“There might have been some hope for you if it wasn’t for these new kingdoms,” she said. “He’s determined Rek will make a marriage of alliance with someone from the Four Kingdoms, just like Prince Zain did. He thinks it’s the only way to regain the ground we’ve already lost to Ardasira. The attack on the Lanoverian delegation only made him more determined. I don’t see how you’re going to sway him.”
The sound of the door opening again made all three of us look up guiltily. To my horror, it was Sultan Khalil who stopped in the entranceway.
I bowed deeply as he began talking, not seeming to have noticed me.
“Ah, here you are, my dear. Someone said you’d gone to see Rek, so I came looking for you. Jerome has—”
“Father.” Rek cut him off. “It’s thanks to Zaria that we arrested those thieves, and I want your approval for our betrothal.”
The sultan took a sharp step inside and shut the door behind him.
“Betrothal?” He looked from his son to me, his forehead creasing. “What are you talking about, boy? Who is…” He frowned at me. “Zaria? Wasn’t that Zahir’s daughter? The girl who ran off?”
“She didn’t run off, Father. She was betrayed. But I’ve found her again, and I intend to marry her.”
“Marry her? Nonsense! You’ll do no such thing. I have other plans for you.”
“Yes,” the sultana intervened. “I’ve just been telling Rek about—”
“He’ll do as his father and sultan commands!”
“I will give up the throne before I give up Zaria,” Rek said, calm in the face of his father’s anger. “I mean it, Father.”
“Give up the throne?” The king’s whole body seemed to swell with rage. “I won’t allow it!”
“How will you stop me? Do you intend to keep me in chains? Zaria and I are both of age, and I will flee across the desert with her, if I have to.” His voice softened. “But I would much rather gain your approval, Father—however begrudging. I’m sure that, in time, you’ll see how good Zaria is for me.”
“You’re the crown prince, Tarek.” His father glared at him, never looking my way. “You have to think of your kingdom, not just your own wishes.”
“I am.” Rek didn’t back down. “You’ve heard what they’re saying in Ardasira. The Four Kingdoms have been following the ways of the wise women, and that’s why they’re so prosperous. They rule through love. Zain told me all their princes and princesses are allowed to marry for love—especially the ones who will one day rule.”
“Of course I want you to marry for love,” his father said gruffly. “And I have no doubt you will. I’m not demanding you marry any one specific person. None of the Four Kingdoms even have any princesses of the right age. You can choose who you like—just choose someone from over the desert. That’s all I’m asking. I know you think you’re in love now, but you’re young. You’ll recover and find love again.” He still wasn’t looking at me.
“This isn’t some whim of the moment, Father.” Rek glared at him. “I didn’t meet Zaria yesterday. I’ve known her since I was seven years old. I’m not going to change my mind. Sultan Kalmir let Zain marry the girl he loved. You should allow me to do the same.”
I expected a vehement denial, but instead a calculating look came into the sultan’s eye, and he actually smiled.
“If you want me to use Prince Zain’s example as my model, then fine. You may choose your own bride—as long as she comes with a dowry equal to the one provided by Cassandra of Eldon.”
“Khalil!” Rabia glared at him. “That dowry didn’t come from Eldon, but from a magical treasure cave within Ardasira itself. You cannot possibly expect any bride of Rek’s to match it.”
“Tarek is the one who claimed he wished for the same freedom as Zain,” the sultan said in a calm, satisfied tone. “I am merely acceding to his request. But I am not an unreasonable man. Cassandra brought a second, less formal dowry with her—a connection with the Four Kingdoms that has already led to a lucrative trade treaty for Ardasira. In lieu of a treasure trove, I would accept a trade treaty as dowry with equal willingness.”
“Khalil.” Rabia’s tone of voice suggested she was unimpressed with his explanation.
When the sultan remained silent, she turned to Rek and me with a sigh.
“I think it would be best if we all took some time,” she said. “There is no need for rash actions on either side.”
“Certainly not, Your Majesty,” I said, speaking for the first time since the sultan had entered. “I have no desire to drive a wedge between Rek and any of his family.”
The sultan finally looked at me for the first time since his brief initial scrutiny.
“Well said,” he announced. “You’re a sensible girl, at least, and I’m sure I wish things could be different. But I must think of my kingdom.”
Rek was looking at his mother rather than his father when he replied. “I don’t intend to run off to the desert tonight, if that’s what you’re afraid of. There are matters underfoot here that are more important than my personal concerns—for now. But I won’t be patient forever, and I won’t give up Zaria.”
His mother nodded, seeming relieved to have been granted a reprieve at least.