It was nearly time. Everything would soon fall into place. And Durkhanai would be safe once more.

Now, the city waited.

Zarmina sat at the vanity. She brushed her long hair in methodical strokes, counting down from one hundred, then counting down again. Outside her suite, she knew the lion cages of all the lands would be searched for the most savage and relentless beasts, from which only the fiercest monster would be selected for the arena.

Ordinarily, the royal family never procured the lady for the trial, but in this case, Saifullah and Zarmina had both insisted. Her grandparents—not knowing Zarmina and her brother were working with Wakdar—relented.

In the rare chance that Asfandyar survived, his marriage to Zarmina would guarantee that Durkhanai would not interfere. She would never ruin the matrimony of her beloved cousin.

Pushing her hair aside, Zarmina fingered the beautiful gold jewelry laid out for her, her fingers pricking at the sharp corners. She pulled her hand away before she drew blood.

Of course, everybody knew by now what the accused had been charged with. He had loved the princess, and neither he, she, nor anyone else thought of denying the fact.

But the Badshah would not allow any facts to interfere with the workings of the tribunal, in which he took great delight and satisfaction. The barbarism had seeped deeply into her grandfather.

Zarmina’s gaze went to the clothes set out for the trial: an ornate red wedding outfit with gold embroidery. This was not how she imagined she would prepare for her wedding. Ironically, Zarmina was in the same place her mother had been in, so many years ago. Sitting as the lady with a personal interest in the outcome of the tribunal.

But while her mother had prayed for the man’s innocence, Zarmina was praying for his guilt.

And truly, Zarmina had only agreed for one reason: to save Durkhanai.

She had a plan.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Durkhanai took measured breaths, pacing her room.

Why would Zarmina agree to this? Was it to spite her? Did Zarmina harbor secret feelings toward Asfandyar? No matter how impossible the thought was, jealousy bristled inside of her.

But no, she would not jump to conclusions, not until she had spoken to Zarmina.

But the lady of the trial was always held in seclusion, unreachable. How would Durkhanai reach her? Luckily, Durkhanai knew in which part of the palace the lady was kept. It was knowledge only she and her grandparents knew.

But how would she get through?

She sat down, forcing herself to still and think clearly. She ran through different scenarios in her mind, gauging the outcomes. She could order the guards to let her in, but word would surely reach her grandparents, and they would not be happy. They would further be convinced that Asfandyar had bewitched her. Why else would she go to such extremes to speak to the lady of the trial, if not to sabotage it?