THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 22

RAJKUMAR Fayyaz had been poisoned.

Haqiya had told her, waking her up frantically one morning, and blurting it out. Noor had frozen, her heart turning cold and her throat closing up. Haqiya had told her that it had been discovered in the early morning by his brother, and they'd sent for healers, and news had spread.

Noor's hands were still shaking as she ran to find Amir. She didn't know what to do, but she knew she needed to go to him.

She reached the courtesans' quarters on trembling feet. No one noticed her, everyone busy gossiping about the news, not knowing how every detail made Noor's heart thrum faster.

She didn't bother to knock, darting into Amir's room, and stopped.

He was sitting on an armchair, knees curled up to his chest. Sahar was kneeling on the floor beside him. He looked up when she came.

Noor saw red-rimmed eyes and moved before she knew it, kneeling on his other side and taking his hand. His fingers were shaking as much as her own.

"I just heard," Noor said, her voice choking up. It was true. She'd come as soon as Haqiya had told her, barely remembering to pull on an old gown. She hadn't even washed herself or combed her hair.

Sahar looked more frightened than Noor had ever seen her, in her entire life. Her voice was shaky when she spoke. "I'm sure he'll be fine, Amir. He has the best healers tending to him."

Noor exchanged a look with her, and saw that Sahar, as well, was well aware of Amir' feelings for the younger Rajkumar.

The door opened again, and the three of them turned to see Nazrat practically run in, looking less put-together than she'd seen in a long time. Her eyes narrowed on the three of them, and she walked briskly, dropping beside Sahar.

"He'll be fine," she said, her voice sharp. But the three of them knew her well enough to hear the fear hiding in it.

Amir nodded frantically, wiping at his face. "I know, I know." His voice was weak, making Noor's heart clench even more. "He'll be fine. He will," he said firmly, as though trying to reassure himself.

Noor and Sahar exchanged a worried look.

The doors burst open once again.

Noor turned, sucking in a breath to see guards walk in. And behind them, Sher Rakim.

"Arrest them. Those two," Sher Rakim said, pointing at Noor and Amir.

"What?" Sahar said, rising first. "No!" She took a step in front of them.

Nazrat and Noor stood up. Noor glanced at the soldiers, and Sher Rakim, her stomach turning, dread settling in it.

The guards pushed Nazrat and Sahar aside, two of them grabbing Noor. She scowled at them, trying futilely to break out of their grip. Their fingernails dug into the skin of her arms.

"Let go of me!" She cried, turning to face Sher Rakim. "What are you doing?"

Sher Rakim walked towards her, and Noor would have lunged at him if the guards weren't holding her still.

"You didn't think there would be no consequences of what you did, did you?" He murmured, his face cold. His eyes flickered to Amir. "Take them."

Noor stumbled, the guards dragging her out of the room, two of them pulling Amir out as well. Sher Rakim followed them, leaving Sahar and Nazrat inside.

It was all Noor could do not to fight—she knew it wouldn't help. Everyone stared at them as they were taken—the courtesans, the servants in the halls.