We spent a few more hours discussing the landscape, the families. In the end we decided on the Banu Ifran, who as reward for their collaboration with the regime were gifted Furat’s family’s ancestral seat, Tayfur province. In addition, we picked two families I’d already met: the Banu Nasir, who ruled from Khenitra and were one of the largest families in Greater Walili, second only to the Ziyadis; and the Banu Mas’ud, who ruled from Azaghar within Ghazlan province, second only to the Salihis.

The pastries and tea were both gone by the time our discussion wound down. ‘Adil’s disappearance worried at my mind like a thorn caught beneath my skin. I knew that the best I could hope for him was a quick death. The Vath did not return those they took. But I felt some hope, too—Maram had come awake. Something had shaken her enough to push her into action. And I could see a world under her rule where children were not taken from their parents. Where law and justice were ordinary, instead of a luxury meted out to invaders.

Maram had not set me an easy task: persuading the makhzen that she was on their side, that she was worthy of their trust, was a crucible I hadn’t anticipated. But I had an unexpected ally this time: Maram herself. And that in itself was remarkable enough that I could look toward the task with some optimism, even if it was peppered with fear.

9

I was getting used to the bustle of dressing in the royal suite as a new bride. Prior to her marriage, Maram had only ever had a single serving girl with her. As a married woman she had a true household, and that included a cluster of serving girls who moved around the large dressing chamber, laying out clothes, jewelry, and perfume. Most mornings, I internally reviewed names and politics, preoccupied with preparing myself to face the world as Maram, but today, I examined the face of each servant. I didn’t recognize any of the girls excepting Tala, and as Maram had not occupied her marriage suite for very long I doubt she would recognize them either. I wondered, suddenly, who had brought them on.

My last encounter with Nadine rose up in my mind. She was so meticulous in all she did; she would do no less in ensuring Maram remained under her sway. It was not out of the realm of possibility that she had hired these girls herself and ensured their loyalty to her in any way possible.