by Elm Vince
Lisha shook her head. “If someone is in the palace, I’m not leaving your side. Aliyah would have my head if you were cut to ribbons just before the wedding.”
“I’ll go.” Jevera tilted her head up, already striding for the door. “I know where to find Namir. You stay and protect the princesses.”
Mehri sniffed back tears, still clutching the shredded material.
“Don’t worry, Mehri. There’s still the beautiful golden outer layer you made.” Lalana scooped up the sheer, golden material from the bed.
“I know we’re running out of time, but I’m not sure I can get away with just that, Lana,” I tried to joke, but my words felt hollow. Someone or something was in the palace, and they had targeted my outfit. Am I next?
My sister gently pried the ruined gown from Mehri’s hands, handing her the golden overlay instead. Then Lalana threw open my wardrobe, trailing her fingers across the flowing fabrics like I might read the spines of books in the library.
“This one.” She pulled out a gown in rich Khirideshi red.
I took it from her hands, the cool silk sliding between my fingers. “I suppose it’s the nicest gown I have.”
“But Zadie has to wear Astarian colors,” Mehri sniffled. “Cream and gold. It’s tradition.”
“It’ll be dark.” Lalana shrugged. “And she’ll be wearing some gold. Besides, after his speech earlier, Kassim seems less bothered by traditions than he once was. I don’t think he’ll care what Zadie’s wearing as long as she makes it to the wedding on time…” Her eyes darted back to the shredded dress. “And, more importantly, in one piece.”
10
Hundreds of voices floated to where I stood in the drafty, stone antechamber outside the ballroom, waiting for my cue to enter. Guards stood to attention at every door into the dimly lit room, but Lisha still prowled around the circumference, checking every window and prodding at soft furnishings with her dagger.
Aliyah and Namir spoke in low voices beside me.
“It’s been quiet in the city.” The thief queen took down her dripping hood. “The storm kept most people inside. The worst I’ve broken up are a few bar brawls, and one particularly oafish plot to steal the wine for the wedding feast tomorrow.”
“Any sign of Hepzibah?” the spymaster asked quietly.
She shook her head.
“The Phoenites?”
“Not one mountain-dwelling zealot to be seen. And I doubt any will turn up now. The waters are too choppy for boats to dock safely, and Elian has more guards on the palace walls than I’ve ever seen. Even I struggled to get past them.”
Aliyah’s words did little to ease the tightness in my stomach. The shredded dress had shaken me more than I cared to admit. What if the threat was already inside the city, lying in wait? We knew someone had gotten inside the palace to ruin my dress. What if they were still here, roaming around the halls, waiting for an opportune moment to strike?
“Are you alright, Z? You look pale.” Aliyah moved past Namir to stand in front of me.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
Aliyah raised an eyebrow. “Wedding day jitters?”
I frowned down at my crimson-and-gold outfit. “Did Namir tell you about the dress?”
Her lips thinned. “Lisha told me.”
“I’m worried someone’s already here. In the city. Or the palace.”
Namir, wearing a smart black outfit decorated with gold filigree, stepped closer to join us. “Zadie, the guards have searched every inch of the palace. We’ve secured the perimeter. No one is getting in or out without me knowing about it.” He gave me a rare smile. “My guess? The djinni destroyed your gown while he was here, just to be spiteful. But he got what he came for and left.” His voice softened. “You’re safe. I promise.”
Aliyah turned her gaze from the spymaster back to me. “And I’ll make sure the streets of Kisrabah stay safe.”
I jumped as the room flashed with white light, a clap of thunder echoing through the air. Lisha was at my other side instantly, her dagger unsheathed.
“This spirits-cursed storm,” Aliyah swore. “Listen, Z. I understand you’re spooked, anyone would be, but you’re not alone.”
“I won’t leave Zadie’s side.” Namir’s voice was low. “Lisha should head back with you.”
The assassin scowled. “No way. I’m not going anywhere.”
Namir didn’t flinch. “You can hardly stand by Zadie’s side when she’s performing the rites next to the sultan. You’re not a handmaid or a palace guard. You’re an assassin. I won’t have you locked in a room with nobles and royals.”
“I’m not leaving Zadie’s side.” Lisha squared up to Namir, her jaw set. “Tell him, Ali.”
Aliyah looked between them. “Lisha comes with me,” she relented. “But if any harm comes to Zadie between this door and her sultan…,” Aliyah warned, a long finger prodding into Namir’s chest.
Namir gingerly removed her finger. “I’ll personally stand guard the other side of this door. No one’s coming through after us, Aliyah.”
She sighed, seemingly satisfied. Lisha said nothing but glowered at Namir.
I squeezed her arm. “Thank you, Lisha. For the braids. For everything.”
“Wait… You braided the future sultanah’s hair? On her wedding day?” Aliyah looked at her second in disbelief. “Perhaps we’ll make a handmaid out of you yet.”
Lisha scoffed, but Aliyah reached out, touching the braids, then the headdress. She took a step back, looking me up and down.
“You know what you look like?”
I frowned warily. “What?”
“A queen.” She pulled me into a sudden, tight hug.
Tears stung my eyes. “Takes one to know one.” My reply was muffled by her shoulder. Before I could say another word, both women melted into the shadows. The door banged closed behind them, leaving me and Namir standing in the room of guards.
My nose and hands felt cold, my blood thrumming with anticipation. I tapped my restless foot on the floor. I trusted Aliyah and Namir to keep me safe, so why did I feel like this?
Namir patted my arm awkwardly. “It’s nearly over. All you have to do is walk through that doorway, then down the aisle between the guests. Traditionally you’d have been carried in a palanquin.” His lips tugged up. “But Kassim vehemently argued against that idea this morning.”
That wrung a smile from me. “A wise choice.”
“Then you’ll stand between your father and mother while the rites are performed, and move to Kassim’s side afterward. The room is lined with Elian’s soldiers. I’ll be on the other side of this door the whole time. You’ll be safe.”
I tried to wipe the worried look from my face. “I know. I know. It’s silly, isn’t it? I’m more nervous to face a room of nobles than a cave full of vengeful spirits.”
The door behind us creaked open, and despite myself, I flinched again. Namir’s head snapped up at the intrusion, but relaxed almost immediately.
Kassim and Elian walked into the room. The sultan shone in the finest outfit he’d ever worn. Pearlescent silk and gold gleamed even in the dim lighting, his fingers glittering with jewels.
He strode straight for me. “I know it’s not traditional, but I had to see you one last time.” He stilled as he took in my outfit, his gaze running over my dress and headdress. “Zadie, you look…” He blew out a breath.
“Did you hear about the dress?” I picked at my sleeve. “I didn’t plan on wearing red, but my cream gown was completely ruined and–” I stopped when I noticed Kassim trying to repress a smile. “What’s funny about that?”
“Nothing.” Kassim kept a straight face. “Only that it doesn’t matter. You look beautiful.”
He took both my hands and pulled me a few steps away from the others. Thunder rumbled again but this time I didn’t jump.
“Listen. During the ceremony, I’ll have to intone a lot of boring old rites to the rest of the world, and talk about the alliance, promising to unite m
y kingdom and wealth with Princess Scheherazade, second-born of Khiridesh. But that’s just politics.” He squeezed my hands, clearing his throat. “I promise to share my body, my heart, my soul with you, Zadie. My sultanah.” He leaned down to kiss the back of my hands, and my body thrummed, excitement fluttering in my stomach and spreading outward. “The rites for arranged marriages like ours don’t mention those things, but I wanted you to hear them.”
“I hear them.” Tears pricked at my eyes, but I blinked them away, not wanting to ruin Safiyya’s hard work on my makeup.
Elian caught the sultan’s arm. “Minute’s up, Kassim. Come on. You’ll see her in a few moments anyway.” He gave me a wink.
A smile spread across Kassim’s face as he allowed himself to be led away by the captain. “Oh, and Zadie?” The sultan pulled away from Elian. “I have a special gift for you in my chamber, for afterward.”
“I bet you do,” Elian cackled, catching the sultan’s arm once more and almost dragging him toward the door.
“Ignore Elian,” Kassim called back over his shoulder, halfway through the doors. “It’s not that. It’s jewelry.”
The doors closed after them, and I stared at the vast, carved doors before me, imagining Kassim walking past our guests to the dais. The same walk I would take in a few moments. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves, but found I was already much calmer.
“It’s almost midnight. Are you ready, princess?” Namir hung back as the guards stood to attention, primed to open the doors.
I raised my chin. The headdress pressed down on my head, heavy as a crown. But I was getting used to the extra weight. I nodded to Namir, and the doors swung inward.
My breath left me as I stepped into the ballroom. Not because the gazes of several hundred gathered nobles turned on me, but because the room itself took my breath away.
The cavernous ballroom glowed golden orange, lit by a thousand and one small oil lamps hanging from the high ceilings by gossamer threads and flickering overhead like a fiery blanket of stars.
In the distance, over the sounds of the storm outside, Kisrabah’s bell towers began to chime midnight.
The rain drummed against the high windows and bells pealed as I took another step into the room, still marveling at how Safiyya had transformed it into a place of wonders.
Framing the sea of lights, thin, cream banners flowed from the ceiling like waterfalls, and garlands of gold-painted star jasmine in full, fragrant bloom curled along the marble columns, their scent mingling with the rich wood-and-amber incense.
My gaze fell to the sultan, my sultan, waiting for me at the far end of the room.
I took another step, then another. I moved slower than the chiming bells and as regally as I could, ignoring the giddy urge to run. Instead, I pressed my shoulder blades back, trying to forget I wore the wrong color dress, or any of the last-minute changes.
I ignored the soldiers standing guard, let the royals flash past my periphery without worrying what they were thinking. I passed Sultanah Farideh in a colorful outfit, Princess Makani in a gown made of tiny, cut jewels, and Prince Rishi who, by the state of his hair, had been roused from bed quite recently.
I was more than halfway… Three quarters… My mother and father smiled down at me from the dais. The bells finished chiming when I was less than a few steps from Kassim. It was officially All Spirits Day, the day marked as auspicious for our union. I let out a long, shaky breath.
We made it.
A splintering bang echoed through the room. I spun to see the doors smash open and Namir fly through the air before every oil lamp in the room flickered out. Gasps filled the air. A fork of lightning lanced across the night sky beyond, briefly illuminating the incredulous crowd.
My hand flew to my chest, every muscle in my body tense.
A cold, male voice rang out. “Beautiful night for a wedding.”
11
What sounded like three sets of footsteps echoed through the ballroom, their owners hidden by darkness. I stumbled backwards, closer to Kassim. Then every lamp in the room flickered to life once more, a low, lilac flame burning menacingly. Violet smoke gathered above us, hanging as thick and dark as the clouds outside.
Tarak.
I glanced around, my breathing quickening. The rest of the room was hazy with the smoke of the extinguished lamps.
“I assume the bird delivering my invitation got lost on the way, Sultan Kassim?”
My eyes found the speaker, a tall, slim man dressed all in black, taking long, languid steps toward us. He paused when he saw me, his kohl-lined eyes piercing against his pallid skin. A shudder ran through me.
Tarak stood at his left. The djinni crossed his arms, looking bored. His violet eyes looked straight past me. At the stranger’s other side, a familiar shadowy figure stepped into view.
“Hepzibah,” I hissed, glaring at the vizier. Garbed in a swirling black gown that moved like smoke, she grasped a silver staff in her bony hand. I dug my nails into my palms as a spider-like smile spread across her face.
“I have traveled far to make an appearance on your important day,” the intruder continued, directing his words at Kassim. “Not that you or your father ever once bothered to make the journey north for my own wedding, or my late wife’s funeral. In fact, the Astarian throne has declined all of our diplomatic invitations for decades.” The stranger splayed his palms. “But I understand. It is such a long, arduous journey.”
Recognition dawned on Kassim’s face and his lip curled. “Sultan Iram.” Kassim’s voice shook with rage as it rang out through the chamber.
“In the flesh.” The Phoenite sultan sketched a shallow bow, his gaze flicking from Kassim to me as he righted himself.
The Sultan of Phoenitia. Whatever his reason for being here, it wasn’t good. Especially considering he was working alongside a hateful sorceress and a deceitful, treacherous djinni.
“And this must be your bride, Princess Scheherazade.” Sultan Iram dipped his head in my direction. “I apologize for missing her grand entrance. I was only just informed you’d changed the time of your nuptials.”
I clasped my fingers together so he couldn’t see them trembling. “Yet you arrived just in time to upstage me with a grand entrance of your own, sultan.”
Sultan Iram blinked, as if surprised I’d spoken to him directly. He gave a tight smile. “The reports about you appear to be true, princess.”
“As do yours,” I bit back.
Kassim responded by drawing his scimitar and pointing it in the sultan’s direction. “The Kingdom of Phoenitia was not invited to our wedding, and with good reason, Iram.” Kassim motioned to the soldiers lining the walls. “Guards – seize them!”
No sooner had the instruction left Kassim’s lips than Tarak snapped his fingers and every weapon in the room whooshed upward. Scimitars were wrenched from hands and daggers unsheathed themselves from waists. I stared up at the glittering ceiling of blades and arrows hanging menacingly in the roiling gloom above our heads.
If they drop…
“Now we have your attention...” Sultan Iram turned slightly from side to side to address the room. Our guests cowered back from him. “I can enlighten you as to the purpose of our visit.”
A hand wrapped around my waist, tugging me backwards a few steps. “Princess, get behind me.” Elian stepped in front, giving me no choice in the matter. I peered around the captain’s bulk.
Sultan Iram pushed back his dark cape to rest a hand on the hilt of his scimitar. “A royal wedding should be a happy occasion, but I’m afraid this one–”
Without warning, Kassim snarled and charged at Iram. The two sultans collided, knocking Hepzibah into the crowd. Tarak materialized a few steps back, watching the fighting sultans without attempting to intervene.
I glanced up to the ceiling where all of the weapons hung well out of reach. Kassim must have realized the same thing. He was going for Iram’s own scimitar, the only weapon remaining on the ground.
Kas
sim grappled with Sultan Iram, the two men a blur of gold and black as they each tried to find purchase on the other. The crowd moved back. They were of similar height, but Kassim was broader and moved faster. He kneed Iram in the stomach, and with the dark sultan winded, knocked his legs from underneath him. He crashed to the floor.
“How dare you come into my home, threaten my guests, and ruin my wedding,” Kassim growled through gritted teeth as he pinned Sultan Iram’s arms over his head, his broad hand gripping both of his wrists and pressing them into the stone. He extracted the scimitar with the other, then jumped up so he stood over Iram, pointing it at his throat.
“How dare I, Kassim?” Iram laughed, still sounding slightly out of breath. He didn’t even try to get up from the floor. “I dare because I can.”
The lilac lights dimmed for a fraction of a second. When they brightened again, the sultan had disappeared, leaving Kassim pointing the stolen scimitar at the marble floor. He whirled around, the sword clasped in two hands. Tarak and Hepzibah had disappeared, too.
Have they gone? No, that’s too easy...
Elian left my side to move to Kassim, the captain’s gaze roaming the crowd.
“And you’re wrong.” Sultan Iram’s next words were loud but distorted, as if carried to us on a phantom wind. I looked around, scanning for the source. “I haven’t threatened anyone here, yet.”
There. The sultan had reappeared on the balcony, high above our heads. Tarak and Hepzibah flanked him once more, still as statues.
“You see,” he called down, his tone taunting. “You may have a loyal army, powerful alliances, and a thriving kingdom, but you’ll soon see those things mean nothing. I have harnessed the power of the gods themselves, and you will fail in the face of my might.” He dusted his hands down his dark cape, speaking slowly, enunciating every word. “You are weak, Kassim. Too weak to protect your kingdom…”
Hepzibah crashed her staff down against the balcony floor, sending an invisible force rippling out from where Kassim stood, knocking everyone off their feet. Guests shrieked and yelped, landing on the floor with thumps and crashes. Only Kassim and I were left standing.