“We shall all search for weaknesses,” Zarmina said.

“We will protect our people,” Saifullah said. “We will protect the mountains of our home . . . even though we are not heir to it.”

His voice was strange, as though he knew something Durkhanai didn’t; nonetheless, he sounded . . . bitter. She gave him a glance, but he didn’t notice, or pretended not to.

It was true Saifullah and Zarmina were not heir to any part of the mountains, but it had always been that way. They and their younger siblings were born of Agha-Jaan’s youngest, her Nazo Phuppo, the youngest of her father’s three siblings.

Zmarack Chacha, the eldest after her father, was the Wali of Trichmir. The next of her father’s siblings was Suweil Chacha, the Wali of Dirgara. They were obedient branches in the tree of her grandfather’s domain—a bit distant from the trunk, but connected all the same.

Marghazar encompassed the three smaller regions of S’vat, Trichmir, and Dirgara, and each family stayed in their own ruling region.

Nazo Phuppo and her family, without a region to rule, lived in Dirgara, where the twins’ father was from. She was a sapling that had spread her roots elsewhere and did not visit often.

“Dirgara is too far away,” Durkhanai sighed. “I am cross with you for not bringing Nazo Phuppo along to stay.”

“Uff, the way Ammi dotes on you and forgets us,” Zarmina said, “you would think you were her child and not us.”

“You know that is only because Ammi and Wakdar Taya were exceptionally close,” Saifullah said. Durkhanai’s heart squeezed.

“And I adore her so,” Durkhanai said. “I wish you all lived here permanently, with me.”

Zarmina laughed. “You call me here every few months anyhow, and my stay is always for another few. Are you still not content?”

“No,” Durkhanai said, voice purposefully petulant. “I want you all to myself, always.”

Durkhanai grabbed Zarmina and hugged her tightly to her chest. Laughing, Zarmina struggled, but Durkhanai held her close.

“Alright, alright,” she said. “I’m here, may I breathe?”

“No,” Durkhanai refused.

“You’re such a baby,” Zarmina said, pinching Durkhanai’s chubby cheek. With a laugh, Saifullah pinched her other cheek. Durkhanai pouted.

“Aw,” Saifullah teased. “Are you going to cry now?”

“Yes,” Durkhanai responded, swatting both of them away. “I am going to cry to Agha-Jaan and then you’ll both be sorry.”

On either side of her, Zarmina and Saifullah dropped her cheeks and pulled her into a hug.

“No, no!” they said. “We’ll be good to you now!”

“Fine,” Durkhanai said with an elaborate sigh. “But to make amends, you must never leave my side!”

The twins laughed

“We’ll never leave you,” they said. She smiled and held them close.

“Good,” she replied. “Now let’s play some games!”