Sighing, he went for a quick bath and then pulled on clothes suitable for a late-night stroll in the gardens.
The night was cool without being unbearably chilly, unusual for this time of year when some nights could bring frost. Insects buzzed and hummed, and the air was perfumed with the myriad flowers filling the garden, punctuated by the fresh water in the fountains.
Words tumbled softly through his mind, but he was content to let them do so for the moment, see what came until he finished his walk and wrote them down before going to bed.
He paused by one of the fountains, this one of women spinning and washing clothes and doing other chores, to stare up at the stars and half-gone waning moon. Comparing stars to jewels was a cliché, but it wasn't hard to see why people were so fond of the description. The whole sky was like a tapestry made—
A discreet cough made him jump, even as he realized he knew that cough. Turning, he smiled in greeting at Vamri, Shafiq's personal servant, the one who always seemed to be sent to fetch him when Shafiq wanted an audience.
His heart trip-trapped. Did… did Shafiq want an audience? Now, in the dead of night? His skin prickled, a shiver racing up his spine. Surely not. "How can I help you?"
Vamri smiled but did not say a word, only pressed a finger to his mouth. He tilted his head in a silent question.Will you come?
Gods grant him mercy, his heart was going to stop. Nadir dipped his head in a slow, deep nod.
Vamri's smile widened, and he motioned for Nadir to follow him.
Rather than out of the garden, he headed further into it, finally turning onto a smaller side path that led to one of many nooks and crannies for people who wanted some semblance of privacy without entirely breaking protocols.
Nadir barely kept from exclaiming audibly when from there, Vamri unlocked and pushed open a door that was well-hidden by copious amounts of vines and flowers.
As they stepped beyond the door, his breath caught. The public gardens were beautiful beyond compare, but these gardens… the private royal gardens were like stepping into a bard's tale. Even in weak moonlight they were breathtaking. He wished he could see them by the light of day.
Then again, if Shafiq was requesting such an inappropriate audience… then maybe… just maybe…
Nadir couldn't even bring himself to think it. He was half-afraid that if he did, he'd ruin any chance he had of his fragile hope coming to pass.
Vamri led him to a small, almost whimsical alcove in the center of the garden, where he then faded off, leaving Nadir to venture on alone down the steps and across a small stone bridge over a little stream that circled the alcove. In the center was a dais shrouded with gauzy curtains, and beyond them were seats and benches, a table set with wine and food and softly burning candles adding warm, cozy light.
Sitting on one of the lounging benches, long, wide, and deeply padded, meant for sprawling—or cuddling, though Nadir's face flushed at the idea of doing such a thing—was Shafiq. He looked up at the sound of movement, and the pensive look on his face turned to one of surprise as he hastily stood. "Nadir!" He sighed. "My pardon. Lord Nadir, what are you doing here?"
Mortification shot through Nadir, fire and ice all at once. "Your servant, Vamri, asked if I would come. I thought you…" He bowed low, face burning. "I apologize for—"
"No, don't go," Shafiq said, the words blurted out with a startling lack of grace. He took a step around the lounger, and then stopped. "It's true I did not request they bring you here,but it's also true I was lonely and wishing that I could. It's only that I would never commit such a rude breach of etiquette, especially where it concerns a person who is already dealing with so much upheaval and strife, and is, most would say, in a prime position to be manipulated. I refuse to be so crass." He smiled crookedly. "Well, almost. I could not resist responding to your poems, though I realize it was rude of me to read them without permission."
Some of Nadir's tension eased—or rather, turned into an entirely different kind of tension. "I don't mind," he said softly. "I had hoped my reply would convey that."
"It did. I've been trying to keep the matter discreet, but I'm not surprised my staff is several steps ahead of me, as always. Come, sit. Would you like some wine?"
Nadir gave a nod to the wine, but hesitated about the sitting. There were plenty of options, but…
But for once in his life, he was going to do whathewanted. What madehimhappy. Even if that meant being so brazen his mother would murder him where he stood. Gathering his nerve, he sat on the open side of the lounger Shafiq had reclaimed, swinging his legs up and moving in close, so they were not quite touching. He couldn't bring himself to recline, not quite yet, but he was more than happy to sit beside Shafiq, staring down at him, feeling very much like a concubine here to serve his king's every whim.
The idea left his head spinning like he'd imbibed an entire carafe of potent Hushed Whispers.
Unless he was imagining things, Shafiq was just as taken by the situation.
Nadir would have laughed, if he could have found the breath to do so, the nerve to shatter the fragile-feeling silence.
Instead, he took the small carafe and dish where they'd been forgotten in Shafiq's hands and poured a serving of winehimself. Then he held the dish to Shafiq's lips offering a drink. His heart thundered in his ears as Shafiq took a sip. When he finished, Nadir tossed back the remaining wine.
Thankfully, Shafiq took them and set them aside after that, before Nadir's trembling hands could drop the delicate porcelain, and drew him in close. So close. He was warm, almost hot, and smelled of amber and cinnamon. His hand was large but gentle as it rested against the side of Nadir's face. "I have been trying not to unfairly sway you."
"I've been fairly swayed longer than you know."
"Then… when all this is over, and you are free and clear to answer, there is something I'd very much like to ask."
"My answer will be waiting."
