The Unlikely Queens

Seven

"I have something for you." Zahid smiles, holding my hand and leading me to his desk. He opens one of the drawers and takes out a small black book. He hands it to me and I see the writing on the front is Buranian.

"It says, The Book of Faith." Zahid tells me. "It is our Holy Book. I believe in Asnor you call it a Bible?"

"Yes," I flip through the pages delicately.

"Are you still sure about converting to my religion? Of course I would like you to, but you do not have to."

"I am sure." I smile and kiss his cheek.

"You should read a page or two a day. Take your time to understand." He wraps his pointer finger around a ringlet in my hair and lets it go.

"I will. Thank you." I hold the book close to my heart.

"Come," He takes my hand. "I will teach you how to pray."

"There is a specific way?" I ask as he leads me across his room.

"There is." He nods.

We stop beside his desk on the other side of his room and he places his hand on the wall and pushes slightly so a door reveals itself and opens. We step in and I see it is a plain room with white walls. One large ornate rug covers the entire floor. And in the middle are two small mats lain side by side.

"How often do you pray?" I ask him.

"Twice a day, Your Majesty. Once in the morning and once at night. But you can pray any time of day you choose. If you learn to like it."

We kneel on the mats and he teaches me how to begin, with my palms open as I tell my new god what I am praying for. And then to clasp them when I actually begin praying. He teaches me then how to end every prayer. The process feels so sacred, so important. I feel special taking part in it.

"Thank you." I tell him as we step out of the prayer room.

"You're welcome." He takes my face gingerly in his hands and kisses me. "You may pray here whenever you like."

"Will you try to pray with me? I know you will be busy, but—"

"I will absolutely find time. But not tomorrow morning, I'm afraid. I have a very important matter to attend to, but tomorrow evening I will be there beside you. You have my word."

I give him a tender kiss, "You are the most wonderful man."

"And I have the most wonderful wife," He smiles. "Now, how do I loosen your corset? I am afraid if I start pulling I might not be able to get you out."

~

I pray when I wake up, almost for an entire hour. After my morning prayer I go to say goodbye to Father and Eleanora. They are leaving this afternoon. As I walk down the hallway people stop to curtsy and bow to me. I am surprised and confused as to how the entire court found out about Zahid and I's marriage.

"Your Majesty." I turn and see Zahid walking towards me. The people passing through stop and bow or curtsy.

I smile, "Good morning."

"Good morning. How are you? Any problems with your morning prayer?" Zahid takes my hand and kisses it before we continue to walk to Eleanora and Father's room.

"I am well. I had no problems, thank you. But..."

"But?"

"They all bow and curtsy to me," I whisper like this is a secret. "The way they do in your presence."

"Should they not?" Zahid whispers back. "You are the Sultana of Buran now. Tell me, my love, why are we whispering?" He smiles.