The Kingdom of Copper (The Daevabad Trilogy #2) - S. A. Chakraborty Page 0,148

most deeply held taboo to be told to “stand down.”

“No,” she said flatly. “You won’t be tearing this place down. No one’s touching my hospital and no one’s dragging my partner off to rot in the dungeon.”

Ghassan looked incredulous—and then his face hardened in a way that had once turned her blood to ice. “I beg your pardon?”

A whisper rustled through the group behind them, and then Kaveh came forward, looking aghast.

“Tell me it’s not true,” he implored. “They are saying you healed a shafit here with your own hands. Tell me they’re lying.”

“I healed about fifty,” she corrected coldly. Before he could respond, Nahri raised her scalpel and cut a deep gash into her palm. Barely three drops had fallen to the dust before the wound closed. “And yet seemingly the Creator has not seen fit to take my abilities.”

Kaveh looked horrified. “But at the Temple, you promised—”

“A promise like that means nothing when people are dying. My tribe committed a heinous crime—one whose source you and I will definitely be discussing. For now, I did what I could to rectify it.” She shook her head in disgust. “Do you understand? What happened was a tragedy that you let spin out of control. A few criminals attack an innocent couple and that justifies a war in the streets? Is that who we are?” She gave Ghassan a defiant look but chose her next words carefully. “What happened to the king who was ready to move us past all this?”

It was both a challenge and an opportunity, and Nahri prayed they’d seize on the latter. She couldn’t read Kaveh’s expression; she suddenly wondered if she’d ever read anything about him correctly.

But Ghassan … his expression was one of open appraisal. As though he was seeing her for the first time.

Nahri met his stare. “I have dealt with you fairly at every turn, King Ghassan,” she said, lowering her voice. “I renounced my Afshin. I married your son. I bow my head while you sit on a shedu throne. But if you try to take this from me, I will rip this city and your family apart.”

Ghassan narrowed his eyes and drew nearer; it took every ounce of courage Nahri had not to step back.

“You cannot be so foolish as to threaten me,” he said, softly enough that only she could hear. “I could reveal you as shafit right here.”

Nahri didn’t drop her gaze. And then in a single, petrifying moment, she decided to call his bluff. Nahri could read a mark, djinn king or not, and she was still willing to bet Ghassan al Qahtani would rather be known as the king who united their tribes than the one who destroyed the last Nahid.

“Then do it,” she challenged, keeping her voice equally low. “Let us see who the Daevas believe now. Who your children believe. I’ve kept my word. Do this and it will be you acting in bad faith, not I.”

Perhaps moved to interfere by the deadly expression brewing on his father’s face, Muntadhir approached. He looked sick, his horrified eyes tracing the blood-spattered street and smoldering buildings. “Abba, it’s been a long day. Let me take her back to the palace.”

“That sounds like an excellent suggestion.” Ghassan didn’t take his eyes off her. “You’re correct, Banu Nahida,” he continued, his voice diplomatic. “You have acted in good faith, and I’m certain your actions here were only intended to save lives.” He shrugged. “Perhaps one day the Daevas will even forget you completely disobeyed Suleiman’s code to do so.”

Nahri refused to flinch. “My hospital?”

“You may keep your little project, but you won’t be returning to it until it’s completed.” Ghassan shot a glance at Ali, still kneeling on the ground. “Nor will you be leaving it unless it is at my command. A contingent of the Guard—and not ones your mother has managed to pay off—will arrest you if you try.” He looked between Ali and Nahri. “I think it’s best we put some distance into this … partnership. Should you need to discuss the work, you may communicate through a messenger … one I assure you will be very much in my service.”

Muntadhir grabbed her hand, pulling her away. “Understood,” he said quickly, perhaps seeing the defiance still bright in her eyes. “Nahri, let’s—”

“I’m not done,” Ghassan cut in, his voice freezing her blood. But his attention was back on Ali. “The Banu Nahida may have acted in good faith, but you did not. You disobeyed me, Alizayd,