“No.” This time, Jalal did not look away. “She is with Tariq Imran al-Ziyad.”
The emotions that had coiled through Khalid’s chest thus far sprang free. He took hold of his cousin’s qamis in both fists. He wanted to scream in fury at Jalal. To swear and yell to all the heavens.
Tariq Imran al-Ziyad? As Khalid had just learned from his inquiries along the border between Khorasan and Parthia, this was the boy responsible for the budding unrest. Responsible for organizing a force against Khalid.
He would be damned a thousand times before he’d allow Shahrzad to fall into this traitorous boy’s care.
His eyes blazing, Khalid spun on a heel. And strode back to his horse.
He’d already taken hold of the reins when he heard Jalal at his back.
“Khalid—”
“Do not interfere. You sent Shahrzad away with a boy I would not trust with a dying snake. You have no idea—”
“He loves her, Khalid-jan,” Jalal interrupted gently. “He will keep her safe. He promised me he would.”
“And what gives you the right to—”
“Look around you, Khalid Ibn al-Rashid. Look around you with the eyes of a man, not the heart of a boy.” It was spoken so softly. Not an admonition, but a plea. Jalal moved closer. “Is it not for the better?”
Khalid’s rage peaked for an instant before it fell. His eyes roved across the sight of his broken palace.
The sight of his shattered people.
He did not move.
What right had he to pursue the desires of his heart?
His responsibilities were here. Khalid closed his eyes. His responsibilities had always been here.
He did not deserve to hold anything he loved in his keep.
Shahrzad was safer when she was not with him. Even if it meant she was with the son of Nasir al-Ziyad.
His hands fell from his reins. With a nod, Jalal walked away. Walked back to where he was needed.
Through the haze of thoughts, Khalid heard his cousin order Despina from the city. He heard his cousin demand that all remaining women and children leave until the fires were held at bay.
The handmaiden’s voice rose above his cousin’s directives, bright and clear as a bell. “You will not tell me where to go or what to do, Captain al-Khoury. If there is anything this chaos has taught me, it is to know my place. Better than anyone.”
Her words mirrored the storm of Khalid’s thoughts.
He knew his place now. Better than anyone.
It was here. In his city. With his people.
And he would not rest until he made amends.