“I don’t mind a little risk now and then,” he said greedily, then seemed to catch himself. “Not when helping a newcomer to our city, I mean.”
I smiled, letting my teeth show.
He dipped his head close, as if we were confidants. Raw onion and stale sweat filled my nostrils, and I put a hand over my nose to block the smell.
“What can I help with, sahiba?”
“It’s not something I should be sharing here.” My eyes darted around. The garden was fairly empty now, with people leaving the heat of the outdoors and retreating into the cool house.
Darbaran’s friends were now being chased around the garden by the swans who had finally had enough of their teasing. Servants were scattered about the grass attempting to corral the birds to no avail.
“I’ve come into possession of a significant amount of a controlledresource…”I deliberately let my voice trail. “One that only theemperorusually has access to. And I need a way to sell it, quickly. I hada previous buyer, but that avenue has since dried up.” I clasped my hands together in an attempt to look earnest.
Darbaran stared at me, his mouth slightly ajar, and I could see the wheels in his tiny brain turning. “You mean…” He couldn’t even form the words.
“Yes,” I breathed, pressing a hand to my chest. “That’s exactly what I mean.”
A strange light entered his eyes. “How much do you have?” He whispered the question, as if he wasn’t sure if he could still speak.
I bit my bottom lip, dragging out the suspense. “A considerable amount.” I paused. “Certainly more than I can move by myself.”
“You realize what this means?” His voice rose with excitement. “The emperor has completely eliminated any leaks in his production. It would be worth more than we can even imagine.” His gaze was pinned to the middle distance, greed lacing his voice like rose syrup, already counting the money he’d get from selling zoraat.
I looked up at him with a hopeful expression. “You can help me, then?”
His gaze turned sly, a dark smile edging the corner of his mouth. “Sahiba, it would be my honor.” He placed a palm across his chest. “However, this would be a great personal risk to myself. It will be expensive, especially to be so discreet.”
“Of course. Whatever it costs, I will pay it.”
Those words had him practically vibrating. “I will also have to take a percentage of the profits. I’m sure you understand,” he said smoothly.
I made my eyes go wide. “Of course, Captain. I would absolutely insist.”
“Then we are agreed.” Darbaran held out his hand. For a second, I thought about ignoring it, so I didn’t have to touch him.
I thought back to when I was being arrested, and he had put his hands all over me, dragging me through the halls of the palace after Maz turned his back. I thought of the look on Darbaran’s face ashe grabbed me, more roughly than he needed to, and how he had thrown me into the holding cell in the palace dungeon before I was transported to the prison.
Bile rose in my throat as I took his fingers in mine and gave his damp, sticky hand a quick shake.
“I’ll have my servant, Noor, contact you about next steps.” I pulled away from him, resisting the urge to wipe my hand off against the side of my frock. “I should have a shipment ready for you shortly, if you can line up a buyer?”
“Oh, I will have plenty of interest in this, sahiba,” he said, his voice bubbling with glee.
I headed back to the house, but a movement near the banyan tree caught my eye.
Someone faded into the shadows the moment I turned, but not before I saw the barest hint of a black-and-gold sherwani.
Thirty
Before
“I told you to leave me alone. I have nothing to say to you.” Anam’s voice cut through the stillness of the palace, and I paused at the vehemence of her words. I had no idea who she was speaking to, but I knew it wasn’t anyone I was going to like.
“What are you going to do?” the voice replied with a sneer. “Tell your brother?”
I frowned from my plush seat on the verandah, hidden behind the door. I tried to place the man’s voice. It was nasal, like a whine, and out of pitch, if someone’s speaking voice could be out of pitch.
“Of course not,” Anam shot back. “I know how to take care of you myself.”
