THE DANCING GIRL

Chapter 26

NOOR was on her feet in an instant, Amir right beside her. The Rajkumars followed their gaze and stood up, Rajkumar Fayyaz stumbling a bit.

"Get to the door," Rajkumar Vikram hissed, whirling to them as he unsheathed his sword. The five other guards did the same, coming to stand in front of them.

Noor turned, taking only one step before the voice came.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

She turned slowly, her fingers beginning to shake. She exchanged a frightened look with Amir, who shifted slightly to cover Rajkumar Fayyaz.

As they watched, Sher Rakim walked out.

Behind him, soldiers poured out of the passage. Too many.

"Noor, go!" Rajkumar Vikram barked, standing in front of them protectively with the other guards.

She bolted for the door, hearing sounds behind her. She reached it just when Amir let out a strangled yell.

She turned without thinking.

Rajkumar Fayyaz had crumpled to the floor, Amir trying to hold him up.

"Ah. The timing was perfect." Sher Rakim was grinning.

"What have you done?" Rajkumar Vikram snarled, his eyes darting between the Sher and his brother, equal parts anguished and angry.

Sher Rakim's eyes were still on her. "Step away from the door, Noor."

She didn't move.

His voice hardened. "Step away, or the little Rajkumar will die."

She swallowed, glancing at Rajkumar Fayyaz hunched on the floor, and Amir's desperate eyes, and took a step away from the doors.

His lips curled up. "Good."

"What did you do to him?" Rajkumar Vikram said, glaring at the Sher so hard Noor thought the older man would burst into flames.

Sher Rakim tilted his head to the side. "You didn't think he was cured, did you?"

The world stilled.

Noor met Amir's eyes, her own fear reflected in them.

"What are you talking about?" Amir whispered from where he was kneeling beside the Rajkumar, keeping him upright.

Sher Rakim scoffed. "Did you think I would go through so much trouble and give him a poison you could cure? Honestly, you think so little of me."

The guards behind him had started moving. They surrounded the nine of them, blocking the doors. One was right behind her. She could hear him breathing.

"Get to the point," Rajkumar Vikram said through gritted teeth, his fists clenched. His hands were shaking.

Sher Rakim grinned, his teeth flashing in the candlelight. "You won't be able to cure him. At least not so soon."

"What do you want?" The older Rajkumar demanded.

"Well, first of all, drop your weapons. All of you," Sher Rakim said lightly, but his eyes made it clear that there was no room for argument.

Rajkumar Vikram hesitated only a moment before gesturing to the guards, who set down their swords, clearly reluctant.

"Wonderful," the Sher said, his eyes alight with triumph.

Noor felt like they had lost already.

"Now, I'm sure you're dying to know—" His grin widened at the taunt—"I do have the cure. Right here, in fact." He patted his pocket.