Breakdown

Khari stared up at the night sky, feeling the world’s weight on her shoulders. She had been dreading this moment since Azim’s disappearance. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, steeling herself. Wren was right. Even though she was scared and heartbroken, she knew she had to show strength and courage for the sake of her people.

When she entered the dining room, the conversations abruptly stopped, and all heads swiveled toward her. She felt their stares, their judgmental and curious gazes, pierce her skin. A nervousness settled in her gut as she marched to the bar and asked for a glass of wine, hoping it would take the edge off. She felt a hand on her shoulder and heard King Nashir’s voice. “I’m glad you could join us for dinner. You are strong, Khari. Azim chose you for a reason,” his words gave her an unexpected feeling of comfort as he led her to the long wooden table. He patted her lightly on the back to reassure her that everything would be alright.

Wren stepped forward and pulled out the chair for Khari. He was wearing a crisp suit, and he had a strange glint in his eye. He smiled, “I’ve been telling Father how well you’ve been doing. I’m glad you made it.”

Khari beamed at him and gracefully lowered herself onto the chair, her dress rustling against the seat’s fabric. She raised her glass and nodded in appreciation. “Thank you,” she murmured before taking a delicate sip of her ruby-hued wine.

Khari’s fork scraped the plate with a hollow sound; the contents on her plate barely touched despite her hunger. The tightness in her stomach wasn’t caused by the food but by the tension in the air. Nobody spoke, not even to chew. The only sound was the clink of silverware against china or the occasionally strained throat clearing. Instead, the guests locked eyes with each other in an unspoken conversation. Khari shivered as she felt their collective gaze on her like the elephant in the room that had taken over the small dining area. She felt like she was suffocating from all of the unspoken words, like a bomb ready to detonate, counting down the seconds until she couldn’t take the pressure anymore. As the last plates were cleared and drinks poured, the strains of an old jazz standard floated out. The alcohol flowed, and so did the conversation, allowing Khari to escape finally. She anxiously excused herself but not before being halted by someone in the court.

Wren’s mistress sauntered up to Khari, her hands on her hips and a smirk on her face. Her hair was neatly pulled back in a tight bun, and she wore a dress that spoke of wealth and privilege. “My, my, Khari,” she said. “It has been an interesting journey for you. Life was so much simpler when you were just Wren’s unwanted mistress, wasn’t it?”

Khari tried to appear indifferent as she studied the woman’s features up close. Her wide eyes, full lips, and pointed chin that completed the expression of her cunning attitude. Seeing her up close was interesting, and it gave Khari a chance to match her voice with her face. It was like a missing puzzle piece that finally clicked into place. “….Maybe,” she said softly as she stepped away from her, making her way outside.

Khari’s head throbbed as she stepped out of the palace and onto the neatly trimmed grass, feeling a sense of peace that could only be found in a garden that had been tended by the same gardener for generations. A light breeze brushed her face, carrying with it the scent of freshly budding roses blooming near the edge of the lawn. She felt her stomach tighten, a reminder of how close she had been to becoming involved in a heated argument inside. Keeping her composure was difficult, but it wouldn’t do any good to get into a fight with Wren’s mistress, no matter how satisfying. She walked to the palace entrance and remembered how Azim had invited her to horseback riding. She smiled and chuckled at his wit as tears flowed freely down her face, reminding her of how fragile life and love could be.

“Hey,” Wren called out from behind her, his voice gentle but concerned, “I saw you leaving the dining room in a hurry. You okay,” he asked.

Khari swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand and took a moment to compose herself before raising her head and turning to face him. “Yes. I’m fine. Just needed some fresh air,” she stated.

Wren nodded his head, “I understand,” he said, looking down at Khari, her face illuminated by the soft light of the full moon. Was now the right time to make his move? He paused, searching her eyes for a hint of hesitation before continuing. “Khari, I didn’t mean to suggest we get married so quickly. I just want you to be safe. It’s the least I can do,” he swallowed hard and waited for her response.

She tried to hide the sadness behind her smile, her lips barely curling upwards. “I’m starting to see that,” she said quietly. “It’s alright. I know you want what’s best for me,” she added and started to walk away.

Wren tentatively stepped closer to Khari, his fingers wrapping around her arm lightly. His voice was a comforting whisper when he spoke. “Khari, wait,” he breathed, turning her body to face him. He bent down and gently kissed her damp cheek, kissing away any leftover tears. He was pleasantly surprised when Khari didn’t resist his affectionate gesture. Instead, he felt her body relax and her eyes flutter closed in surrender. He savored the moment as he placed one more kiss on her lips. Time seemed to stand still as they shared a passionate kiss, and Wren felt a wave of warmth wash over him.

She parted her lips, inviting him to explore her mouth with his tongue. His hand tightly gripped her waist as he pulled her flush against him, and his other hand tenderly cupped the back of her head. Her hands lightly caressed his chest as they kissed under the moonlight. It was a soft and gentle kiss, but suddenly, she felt a pang of guilt, and she pulled back and placed her hand on her lips. “I…. I’m sorry,” she whispered.