THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 13

NOOR nearly overslept. She was woken by Haqiya shaking her violently, saying things about their dance and getting ready and Noor was still half-asleep, she couldn't understand a thing.

Haqiya pulled her out of bed and ordered her to go splash some cold water on her face. Noor complied, and was definitely alert enough to get ready after that.

They went to the private durbar, all sorts of feelings rushing through Noor as she saw Sher Rakim and the Rajkumars in the same room. She rushed through the dance, throwing Sher Rakim the usual sultry glances, her heart protesting.

But it was over, finally, and Noor made her way to the library after changing. She sat and went through the homework the Rajkumars had given her, finishing Rajkumar Fayyaz's much faster than his brother's. Then she sat and read a novel, for a change, getting deep into the story before Amir arrived.

She looked up, hearing his footsteps. "You're early."

Amir shrugged, smoothing down his hair. "I know. Shall we go?"

Noor nodded, standing up and grabbing their books, the pile covering her face.

Amir snorted. She heard his footsteps, and assumed he was going towards the bookshelf.

"What are you doing?"

Noor spun at the voice, two of the books falling onto her foot. "Ow!" She hissed, putting the rest down on the table before turning to the voice.

A servant was standing there, his eyes flickering between her and Amir, who was standing near the bookshelf that hid the secret passage.

"Nothing," Amir said, his eyes wide.

"We're allowed to be in here," Noor said quickly. "We're just reading. What are you doing here?"

The servant narrowed his eyes. "On an errand. Continue...whatever you were doing." He waved his hand at them and walked to another row of bookshelves, disappearing behind the books.

Noor turned to Amir, letting out a breath.

He raised his eyebrows, shaking his head slightly. Then he turned and took out a book from the bookshelf—for appearances' sake, Noor supposed. It would have been too suspicious if he'd just been seen standing near the entrance to the secret passage, and they didn't know that particular servant.

Noor picked up the books that had fallen and sat down, opening one of them. She looked at the pages without really reading anything, her heart slowing down. Her foot was still throbbing. Amir sat down beside her with the book he'd picked.

They heard the servant shuffling, and eventually walking out. Noor didn't let herself look back at the servant, much as she wanted to. She was pretty sure he was watching them.

She glanced at Amir, who stood up and walked to the entrance of the library, peeking out. He came back, shaking her head. "He's gone. Do you think it's safe?" He whispered.

Noor pursed her lips. "Let's wait for some time. Just sit and read."

Amir nodded, and they let the time pass as they read. Once they thought plenty of time had passed, Noor took the books, and Amir pushed aside the bookshelf, careful not to make any noise. Noor watched the door while he took a chair and opened the tunnel.

"Come on!" He whispered.

They rushed inside, Amir standing on the now-permanent chair inside, and closed the tunnel.

Noor's shoulders relaxed once the door closed. Amir got down from the chair and took half the books from her.

"That was scary," she said, as they walked down the tunnel, thankful the torches were lit now that they had to use it.