“This is different!” Durkhanai argued, on the verge of tears. She didn’t know how to make them understand. “Please, we can trust him. He’ll go far away, he’ll never return. He’ll forget about me and Marghazar and everything. He’ll disappear, like a ghost. In a few months we won’t even remember his name.”

“Janaan, do not be a fool,” Dhadi replied, voice clipped. “What has trusting him gotten you thus far?” She shook her head. “No, we cannot trust him. For your sake, I wish we could, but I am sure he is a spy for Wakdar.” Despite Durkhanai keeping it from them, her grandparents had deduced as much. “He is intent on causing our ruination, and we cannot allow that. If he is guilty, he will die. If he is innocent, he will be married and live here, where we can watch his every move.”

“Dhadi—” Durkhanai tried again, but the Wali held up a hand.

“Enough,” she said. “You must be a shehzadi, at this moment. Think of your people and what would become of them if we let Asfandyar go, and he and Wakdar were to return. If they were to incite chaos. With all that is already happening, your people need you to be a strong princess. To place them above yourself. Think of your people.”

Durkhanai wanted to cry out in frustration, but she held her tongue. She understood her grandparents’ perspective, understood all that they were saying, and she understood Asfandyar’s perspective, as well, and to an extent, her father’s, but wasn’t there a middle that could be reached?

To the Wali and the Badshah, there wasn’t.

She was defeated—for now.

But defeated she would not remain.

“I know it is difficult, now,” Dhadi said, kissing Durkhanai’s cheek. “But one day you will understand. When you are the ruler, you will understand, janaan, you will.”

She said nothing, just stood to leave. Already, ideas were forming in her mind, how to regroup and conquer this subject from another perspective.

“Where are you going?” Agha-Jaan asked, worried.

“To Zarmina’s room,” she replied, trying to keep the bite from her tone.

She needed to speak with her.

“She won’t be there,” Dhadi replied.

Durkhanai was filled with dread, and somehow, she already knew why. But she still asked, heart hammering, throat closing.

“Why?”

“Zarmina has been selected to be the lady of the trial.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

Zarmina’s Tale

Zarmina didn’t expect everything to happen so suddenly, truly.

Before she knew it, Saifullah had come to her saying that Asfandyar had been taken for trial. Then, she had been taken away to the suite of the lady for the trial.