s mouth responded automatically. Her lips curved over his as they had on many occasions before. But . . . why did it feel wrong this time? Where was that breathless, weightless thrill? That thoughtless moment of incandescence?
Where was that feeling of falling?
It’s here. I know it’s here. I can get it back.
I have to get it back.
REALIZATIONS
UPON EXPLANATIONS
A DAY OF HUNTING FOR SPORT SHOULD PROVE interesting, indeed.
Tariq strode down another never-ending corridor with a guard at his side. As he walked, he glanced around him at the splendor of the palace at Rey. The walls and domed ceilings above were polished beyond reason, and each portico was delineated at its center by a golden sunburst, supported by swooping beams and columned arches of blue-veined agate.
It was beautiful, without a doubt. If a bit cold and imposing.
Soon, he joined a gathering of noblemen taking part in today’s hunting excursion. In truth, Tariq was glad for the distraction and glad for the opportunity to spend time in the company of his target; his interaction with Shahrzad the night before had troubled him greatly.
It was unlike her to be so cagey and distant. It was also unlike her to be so concerned with safety. Usually, she was the first one to throw herself into the fray, heedless of the consequences.
When they were younger, Shahrzad had wanted to learn how to climb trees. Bored with the prospect in short order, she’d then insisted on breaching the walls of Taleqan. Both he and Rahim had begged her to cease in this foolishness, but, if anything, it had only spurred her onward. While watching her climb one afternoon, with her black hair streaming behind her in a tangled mess, he had caught sight of the mortar easing from the wall in a cloud of white dust by her foot. He had known, in that instant, that the brick was about to come loose. Tariq had shouted an all-too-late warning. He had heard Shiva’s scream from behind him when Shahrzad fell. His heart had left his chest as her small body plummeted to the sand. Tariq was the one who had reached her first, who had clutched her to him, demanding she respond. And he was the one who had cursed loudly when she laughed at him, saying she was fine, even if her head did hurt a little.