Ahsan hadn’t been able to get much information from Nirah on account of her sobbing, but he had known enough women to guess that she wasn’t in the mood to talk about whatever troubled her. As her tears eventually let up, he recognized the glazed look in her eyes; her emotion and energy had both been thoroughly spent. Though she supported her own weight as he shuffled her up to their quarters, as soon as she drew the linens up to her chin she was fast asleep.
Ahsan reached for the comb securing her low bun in place, then stopped. It felt strangely intimate to do, but left in it could snarl in her curls or give her a headache. He removed the ornament and placed it on the low bedside table. He left the room, and again found the guards by his side. While they had remained at a respectable dis
