The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn #2) - Renee Ahdieh Page 0,100

nevertheless a fearsome one to behold. A sight fueled by a tumult of emotions.

But oddly not by fury.

For the boy-king at its vanguard had mastered his rage even before he had begun the march from Rey to Amardha. Had leashed his control.

And his was a control even more deadly in such a state. A fury at its worst in such a case. When it could be shrewdly unleashed at a moment’s notice.

Much like the head of a serpent.

The sight of Amardha’s grey gates before him made the boy-king’s eyes flash. Once.

No. He was not here to wreak revenge.

For revenge was trifling and hollow.

No. He was not here to retrieve his wife.

For his wife was not a thing to be retrieved.

No. He was not here to negotiate a truce.

For a truce suggested he wished to compromise.

The boy-king spurred his black al-Khamsa forward, its hooves kicking up a storm of dust and debris.

He was here to burn something to the ground.

OUTMATCHED

THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF CLANKING METAL AND whickering horses filled the desert air with an odd sort of anticipation. Though Irsa had not yet decided if it was the good kind. Nevertheless, she paced on the outskirts of the newly formed camp, trying to remain lighthearted.

“This is exciting, isn’t it?” she began, glancing at Rahim sidelong.

He smiled, but it did not touch his eyes. “Exciting is perhaps not the right word.”

Her expression fell. At that, Rahim reached for her hand. Irsa wrapped her fingers around his as though they were made for this, and only this.

They strolled through the bustling encampment. Members of the Royal Guard had already completed the work on Khalid’s tent and had now turned to their own. Badawi soldiers were busy raising Omar’s patchwork structure.

Their hands still entwined, Rahim and Irsa watched the men work in silent concert.

“Are you frightened?” Irsa asked.

He did not answer right away. “A bit. In most of the battles we’ve fought, we’ve had the advantage of surprise. And there is little chance for surprise when you march to the gates of a city and promptly set up camp.” Rahim laughed softly. “But the caliph seems to be a sound strategist. And he doesn’t seem prone to wasting life unnecessarily.”

“You like him.” Irsa grinned. “Don’t you?”

“Not really.” Rahim snorted.

But Irsa knew otherwise. She knew he at least respected Khalid a great deal more than he let on. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell Tariq.”

“Tell him if you must.” They rounded the shadowed side of a small dune on the edges of the encampment. “It won’t change a thing. Tariq and I are kept beyond the inner circle for the most part.” Rahim kicked a stone from their path. “Tariq is still incensed that he won’t be allowed to go into Amardha with the caliph when he demands the sultan’s surrender.”

Irsa frowned. “I don’t understand why he would want to go. To be honest, I don’t even understand why Khalid wishes to go. That awful man will be unlikely to return Shazi just because he is asked to do so.”

“Even so, I understand why both of them want to go into Amardha and try.” Rahim came to a halt, then turned to shield Irsa from a gust of sand blowing their way.

Irsa shaded her eyes. “But you still disagree with Khalid.”

“I think the caliph should take us with him,” Rahim said firmly. “There’s no finer archer than Tariq in the camp. The caliph is taking the young magus from the Fire Temple with him for protection, along with the captain of the guard. They’ll definitely keep the caliph safe, but I don’t know if they would risk his safety for Shazi’s sake. I’d much prefer it if others were involved. Others whom I trust.”

“Do you believe the sultan will actually surrender to Khalid?” Irsa looked up, her features dubious.

“It’s less about demanding surrender and more about learning whether or not Shazi is still in the city.”

“You’re worried the sultan has harmed her.” It was not a question.

Rahim sighed. “He would be foolish to hurt Shahrzad. For years, he’s been outmatched in all ways. Though Parthia is a wealthy kingdom, it’s never been able to hold a candle to Khorasan. Our armies, our coffers, our rulers have always been stronger.”

“Until the storm,” Irsa said quietly.

Rahim nodded.

Irsa turned her gaze toward the Sea of Sand. “Rahim . . . do you think he would hurt Shazi?”

His hands shifted to cup her face. “You know as well as I that Shahrzad can take care of herself.” Rahim brushed