At the sound of a gasp, Nakia turned toward the entrance of the garden. Staring at her was a familiar face. She knew she knew him, but she couldn’t recall who he was. She tensed in case he was a threat.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know this space was occupied,” he said. From his short hair and braids holding his brown locks down at the top, she suspected he was a member of the military.
“It’s fine.” As far as Nakia could tell, the palace gardens were public places. It seemed like an insane and dangerous thing to do, but what should she expect from a barbarian like the Queen?
“Are you the foreign princess? The one the Queen forced to be her cupbearer?” he asked.
She arched an eyebrow, folding her arms across her chest. “What’s it to you?”
“It’s…you seem upset. I know how the Queen can be. She’s very disrespectful and selfish when it serves her will. She’s well known for her clever, deceitful tongue, playing with people and using them.”
“What did she do to you?” This was going somewhere. Nakia decided to see where. Maybe it’d help her get back at the bitch. I’ll teach her to try to play me.
“Disrespected me, same as you. She put a princess in the role of a servant and she reduced a mighty warrior to a babysitter.” He scowled and made a fist.
Now, Nakia recalled who he was. This was Captain Majeed, the man the Queen blew off at the Festival of the Moon. What was his real problem with the Queen?
“She took you from your home as she took me from mine and stripped us both of anything that made us worthwhile,” Majeed said.
His words hit home and curled in her stomach. The Queen had taken everything from her, including her dignity. She was nothing but a toy for this savage, who took so much joy in making her feel like nothing. At least her father pretended she was an important game piece, not just some sacrificial pawn. Why does no one care? I am not worthless and I am not some toy or bargaining chip or anything like that.
“She took you, too?” Nakia whispered. It wouldn’t surprise her if the Queen often stole people and brought them to ruin.
“Conquered and killed my people, destroyed our culture, and then forced me into her army to follow her orders for the rest of my life. That is what she does.”
The Queen planned the same for her home. Her home would be conquered and made part of the Roshan Empire. Their culture would be lost. People would be lost, murdered or sold into slavery. How could she—a princess of Phyllida—allow that to happen? And while it happened, she would be a plaything for the Queen, made to be a whore for the rest of her life or until the Queen tired of her. Who knew what would happen after that.
“You wish something from me,” Nakia said.
“I only offer you a way home, a way to save your people from the same fate mine suffered. You have a chance to be a hero and save your city. You know she’s called Lady Death for a reason, yes?”
Nakia had heard many nicknames for Ashni when she was home. She had also heard tales of the terror the Queen wrought. The worst she heard was something called a Bloody Orchard. The descriptions of it were frightening. The nobles with her father were horrified and fearful that the Queen would do worse to them.
“What would you have me do?” Nakia asked.
“Well, you are her cupbearer.”
Nakia pursed her lips. “I am.”
“Then, you know your job and why your job is so important.”
“I am aware. Is that what you would have me do?” It would teach the Queen not to place her enemies in important positions.
“Think on it and then meet me back here at sunset.”
“What should I be thinking on?”
He gave her a stern look. “You know.”
She had an inkling. There were not many ways for her to get home or save her home, not with the Queen alive. He seemed to think she would agree to assassinating the Queen, which she should. The Queen planned to destroy life as she knew it, both in a personal and in the grand sense of the scheme.
“Be sure before you agree.”
Nakia nodded and Majeed took his leave. Nakia didn’t have much time to think about him as Bashira arrived shortly after. Bashira looked at her and decided they needed to spend the day shopping. Shopping had been quite fun, so she gave in without a fight. Bashira grinned all the way to the market.
***
Ashni wasn’t sure why, but for some reason, Layla decided to land on her when she came to the throne room this time. Shoving Layla off, she glared at the obviously insane girl. Layla grinned back, her dark eyes dancing with mirth.
“You’re in a mood. What happened?” Ashni asked. Her sister only acted like this when she had something too juicy to contain.
“Majeed met with your little hellcat,” Layla replied said in a singsong voice. Well, that explained her mood. She might have caught Nakia in a compromising situation, thus justifying her hatred of the other princess. Never mind the fact that Majeed was trying to kill her sister, apparently.
Ashni curled her upper lip. “You’re psychotic, you know that?”
“As are you, but I never hold it against you. In fact, I like to think it’s one of the many things that keep us close.” Layla continued to grin.
Sighing, Ashni couldn’t dispute that. “Okay, so you think my kitten is going to betray me?” I really don’t need this right now, but I’d have it coming at this point, as far as the hellcat is concerned.
Layla snorted and rolled her eyes. “I might hate her—and believe me I do—but, I know she’s not going to betray you. I’m not stupid.”
“No, only your spouse is.”
Layla hissed. “Hey, I can make spouse digs now, too. You and your kitten, who you swear you don’t have feelings for, but you’re always so concerned about her and want her to be everywhere with you. You and your outsiders. A barbarian this time, too.”
Ashni shrugged. “Hey, you were once a barbarian.”
“No, I’m pretty sure that was always you. And, I think you prove it every time you get caught up with an outsider.”
“Outsiders are interesting. I mean, imagine if I was around Amal for the rest of my life? Or even worse, Jay?” The very idea of being around her older brothers made Ashni want to bash her head against a wall.
“At least Jay wouldn’t try to kill you.”
Ashni nodded. “Which would probably make him a favorite brother, if I didn’t want to punch him in the throat whenever he started talking. But, speaking of Amal, is he still around?”
“Of course not. He packed his bags and left a week after the Festival. You were too consumed with your kitten to notice.”
“Yeah. I would have thrown a party to celebrate his departure. What did Majeed want with Nakia?”
“I think she is meant to be the sword. He didn’t say as he whet her appetite. She seemed to seriously consider it. What did you do?” Layla narrowed her gaze at Ashni.
“Why is it always me?” Ashni leaned back and threw her arms up in the air.
Layla tittered. “Because you screw up all the time. I say that with a sister’s love, but you’re the person who sees a twelve-year-old fighting against your army and you go punch her in the face because you can’t stand that your battle isn’t going the way you want.”
Ashni rolled her eyes. “I didn’t punch you in the face. I slapped you in the head.”
“I’m pretty sure you punched me in the face. Adira witnessed it, so we can ask her. Either way, I was twelve and I was kicking serious butt and you couldn’t take it. Anyway, the point is, you’re always at fault. You should remember that. Sort of like Adira is always at fault with Saniyah. That’s just the way it works.” Layla propped her feet on a work tray.
Ashni sniffed. “I am not the person always at fault. I’m the Queen around here.”
Layla’s mouth twisted to one side. “Your dad was probably always at fault, too.”
Ashni grimaced at such blasphemy. “Never. Emperor Khalid Akshay, the Great Amir, son of the Great Eag
le was always right.”
Layla chuckled. “Except when Chandra said something totally opposite.”
Ashni’s nostrils flared. “Don’t you have work to do? A mook to follow? Can we at least pretend you’re trying to keep me alive?”
Layla beamed, but thankfully made herself scarce. Ashni sighed and ran her hand through her hair. Majeed wanted to tempt her hellcat—after Ashni had angered her, treated her like a joke. Ashni was hit with a sudden realization. Holy shit, Nakia was going to try to kill her. She groaned.
She threw her hands up. “It’s always something.”
***
Today, Bashira wanted to see jewels while Nakia people-watched. She felt hyper-aware of what happened last night and she wondered if everyone could tell. She noticed not only the servants tending to nobles, but also people walking with who she would have at one time thought were friends because they were the same sex. Not just women, but men as well. They held hands or cuddled close, not like friends.
“How is that normal?” Nakia blurted out.
“The pottery? You guys don’t have glazing where you’re from?” Bashira asked.
Nakia blinked and realized they stood in front of a potter and his wares. “Oh, sorry. No, I didn’t mean that. I meant…well, is it normal around here for people of the same sex to be involved and to marry?”
Bashira shrugged. “As normal as anything else. My aunts have been married for years.”
Nakia blinked. “Your aunts?”
“Yes, my father’s sister is married to a woman.” Bashira snapped her fingers. “You actually know them, Saniyah and Adira.”
Nakia’s eyes opened wide and she feared they might fall out of her head. “They are your aunts?” How could Bashira be related to such barbarian women who flaunt their relationship out in the open and don’t even pretend to be humble and demure?
“Yes.”
Nakia wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Was Bashira like her aunts? Was she attracted to women? Was Bashira attracted to her? Could she trust Bashira?
“And you’re okay with them?” Nakia managed to ask.
Bashira arched an eyebrow. “Okay with them being my aunts? I don’t really have a say in the matter, eh?”
“Is that why you tried to push me to be with the Queen? Telling me she liked me and such nonsense?” Nakia demanded, glaring at her friend. Well, maybe her former friend or not even a friend at all. This may have been a setup.
“No. First of all, I only wanted to help you feel better and be your friend. But, the things I said about the Queen were quite true. I did tell you those things because it’s clear you have feelings for each other and it was better for you to get them out into the open. I know this is all weird for you, but it doesn’t have to be. I mean, look at you.” Bashira motioned to Nakia.
Nakia wasn’t sure what she meant as she looked down at herself. She was dressed in Roshan garments. She had put them on when she woke up because she thought the Queen would like to see her in the outfit. She hadn’t bothered to change after the Queen showed her true colors. It was for blending in. At least that was what she told herself. But, she was also comfortable in the clothes. She was comfortable with the food and some of the customs. She was comfortable with…she shook her head.
“I know we seem odd to you as a whole. But, take it step by step. Dissect it and pull it apart then put it together in ways you understand,” Bashira said.
Nakia’s throat was tight. She didn’t understand any of this, not just the barbarians, but her own emotions, her own thoughts. “How?”
“I’ve learned from my aunt, Adira, and from Layla, who I hang out with on occasion, that cultures aren’t better or worse. They’re different. You adjust as best you can.”
“Adira and Layla are from different cultures?”
Bashira tittered. “The Queen likes her outsiders.”
Nakia’s stomach fluttered and she had to swallow around a lump in her throat. “So…Layla isn’t even her real sister?”
“They’re as real as any others. They love each other and fight for each other and they’re there for each other. Love isn’t just about blood around here. In fact, blood is probably the least of all bonds for the Roshan.”
Nakia’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“There have been stories that the Queen wasn’t even Amir Khalid’s daughter. It’s probably nonsense, but he had only sons and then, in the middle, this daughter. But, do you know who his favorite child was?”
“The Queen?” She couldn’t fathom a father loving a daughter best of all, but these people were backwards. Sometimes, backwards seemed so much better than the things that made sense.
“He adored her. She’s the one who was closest to him. She’s his legacy and many people believe he saw that from when she was little. Even if she wasn’t his blood, he put his legacy on her. Out of all the brothers the Queen has, who does she trust with her life, her kingdom, and her people? Layla above all others. They have a bond beyond blood.”
Nakia took this in and compared it to her own learnings. Blood ties trumped all and no man accepted a child that might not be his, which was why women were supposed to be chaste until they were with their husbands. How could there be a bond that went beyond blood? But, she could see it with the Queen and Layla. She was certain they loved each other more than she loved her sisters, more than her sisters loved her.
“There are spiritual bonds and they know no gender for us. You meet someone and click in some way. Maybe as siblings, as with the Queen and Layla, maybe as lovers, as with my aunts, and maybe something else. Maybe it’s the thing that first makes friendships and then if we allow it, it explodes into something else.”
Nakia nodded. She felt like there was something here, something she hadn’t had the chance to experience. She hadn’t been surrounded by many people in Phyllida to bond with them. Was that what made the Roshan so different? She could meet people who were more than servants, or hired by her father, and interact with them? She could bond with people?
“Are you okay?”
“Fine. Come on. I want to see some jewelry. I need bracelets.” It was the least the Queen could do for her after treating her the way she had. Maybe the Queen had a bond with Layla, but there was nothing between them. And, yes, maybe same-sex couples were normal here, but the Queen obviously didn’t consider them a couple. For all she knew, the Queen was on top of some other foreigner right now. It wasn’t like she could be trusted to keep her word after this morning.
***
Nakia met with Majeed after she returned from shopping. It was late and she was surprised he waited this long. He obviously needed her more than she needed him, even if he claimed he could help get her back home.
“Ah, so you’ve come.” He gave her a crooked smile.
“What do you want me to do?” Nakia asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“Are you in?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” she snapped. Is he serious? He had to think she was an idiot to not understand the danger they were in and yet here she was. “Now, are you going to tell me what you need from me or are you going to waste my time, like the damned Queen?” She glowered at him. She wasn’t one to be played with and it was time for these damned barbarians to learn that.
Majeed sneered. “You are feisty. I have a little gift for you. I’ll give it to you tomorrow and all I need you to do is put it in her wine.”
She narrowed her gaze on him. “And then?”
“And then I promise you get to go home.”
“How?” Her voice remained hard. She wouldn’t let him sell her a pipe dream.
“Well, let’s say I have friends in very high places.” He smirked.
She wondered what he meant and then she remembered the Festival. Did he mean Amal? No, it didn’t have to mean Amal. He was in the military. It could be one of the generals who wasn’t loyal to Ashni or other captains who were unhappy. For all the talk of bonds, there didn’t seem to b
e much loyalty among the Roshan. But, what should she expect of savages? Eating each other made more sense than them ruling the world.
“So, all you need me to do is put something into the Queen’s wine and I’m free to go home? What of my home? Will it be invaded later?”
“I can guarantee it will not.”
She wished she could believe him. She also wished she knew the line of succession to the Roshan throne. It was quite possible Layla would get the throne and Layla would definitely attack Phyllida. But, since Layla wasn’t related to the Queen by blood, she might not inherit the throne. Maybe one of her brothers would be inherit the kingdom and they didn’t seem as active as the Queen was.
“I’ll be here in the afternoon. We shouldn’t spend any more time together," she said.
Majeed smiled. “You’re right. And you’re making the right decision. You’ll be a hero when you go home, celebrated and praised.”
Nakia doubted it, but didn’t say so. She was tired and wanted to retire to her rooms. A hot bath and dinner would be nice. Afterward, she’d crawl into bed. The plan went awry after she got ready for bed and went to her room. There was an unexpected guest in her bedroom at the end of the night.
“What are you doing here?” Nakia glared at the Queen, who had made herself comfortable in Nakia’s bed. Nakia wanted to kill her just for the assumption. Did the Queen honestly think she could treat Nakia any old way and it would be acceptable? Did the Queen honestly think Nakia would share her bed with the Queen ever again after this morning? To Hell with her. Maybe even literally, tomorrow.
Chapter Sixteen
“KITTEN, ARE YOU SERIOUSLY still mad?” Ashni asked as she lay in Nakia’s bed as if it were her own. She watched Nakia and could feel the anger coming off her. It made Ashni’s body tingle. She wanted to pounce on her hellcat right now, but she was fairly certain if she made a move right now, Nakia would hit her with the nearest object.
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