Equal of the Sun A Novel - By Anita Amirrezvani Page 0,46
have my nap.”
Sleep, when there was so much to do?
“Thank you for the poem. We will speak again soon.” He arose and took his leave, his mother following closely behind.
As we walked back to the palace, Pari’s eyes seemed to be looking inward. When I asked her if I could do anything for her, she replied sadly, “All the time I imagined my brother coming home, I never suspected it would feel like I was talking with a stranger. I only hope that time will turn him back into a brother.”
“Esteemed princess, I think he is afraid of you. He is all dark instinct and confusion, while you are like the sun of reason.”
“And that means I shall have to prove to him day by day that my intentions are loyal.”
“That is wise.”
We strategized about the best ways for her to show her loyalty, but before we could implement any of our ideas, Isma‘il announced that he would not see anyone but his closest advisors until after the coronation. When Pari received the news, the hurt in her eyes was deep. How could Isma‘il cut off his own sister, the person who had done so much to bring him to the throne? Was someone close to him sullying her name?
Early the next morning, I went to Shamkhal’s house with a small bag of silver in my hand. When a servant opened the door, I asked to see one of his eunuchs, whom I knew from when he had served at the palace as a messenger boy. As I kissed him on both cheeks, I slipped the bag of silver into his sleeve and asked him whether his master had been ill. He said he hadn’t. When I pressed him for details, he whispered that Shamkhal had been invited to keep company with Isma‘il every day.
I returned to Pari’s and told her I had something to reveal to her, but that the very thought made me choke. Fortunately, she did not require the lengthy protestations of regret that were usually necessary in such a circumstance.
“Out with it.”
“Is it possible your uncle has found favor with Isma‘il?”
“Of course not. He would have told me.”
I assumed a concerned look, as if worried about his health. “But we haven’t seen him for days. Do you think he is still ill?”
“He must be.”
“Perhaps, then, he would welcome a visit from you.”
Pari’s eyes sought mine. “What exactly do you know? Speak!”
“Isma‘il has invited him to make daily visits.”
“Him, not me? How have you learned this?”
“I paid someone to find out.”
“With whose money?”
“My own.”
“When did I grant you permission to do that?”
“You didn’t.”
Her brows knitted together, and I feared a storm. “Are you implying that my uncle is betraying me?”
“Surely not, esteemed princess. I simply thought you would wish to know his movements.”
I had to be diplomatic.
“How dare you? If my uncle finds out you were spying on him, you will be pounded into pudding.”
“My duty is to protect you, no matter what.”
“That is what all servants say to earn their keep,” Pari scoffed.
It wasn’t uncommon for palace servants to put themselves at risk to earn their master’s trust, but my own reasons went deeper. Lately I had begun to develop tender feelings for Pari. Her vulnerability brought out all my protective urges, almost as if she were the sister I had never been able to watch grow up. Seeing her struggle with what fate had allotted her made me think about Jalileh and how much I wished I had been able to soften the blows she had endured. Something in my face must have spoken out loud, because the storms on Pari’s forehead cleared.
“I won’t judge your actions until I investigate this matter further. You prove your loyalty to me every day.”
I let out my breath. I hoped she would begin to think about how she could appear to serve Isma‘il rather than demanding things from him.
“Esteemed princess, the nightingale finds it easy to be loyal to a rose,” I said. “Your task is much thornier than mine.”
CHAPTER 4
THE ROSE IS HEARTLESS
During Zahhak’s reign, a noble child named Fereydoon was born. The destiny of this child was so powerful that his birth penetrated and disturbed the sleep of the king. Zahhak dreamed that Fereydoon would become a brave warrior and unseat him from his throne. He awoke in terror, so disturbed that he ordered a manhunt for the child.
When Fereydoon’s mother, Faranak, heard about the king’s edict, she agonized about how to protect him. Where could