“What happened here?” He reached for her. She deflected, cradling her hand to her chest,

“Nothing to fret over, I assure you,” she said, giving him a quick smile. “Just a little scratch. Doctor Aliyah gave me a salve that has done wonders. Oh, of course. That’s what you wished to discuss. The plans for distribution of medicine, now that we have found the source of the illness—”

“No,” Rashid interjected. “What I wish to discuss is of more import even than that.” He took a deep breath. “I wish to discuss . . . us.”

He drew nearer, and Durkhanai took a step back, heart racing.

“Perhaps we should get going,” she suggested. “Heer is not a fan of the dark.”

It was an excuse, and they both knew it. But Rashid would not be deterred. She could see it on his face. He had mustered up the courage and would not let it pass.

“Wait. I really—” he paused, almost choking on the words. He cleared his throat and pushed forward. “I adore you. I would like to make my intentions clear.”

Durkhanai froze.

Oh no, she thought. Oh no, oh no, oh no.

“Oh,” she said aloud. “Um . . .”

She didn’t know what to say.

Rashid looked at her with his soft eyes full of hope and adoration. Full of expectation. Durkhanai bit her lip, face blank, not letting any emotions show.

An auspicious match. Guaranteed support. And yet . . . her heart burned bright, a warning.

“I’m sorry,” she said, trying to find a coherent thought. “I’m sorry, let me just think for a moment.”

Rashid smiled his sweet smile. “What is there to think about?” he asked. “Surely you must see what an opportune match this could be.”

“Of course, yes, but—” Durkhanai fiddled with her fingers. “Can you give me a day to consider?”

Rashid blinked. He had clearly not expected this. “Do you need it?”

“Yes.”

His eyes flashed with hurt, but he hid it away. He bowed. “Very well, then. I will—” He cleared his throat. “I will take my leave.”

He went. She watched him leave. As he did, she waited for regret to seize her, to feel her heart swell. She waited for her voice to call out for him. Instead, she felt—nothing.

If he never came back, her life would remain unchanged.

It was true she had thought she felt something for him, before. True that she had seen him as her future husband, even. But in the middle there, the more she got to know him—she had been confused. She didn’t know if the soft fondness she felt for him was romantic or strictly platonic.

But if she had been confused before, his confession had brought her perfect clarity: she felt nothing romantic for Rashid.

Durkhanai debated his proposal as she made her way back to her bed.