The Crown And Her Shadows

chapter 33

That night after Kassim’s coronation, the weight of the day hung in the air. In their chambers, Iman stood by the vanity, unfastening her jewelry and preparing for bed. Nassim entered, dressed in a sleek black kaftan with a turtleneck underneath, his rawani draped over his arm. He loosened his collar, glancing toward Iman as she moved toward the washroom.

He was about to speak when a dull thud echoed from inside.

"Nassim..." Her voice was faint, then silence.

Alarmed, he rushed in. His heart clenched at the sight Iman lay sprawled on the floor, her toothbrush slipping from her fingers.

"Iman!" He knelt beside her, shaking her gently. No response. His pulse quickened.

He carried her to the bed, calling for help. But by the time the palace's doctor arrived, there was nothing to do her pulse was steady, her breathing even. "She needs rest, nothing more," the doctor assured him. But Nassim barely slept, his gaze flickering between her face and the first hints of dawn peeking through the windows.

*************

The distant sound of shouting stirred Iman awake. Blinking against the morning light, she sat up slowly. The events of the previous night came rushing back, but before she could dwell on them, raised voices carried up from downstairs.

Wrapping herself in a shawl, she stepped out, shivering as an unusual chill settled over her. From the top of the staircase, she spotted Nassim standing in the main hall, fury radiating from his tense posture.

“I will not tolerate any of this rubbish gossip!” his voice boomed. The row of maids stood frozen, heads bowed. “I don’t care who started it, but if I hear a single word spoken against my wife, you will be dealt with."

A nervous murmur swept through them.

"Who even started this nonsense?" Nassim demanded.

Hesitantly, all fingers pointed at one girl.

His gaze turned sharp. "So you wanted to spoil my wife’s name in this palace? Has she ever even spoken to you?" He switched to Hausa, his tone clipped.

“No, Yarima,” the girl whispered, eyes lowered.

“Toh, why the lies?” he asked, sipping his steaming Earl Grey tea.

"It was a mistake, ranka ya Dade. Baza a sake ba." She bowed deeply. (It won’t happen again.)

"Better not," he said coldly. "You are all dismissed."

A soft creak of the stairs made him look up. Iman stood there, arms crossed.

"What happened?" she asked cautiously.

"Nothing for you to worry about," he replied smoothly. He lifted his cup. "Tea?"

She frowned. "No, thank you. I want to go back to sleep. The shouting woke me up." She pouted slightly.

Nassim's expression softened. "Sorry, darling. Hmm, go back to sleep."

He turned to leave, adjusting his watch. "I have a meeting with Baba at eleven."

"Already?!" she called, standing a few steps above him.

He chuckled. "Yeah, you can go and see Khadijah and Mami later."

"Bye!" she shouted as he walked off.

Nassim only shook his head, laughing lightly as he disappeared around the corner.

Later that day, after Nassim leaves for his meeting, Iman decides to freshen up. As she opens her wardrobe, she frowns her favorite gold bracelet is missing. She’s certain she placed it there the night before.