The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath and the Dawn #2) - Renee Ahdieh Page 0,45
of magic was used.”
“What if we don’t know?” she whispered.
He brought both hands behind his neck, weaving his fingers through one another. After a time, Artan responded, his words soft. “You’ll have to bring him, Shahrzad. Your king. He’ll have to speak with my aunt if she’s to help him.”
Fear gripped her chest. Though she’d meant for him to help her—which entailed him knowing the truth—it didn’t trouble her any less to hear it spoken aloud.
“Sometimes you make it so difficult to despise you,” Shahrzad mumbled.
“I know.” Artan grinned, still staring up at the stars.
They continued observing the night sky in companionable silence until the sound of footsteps swished in the sand nearby.
“Shahrzad-jan?” Musa’s deep voice rang out in the darkness.
She stood, a sharp pang zinging from the burn at her waist. “Yes?”
“If I could speak with you for a moment—” He reached into the folds of his cloak. “I’ve brought something for you.”
In his hand was a square of jade half the width of his palm, strung onto a slim circle of dark leather, meant to be worn about the neck. The surface of the polished green stone was covered in intricate markings.
“The talisman we spoke of,” Musa said quietly.
The one to ward away Khalid’s sleeplessness.
“I’m not certain it will do much,” Musa murmured. “Again, it will likely only stave off the effects for a short while. But I thought to help, in whatever small way.”
Artan yawned loudly at this. Shahrzad glared at him before glancing up at the tall figure before her. His black brows were stippled in white, furrowed by concern. “Thank you, Musa-effendi. This is far greater than anything I could have hoped for.”
Musa nodded. “Please tell Khalid—I’m sorry I wasn’t stronger those many years ago. I’m sorry for leaving him alone. But I’m here now, should he ever have need of me.” With that, he placed the talisman in her hand and bowed deeply, his fingertips grazing his forehead.
As her thumb brushed over the etchings carved into the jade, Shahrzad tried her best to ignore the undeniable weight settling around her heart.
The weight of realization.
And the thrill of certainty.
I’m going home.
A MOUSE’S CALL TO ARMS
THE MOON WAS A HALF DISC OF ALABASTER. IN THE distance, the clouds churned in tenebrous suggestion.
Just like the twist of nerves in Irsa’s stomach.
Alas, she was not a good sneak. For her toes seemed to snag on everything in sight.
Twenty paces ahead, Shahrzad moved from shadow to shadow with a sure-footedness Irsa would have envied, were she not so aggravated.
Were she not so angry.
Irsa drew her cloak tighter about her—
And caught her ankle on another tent binding.
Muttering one of Shahrzad’s choicest epithets, Irsa tore her sandal loose, then squinted through the dark.
Her sister had disappeared.
Without a moment’s pause, Irsa broke into a run.
As she rounded the curve of the next tent, a hand darted from a pool of shadow and snared her wrist.
“Why are you following me?” It was both a demand and accusation.
Irsa gasped. Shahrzad’s eyes flashed through the gloom.
Shocked from its temporary stupor, Irsa’s pulse began rampaging through her body. Hot on its heels raced her indignation.
Irsa ripped her arm from Shahrzad’s grasp. “Where are you going?” Fury dotted every word.
Shahrzad’s jaw dropped.
Clearly, Shahrzad had not expected Irsa to be cross with her.
“I—” Shahrzad hardened her gaze. “I asked you first.”
“I don’t care! Tell me where you’re going. Have you not learned anything? After what happened with Teymur, don’t you know it’s dangerous for you to disappear alone like this? I can’t understand why you would—”
Her sister reached for Irsa, pleading and conciliatory. “Irsa—”
“No!” Irsa said. “I don’t want a long-winded excuse. I want you to tell me where you’re going and why. Now.”
Shahrzad sighed. “Of all nights, I wish you hadn’t followed me tonight, Irsa-jan.” She glanced into the desert with a wistful look. “Would you please let me go this once? I promise I’ll take you with me tomorrow. I swear I will.”
“I—I don’t believe you.” Irsa’s eyes began to well. She bit back the tears, cursing her wretched sensitivity. “Why should I believe you? You didn’t even go to see Baba today. Not once. Did you know he opened his eyes when I fed him his broth this afternoon? It was only for a short while, but he looked for you . . . and you weren’t there! I had to lie for you while you slept, Shazi. Just like yesterday. And the day before that.”
“I’m so sorry.” Shahrzad took her hand and squeezed.