THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 18

NOOR'S stomach was churning.

They'd finally made it to the library, and she knew that once she walked through the doors, they'd go through the tunnel and she'd have to apologize to the Rajkumars. Hopefully they weren't too angry at her rudeness.

They walked in. And stopped.

Sitting on one of the chairs, his legs propped up on the table, reading, was the servant who had caught them near the entrance to the tunnel.

He didn't move, or even acknowledge their presence, but the sinking in Noor's gut told her that his presence meant nothing good for them.

Exchanging a look with Amir, she walked in, making her way to their bookshelf. They got their old books—the new ones were still with the Rajkumars—and sat down, pretending to read.

She glanced back after a while. The servant's back was to them, but he made no indication of leaving.

Amir gave her a wide-eyed look.

Noor shrugged and got back to studying whatever she could, though she could barely concentrate. If that servant didn't leave, they wouldn't get to speak to the Rajkumars, and she wouldn't get to apologize. Neqer, they'd think Noor and Amir just weren't coming.

Hours passed.

The servant didn't move, didn't even yawn. At one point he got up to get another book and was reading it as emotionlessly as he had the first one.

Noor had given up. She was sure he wasn't going to leave. He was onto them, she could sense it. That day had doomed them.

Amir was nearly asleep, so as soon as she saw the sky lightening, Noor nudged him.

"Morning is coming," she said, loud enough for the servant to hear. "Should we leave?"

Amir squinted at her and nodded, catching on. "I've studied enough, so yes."

They began putting the books away in their places, the gaps where the Rajkumars' book should've been haunting her.

She didn't look at the servant as they walked out, going straight into the servants' passages. She made sure no one was around to hear them when she started talking.

"We have to find that guard."

Amir gave her a baffled look. "What?"

Noor made an impatient noise. "That guard. The one whom the Rajkumars sent for us the first time. They trust him, right?"

Realization dawned in Amir's eyes, and he nodded. "You're right. Now?"

Noor bit her lip. "No. I don't think we should—if that servant stayed there all night, someone suspects us."

Amir nodded, his face turning grave. "Sher Rakim?"

Noor shrugged. "Who else can it be? That night was risky, you know it. Of course he'd suspect me. And, by extension, you."

Amir swallowed. "We have to find that guard."

Noor twisted her lips, thinking. "We'll go during the afternoon meal. Everyone will be busy."

Amir sighed, shaking his head. "Morning would be better. Everyone—including the nobles—will be busy with the Princess' arrival, no one will look for us."

Noor gave him a nod. "You're right. Fine, we'll go, then. Now we should get some sleep."

Amir sighed, nodding tiredly. "Alright. See you then. Noor."

Noor raised a hand, waving. She turned and began walking towards the dancers' quarters. She reached, slipping into her bed as quietly as she could, her stomach turning hollower with every step.