She prepared and went to the stables, brushing Heer’s white-haired mane.

As she brushed, her thoughts roamed to what she had done to Rukhsana’s food. Her hands slowed, and Heer gazed into her eyes, as if searching deeply. Durkhanai stared back.

She felt no remorse, only the settling calm that came with a wrong being righted.

“Chalo, Heeru,” she said. “Let’s go.”

She mounted, and they set off. Strong winds whipped across her face, Heer’s gallops beating loudly against the earth. Durkhanai lost herself in the ride, but it was over too quickly.

She dismounted, straightening her hair and crown. The falls were just as breathtaking as ever. There was a serenity filled by the sound of rushing water, the chirping birds, and the sky deepening into shades of purple and blue. The perfect backdrop for a beautiful memory.

For a moment, Durkhanai wished to stand on the cliff-edge, feel the spray of water on her cheeks—but then she recalled why she was here.

“Shehzadi!” Rashid called. His face lit up when he saw her. He had dressed well, which wasn’t strange for a meeting with the Shehzadi, but he had never dressed so formally before. He wore a jacquard black and gold waistcoat over his black shalwar kameez.

“Salam,” she said in greeting, smiling. She tried not to be nervous, but she was suspicious as to why he had called her to meet him in such a gorgeous and, now that she gave it some thought, such an intimate location.

“Come, let us walk near the falls,” Rashid said. He offered her his arm, and she took it. As they walked, she felt his gaze on her. He stopped them too far away for her to feel it’s rushing waters spray past her.

“Beautiful,” Rashid said, voice soft. She turned to look at him, and his hazel eyes were warm.

She looked away. “Yes, it is,” she said, letting go of his arm. “Though not beautiful enough to distract me. You said you wished to discuss a matter of import with me? I thought perhaps it had something to do with the springs these falls provide water to?”

“No, not quite.” Rashid smiled. “Though I so admire your knowledge of the land. It is one of the many things I admire about you.”

Durkhanai gave him a friendly smile and continued walking.

“Perhaps you wish to discuss Rukhsana-sahiba?” she suggested. “You must be as furious with her as I am myself, but she has taken her leave, and I have faith she will get her due, in the end.”

“I am glad to hear it,” Rashid said, “though that is not what I had in mind.”

He hurried again to her side. Durkhanai lifted a hand to adjust her dupatta, and as she did, Rashid’s gaze caught on the bandage wrapped around her wrist. His face crinkled with worry.