Chapter 28 · Untitled Chapter

The heavy cedar doors of the majlis swung shut behind Ammi Khalid and the advocate, sealing their muffled grievances inside the courtyard night. I stepped out toward the perimeter courtyard railing, where the dry desert chill bit cleanly through the heavy black crepe of my abaya.

Above, the Riyadh sky was a vast, unbroken expanse of violet and dust, framed by the high limestone perimeter that shut out the humming pulse of the northern avenue.

Footsteps struck the stone flagstones behind me—measured, hasty, and taut with wounded pride. I did not turn. I knew the cadence of my brother’s stride before his shadow fell across the brass railing beside mine.

"Maha," Khuy Fahad said, his voice clipped and strained beneath the formal hem of his stiff-collared white thobe.

"You should have left with Ammi Khalid, Fahad," I replied softly, keeping my eyes fixed on the illuminated fountain in the inner garden below. "The car is waiting by the iron gates. Saud will not open the inner doors twice in one night.