We all stilled, listening to the sound of drips hitting the tiled floor and the distant rain crashing against the crypt’s windows.
“Did he always appear in that form?” Kassim asked.
“As a shirtless man?” I gave a dark laugh. “That was his preferred form. But like all spirits, he can take any shape he desires. He’s appeared as a leopard, falcon, beetle, woman, roc…” I couldn’t bring myself to list the animals he’d just appeared as in the women’s pavilion, when he’d acted as if he wanted to be involved in our wedding. As if he were truly my friend. “Why?”
Kassim shrugged. “Just so we know what to look out for.”
Elian clapped his hands together, sending droplets of water flying. “Well, now we know to watch out for an all-powerful spirit that can literally look like anyone or anything. Perfect.”
I looked from the captain to Kassim. “What do we do now?”
“We’ve lost the lamps, and we can’t change that now.” Kassim ran a hand over his wet hair. “All we can do is limit the damage they can cause to Astaran when our enemy finally reveals themselves.”
“We just have to hope it takes them a while to figure out how to use the lamps.” Lalana leaned back against the sarcophagus and wrung out her sodden dress. “Hopefully that won’t be before the wedding tomorrow.”
“I believe the wedding is more threatened than we realized.” Kassim’s amber gaze met mine. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Hepzibah, or the Phoenites, or just some malevolent spirit out to wreak havoc. None of our enemies want the Astarian-Khirideshi alliance to happen.”
“You think whoever has the spirits will use them to stop the wedding?” Elian asked.
“I think they’ll try.” Kassim looked around the group. “But we need it now more than ever to strengthen our position politically, and to face whatever’s coming next. So I have a plan…” He paused. “We pull the wedding forward.”
“Pull it forward?” I shook my head. “It’s already supposed to be tomorrow.”
A smile spread across Kassim’s face. “I know. I suggest we make it tonight.”
A thrill ran through me. I wasn’t sure if I was scared of the threat to the kingdom or excited at the sudden change of plans. I turned to Namir. “Is it possible?”
The spymaster nodded slowly. “The guests are all here already, and it’ll limit the time our enemy has to figure out how to use the lamps.”
My heart thudded in my chest.
“Then inform the guests we marry at midnight.” Kassim nodded toward Namir. “The invitation said we were marrying on All Spirits Day. It’ll technically be tomorrow by the time the rites take place.”
“I’ll make sure everyone’s there before the twelfth bell, Kassim.”
“I’ll double the guard on the perimeter,” added Elian.
“And I’ll help Zadie’s handmaids get her ready,” Lalana chimed in, lifting a wet, straggly lock of hair from my shoulder and letting it drop against my soaking dress with a wince.
The sultan paused, suddenly noticing how quiet I was. “Zadie, is that okay with you?”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. It was only a couple of hours until midnight. And then I would be Astaran’s sultanah. Kassim’s wife.
“Then it’s settled.” Kassim’s amber eyes seemed to glow even brighter. “Tomorrow, we face our enemies. But tonight… Tonight we have a wedding.”
Chapter Eighteen
A window shutter slammed open, sending the drapes billowing.
“Ugh, this storm,” Safiyya cried. Lotus raised his head from my lap to watch his mistress run to the window and force it closed with a bang. “We don’t have time for this.”
I moved my cupped palm from the flickering candle. The tiger lowered his head back down with a rumbling purr, getting yet more orange-and-white fur all over my silk dressing robe. At least I wasn’t in my wedding gown yet.
Safiyya returned to my side, already swirling her brush into a powder. She and Lalana did my hair and makeup, while Mehri and Jevera hunched on the floor and finished embroidering the overlay that would sit over my wedding dress.
I sat patiently, watching in the mirror as Lalana worked on affixing a golden veil to the back of my headdress. A huge, gold disk, etched with a delicate rendering of an Astarian sun and studded with amber, rose above my braided hair like a golden halo. I’d chosen the headdress myself.
“I can’t believe you’re wearing that dinner plate on your head,” Lisha observed from where she lounged on a plump pillow on the floor. She stabbed her dagger into the bowl of grapes on the floor next to her, sliding each off with her teeth, the scraping sound making Lalana and Safiyya wince at the same time.
“With the rites at midnight, you’re going to look like you’re walking into a sacrifice rather than a wedding ceremony,” she said through a mouthful of grape.
“I’m not going to ask how you even know what a sacrificial ceremony looks like, Lisha.” I turned my gaze away from her reflection in the mirror. “But somehow, I imagine you’ve been invited to more of those than weddings.”
“Aren’t all weddings to men a kind of sacrifice?” Jevera commented drily. She knelt on the floor next to my bed, sewing the final details to the golden overlay of my dress. It looked like a delicate net made of the purest gold thread.
Lisha guffawed at her comment, and my handmaid’s dark eyes flicked up to watch her.
“I don’t think anyone would consider a marriage to the Sultan of Astaran a sacrifice, Jevera.” Safiyya’s dark head bobbed into view as she lined my eyes with copper kohl. “And Lisha, maybe you could get over here and make yourself useful. If you hadn’t noticed, we’re rather pressed for time.”
“I already helped with the hair,” Lisha protested, popping one last grape into her mouth before she stood and strode over, glaring at the headdress to make sure Lalana wasn’t pulling out any of the perfect braids she’d woven into my hair.
She straddled the chair beside me, resting her chin on the back. “Anyway, I suppose you’re right, princess. Marrying Kassim is no sacrifice. The sultan’s not my type, but I imagine Zadie will be the envy of every hot-blooded Astarian female tonight.”
Mehri giggled from behind us, but at Safiyya’s outraged glance, she turned it into a cough, tucking her fine braids behind her ears and appearing very interested in her sewing.
“Are you excited for tonight, Zadie?” Lalana’s voice sounded close to my ear as she worked on the headdress.
“I’m excited for the wedding, yes,” I replied, purposely ignoring Lalana’s suggestive tone. “If we can get everything ready in time.”
“And what are you wearing, you know, for after?” she asked, her eyes shining with mischief.
Spirits, was there a traditional robe for that, too? I didn’t have time to prepare another outfit. “Do I have to wear something?”
Lalana laughed. “No. I think nothing is a very good choice, Zadie.”
“Stop! That’s my brother, Lana!” Safiyya furrowed her brows and looked sick. “And soon to be yours, too.”
“Will you leave the headdress on?” Lisha scraped her chair closer to tap the disc with her nail, and even Jevera sniggered behind her palm. I watched as my ears turned red in the mirror.
“I don’t need to discuss my wedding night with a group of women who either have no interest in men or no experience with them,” I replied archly, but my heart raced in my chest.
I was pretty sure my sister was the only person in this room who had any first-hand experience of being with a man, but she couldn’t say so in front of everyone else.
It also meant she couldn’t give me any sisterly advice, which wouldn’t be the worst thing to have right about now…
Safiyya stepped back, tilting my face toward the candles burning on the dresser, admiring her handiwork. My skin glowed like sun-warmed honey, my wide, dark eyes fringed with full, curled lashes. At my insistence, the princess had highlighted, rather than tried to conceal, my Khirideshi nose.
“There,” she said, dusting her hands down her skirts. “You look lovely. Now I have to see if Elian and his men have finished preparing the nearly thousand oil lamps I requested.”
I laughed, then stopped when I caught her serious expression in the mirror.
“It’s a very big room to light, Zadie,” she said, her voice earnest as she rushed to the door. “Someone has to think of these things. Just because we’ve pulled the wedding forward, it doesn’t mean it can’t look perfect.” She held the door open, waiting for Lotus to prowl to her side before leaving.
Mehri stood from the floor. “We’re finished with the overlay. Shall I fetch your dress, Princess Zadie?”
I nodded. Mehri dipped a curtsey, then dashed into the corridor.
“I like Princess Safiyya,” Lalana said, gently tugging on my headdress with a hooked finger to make sure it was stable.
“I’ve never met anyone better at organizing things. Or at making things look beautiful,” I admitted.
Lisha stood from the chair. “It seems silly to stick with all this pomp and ceremony when we might be destroyed by vengeful spirits any second.” She walked across the room to peer over Jevera’s shoulder as the handmaid set the gold overlay on the bed. “I don’t know why you and Kassim couldn’t just say the rites and sign the papers in the council rooms. Then after a quick roll in the royal chambers, your two kingdoms could already be united.”
“Evil spirits or not, this is still a royal wedding,” Jevera snipped, pushing Lisha away half-heartedly. “A common guard like you just doesn’t appreciate the beauty of tradition or fine things.”
“Oh, I know fine things when I see them,” Lisha quipped, leaning right over Jevera, pretending to study the golden material.
The door banged open, making us all jump.
“It’s ruined!” Mehri burst into the room, something bundled in her arms. The sudden draft sent two of the windows flying open again. “It’s shredded! W-who would do this?” Mehri’s eyes were glassy with fright as she held the dress out with shaking hands. Once cut from the finest silks in the kingdom, the cream gown now looked like the tattered sail of a pirate ship.
“It looks like it’s been…clawed.” Jevera lifted a shred of fabric, her voice tight and eyes sparkling with tears. “All of our hard work…”
When Lisha put an arm around her, the small handmaid didn’t push her away this time. “Who would do this?” The assassin’s eyes flashed.
“Could it be Tarak?” Lalana called over from where she fastened the windows once more. “Do you think he’s still in the palace? He could have done it in his leopard form.”
My heart beat quickly in my chest, but the weight of the heavy headdress kept me grounded. “It could be. It could be any of the stolen spirits. Or it could simply be a jealous guest with a knife. Whoever it is, there’s an enemy inside the palace. Lisha, I need you to warn Namir.”
Lisha shook her head. “If someone is in the palace, I’m not leaving your side. Aliyah would have my head if you were cut to ribbons just before the wedding.”
“I’ll go.” Jevera tilted her head up, already striding for the door. “I know where to find Namir. You stay and protect the princesses.”
Mehri sniffed back tears, clutching the shredded material.
“Don’t worry, Mehri. There’s still the beautiful golden outer layer you made.” Lalana scooped up the sheer, golden material from the bed.
“I know we’re running out of time, but I’m not sure I can get away with just that, Lana,” I tried to joke, but my words felt hollow. Someone or something was in the palace, and they had targeted my outfit. Am I next?
My sister gently pried the ruined gown from Mehri’s hands, handing her the golden overlay instead. Then Lalana threw open my wardrobe, trailing her fingers across the flowing fabrics like I might read the spines of books in the library.
“This one.” She pulled out a gown in rich Khirideshi red.
I took it from her hands, the cool silk sliding between my fingers. “I suppose it’s the nicest gown I have.”
“But Zadie has to wear Astarian colors,” Mehri sniffled. “Cream and gold. It’s tradition.”
“It’ll be dark.” Lalana shrugged. “And she’ll be wearing some gold. Besides, based on his speech earlier, Kassim seems less bothered by traditions than he once was. I don’t think he’ll care what Zadie’s wearing as long as she makes it to the wedding on time…” Her eyes darted back to the shredded dress. “And, more importantly, in one piece.”
Hundreds of voices floated to where I stood in the drafty, stone antechamber outside the ballroom, waiting for my cue to enter. Guards stood to attention at every door into the dimly lit room, but Lisha still prowled around the circumference, checking every window and prodding at soft furnishings with her dagger.
Aliyah and Namir spoke in low voices beside me.
“It’s been quiet in the city.” The thief queen took down her dripping hood. “The storm kept most people inside. The worst I’ve broken up are a few bar brawls, and one particularly oafish plot to steal the wine for the wedding feast tomorrow.”
“Any sign of Hepzibah?” the spymaster asked quietly.
She shook her head.
“The Phoenites?”
“Not one mountain-dwelling zealot to be seen. And I doubt any will turn up now. The waters are too choppy for boats to dock safely, and Elian has more guards on the palace walls than I’ve ever seen. Even I struggled to get past them.”
Aliyah’s words did little to ease the tightness in my stomach. The shredded dress had shaken me more than I cared to admit. What if the threat was already inside the city, lying in wait? We knew someone had gotten inside the palace to ruin my dress. What if they were still here, roaming around the halls, waiting for an opportune moment to strike?
“Are you alright, Z? You look pale.” Aliyah moved past Namir to stand in front of me.
“I’m fine,” I lied.
Aliyah raised an eyebrow. “Wedding day jitters?”
I frowned down at my crimson-and-gold outfit. “Did Namir tell you about the dress?”
Her lips thinned. “Lisha told me.”
“I’m worried someone’s already here. In the city. Or the palace.”
Namir, wearing a smart black outfit decorated with gold filigree, stepped closer to join us. “Zadie, the guards have searched every inch of the palace. We’ve secured the perimeter. No one is getting in or out without me knowing about it.” He gave me a rare smile. “My guess? The djinni destroyed your gown while he was here, just to be spiteful. But he got what he came for and left.” His voice softened. “You’re safe. I promise.”
Aliyah turned her gaze from the spymaster back to me. “And I’ll make sure the streets of Kisrabah stay safe.”
I jumped as the room flashed with white light, a clap of thunder echoing through the air. Lisha was at my other side instantly, her dagger unsheathed.
“This spirits-cursed storm,” Aliyah swore. “Listen, Z. I understand you’re spooked, anyone would be, but you’re not alone.”
“I won’t leave Zadie’s side.” Namir’s voice was low. “Lisha should head back with you.”
The assassin scowled. “No way. I’m not going anywhere.”
Namir didn’t flinch. “You can hardly stand by Zadie’s side when she’s performing the rites next to the sultan. You’re not a handmaid or a palace guard. You’re an assassin. I won’t have you locked in a room with nobles and royals.”
“I’m not leaving Zadie’s side.” Lisha squared up to Namir, her jaw set. “Tell him, Ali.”
Aliyah looked between them. “Lisha comes with me,” she relented. “But if any harm comes to Zadie between this door and her sultan…,” Aliyah warned, a long finger prodding into Namir’s chest.
Namir gingerly removed her finger. “I’ll personally stand guard the other side of this door. No one’s coming through after us, Aliyah.”
She sighed, seemingly satisfied. Lisha said nothing bu
t glowered at Namir.
I squeezed her arm. “Thank you, Lisha. For the braids. For everything.”
“Wait… You braided the future sultanah’s hair? On her wedding day?” Aliyah looked at her second in disbelief. “Perhaps we’ll make a handmaid out of you yet.”
Lisha scoffed, but Aliyah reached out, touching the braids, then the headdress. She took a step back, looking me up and down.
“You know what you look like?”
I frowned warily. “What?”
“A queen.” She pulled me into a sudden, tight hug.
Tears stung my eyes. “Takes one to know one.” My reply was muffled by her shoulder. Before I could say another word, both women melted into the shadows. The door banged closed behind them, leaving me and Namir standing in the room of guards.
My nose and hands felt cold, my blood thrumming with anticipation. I tapped my restless foot on the floor. I trusted Aliyah and Namir to keep me safe, so why did I feel like this?
Namir patted my arm awkwardly. “It’s nearly over. All you have to do is walk through that doorway, then down the aisle between the guests. Traditionally you’d have been carried in a palanquin.” His lips tugged up. “But Kassim vehemently argued against that idea.”
That wrung a smile from me. “A wise choice.”
“Then you’ll stand between your father and mother while the rites are performed, and move to Kassim’s side afterward. The room is lined with Elian’s soldiers. I’ll be on the other side of this door the whole time. You’ll be safe.”
I tried to wipe the worried look from my face. “I know. It’s silly, isn’t it? I’m more nervous about facing a room of nobles than a cave full of vengeful spirits.”
The door behind us creaked open, and despite myself, I flinched again. Namir’s head snapped up at the intrusion, but relaxed almost immediately.
Kassim and Elian walked into the room. The sultan shone in the finest outfit he’d ever worn. Pearlescent silk and gold gleamed even in the dim lighting, his fingers glittering with jewels.
Princess of Smoke (2020 Reissue) Page 15
