Equal of the Sun A Novel - By Anita Amirrezvani Page 0,64

any other reason for this punishment?”

“No. On the occasions that I disappointed my father, he told me why and allowed me to make amends. He didn’t punish my vizier. What a sinister way to make a point.”

“Esteemed princess, how shall we break the scepter of royal displeasure?”

“I don’t know.”

I decided I would risk making a visit to Khadijeh, who might be able to tell me what was in Isma‘il’s heart. “I will see what I can find out about this, discreetly, of course.”

“Good,” she said. “Before you go, I wish you to think upon something. Now that Majeed has been released temporarily, I would like you to become my acting vizier. The position will pay more and will require becoming my liaison to the noblemen of the Shah’s court.”

Panah bar Khoda! I was rocked by surprise to learn that Pari believed in me enough to make me her most trusted officer. I would have expected to serve for many years before receiving such an offer. A current of emotion rushed up and down my spine, and it took a moment before I could trust my voice.

“Thank you, esteemed princess. What a great honor! May I think about it until tomorrow?”

“Give me your answer in the morning. But please remember, Javaher, how much I have come to rely on you.”

She said this so sweetly that I felt ready to lay down my life for her.

Khadijeh had moved into one of the buildings that the late Shah had used to house his favorite ladies. I told the eunuch on duty that I wished to see her on a matter of business for Pari Khan Khanoom, and he announced me and allowed me to pass.

Khadijeh received me dressed in a robe of orange silk, which was brightened by her clove-colored skin. Seeing her, so unlike the other courtiers draped in dark colors, was like happening upon a field of poppies. Gold bracelets made music at her wrists. She smiled at me, but because her ladies were present, maintained her formality. I told her I needed to see her on a delicate matter about a woman in distress. Khadijeh waved her chief lady, Nasreen Khatoon, to a distant corner of the room, where she could observe but not overhear. The planes of Nasreen’s face were sharp and beautiful, but I only had eyes for Khadijeh.

“With all respect to your new status, you are even more glorious than ever to my eyes,” I said quietly. “Your new post agrees with you.”

Her smile was bright. “I am happy to be my own mistress.”

“I am sure many are asking for your favor,” I said, feeling a squeeze at my heart, “but I am here about a troubling matter.”

“What is it?”

In a quiet voice, I told Khadijeh about Majeed’s house and asked if she had heard anything from Isma‘il that would help explain the ferocity of his anger.

Khadijeh looked as if she were searching for an answer. “I don’t know him very well yet,” she admitted. “He summons me at night and delights in my company, but doesn’t say much.”

“And you delight in his?” I could not help asking.

“It is not the same as with you,” she said gently.

I was glad to hear that, but brought myself back to my duty. “Has he said anything at all about Pari?”

“You won’t wish to hear it.”

“I must hear it.”

“He called her a pretend shah.”

“On what grounds?”

“I can’t remember. It was a passing comment.”

I thought about it. “She has been leading the amirs in meetings, so I suppose in that way she resembles a shah.”

“Shahs are men,” she pointed out.

“So true,” I said, “but she has the royal farr.”

“He does, too,” she said, “and he demands more deference than you might expect. I think his years as a prisoner have made him feel entitled to it. When he speaks to me about the cruel destruction of his youth by his father, the pain in his heart flares on his face like a flame. The princess should never appear to cross him.”

“It will test her severely,” I said.

“That is too bad. He is the Shah, and she has sworn obedience to him like everyone else.”

“Has anything happened lately that he might hold against her?”

“I heard of one thing,” Khadijeh said in a whisper. “Someone sent a group of soldiers to combat a rebellion in Khui. The Shah is very angry that it was done without his knowledge.”

Ya, Ali!

“Was it Pari?”

“He didn’t say.”

I thought back to my last meeting with Pari; her answers