THE DANCING GIRL

EPILOGUE

NOOR took in a breath. "I'll miss you."

Rajkumar Vikram gave her a small grin, his dark eyes soft. "I'll miss you too, Noor."

She smiled back and glanced to her right. Amir and Rajkumar Fayyaz were watching them, Rajkumar Fayyaz giving her a teasing grin.

Noor rolled her eyes and walked to him. "Don't be jealous. I'll miss you too, Yazu."

Rajkumar Fayyaz's grin disappeared. "Alright. Get out of the palace."

Amir laughed. "It is time for us to leave. The carriage is waiting." He gave Noor a meaningful look.

"Remember to be careful. Don't strain yourself," Rajkumar Fayyaz said, giving Amir a stern look, his eyes dropping to Amir's midsection.

Amir blew out an exasperated breath. "Yes, Rajkumar."

While Noor knew Amir was tired of their fussing, she related completely with Rajkumar Fayyaz. The week after Amir had been stabbed had been the worst of her life. The Rajkumars were busy throwing most of the Shers in prison, the Enyan Princess had rapidly escaped back to Enya, the entire durbar was shaking was shaking with the ramifications of what had happened—and Amir hadn't woken up.

In the end, the Rajkumars had called one of their old classmates from Jaisled, who was now making breakthroughs in medicine. It had taken a lot, but she'd managed to cure Amir. Mostly. He was still prohibited from exerting himself. Which meant he couldn't remain a courtesan anymore.

The Rajkumars had used this as an excuse to get them to take the Jaisled entrance exam. As expected, Amir had won the scholarship. Noor had got in with the Rajkumars funding her—on the condition that she'd pay them back once she graduated.

And now, it was finally time for them to go.

Noor glanced at everyone who'd gathered to see them off. The Rajkumars, Haqiya, Nihaal, even the older Amir from the treasury. Nazrat and Sahar, holding hands and looking happier than Noor had ever seen either of them.

"It really is time." Rajkumar Vikram exhaled. He gestured at the carriage.

Noor bit her lower lip. "I—We'll see you soon. At the coronation."

Rajkumar Vikram nodded, leaning down a bit. "I look forward to seeing you two there. Especially you." He reached out a hand and clasped hers, his fingers entwining with hers as he squeezed her hand. Noor squeezed back.

"Let's go," Amir called, already halfway down the stairs.

Noor let go of Rajkumar Vikram's hand, giving him a bright smile before turning and running own the stairs to catch up to Amir. As soon as they climbed into the carriage, she turned to the others and began waving.

They waved back, even as the carriage began moving. Noor caught Rajkumar Vikram's eyes just before the carriage rounded a corner, cutting them out of eyesight. She sighed and turned back to face Amir.

"Well." Amir grinned wryly. "We're really leaving."

Noor raised her eyebrows, letting out a breath. "We really are."

"Who would've thought? A dancer and a courtesan, going to Jaisled," Amir said, leaning into his seat heavily.

Noor glanced outside, at the dusty, sunny streets as she responded. "We're not just a dancer and a courtesan, anymore."

"Maybe we never were," Amir said.

A small smile stretched over her lips. "We never were."