Empire of Ash and Silk

Chapter 13

Anaya found herself smiling along, trying to push away the lingering heaviness in her chest. The lightness of her friends was infectious. Mira was chatting with Laxmi, her face glowing with her usual enthusiasm. Zahir had fallen in step beside her, though she could feel the weight of his gaze on her more than she could ever admit.

"Do you think anyone will miss us?" Laxmi asked, her voice soft, but her gaze scanning the town as though she was soaking in every moment. "I feel like we've been here forever."

"I'm sure they'll miss us," Aarav teased, nudging her with his elbow. "But don't worry, we'll send them some letters. Maybe some gifts. And anyway, we'll always have memories."

"Better memories than you trying to avoid us back in the palace?" Azeem smirked at Aarav, and everyone laughed, including Laxmi, who playfully shoved him.

Anaya's mind was somewhere far off, though. Zahir, walking just a few steps behind her, had a look of quiet intensity on his face, and no matter how hard she tried to pretend otherwise, she felt it. The chemistry between them—was it still there? Was this awkward distance between them because of what had happened?

As the group walked toward the market square, Anaya felt a sudden tug on her arm. She turned, her breath catching in her throat, as Zahir, having moved without her noticing, was now beside her.

"Anaya," he said softly, his voice almost lost in the noise around them. "We should talk. I've been trying to figure out how to say this, but—"

Before he could finish, Mira pulled her aside, giving Anaya a knowing look. "What's going on with you two?" she asked quietly, leaning in closer. "You're acting... different."

Anaya's heart stopped for a moment. "What do you mean?" she replied, trying to play it cool, though the sudden rush of nervousness in her chest was impossible to hide.

Mira raised an eyebrow, but before she could press further, Laxmi called to them. "You two should join us! We're getting some lemonade. You're looking far too serious!"

Mira shot Anaya a look, but nodded and moved toward the others, leaving Anaya and Zahir alone.

Zahir turned back to her, his smile gentle but knowing. "We can't hide from it, Anaya. Not from each other, not from this." His voice had dropped to a soft whisper, his eyes searching hers. There was an intensity there, something she hadn't expected to find. "But I can't keep pretending that nothing's changed, either."

Anaya felt her heart race. She wanted to say something, but the words tangled in her throat. What could she say?

"I didn't think I'd feel this way about you," she whispered, the truth spilling from her before she could stop it. "But I do. And that kiss—yesterday—it wasn't just a moment. Not for me."

Zahir took a step closer, his hand brushing lightly against hers. "It wasn't just a moment for me, either. You know that." He tilted his head slightly, a playful spark in his eyes. "But I've been trying to keep my distance because I didn't think you'd... I didn't think you'd feel the same."

She swallowed, stepping back slightly, feeling the tension tightening in her chest. "Zahir, I—"

Before she could finish, he reached up, his fingers grazing her cheek, warm and steady. Her breath hitched, her eyes closing instinctively, and when she opened them again, the space between them had vanished completely. His lips were already there, hovering over hers in a heartbeat. And this time, there was no hesitation.

The kiss was slow, hesitant at first, as if neither of them were quite sure what to expect, but then it deepened. Zahir's hands moved to her back, pulling her closer, and Anaya felt her entire body tremble as she instinctively leaned into him. His lips pressed softly against hers, sending a shock of heat coursing through her, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

It was nothing like their first kiss—nothing like the playful near-kiss after the duel. This was raw, real, and full of everything they'd been holding back. His hands cupped her face gently, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw, as if memorizing her. She responded, her hands gripping his shoulders as though afraid he would pull away too soon.

The world, the noise, the bustling town—everything became distant, leaving only Zahir and Anaya, their hearts racing, their breath mingling. She couldn't think, couldn't breathe without him. Every part of her screamed that this was where she was meant to be, and it terrified her.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they pulled away, both of them breathing heavily. Zahir's eyes searched hers, his face flushed. "Anaya..."

Her fingers gently touched her lips, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "We can't tell anyone. Not yet. If anyone finds out—"

"I know," Zahir whispered, his forehead resting gently against hers. "We keep it our secret. Only ours."

Anaya closed her eyes, letting the moment settle over her. She didn't want to think about the consequences, didn't want to imagine what would happen if anyone discovered the truth. But in that moment, it didn't matter. Not anymore.

They stood there for a moment longer, as if letting the reality of the kiss sink in. Then, as if on cue, the sound of their friends' voices reached them.

"Hey! You two!" Azeem called out, coming around the corner with the others in tow. "What are you two doing back there?"

Anaya turned quickly, her cheeks burning, but Zahir simply shot her a small, secretive smile, a glint in his eyes that no one else could see. "Just catching up," he replied, his tone casual, as though nothing had changed.

When they rejoined the group, nothing seemed out of place. Aarav was cracking jokes with Azeem, Laxmi was laughing, and Mira was too busy chatting to notice the shift in Anaya's demeanor. No one saw the change in the air between her and Zahir. No one noticed how their smiles seemed a little more sincere, how their glances lingered a little too long.

But Anaya felt it. Zahir felt it. And for the first time in days, Anaya couldn't help but feel lighter, as if a weight had been lifted. Maybe it was the kiss. Maybe it was the secret they now shared. But whatever it was, for the first time in a long while, she felt happy—really happy.

As the group continued through the streets, chatting, laughing, and teasing each other, Anaya couldn't stop glancing at Zahir. Every time their eyes met, her heart fluttered, and she couldn't help but smile.

They didn't say anything more about it. They didn't need to. Everything had changed between them, but for now, it was enough to just be in this moment. Together.