Escape

Naila was packing Zefra’s belongings into trunks when she entered the room.

“What is going on?"

“We are moving, my lady.”

Zefra stopped.

“Moving where? I want to see the Crown Prince. I am not going back.”

“Back?”

 Naila looked at her.

“We are not going back, Miss Zefra.”

Her hands stilled over the open trunk.

“We are moving to Prince Sheikh’s harem.”

Zefra stared at her.

“What?”

Naila lowered her eyes.

“The Crown Prince has granted your possession to the Sheikh.”

That night, Zefra slipped from her chambers with a bundle beneath her shawl. She had almost reached the castle gates when a man found her.

“Trying to escape?” the man said. “Allow me to assist.”

Zefra eyed him.

“What is it to you?”

His lips twitched.

“I am the prince whose harem you’re trying to run from.”

Zefra froze.

He had the silhouette she had seen behind the curtain.

“Oh, and please leave the necklace behind. It belonged to my grandmother and might be worth an entire mansion.”

Zefra clutched the bundle more tightly.

He walked beside her toward the outer courtyard.

“Where will you sleep tonight?”

“I will find somewhere.”

“And what will you eat tomorrow?”

“I will find work.”

“As what?”

Zefra lifted her chin.

“I am a dancer.”

“Ah. Then perhaps some generous man will see you perform and offer to take care of you.”

She narrowed her eyes.

Sheikh pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.

“Though the brothel that takes you in may prove far more ruthless than the harem you are so desperate to escape.”

“Palaces and brothels are the same, aren’t they? I can handle myself.”

“Handle yourself? You tried to escape through the main gate, lady. The lousiest, most thoughtless escape attempt I have ever seen.”

He burst into laughter, clutching his abdomen.

Zefra glared at him.

“You are a monster.”

“Only to those who brandish their blades against me.”

Still smiling, Sheikh pinched her cheek.

“You, however, are merely catastrophically unprepared.”

Zefra slapped his hand away.

“Do not touch me.”

Sheikh laughed again.

“I have wandered through Kurumat before. I can survive.”

“Hmm. So a Nightingale flew from the palace to the library and returned before nightfall.”

His tone softened.

“That is not the same as surviving alone in a city filled with thieves, bandits and traffickers.”

“I would rather face them than remain in your possession.”

Zefra tightened her grip on the bundle.

Sheikh raised three fingers.

“No money. No food. No weapon.”

“I know you don’t trust me. Why would you?” He folded his arms. 

“The women in my harem were given to me by the King after his armies returned from their raids. I had to accept them, as every prince does.”

“That does not mean I take pleasure in collecting women.”

“Is that my fate to you, Prince Sheikh?” she demanded. “Something you possess for a few months and then you will pass on to Engin next?”

Sheikh stared at her in astonishment. His lips twitched.

“Not until he grows facial hair.”

Despite herself, Zefra nearly smiled.

Nearly.

“How about you stay for a few months? If you still wish to leave, I will let you go with provisions and enough money to get by. No one has to know.”

Zefra studied him.

“I heard you like books,” Sheikh said. “So why judge this one merely by its cover?”

Zefra narrowed her eyes.

“Perhaps I dislike the title.”

Sheikh laughed.

“I will take care of you until Engin comes of age.”

Zefra swung the bundle at him.

Sheikh stepped aside.

She swung again.

He dodged, laughing as every attempt met empty air and Zefra grew angrier.

“Oh, so she does have a lethal weapon.”

Zefra swung harder.

He dodged again.

She finally lowered the bundle, furious as they walked back to the castle.