Equal of the Sun A Novel - By Anita Amirrezvani Page 0,164
like a tear-catcher that adorned one of her shelves. “I don’t want you to collect any more tears for me, though.”
She smiled. “So you know the story about the origin of the tear-catcher?”
“No.”
“Once there was a shah who was jealous of his queen and uncertain of her love. One morning he went off on a hunt and told his men to report to the queen that he had been torn apart by wild animals. The queen was sick with grief. She ordered her artisans to design a glass tear-catcher in which to collect all her tears. A few days later, the Shah’s spies reported that her room was filled with dozens of glass tear-catchers in shades of blue and violet, which glowed with her sorrow. Chagrined by the grief he had caused her, the Shah returned and promised to trust her and love her until the end of their days.”
I paused. “I wish that every terrible story had such a happy ending.”
“So do I.”
When I returned to the palace, I sent Mirza Salman a message saying that I had urgent information that could threaten the very foundations of the court, thereby obligating him to see me. He had just claimed one of the best offices near Forty Columns Hall, one with high ceilings and windows made of rare multicolored glass. I sat in his waiting room filled with deadly calm, thinking how pleased Balamani would be to know how resolute I felt.
When I was finally shown in, Mirza Salman frowned. I noticed that he had purchased a fancy silk carpet, which felt as soft as a baby’s skin, and he had positioned himself at the long end of it so that visitors would have to admire it while talking to him.
I didn’t waste time on pleasantries. “I have heard you have been speaking out against me.”
“So? I say what I think.”
“So do I. I am here because I need that mill—the one that Khalil Khan claimed as his reward for murdering Pari.”
Mirza Salman shuddered as if I had mentioned something indelicate. “Khalil Khan is one of the richest men in the country now. Why should I challenge him for your sake?”
“Because the mill belongs to me.”
He guffawed. “Can’t you think of a better reason?”
“Do you really want to make an enemy of me?”
“I am the grand vizier, remember? It is not even worth my time to smash your balls.”
I did not raise an eyebrow. “You have to help me,” I demanded. “It is the law.”
“I don’t have to do anything.”
I gestured to his eunuchs, who looked ready to grab me and throw me out of the room. “I have something to tell you that you will prefer to keep private.”
He sent them to the corners of the room so that they could not hear, but kept his hand on his dagger.
“I know about your plot to bring Hamza Mirza to the throne,” I said quietly. “Don’t you think that news might upset the Shah?”
Mirza Salman’s chin snapped into the air and his back stiffened as if he were riding a horse. “Nonsense.”
“Your plan was to bribe the Ostajlu guard inside the palace at the same time that you sent an army of supporters to guard all of its entrances, having learned from the mistakes that Haydar made. Once you had the palace secured, you were going to declare Hamza Mirza the new shah, with yourself as grand vizier.”
I began describing the minutiae of the plan, watching his face change from assured to ashen, until finally I had convinced him that I knew everything.
“Enough! I am not to blame, but you are a good enough storyteller to make it sound like a competent rumor. So you want the mill? Very well, then. I will see that you get it, but only under one condition: You must leave the court.”
It was exactly what I hoped he would say, but I pretended to equivocate. “You want me to relinquish my post at the palace? Why should I?”
“That is the deal. Otherwise you can fend for yourself.”
I pretended to look as if I felt cornered. “This is my home. Where else is a eunuch supposed to go?”
“Out of my sight.”
“I intend to stay.”
“Then I won’t help you.”
“Very well, then,” I said angrily. “When shall I expect to receive my orders to depart?”
“Right away.” He dismissed me with a flick of his wrist, and as I reached the door, he hissed, “You are very lucky.” His gaze was as chilling as the highest peaks of