The Cliffs of Sidi
Khimi adjusts the choker around Lumi’s neck, fidgeting with the clasp. Lumi had slept soundly through the night, barely moving even when the morning bathers gathered rowdily outside. Khimi can not help but smile at the recollection of the events from the previous night. Nearly the moment Lumi’s head was against his chest he began to snore gently and for the first time in what felt like weeks, Khimi felt like Lumi’s guardian again.
The golden clasp finally fits into place, and Khimi claps his hands together once he finishes. Lumi rises from the bed and turns to Khimi in his nakedness, his lengthy whip-like tail twirling with a spiral of movements. Jiya had left a bundle of items outside the room, not wanting to disturb the two of them. A few more scrolls, likely containing even more grim news, and several tunics and trousers. Khimi stretches across the bed and grabs the glass carafe, pouring the water directly into his mouth.
Lumi laughs and begins to tug the tunic over his head, “Thirsty are we?” He teases while he straightens the white fabric.
Khimi chokes on the water, noticing the revealing nature of the tunic. If Lumi bends or twists to either side, the entirety of his sex could be seen. Despite its nature, the tunic seems to suit him. The gold and lapis choker stands out against the vibrantly white fabric.
“W-What’re you staring at?” Lumi grumbles, his ears twitching. He pulls at the waist, “Huh, Khimi?”
Khimi stands quickly, setting the carafe down with a clank on the marble floor. “Just you,” he laughs. “And…I was wondering if Jiya wants all of Sidi to see your ass,” he adds, lifting a piece of white fabric from the ground. “Maybe you should wear a thong at least.”
“Uhm,” Lumi sounds, biting his lip in thought. “Is it really that short?”
Khimi snickers and brings one end of the fabric around Lumi, then grabs it from the other side. He pulls the band taut around Lumi’s waist, cinching the loose fabric together. “It’s…a bit revealing. But if you’re comfortable, who am I to stop you?”
“I can put on something else,” Lumi whispers, his eyes following Khimi’s hands tying a knot dexterously around his waist. “It’s not a bother to change.”
Khimi places a hand on Lumi’s head and tousles his hair, scratching the thick round ears. “I wanted to show you what’s outside Sidi.”
“Hmm, isn’t it just like Betset?”
“Well, I mean…it’s similar,” Khimi shrugs, rolling his eyes. “But it’s completely different. Totally different atmosphere,” he adds, scratching at the scar across his nose. “Vineyards instead of wheat, and the water i–”
“Uh huh,” Lumi laughs, picking through the other items from the package left by Jiya.
Khimi coughs into his hand, unable to turn away from the sight of Lumi’s cheeks turned up at him. And without thinking, he takes both tanned mounds into his hands, causing Lumi to squeal suddenly, dropping the assortment of papers and clothing. “It’s your fault,” he taunts, squeezing the meaty flesh, “showing your ass like that.”
Lumi purses his lips and leans back into Khimi’s groping hand. “Well…as long as it’s your hands on my ass.”
Khimi pushes the back of Lumi’s tunic down and straightens the fabric. “Jiya is going to be joining us, so be on your best behavior,” he whispers once Lumi turns to him.
“No groping?” Lumi teases, taking Khimi’s hand. He laughs while he drags Khimi to the door, his bare feet padding over the marble.
As Khimi helps Lumi push the solid doors open, he grabs Lumi and reels back.
“Excuse me,” An elven man says, the same man from the baths. “I was about to knock,” he says cautiously, his eyes shifting between the two of them. “I couldn’t help myself after watching you both the other day…”
The man’s words trail in his soft-spoken voice. His accent marks him distinctively as Lorian which immediately rouses discomfort in Khimi. His eyes linger too long on Lumi for Khimi’s comfort, and Khimi quickly urges Lumi behind him. Khimi searches the man for signs of danger, weapons, arcane items, symbols. The plain robes seem unnatural on his form. Nor does it make sense to Khimi that a guest of the Athera would be wearing such drab attire.
“What?” Khimi blurts suddenly, shaking his head while he tries to focus on the soft-spoken elf.
“I was just going to say…well, your friend,” he begins, nodding his head at Lumi. “He has the most peculiar eyes. I’ve never seen anything quite like them…can I ask where you’re from?”
Lumi looks up at Khimi, then back at the man. “I don’t rea–”
“He’s from the Desert Cities,” Khimi interrupts, his hand clapping on top of Lumi’s head. He flashes a false smile at the man. “He’s always had those strange eyes. Probably a deformity. At least that’s what his mother told me.” The lies come quickly to him, without thought.
Lumi tilts his head at Khimi, his eyes wide with wonder. “Y-Yeah, my mom said I had stupid eyes,” he adds, his lips twitching and nostrils flaring.
“Anyway, you happened to catch us off-guard, we were on our way out. I’m sorry,” Khimi says apologetically, “perhaps we can catch up some other time.”
“I see,” the elf says calmly before releasing a sigh. “I am leaving the Athera soon but perhaps some other time,” he adds, a hint of a smile on his lips.
“Right,” Lumi whispers and takes the key from Khimi, who ushers them out of the doorway. With a bang, the door shuts and Lumi turns the key in the lock, then hands it back to Khimi. “We’ve got a really busy day…”
The elf shifts on his feet and steps out of the way with a slight bow. “Sorry to have disturbed you both.”
Khimi pushes him towards the hall, “It’s not a problem. Some other time then.”
Lumi’s pace increases and Khimi struggles to keep up. There is something amiss that Khimi can not quite put his finger on, but whatever it seemed to have frightened Lumi. Their fingers intertwine while Lumi scurries down the stairs and in front of the street, his eyes shifting back and forth then across the street. The guards in their white tabards stare at Lumi with skeptical glances.
“What is it? Khimi questions quietly, “you look…what happened?”
Lumi buckles over, his hand on his stomach. “I think…he’s from the temple.”
Khimi nods and looks up at the entrance to the Athera. The thought had been in his mind when he was looking over the elf, but he could find no sign to prove it. “I didn’t see any symbols or anything.”
“He had a mark,” Lumi mutters unsteadily. “A sunburst up his sleeve. I saw it when he was tucking his hands.”
Khimi runs his palm across his cheeks, “There are thousands of people with those marks, Lumi…many devout will get marked by the order they claim loyalty to.”
“B-But…there is something off about him,” Lumi stammers. “He approached us on our first day too.”
“Oh, there is definitely something off about him,” Khimi laughs, his eyes narrowed on the entrance of the building. “But we don’t know if he’s from the Sun Temple…so let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Besides, what would you do? Attack him in broad daylight?”
Lumi shrugs, “Why not? The gods said they can’t be trusted. If it is a pries–”
“I just don’t want you to be jumping at your own shadow, Lumi,” Khimi interrupts. From nearby, Jiya calls out to him, leading a camel and a lalu behind her. It had been ages since he saw a lalu, the massive birds were unpredictable, but far quicker than any horse or camel. “Jiya has our mounts, we’ll talk about it once we’re moving.”
“Kh-Khimi, sometimes I just get feelings about things. I just know something is up with him…”
“And if you attack him unprovoked, then you’re going to be the cause of a lot of anguish and trouble,” Khimi mutters, nearing the camels. “Don’t make trouble in Sidi…you don’t want to make trouble here,” he says, repeating himself once again.
Jiya gives Khimi a nod and hands him the bridle to the camel, “Do you want me to help the boy up?” She asks, her cropped ears twitching.
The camel is a shade of dusty brown, its curved neck turning to Khimi. He gradually rubs his hand through the soft brown fur, causing the camel to grunt and bring its lips near his face. With a few strokes along the camel’s nose, he calms him.
Meanwhile, the lalu squeaks with a restless cry, opening its massive beak and snapping at the air. The talons scratch against the ground beneath it aggressively. It’s feathers ruffle.
“W-What is that?” Lumi questions aloud, keeping his distance from the creature.
“It’s a lalu from Dolmas, they raise them for riding in the jungles. Surprised you’ve never seen one,” Khimi smiles and turns to Lumi, “Do you want Jiya to help you up?”
Jiya snickers, “Hells! I thought you had shorter legs. I bought it thinking it would be something you would wear…but it can be worn with trousers as well,” she says, unable to hide the smile or stifle the laughter which erupts from her lips.
Lumi rolls his eyes and moves to the side of Khimi’s camel to pull himself onto the back. “I’m fine,” he mutters when Khimi grabs his thigh and lifts him onto its back.
Jiya’s laughter only grows louder, “It looked a little col–” She stops the moment Khimi casts her an admonishing glance. She clears her throat, her cropped tail wagging behind her. “Sorry,” she says under her breath. “I’ve seen your other friends earlier, Mido and Augustus. They planned to go to the harbor, it seems. I had some locals suggest the route…hopefully they don’t get lost.”
“They’ll be fine.” Khimi says, then lifts himself on the camel behind Lumi. “Most people can point them to the Athera if they get lost.”
“Too right you are, Emir Zeybek,” she adds before pulling herself onto the lalu’s saddle effortlessly. “Please lead ahead at your own pace. I am only here to ensure your safety.”
Khimi nods and brings his arms around Lumi, taking the camel’s bridles. With a click of his tongue, the camels saunter down the cobbled streets. Khimi is glad he had chosen to wear something simple. Many of the citizens around them stop and stare at them while they make their way down the streets and to the edge of town. The morning sun casts a warmth over the city, and Khimi finds himself shrugging off the stiff kurta and riding behind Lumi in his thin linen shirt.
As they take their first steps outside the city, the cobbles gradually vanish, the ground changes to the compacted dirt roads that seem to stretch endlessly around the city. Small, muddy puddles sit still around the area. Despite being part of the Desert Cities, Sidi is blessed with frequent rains, allowing for a vast array of diverse vegetation. Fields of golden wheat, endless rows of Sidian grapes, groves of citrus, potatoes, and more. The wealth of vegetation brings Khimi a sense of pride. In his time away from Sidi, the farmers had only increased production with their endless fields.
Khimi clicks his tongue and pulls at the bridle once they arrive at a fork in the path. Edging his way to the Northeast, he sets out towards the cliffs along the cape. The area had been one of the places he would come in his youth to experience clarity — a moment without Ziad at his throat.
The scent of the Emerald Coast is strong, the salty breeze blows across the fields and folds the stalks of wheat. Lumi smiles at the sight and places a hand on Khimi’s leg, his chest rattling with low purrs. He leans his head back and soaks up the warmth of the morning sun.
Lumi sits quietly for some distance along the path until he finally says, “It must have been really nice growing up here. The wind, the fields, the coast.”
Khimi scoffs and tightens his forearms around Lumi’s waist, still holding tight to the bridle. “Sidi is a nice place…but I didn’t get to spend much time outside the estate.”
“Why doesn’t the estate have a name?” Lumi inquires, glancing up at Khimi. “The inn has a name.”
“Many inns have names…but it isn’t customary here to name your homes like it is in some other places of the world.”
Lumi purses his lips and squeezes Khimi’s thigh. “I heard someone say it was a palace before…did you grow up in a palace?”
Khimi raises his brow, his eyes fixed ahead on the dirt path. “Some called it a palace. That much is true. But I’d call it a prison,” he says almost under his breath, knowing Lumi can hear him.
“Did you ever have any friends?”
Khimi looks out at the cliffs past the fields. The coastal waters create a serenade. The waves crash against the rocks. “Rashid,” he whispers, “he was always there for me.”
Lumi shifts in his seat, somehow wriggling to face Khimi, his arms squeeze around Khimi’s waist while he looks up at him thoughtfully. “Rashid was a good friend…even if he disliked me, he did everything for you,” he ruminates aloud.
Khimi scoffs and rubs his cheek, “He didn’t hate you. He just thought you were immature.”
Lumi pushes his face against Khimi’s chest. “Immature?” He asks with an audible pffft.
“He thought you could have used more time at the temple…or with studies. Growing up more among others like yourself,” Khimi answers. After a moment of uncomfortable silence, he continues, “I mean…I didn’t think that you were immature.”
“Hmm, this isn’t about me. No matter how I felt about Rashid at times…no matter how much he made my heart hurt. I know everything that he did, he did for you,” Lumi begins softly. “Those last moments…when that man was in the room. Rashid said something and I think I would be dead if it weren’t for him. Or at least I may have been much worse off.”
“I’m telling you, Lumi. He cared about you. He told me he liked your gumption. That you were full of vim and vigor,” he mutters. “In my heart I know Rashid wants us to be happy…just like Lilith said.”
Lumi shudders, “Lilith,” he mumbles under his breath. The devilkin had somehow managed to get under Lumi’s skin. Even the mention of her name makes his hair stand on end. “She…may be weird, but I don’t think she’s a liar. So if she said Rashid wants you to be happy, then I believe her.”
“Yeah,” Khimi says with a gentle sigh, “I believe her too. I just have to find how to be happy, I guess.”
Lumi cocks an eyebrow and reaches a hand up at Khimi’s cheek. “Do I not make you happy?” He questions, his round eyes glossy.
“Don’t give me that look,” Khimi snorts and tosses his head. “Bedroom eyes.” Lumi’s laughter brings a sense of comfort to Khimi. “I’m serious…whenever you want something, you always look at me like that.”
“Do not,” Lumi snips and embraces him with a sudden tightness. “How can I make you happy?”
“You already make me happy, Lumi…it’s everything else that doesn’t,” Khimi mumbles, craning his neck to place a kiss atop Lumi’s head. “My family…has never considered my feelings — Aleyna tried. She really did.”
“But?” Lumi asks after a momentary silence.
“But she’s still concerned about the Cerulean Star…about its future. Not as much as Ziad…but she worries,” Khimi whispers, his speech hastening, “she just doesn’t want any part of it herself so she’s going to leave it all on me.”
Lumi’s arms tighten, barely affecting Khimi. Yet, the affirmation of his affection gives him a moment of relief. “She won’t do that to you,” he whispers, “she won’t leave it all on you.”
“Lum—”
“Trust me,” Lumi interrupts. “Whatever else the world wants with us can come after.”
Khimi sighs and brushes his chin through Lumi’s hair, the fresh stubble itching between his ears. “I’m not sure the world will care about what we want.”
Lumi sighs and shimmies back to face forward. “So you never had any friends other than Rashid? What about Jiya?” He questions with a look behind Khimi. The woman travels some distance behind, her eyes scan the surrounding fields, while the lalu looks about with an equally watchful gaze.
“Jiya? She was part of the guard in Rhaz before I even got there. I suppose the serving staff was kind when I was younger…but I am sure most of them have gone no—”
“You wanna go back home now?” Lumi asks, leaning forward, pushing his hips back against Khimi.
Khimi’s lips twitch, his thoughts suddenly interrupted while he watches Lumi’s tunic ride up his backside, revealing the soft golden mounds. He fights against the urge to grasp Lumi’s tail and give it a firm yank.
“I uhh— not yet,” Khimi chokes.
The area becomes rocky, and the dirt path is littered with stones. The ground begins to rise upwards once they near the edge of the cliff. The path had clearly been less traveled in recent years, despite the booming growth in Sidi. The spot had always been considered dangerous. The winds around the cliff are notoriously strong, and the drop descends onto jagged rocks below. Ships are warned to steer clear of the area, and smaller boats would often be pulled in by the heavy current.
Khimi offers Jiya a wave from a distance and dismounts from the camel. He ties the lead to a short ironwood before placing his hands on Lumi’s waist and helping him down. Jiya gives them a nod while they walk hand in hand along the short distance to the cliffside.
The wind whips against their clothes, the loose bits of fabric flap against their skin. Lumi’s tunic flaps upward, but he does not seem bothered and keeps his hand locked with Khimi’s. The view is just how Khimi remembers, the endless expanse of water extends as far as the eye can see. The light blue shallows, the same color as Lumi’s striking eyes, meets the deep cerulean blue sea in the distance. Khimi takes in a deep breath of the salty air and holds his head to the sky.
No matter how much confidence Khimi shows to the world, he knows his own weaknesses. There had been many times in this spot where he felt the urge to take the final steps beyond the edge. The pressure of his status had always tested his will. He grits his teeth, his hand tightens on Lumi’s.
What a fool.
“Khimi?” Lumi whispers cautiously.
Khimi relaxes, his hand loosens as he closes his eyes. He wonders what Lumi’s future would have been like without him had he taken those last steps. The thought sends a painful stab through his chest.
“Khimi?” Lumi asks again, embracing him suddenly.
Khimi quickly wipes his cheeks and opens his eyes. “I just forgot how beautiful this place was,” he mutters quietly.
Lumi purses his lips, “Liar.”
“Oh, you can tell when I lie now?” Khimi teases, patting the top of Lumi’s head, tousling the blond hair.
“I know you’re lying,” Lumi whispers. “What is this place…?”
Khimi sighs and walks with Lumi to an area where rocks jut up through the earth. Several smaller ironwoods grow through the cracks of the area, sparse of leaves but providing a bit of shade. Khimi sits down on a low stone and drags Lumi onto his lap, holding his back against his chest.
“I used to come here when I was younger…even after Ziad left us,” Khimi whispers, his chin on top of Lumi’s head. Breathing deeply of the floral scent emerging from Lumi’s hair, he continues, “There were times when I thought…a step off that cliff was the only way out.”
Lumi shuffles nervously in Khimi’s lap. “Khi—”
“I don’t feel that way anymore!” Khimi interrupts. “At least— I haven’t felt that way since we met.” He leans back against the rock and sighs. “Lumi?”
Lumi pushes against Khimi and raises his legs on top of Khimi’s, stretching them out straight before himself. “I don’t want you to ever feel that way,” he whispers, his legs bouncing up and down. “If you ever feel that way…I want you to tell me.”
“I will…but I don’t expect to ever feel like that with you,” Khimi replies. “I rea—”
“What about recently? Have you felt that way?” Lumi asks, his tone icy and stern. “I need you to tell me the truth.”
“Interrogating me, are you?” he scoffs playfully. But he grabs Lumi’s tail, busying himself with it.
“I’m serious,” Lumi growls, pulling at his tail, trying to free it from Khimi’s grasp.
“No. Because of you…I’ve thought about you throughout everything. Even when I felt I was at my worst, I knew I could never be so selfish to hurt you.”
Lumi squirms in Khimi’s lap and turns to face him. Khimi finds himself straddled in the blink of an eye with Lumi’s lips reaching up to his own. The soft, plump lips push against his. Littl— His thought is interrupted as Lumi’s hand pushes up his shirt and feels along his abdomen. Khimi runs a hand along Lumi’s side and grabs hold of the soft cheeks exposed to the sea breeze.
Lumi pushes his forehead to Khimi’s, turning his head slightly to catch his breath. “Thanks…”
“For?” Khimi questions softly. Lumi’s breath sweeps across his lips, and Khimi nips at his cheek.
Lumi’s ears twitch, his tail sweeps behind him. The golden choker catches the sunlight while he beams up with delight. “For thinking about me…for knowing that I can’t do this without you,” he chirps.
“Do what?” Khimi whispers.
Lumi sits up in front of him and chuckles. “Live.”
Khimi can feel his lips thin. The simple word means so much, yet it is spoken in such a playful way that Khimi struggles to comprehend Lumi’s meaning. I…don’t wan—
“Lumi, if I die, you have to keep living,” Khimi announces suddenly, looking up at him with his dark eyes. “Just becau—”
Lumi’s smile is enough to stop Khimi’s thoughts. “Khimi,” he begins, placing a hand on his cheek. “You could tell me anything, Khimi…and I would still love you. You could tell me how many men you killed and I would still love you. Nothing you can say could make me stop loving you.”
“Don’t say th—”
“If you asked me to burn the world…I would convince the gods it should be so. If you asked for the tides to change, I’d break the moons.”
“Lumi…”
“I want us to be together…and I’ll do anything to make you happy,” Lumi’s words are spoken with the passion and truth befit the Saint of Flames, his eyes burn with an intensity and severity that inspired both awe and fear.
Khimi stammers, lost for words, his mind feels clouded and heavy. Lumi’s tongue presses into his mouth. The soft, warm tongue slides against his own. His body writhes against him, and he pulls back to bite along Khimi’s neck.
Despite being twice Lumi’s size and some, Khimi can not help but feel small. “We’ll make it all work,” he mutters, almost unsure of himself.
Lumi’s fangs tease at his earlobe. “We will,” he says before his tongue laps against the golden earring. “We have to.”
The bite is unexpected but welcome, the sharpness of Lumi’s fangs pierce into his flesh. “L-Lumi…”
Khimi’s fingers bite into Lumi’s abdomen, deeper with every passing moment.
The Zeybek Estate
The Zeybek Estate is just as eye-catching as it was when he left all those years ago. Behind the lofty walls there are many years of pain and suffering, and it is hard for him to want to return. Beastkin mercenaries stand outside the gated walls of the estate in tunics emblazoned with the Cerulean Star’s insignia. Jiya walks behind Khimi and Lumi, motioning for the wagons to follow behind their procession.
The wrought iron gates leading into the estate open with an eerie whine, the iron groaning on its hinges while the guards push it open. As they pass the white mudbrick walls, the estate comes into full view, the perfectly manicured lawn lines the cobbles on the path to the imposing building ahead. A line of loyal attendants stand at the end of the path just before the stairs leading into the Grand Hall. Aleyna stands behind them, the sight of his mother shocks him. Horns. Khimi had never seen Aleyna with horns. There is something natural about the way they fit her shape that brings him a sense of pride.
Augustus and Mido walk a short distance behind the wagon containing Rashid’s body. With a glance back at the wagon, Khimi’s gut sinks. He knows he would have to relive the events over in order to tell Aleyna the details of what transpired. Throughout Khimi’s childhood, Rashid had always been Aleyna’s closest friend and ally, and Khimi wishes his first time back home in years had not been under such difficult conditions.
Aleyna stands at the top of the stairs, her hands tucked together carefully against her waist. Jiya calls out to the caravan and stops before the staircase. Servants rush out to greet the wagons.
Regally, Aleyna descends the white stairs, her vibrant golden sari shimmering in the light at her approach. There is a look upon her face that makes Khimi realize she is already aware of his ill tidings. Her hands twist and turn at the silk headscarf knotted in her hands.
“Khimi,” Aleyna calls from some distance. “My son, my shade.”
The space between them is vast, and Khimi can not help but wonder if this is some display of power, to see who would yield and rush forward first. “Aleyna,” Khimi replies, his voice gruff and unwavering.
“ALEYNA?!” Lumi beams, his tail flailing behind him with sudden excitement. “Mother Aleyna?”
Khimi slides his palm across his face and whispers, “Yeah, that’s her.”
“This must be him,” Aleyna calls from a distance, with a nod. “Lumi.”
Lumi grasps Khimi’s arm and drags him across the cobbles to Aleyna. “I was so happy we got to speak last time…I’ve heard so much about you!” His words run together in his haste.
Khimi sighs and knocks Lumi’s hand away. “I’m sorry, Aleyna.”
“You can call me mother,” Aleyna insists.
“You don’t understand,” Khimi begins with a deep, low bow. “I carry a heavy burden on this journey.”
Aleyna’s eyes flick over the wagons. “I see no acolytes or priests,” she whispers, her eyes settled on the wagons. After a long pause, she releases a heavy sigh, “Rashid?”
“You knew?” Lumi asks under his breath.
Aleyna shakes her head and brings the headscarf to her eyes. “I have had my suspicions. And now know the truth. Rashid and I have always had constant communication over the years,” she says, maintaining her composure with a shake of her head. “In the last year, Rashid wrote that he had suffered illness.”
“I’m sor—”
“Don’t apologize for something you weren’t responsible for,” Khimi interrupts Lumi, with a severe glare.
“You’ll tell me how he was in his final days,” Aleyna insists while she walks towards them. A wetness forms on her cheeks, tears begin to drip. “Spare no details.”
“He saved m—”
“Lumi!” Khimi snaps again. “Now isn’t the time,” he whispers uncomfortably.
“Let him finish,” Aleyna demands. “I want to hear what he has to say.”
Khimi pushes against Lumi’s shoulder, “Fine, continue,” he whispers between his teeth.
Lumi cautiously approaches Aleyna and holds his hands open pleadingly. “It’s my fault,” he whispers. “Rashid saved me…there was a man who tried to kill me and Rashid put himself between us,” he says, his ears lowering at the words leaving his mouth. “If things were different…or if I was stronger, then Rashid would still be alive.”
Aleyna’s eyes widen at the revelation. “Then he died as he would have wanted, doing good in the eyes of the Faith,” she sighs and quickly wipes away her tears. “What were his final wishes?”
“They were revealed by the Head Priestess, Lilith of the Sepulcher,” Khimi responds, anxiety in his tone. “He wished to be buried in Sidi…but it is my wish for him to be buried on the estate.”
Aleyna pauses in front of the two. “That is for you to decide, Emir Zeybek,” she says, lowering herself before them in prostration.
The servants behind Aleyna follow her movements and press their heads down to the cobbles. Khimi pushes his knuckle against his forehead. The letter Jiya had left beneath their door had been a short declaration made by Saint Davani. The declaration had been brief but denoted that Khimi would hence be Emir Khimi Zeybek of Sidi. A name and title which comes with as many headaches as it did honors, and Khimi wants no part.
“I had no choice in the matter,” Khimi grumbles. “You gave me no choice…” He says in disbelief.
Lumi surveys the area, the guards all lower themselves on one knee. “Should I bow?” Lumi asks Aleyna.
“No,” Khimi groans. “Everyone can stand,” he says, motioning for them to rise with an impatient wave of his hands.
Aleyna straights her sari. “It is customary for you to bow to the Emir. But it seems my son is one to break ancient traditions.”
Lumi’s cheeks redden. “He’s pretty great, isn’t he?”
“He’s a spoiled brat,” Aleyna responds with a taunting smile. “But he’s my son all the same.”
A goofy smile forms across Lumi’s lips, and he turns to Khimi, “Brat,” he says cheerfully. “Who’s the brat now?”
Khimi shakes his head and rolls his eyes at Lumi. “There is still a lot to be discussed. Aleyna, perhaps we should head inside? There are things I’d rather not say outside the walls of our home.”
“The servants of the Zeybek estate are sworn to their Emir, Khimi. You can trust them with anything you’d say to me,” Aleyna says calmly, motioning to the servants behind her.
Khimi walks past Aleyna, “Come, let’s speak inside,” he says flatly, while Lumi slowly trails behind him.
“Khimi,” Lumi whispers from behind, “Shouldn’t we do what your mother says?”
Khimi glances back at Lumi, “I’d rather keep this between my mother and I.”
“K-Khimi, now isn’t the time to…bring this stuff up,” Lumi replies softly. “She needs to grieve.”
“And she will,” Khimi offers, passing the rows of kneeling servants. As he places his foot at the foot of the stairs, a familiar figure appears from behind a marble column. “Ennui!”
Ennui smirks and extends her arms wide in greeting. “Welcome to your humble home!” She shouts happily.
“You look well…” Khimi replies, hiding his enthusiasm. He takes the stairs two at a time, only to slow his stride just before her.
Ennui moves to greet Khimi. “I’ve taken a few good licks here and there, but overall I’d say I’m well.”
Mamir appears at the top of the stairs. “Emir Zeybek!” He shouts, following behind Ennui, holding up the front of his kaftan to keep it from trailing along the floor. “It’s so great to see you whole and we—”
“Shut it, sycophant,” Ennui interrupts, holding a finger up to silence him.
Ennui embraces Khimi and rocks him from side to side. “It’s so good to see you again. And you even brought the little lion.” She peers around Khimi’s arm, “You both seem to have seen better days.”
“Come inside,” Khimi urges, pulling back from their embrace. “I have some news, and I’d like your opinions.”
“What’s that? You need MY guidance? Where’s the old codger?” Ennui asks with a jovial laugh.
“Just come inside,” Khimi insists, pausing briefly to meet her eye before walking past.
Ennui stands, a dumbfounded expression on her face. “Little lion,” she whispers, “Where’s Rashid?”
Lumi remains silent and shakes his head before following behind Khimi. Aleyna follows closely, dabbing her cheek. Ennui falls back to walk in stride with Aleyna, the two whisper quietly to one another. Mamir stands aside and offers a bow of his head while the procession passes him.
The Grand Hall looms before them, adorned with blue and gold banners that hang from the tall coffered ceiling; just as beautiful as Khimi remembered. Lemon trees imported from the Golden Isles grace the entrance, their vibrant green leaves and yellow fruits adding a burst of color to the grandeur. The sharp tang of citrus fills the air as they make their way through the tiered Grand Hall.
As they continue on, the procession comes to a stop at a large room off to the side. Sunlight filters in through an intricately designed wooden wall facing the courtyard, casting intricate shadows across the dozens of rugs and pillows scattered about the room. A low-lying table sits in the center of the room, its surfaces covered in delicate patterns.
Khimi turns to face his small group and gestures for them to take a seat. Aleyna gracefully settles onto a small floor cushion, followed by Ennui, Lumi, and finally Khimi himself. He drums his fingers thoughtfully on the table before turning to Ennui. “Rashid…passed just before we made the journey,” he begins slowly. “There was an attempt on Lumi’s life in Rhaz. One that I am certain was brought on by Ziad.”
A growl rumbles deep in Ennui’s throat. “Fuckin’ hells, just can’t let anything go, can he?”
“He was never one to give up easily,” adds Aleyna, placing her hand over Khimi’s on the table. “Ziad also had soldiers stationed here for months…I was unable to send or receive any correspondence.”
“I’m sorry,” Khimi mutters, “When Rashid voiced his concerns I sh—should have been more adamant about coming to Sidi, about coming back home. I’m sorry, Aleyna,” he says with a shake of his head. “I should have listened to Rashid.”
“Khimi,” Aleyna whispers softly in response. She tilts her head. “My sâye[1].”
“D-Don’t call me that,” Khimi grumbles, his gruff voice catching. “I’ve never been able to protect you.”
Aleyna’s fingers squeeze atop Khimi’s, her eyes set fiercely onto his. “You’ve always protected me.”
“I—”
“I still can’t believe it,” Ennui interrupts, shaking her head furiously. “Rashid always seemed so prepared.”
Lumi leans against the table. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t prepared for anything…I didn’t think something like that was going to happen.”
“Explain,” Ennui demands, her eyes narrowing at Lumi. “Is it truly your fault or are you being a self loathing child?”
Lumi spends several moments reliving the final moments with Rashid, and Khimi follows behind with the tale of the second assassin.
Ennui snorts, “Well then. It seems at least you were fortunate enough to survive two attempted assassinations. That being said,” she begins, looking between Lumi and Khimi. “I saw you had guests with the wagons, I have seen them before. The ones who watched over Lumi before?”
Khimi nods, “Right, that’s them. Mido and Augustus. They seem like good people…and they have been nothing but helpful since we stumbled on them in Rhaz.”
“I’m only gone for a moment, and you have to find two people to replace me?” Ennui asks with a playful smirk before releasing a heavy sigh. “Rashid’s body…I assume it has been preserved?”
“Mido has been tending to his body…but I haven’t seen Rashid since we left Rhaz” Lumi responds to Ennui, looking down at his knees. “I’m sorry.”
“If he’s a cleric, I am sure that Rashid’s body is well taken care of,” Aleyna comforts Lumi, her hand over his.
Khimi hums quietly, “Aley—mother, I forgot to introduce you properly. This is Lumi.”
“I knew as much from the moment I saw him,” Aleyna says, while giving Lumi another reassuring pat on his hand.
“Right we—”
“And I can see,” Aleyna begins, her eyebrows raising. “That my son can hardly keep his hands off of you, judging from your appearance.”
Khimi had nearly forgotten the small red welts along Lumi’s chest and neck, or the bruises he left along Lumi’s waist. A flush of color rushes to his cheeks, and he wants nothing more than to throw a rug over Lumi.
Ennui snickers, “Trust me, Lady Aleyna. That’s hardly the wor—”
“Enough,” Khimi interrupts. “We’re supposed to be mourning,” he snaps, his cheeks burning crimson. He feels along his ear, a scab from Lumi’s bite still present and visible.
Aleyna sighs, “Rashid’s life is something to be celebrated…he’d want us to be happy. To be jovial, to move on with our lives.”
“It was one of his wishes,” Lumi affirms with a nod at Khimi. “It’s okay…you don’t need to feel sad.”
“I don’t know how you can say that,” Khimi says, glaring at Lumi. “He was like a father to me…more of a father than bloody Ziad.”
“You don’t have to worry about Ziad…not now, not for a while at least,” Aleyna comments while she tucks her legs beneath her sari. “I’ve come to an agreement with Saint Davani.”
“An agreement made without my consent,” Khimi growls, his head whipping in Aleyna’s direction. “You had me declared Emir Zeybek…do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
Ennui crosses her arms and falls back onto the cushions. “It’s your damned birthright anyway. You were bound to get it sooner or later. Suck it up, Emir Zeybek.”
“Ennui is not wrong. I only hastened the process and assured that the sanctum would side with us should Ziad return,” Aleyna begins. “But I am sorry. I am sorry to have thrown this on you, and I fear your duties as Emir Zeybek will tether you to Sidi for a considerable time.”
“What does she mean?” Lumi inquires with a tilt of his head. “Khimi? Considerable time?”
“Not now,” Khimi answers. “We can talk about it later.”
Lumi stands abruptly, “No. Tell me, now! We made a promise…we’re supposed to go to the north. Khi—”
“LUMI!” Khimi shouts. “Just…stop,” he says more calmly.
Ennui crosses her legs and pops her foot. “I guess the lion will have to learn to be a house cat.”
Aleyna folds her hands together over the table and, “Emir Zeybek is duty bound to remain in Sidi, or rather…there must always be a Zeybek in Sidi.”
“But…you’re a Zeybek,” Lumi whispers. “You can let Khimi go…he can’t stay here. We can’t stay here.”
“Sit down,” Ennui says, a harshness in her voice. “You’ll just make Khimi more upset. He already looks like he’s going to explode any moment.”
“Aleyna forfeited her marriage to Ziad and is now here as my guest,” Khimi says, explaining to Lumi. “Though I am only Emir Zeybek in name…I do not intend to stay,” he adds, glancing at Aleyna from the corner of his eyes. “At least not for any length.”
Lumi’s tail swishes and rattles behind him. “You promise?”
“After everything…you’ve already lost your trust in me?” Khimi’s voice shakes with an unsteady anger, “must I promise?”
“Yes!”
“There are things that need to be attended to,” Khimi mumbles angrily. “And these things will take time.”
Lumi drops back onto the cushion. “Khimi,” he groans.
“I know,” Khimi interrupts, “I know! Bu—”
“But he needs to be here, Lumi,” Aleyna says calmly. With a shake of her head, the golden accessories which adorn her horns jingle and reflect the light. “He needs to show the sanctum and the other merchant princes that he is capable of leading the Cerulean Star.”
Ennui sits up, “Lumi, maybe we should take a walk. This conversation is beyond us. Besides, you’re only upsetting everyone.”
Lumi huffs and leans forward on the table. “Neither of you understand how important this is t—”
“You’re right, I won’t understand,” Aleyna whispers, removing her silk slippers. “Whatever it is you and Khimi have planned will have to wait. You’ll be here…in the comforts of the estate.”
“Ennui, I need a moment with my mother,” Khimi says, shifting his gaze from Lumi to the table.
Lumi stands from the table abruptly. Ennui appears by his side, gently guiding him out of the room. Khimi casts a sideways glance at Lumi, their eyes locking for a brief moment before guilt floods through him like a tidal wave. He bites down on his lip, trying to hide his emotions, while they walk away.
“He’s a nice boy,” Aleyna says with a smile after a lengthy silence. “But…he should learn to speak when spok—”
“He doesn’t need to learn anything,” Khimi interrupts, his eyes suddenly narrowing. “Mom, he’s the Saint of Flames, blessed by the gods. If anything, we should be treating him with more respect.”
Aleyna scoffs in surprise, “How fortuitous, you have found the saint of flames. And he’s certainly enamored with you. And…you? I’ve not seen your affections for the boy.”
“I care deeply for him. But this is not what needs to be discussed. I want to know something…it’s been eating away at me, and now that you display your heritage visibly, I need to know. Were you or Rashid ever going to tell me? Tell me who I am?”
“It was my duty to tell you, not Rashid’s,” Aleyna starts with a cool expression. “And I had every intention of telling you…but it was never something I deemed important. Tell me, what does it change, your heritage? I was much the same as you, an oddity, born of human and beastkin blood. Does it make you any less you?”
Khimi snorts, “But all the lies? All the falsities? Was it necessary?”
“Did we ever lie? Did I ever cut your horns and tail? No, because you never had them!” Aleyna says, raising her voice. “You were born with the appearance of a human, so we thought if the subject of your heritage was ever drawn into question or if you asked then we would tell you the truth…otherwise there was no reason.”
“No reason?” Khimi asks in disbelief. “Mother…I don’t know what will happen to my soul. I can’t promise Lumi that we’ll be together. I’ve spoken to dozens of acolytes. I’ve sent letters to the Saint of Life…what am I to do?”
“Live. Live as you always have, my strong-willed boy. Why should the soul matter when you live your life to the fullest?”
“And what of you?” Khimi sighs, “In your life…you’ve never wondered what would happen to your soul?”
Aleyna closes her eyes and shakes her head. “Those questions are best left for the gods to answer. The truth, Khimi. The truth is that I’ve never wondered because I knew wherever my soul was going, surely my beautiful, odd, perfect son would find me there.”
“Ale— mother, I hope that we both share the same afterlife…but we will never know,” Khimi responds, reaching his hand across the low wooden table.
Taking his hand, Aleyna sighs. “Let’s speak of something more joyous. Tell me, what was Rashid like in his final days?”
Khimi lowers his head and smiles, “The same as usual. An irritable old badger.”
Aleyna chuckles, “Tell me all about him.”
Burial
Following the traditions of the Desert Cities, Rashid’s body had been prepared for burial. The body was washed by Khimi and Aleyna in private before he was clothed in simple garments and shrouded with a thin sheer veil. A blindfold was placed over his eyes, and his jaw tied shut. Khimi along with other members of the estate donned plain cotton kaftans and carried the body out into the sprawling garden courtyard. Aleyna had seen to hiring a stonemason to construct a memorial in Rashid’s memory. The simple structure had only been partially complete, but the shape was clearly that of a lantern. Rashid was a guiding light in both Aleyna and Khimi’s lives, and together they decided the shape was a suitable memorial for their closest friend and ally.
Khimi, along with the other members of the estate, finish wrapping the shroud around Rashid’s body and carefully pull the ropes taut while they lower his body into the ground. Lumi stands beside Aleyna and Ennui by the small monument. They look down at their feet as the body is lowered into the grave. The three are clothed in simple linen shifts, not a trace of the usual golden accessories or rings amongst anyone present, barring the golden choker around Lumi’s neck.
Mido stammers, reading from the platinum covered book, shifting back and forth on his feet, his head bowed gently. The prayer is unfamiliar to Khimi, the words are somewhat flat but meaningful. His prayer comes to a close, and he drops a handful of rich soil over the body. Aleyna and Khimi follow Mido’s motions, releasing the soil held tight in their hands. Throughout the event, Aleyna had maintained her composure until her old friend was deep within the ground. With a heaving sob, Aleyna covers her mouth and cries. She drops to her knees over the grave.
“Aleyna?” Ennui whispers. “Perhaps you’d like to go in?” She asks, more of a demand than a question.
“I’m fine,” Aleyna croaks, forcing herself to regain her composure. The short tail sways behind her in annoyance.
“Mother,” Khimi mutters, “Let Ennui bring you inside,” he insists, aiding her to her feet.
Aleyna sighs and follows Ennui into the comforts of the estate. The two pause near the reflecting pool and turn back towards the service before vanishing into the gloom of the estate. The remaining servants continue the task of filling the grave. Khimi lifts a shovel, then tosses the dirt, his face is steeled with determination. His scowl grows more pronounced with every load of dirt he tosses. Lumi attempts to comfort Khimi with a hand on his shoulder while quietly embracing him from behind.
The estate servants shift their gaze uncomfortably. A sense of understanding comes across their faces, and many of them place their shovels on the dirt and take their leave. After a moment, Augustus approaches and lifts one of the shovels from the ground.
“A hand?” Augustus asks quietly.
Lumi looks up at Augustus, then past him at Mido. “I think we need a moment,” he responds softly. “If you don’t mind, I thi—”
“It’s okay,” Khimi interrupts. “We’ll get it, Augustus. We’ll catch up with you and Mido later tonight.”
Mido steps up and shoves the platinum tome back into the leather satchel on his side. “I-I’m sorry if I messed anything up…I’ve never done any sort of ceremonial events before. M-Maybe we should have had someone from the sanctum.”
Khimi thrusts the tip of the shovel into the dirt, “It was fine,” Khimi grumbles before he tosses the dirt into the grave.
“I don’t belie—”
“It was fine,” Khimi snarls, shoving the metal tip into the pile of dirt.
Mido averts his gaze from Khimi. “How long do you intend to stay in Sidi? I am just wonde— never mind, we can talk about it another time,” he stammers uncomfortably.
Lumi picks up a shovel. “I think we’ll be here for a while…so you can do whatever you want.”
“I don’t think that’s what Saint Nina had in mind when she tasked us with traveling with you,” Augustus chimes in. “I think…he just wanted to know if you were anticipating leaving soon. He just wan—”
“We can find passage when the time comes. There is no need for you to lift a finger,” Khimi mutters. He leans forward over the end of the shovel. “Not to sound rude, but we will be in Sidi for some time.”
“How long? We can find other accommodations…I don’t want us to be a both—”
“Mido just wants to know if we should explore the town,” Augustus cuts in, attempting to lighten the mood. “We’ll leave you two for now. We can speak on this later.”
Mido bows his head respectfully, “Again, I am really sorry for your loss. From the way the people here spoke of him…he sounds like he was a man of legend.”
Khimi nods in response and waits for the two to depart before turning back to Lumi. “I’m sorry. I know you want to go figure all of this out. I know you want to go to see Gilbert. But there are ju—”
“This isn’t the place,” Lumi interrupts, his ears drooping.
Khimi shrugs his shoulders and sighs. “We’re alone, speak your mind,” he mutters, rocking the shovel back and forth in the soil.
“Speak my mind? You say it like you don’t want to be part of it. Like all of this is just something that I want,” Lumi grumbles, his voice breaking with anger. “We’ll figure it out…I know we will,” he adds, while another heaping mound of the silty soil falls into the grave.
Khimi resumes his work. “Of course I want to go. You think I want to sit here and spend my life talking to pompous merchants? Putting on airs for the sake of my family? You think this is what I want? That I am thrilled about any of it?”
“I don’t know, Khimi!” Lumi begins, his voice booming across the courtyard. “You tell me! What do you want?”
Khimi sighs, his eyes settling into the grave before him, “This is hardly the place for this, Lumi.”
“Of course…it’s never the place or the time,” Lumi mutters quietly, tossing his shovel into the dirt.
“Later,” Khimi grumbles. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“You’ve barely said anything since we came here…you kicked me out of your meeting. Ennui puts me in a room like I’m a priso—”
“My chamber!” Khimi snaps, “Is not your prison.”
“If it’s your bedroom…then why haven’t you come back to sleep? You haven’t been back to the room once…I woke up to find you, and then a stupid snake forced me back to your room!” Lumi snaps back. “Have you even slept since you’ve arrived?”
Khimi tosses his shovel into the pile of dirt. “Lumi,” he begins, placing his hands on Lumi’s narrow shoulders. “Go back to the room…I don’t need you right now.”
“Don’t need me?” Lumi asks with a baffled expression. “W-what is wrong with you?”
“Wrong with me? You’re the one who is shouting over an open grave! There are days of silence following a Sidian funeral,” Khimi says, his voice growing quiet. Lumi slaps his hands away. “So…go back to the room and be quiet.”
Lumi scoffs, “You can’t seriously think you can just…dismiss me.”
“Lumi by the gods…just be quiet for a minute. Just let me finish this,” Khimi groans. “Ju— we can talk later.”
“Fine. I’ll be quiet. I’ll be quiet while I help you, then we will talk,” Lumi whispers.
Khimi lifts the shovel from the mound of dirt. His fingers clench on the wooden handle while he muses. In the last few days since he returned home, he had been given several documents relating to Rashid’s life. One such document listed Khimi as his inheritor should Rashid fail to produce a natural-born heir. The notion that Rashid, someone who had lived a modest life, would leave everything to Khimi stirred many feelings. He had learned that Rashid owned a small house and a plot of land on the outskirts of Sidi, it was Khimi’s intention to visit the property and take a look into Rashid’s home life when the opportunity presented itself.
After nearly an hour of silence, Khimi speaks, “We can talk after this. I need to clear my head and get out of this place.”
The dirt nears the top of the grave.
Lumi’s ears twitch, and he looks up at Khimi. “We’re going to the market again?”
“Something like that.”
The burial ceremonies in Sidi are somewhat different from some other Desert Cities. Following the celebration of life, there would be a period of mourning in which the family and friends of the deceased would wear simple clothes and would remove any ostentatious jewelry. During the period of mourning, many would take vows of silence, which would range anywhere from days to weeks depending on their emotional state. However, Khimi had already spent weeks mourning the loss of his advisor and still has no sense of closure.
As they finish packing the dirt atop the grave, Khimi kneels and places his hand atop the loose soil. Unsure of what to say, he whispers a quick prayer. Rest easy, Rashid. Lumi kneels beside Khimi, reciting a much longer prayer. Placing his hands over the dirt, he asks the gods to bless Rashid and guide his soul.
“I’m sorry,” Lumi mumbles. “I didn’t mean to get upset before. I know you’re going through a lot…I just want to know you’re still wa—”
“I do,” Khimi interrupts again. He rolls his shoulder and looks at Lumi. “It’s just…going to have to wait until things are cleared up here.”
Lumi stands and grabs the handles of the shovels beside the grave. “I just wish that whenever we were dealing with your family’s stuff, that you didn’t just put what we want behind them.”
“I don’t. At least, I don’t think I do,” Khimi replies with a thoughtful expression. “You at least have to understand. All of this is…it’s a lot, Lumi. I’m not a follower of the gods, I don’t believe in fate. When we met…I knew there was something special, but I never could have imagined. And even after, I still feel there is something surreal about the whole thing.”
“You believe now, right? In fate?” Lumi asks, walking beside Khimi to the main building.
Khimi tilts his head from side to side in thought, “Yeah, I mean…I want to. I believe in us,” he says, offering a smile down at Lumi.
Lumi’s tail brushes against Khimi’s thigh. “That’s all that matters,” he smiles, “so where are we going?”
One of the guards in a cerulean tunic hurries towards them, giving a quick nod of his head.
The man kneels before Khimi suddenly, “Emir Zeybek, you are required,” he says, removing his headpiece.
Divergence
Nearly a week had passed since the burial, Khimi sits in the emir’s chambers surrounded by walls of scrolls and leather-bound ledgers. Each of the texts detail months of trade documents, purchases, and sales. Mido and Augustus sit in the corner of the room looking through the ancient ledgers, seemingly interested in the inner workings of the ancient merchant empire. Lumi chooses to stay outside in the Grand Hall, battling it out with Ennui to show her how much he improved during their time apart.
Khimi is overjoyed that Lumi could find the time to enjoy himself. Yet, his joy is short-lived. He can not help but feel annoyed at the amount of work his mother left to his care; an impossible task by any means. Across the table, the dark haired dwarf, Mamir scribbles away diligently, making notations and entries along the ledger. On occasion, Khimi would catch Mamir looking up at him with a thoughtful glance. Nearby, an invention gifted by a dwarven gentleman to Ziad ticks loudly. It supposedly is used to tell time, but the only thing it is doing at present is distracting Khimi from his duties. The chair beneath Khimi scrapes across the floor while he stands, his palms splayed flat over the wooden table. Everyone in the room shifts their eyes to him.
“A moment please,” Khimi announces across the quiet, the strange implement ticking away in his ear.
Augustus closes the ledger in front of Mido and stands. “If you need us, we won’t be far,” he responds quietly.
Mamir nods and marches for the door behind Augustus and Mido. “Does the emir wish to have the do–”
Khimi’s fingers crumble the scroll on the table. “It doesn’t matter!” He growls under his breath.
Mamir nods and pulls the massive ironwood door shut behind him. The situation at the estate had become increasingly tense. He thought that things would have changed, that Aleyna would have sought to maintain the estate as she had before, however, that had been anything but the case. Khimi inhales deeply, then stands straight, knuckling his back.
The fire within the brass brazier shakes with an unnatural influence. The amber warmth changes to a dancing, hellish red. Within the flames, the loose visage of a woman appears — Enan.
“Oh, Emir Zeybek, is it?” The gravelly voice questions. “I remember a time when the first Zeybek was nothing more than a slave,” she hisses like smooth cracking glass.
Khimi hangs his head. Never forgetting his pact or promise to the efreet, he looks to the flames. “Enan,” he whispers, hiding his anger. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard your voice.”
“I imagine you wouldn’t forget it…after all, I did leave a mark on you, did I not?”
Khimi calmly brushes his finger over the scar along his nose. “It’s not one I would soon forget, Enan. That much is certain.”
“Then tell me, how have you forgotten me? Left me here in my prison, borrowing my powers without so much as considering my freedom,” Enan inquires, venom in her voice.
Khimi nods his head, his palms firm on the desk. “I’ve thought about your freedom,” he lies in a whisper. “Your…gifts have helped me beyond measure. Innumerable times, I don—”
“Without them…I doubt you or the aslan would be alive,” Enan replies, a sharpness in her tone. “There are others, Khimi. Others who seek my freedom. If I suspect so much as a hint of disobedience from you, they’ll seek you out on my behalf and tear the flesh right off that pretty face.”
Khimi scoffs, “Odd that I’ve never come across anyone who is dumb enough to have made a pact with you other than myself,” he grumbles.
“Watch yourself, Khimi. A time will come when you regret those words. Perhaps they’ll sever that wicked tongue first,” she says calmly. “Besides, it seems you’re trying to run away from me. The north will grant you no respite from my wrath if you abandon me.”
“It’s not your wrath I fear, Enan.”
“Then what is it you fear, Emir Zeybek? He who speaks to his better with such naive familiarity,” Enan replies confidently.
Khimi snorts and drums his fingers on the table. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll seek answers from the Saint of Knowledge. Surely if anyone knows of a way to free you, then it would be him, no?”
Enan’s shrill laugh echoes through the room, a shiver runs down Khimi’s spine. “The raven would never grant you information that would free me, unless you hold a blade to his throat and force the answers from his dying lips. Is this so, Khimi? Do you plan to kill the raven? The chosen are the closest thing to gods in this realm…”
“I’d ask him nicely first,” Khimi says, managing a smile while he closes his eyes. His words feel heavy in his mouth; tainted.
“Very good, Emir Zeybek,” Enan snickers. “Perhaps you do know your place.”
The strange flames fade, and the fire returns to its amber glow. It crackles with a homey comfort unlike moments before when it roared with malice and hatred. For a measure, Khimi wonders when his heart will stop racing, the blood pounding in his ears slows and the steady TSK TSK TSK of the dwarven invention fills the void in sound. The bile rises in Khimi’s throat, a shooting pain jabs at his stomach. He retches, holding back the contents of his stomach with sheer will.
Desperate to turn his mind away from the brazier, Khimi’s eyes turn to the strange dwarven invention. A dial ticks and turns around a metal sphere, pausing the starting abruptly with unnatural mechanical motions. The day the strange contraption arrived at the Zeybek Estate, Ziad stared at it in this room for hours. Ziad would sit on a small wooden stool, attempting to mentally assemble and disassemble the strange construct. Khimi grabs Mamir’s stool and pushes it in front of the device. As a child, Khimi had not been allowed to touch or study the object, and the only time he had touched it, Ziad made sure he never would again. What made Ziad care so much about you? Khimi asks himself while he studies it.
The week of mourning had left Khimi exhausted. While he wants to admit earlier in the week that he was through grieving, he knows in his heart that he was not. Being on the estate continues to fill Khimi with memories. Happy moments with Rashid from his youth, things that would normally be left for a father to perform, had been left to Rashid. It had been Rashid who taught Khimi to ride, and Rashid who taught him how to sing. Rashid had done everything for him.
Nothing feels right in the estate. It had been every bit of the prison Khimi remembers. A palace of nightmares. Memory after memory plays back from his childhood, Khimi grunts and places his foot against the base of the device. Gently at first, Khimi applies pressure against the metal base until the object begins to tilt. The whirring and clicking stops, the metallic structure slams onto the dark marble, metal arms and bits bend under the weight of its own form. Khimi grabs a piece of the metal, ripping it forcefully from the armillary-like structure. CLANG CLANG CLANG, the sound of metal on metal echoes through the emir’s chambers. He stands over the broken object and drops the metallic arm onto the ground, releasing an exasperated breath.
The door opens and Aleyna gasps, rushing in, her face covered in worry. Servants follow behind her before she turns and motions for them to leave. Khimi leans against the desk and glances down at the broken treasure.
“Sorry,” Khimi mutters half-heartedly.
“A weak man apologi–” Aleyna stops herself and sighs. She taps her foot, her crimson sari held up from the floor in one hand. “Are you finished? You’ve cut yourself.”
Khimi did not notice the cut during his outburst, but hearing her mention it, the pain shoots through his hand. “I hated that thing,” Khimi responds, clasping a hand over the open wound. “You can go back to…doing whatever it is you were doing. Gardening, was it?”
“That thing was a gift from a famous gnome from Einbroch, Khimi. It was priceless,” Aleyna scolds. “That being said…it was also an eyesore,” she adds with a deeper sigh. “I could have had it moved to a different room if it bothered you so much. Now, let me see that hand.”
Khimi shrugs, “I wasn’t bothered,” he replies confidently. “You don’t have to be here. I assure you that I’m fi–”
“Don’t lie to me, Khimi,” Aleyna says, her voice firm and demanding.
“I’m not lying,” Khimi starts while he stares down at Aleyna. “It’s jus–”
“Just what?” Aleyna asks, crossing the room quickly with an angry scowl. “What is it, Khimi? Did your time away make you prone to tantrums?”
“Cruel, mother,” Khimi chides. “But that is hardly the case,” he whispers and motions to the ledgers and scrolls on the table, blood dripping from his palm. “This is the issue…you never mentioned how quickly all of this would pile up.”
“The Cerulean Star is no small matter,” Aleyna says with a click of her tongue. She snatches his bleeding hand from the air and brings it before her. “I wasn’t lying when I said I needed you to be here.”
Khimi sucks his teeth. Aleyna puts pressure on the wound with the fabric from her dress. “Mother,” he sighs, rolling his neck, the pain shooting through his hand. “I have no intention of staying here forever…I can’t do that to Lumi.”
Aleyna’s short tail sways behind her. “Son…I love you, and I will always love you. But you’ve been gone too long, at least stay here a while longer. A few months, maybe half a year?”
“Impossible,” Khimi chokes. “It’s only been a week, and already my mind is haunted by this place. Besides…what you did is wrong. You’ve sentenced me here, a prisoner behind these white walls.”
“It’s just a building, Khimi. The man who haunted this place has long since gone…you’re safe now. We’re safe now,” Aleyna says, attempting to comfort him. She looks up, the blood saturates through her crimson sari. “Do you know how many years I have dreamt of seeing my son again?”
“Mother,” Khimi whispers, his hand atop Aleyna’s. “I can’t stay here. I have plans…my own life. I have Lumi.”
“I need you to stay, Khimi. I need you to stay here…for me, for my heart. You don’t know how hard those years were without you. And now, I need you to show Sidi that you are the next Emir Zeybek. To show Sidi that Ziad is gone and that he has been replaced with someone far greater, someone twice the man he could ever be.”
Khimi groans and releases her hand. “Ziad has always been seen as one of the most powerful people in the Desert Cities. His absence will make us look weaker. Wouldn’t it be prudent to deny any of this and let people believe that Ziad is still in charge?”
“Hiding the truth would only make things worse, my son,” Aleyna replies, continuing to hold pressure on the wound. She pauses to rip at the fabric, then wrap it around Khimi’s palm. “We have already hidden from Ziad for so many years. I can’t live in fear anymore. I won’t be that woman. Never again.”
“Either way…I can’t stay, Aleyna. At least not as long as you need. I will stay Emir Zeybek here…for a time, but I intend to leave with Lumi at the first chance,” Khimi responds thoughtfully. “I am sorry I can’t be a better son to you. You’ve always been my sâye. You protected me. Loved me.”
Aleyna fumbles with the impromptu bandage, Khimi’s words reaching her. She masks the tears in her eyes, forcing herself to speak through them, “Lumi seems happy here. Happier than you give him credit for. I think he would be complacent to just stay here at the estate with you,” she mutters through her breaking voice.
“I am the one who isn’t happy here. Not in Sidi…but in this place, this house. It’s a curse. I’m not a sentimental person, but this…place is filled with nothing but dark memories and hatred. Every corner is a trap, every hallway holds me hostage.”
Aleyna scoffs, “How do you think that I have felt? This place has never felt like my home, but it’s finally changing, Khimi. You’re here. You’re here with Lumi. I would see you together, the two of you. You can wed here at the estate…we can throw a celebration unlike any other.”
Khimi’s brow pinches together. He pulls away from Aleyna, his knuckles press against his forehead, “As much as Lumi would love that…I can’t. Not right now, I want to marry Lumi when it feels right.”
“When will it ever be right?” Aleyna asks. “My marriage with Ziad never felt right, but what did feel right was having you, Khimi.”
Khimi straightens his shoulders and tightens the fabric over his bleeding palm. “You’ll never have grandchildren by us…and I’ll never be able to forgive myself for that.”
Aleyna kneels in front of Khimi, one knee before the other. She clears her throat suddenly and looks up at Khimi, her expression flat and unmoving. “The love that you would bring to this home with that boy would be enough to set my heart ablaze, Khimi. I can see the fire he lights in your heart, just as he does with those around him. Do not wait too long to embrace your love. He is the one you were meant to be with. Worry not for your lineage, but for your love.”
“Mother,” Khimi whispers uncomfortably. He leans back in surprise against the table. “I-I will marry Lumi…I just. Give me time. I’m barely home, and you’re already trying to marry me off.”
“Time is not always kind, Khimi,” Aleyna says plainly. “Time moves against us, just like that dwarven invention would often remind me. Every moment of every day. Time is an enemy we cannot defeat.”
Khimi releases a heavy sigh, “I will, I promise,” he scoffs with a nod of his head. He reaches for Aleyna’s arm and helps her to her feet.
“Does all of this truly burden you so much, Khimi? Being Emir Zeybek?”
Khimi forces a nervous chuckle and turns to the broken metallic construct. “It’s troublesome…a burden? Sure. A part of me wants it, and yet I hate it.”
“I see,” Aleyna says quietly. “I only request that you stay. I want you to think about it. Think hard.”
“I have yet to find the time…but Rashid left me a house outside the city. Perhaps…perhaps Lumi and I could move there for the time being?”
Aleyna’s calm composure shakes, her expression breaking. “Don’t be foolish, Khimi. As Emir Zeybek, merchant prince of the Desert Cities, lord of the Cerulean Star…your home is here.”
“You can stop with the honorifics, I don’t care for them.”With a sigh, he continues, “I guess that I will stay here for the time being, but Aleyna…mark me. I can’t deny Lumi for long. And trust me, you won’t be able to either. He’s persistent. Crazed even.”
“Don’t worry about Lumi. He’s understanding, from the few conversations that I have had with him, he seems pliable…you have control of the relationship from what I can tell. I am sure that you can convince him to stay,” Aleyna whispers, dusting off her sari.
Khimi shakes his head and sits on the desk, looking over the broken dwarven object. “That is your problem. You’ve been so broken by Ziad that you can only look at relationships in terms of control and power. Lumi and I are partners, it’s a give and take relationship. There is no one in char–”
Aleyna smiles and claps Khimi’s cheek with her open palm, “Don’t be naive. One of you has more sway over the other, and if you’re saying that it isn’t you, then it’s him. He’s a good little boy, he’ll listen to you.”
After a lengthy pause, Khimi places his palms on the desk and stretches his back, “I’ll talk to him, but he’s already rearing to leave.”
“I can send him in…he’s just outside,” Aleyna mutters. “He and Ennui were up in arms a moment ago, shouting just before I came in.”
“I would rather not speak to him about it now, especially if he is in high spirits,” Khimi mumbles. “Are you certain that…there must be a Zeybek in Sidi?”
Aleyna gives Khimi a knowing look. “You know the family more than anyone other than Ziad and I. There is a reason that you had so many instructors as a child…this is the life you were meant for. But if you truly intend to leave, then I can’t hold you here.”
Khimi runs his hands across the wooden table. “Why can you just make this easy?” He inquires without meeting her gaze.
“Nothing about how we have lived is easy, Khimi. Certainly there were comforts, but those comforts came with a price,” Aleyna says sternly. “This is no different. If you step away from here…things change.”
The door opens again, revealing Lumi peering from the crack in the door, his rounded ears twitching. “Is everything alright, Khimi?”
Aleyna turns to the door. “I’ll leave you to it then,” she mutters, suddenly taking her leave. “Lumi, Khimi was just going to speak to you,” she adds, placing a hand on Lumi’s shoulder while she passes.
Lumi steps into the chamber and studies the room, his tail wagging behind him as he looks about in awe. Sweat drips over his shirtless body, his skin red from exertion. The bruises across his waist have mostly faded. Lust fills him, his eyes scour Lumi’s form, every bit of him. Khimi clears his throat and straightens his kaftan. He pushes himself up straight from the table.
“Right…how much did you hear?” Khimi inquires, itching the stubble on his chin.
Lumi pushes the door closed behind him and turns back abruptly with a goofy smile. “Is the period of mourning over?” He asks, his fangs flashing brightly.
Khimi rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “It’s a bit more serious…”
“Oh no, Khimi…did someone else die?” Lumi questions with his mouth ajar.
“What? Nothing like that, I was just going to talk to you about something,” Khimi replies, hanging his head. “We might have to be here a while longer than we thought. Aleyna thinks we need to make a show of taking over the estate.”
Lumi slumps against the door and covers his eyes, sliding down to the floor, “KHIMI!” He shouts angrily. “You promised! Promised!”
“Quit throwing a tantrum,” Khimi groans. “We have plenty of time. You knew this wa—”
“I knew what?!” Lumi questions, glaring through his fingers. “I knew WHAT?”
“You knew that this wasn’t going to be easy! Coming back here to Sidi was going to be complicated. Quit yelling, you’ll make everyone uneasy.”
“Khimi,” Lumi seethes. “You. Promised. You promised me that we wouldn’t be here long.”
“Sometimes things happen, Lumi. Sometimes we can’t control everything and you’ll just have to accept that. Quit being such a child.”
“Child?” Lumi growls under his breath. He shakes his head in disbelief and pushes himself from the floor with tears in his eyes. “This place isn’t good for you…it makes you int—into someone else!”
“List—“
“No! You listen! Since we’ve come here, it has been one thing after the next. You’re happy, then sad. Khimi, we need to leave. I don’t want to stay here. Not any longer…we should go. Tonight. Tomorrow. Whenever.”
Khimi, with a look of calm, sits in the cushioned chair behind the table. “You should go back to the room. You’re out of sorts. Collect yourself,” he demands before he taps his knuckle against his temple.
“Out of sorts? I’m out of sorts!? You’re the one who’s not making any sense. Ma-maybe it’s grief…but it’s driving me crazy!” Lumi shouts, his tail flails behind him in his rage, his ears perk up. “You’re driving me bloody mad!”
“Calm down,” Khimi demands with a knowing eye, exhaling deeply.
Lumi crosses the room in a blink and slams his palms against the wooden desk. Scrolls and papers scatter across the dark marble floors. “You make it sound so easy, like I can just close my eyes and be fine. Khimi, I pour my heart and soul out to you! I won’t — I won’t watch you destroy your life.”
“Destroy my life? Lumi, I stand to become one of the most powerful individuals in the Desert Cities…more powerful than even the saints,” Khimi says, his voice rising. “I don’t want to be here either, but I have to. It’s my duty!”
“I’m sick of hearing about your duty…since we’ve met, all you’ve cared about was duty! Rashid wanted you to be happy! I want you to be happy! Does all of this bring you any happiness, or are you just doing it because you have to?!” Lumi pleads, motioning to his surroundings, his eyes welling with tears. “Because you promised me, Khimi. Promised that we’d be together.”
“We can be together,” Khimi sighs. Lumi’s words sting, but he presses on, “And we are together…I promi—”
“I don’t mean like this!” Lumi snaps. “It’s not the same, and you know it, time will flow differently for you and I…and before I know it, you’ll be gone. I’ll be the same…”
“I told you,” Khimi growls, pushing himself to his feet, his palms flat against the table. “To quit this nonsense! Enough of this! You’re acting like a petulant child!”
“Again…child?” Lumi cries, knocking the inkwell off the table. He turns his back on Khimi. “We’re supposed to be of a like mind…don’t you want to be with me?”
Khimi taps his knuckle more aggressively against the dark wood, “One viper after the next tonight,” he mutters to himself. “Go take a nap. Maybe you need some food in your belly,” he adds dismissively.
Lumi balls his fists and grumbles. “Go fuck yourself,” he mutters, storming to the door. His hand pauses on the handle. “Think about what you really want, Khimi…because this isn’t you. And if it is…then I was mistaken.”
“Why can’t you just be happy to be here?!” Khimi shouts across the room. “To be with me?”
“Because our journey doesn’t end here!” Lumi shouts, slamming the door. “Because we have so much more ahead of us!”
There is a long silence, Lumi’s fingers tighten on the brass handle. He wipes the tears from his cheek and rips the door wide again.
Anger wells within Khimi, his eyes set on the closed door across the room. He had thought in his mind that Lumi would be accepting. The only thing he wants is for Lumi to understand his situation, to accept that they would need to stay in Sidi, at least for a little while longer. Lumi’s eagerness to begin their journey, to find a way to bind their souls, had been plain on his face during every moment, every discussion. Seeing him in pain causes Khimi anguish, but he knows it is easier this way.
His palm slams against the desk repeatedly until the skin is red and swollen, the bloody fabric soaks through and wets the desk. With a heavy exhale, he drops into the chair and slumps, looking over his wound. I’m out of sorts, the thought lingers. The only thing that has brought him joy recently is Lumi and the thrill of their journey. Two things which are sure to fade from his life if he chooses to remain in Sidi.
As with most things, the title of Emir Zeybek had been thrust onto him without any regard for his own wishes. It is not that he did not want the title, but his life was different now. His goals had changed since meeting Lumi, and the thought of becoming Emir Zeybek had been the furthest thing from his mind until the position was forced onto him. Covering his eyes, he lowers his head, his elbows on the edge of the table.
“What would you suggest, Rashid?” Khimi asks aloud in the unnatural quiet.
The silence is like a pain in Khimi’s ear. Rashid’s comforting voice does not come, nor does the advice he so desperately seeks and with a quiet breath, he closes his eyes and leans back against the chair.
[1] A word meaning “shade.” In the Desert Cities, sâye is often used when speaking of a loved one, particularly someone who is a guardian.