Red Hood's Revenge

redemption. Better still, if they’re asleep, that means they’re vulnerable . . .”
    “Just as you and your family were?” Muhazil asked.
    For a moment, Talia imagined she could see the hedge surrounding her, could hear the shouts of the sisters as they ran toward her. She exhaled slowly, pushing the memory from her mind. “You’re right,” she said softly. “Zestan’s crimes are her own. I apologize.”
    “Should the deev ever return, we will need the peri again.” He glanced at Zestan. “I admit, I’d prefer if they stayed in their mountains until that day comes.”
    Talia would have said more, but Faziya was hurrying toward her. Muhazil smiled and left without another word.
    “You’re mad,” Talia said as she wrapped her arms around Faziya, lifting her into the air. “Your bandages are still spotted with blood, and you ride into the middle of battle?”
    “Me? You attacked the Wild Hunt! You fought a peri!”
    “I won, didn’t I?” Talia kissed her.
    Faziya returned the kiss with enthusiasm before pulling away. “Your hand. What happened?”
    “I’ll live.” Talia took her arm. “Could you please look at Snow? She—”
    Faziya was already moving. She crouched and held her palm in front of Snow’s mouth, checking her breathing. Snow shoved the hand aside. Faziya made a scolding noise and felt Snow’s cheeks, then her forehead.
    “I’m just tired,” Snow protested.
    “You’re cold. Your breathing is quick and shallow, and your pupils are too large.” Faziya gently ran her fingers through Snow’s hair. “This hard lump. This is where you injured your head?”
    “I’ll be fine as soon as I get some sleep.” Snow covered her eyes with one hand. “Arathea is too bright.”
    “You need food and water to restore your strength,” Faziya insisted. She pinched the back of Snow’s hand. “You haven’t been drinking enough. Your body needs more water in the desert.” She turned away to shout at one of the other Kha’iida, telling him to bring a waterskin. To Snow, she added, “You know it’s dangerous to sleep after an injury to the head.”
    “This isn’t a new injury,” Snow said. “It’s more than a year old—”
    “But never fully healed,” Faziya countered. “You’ve aggravated it. You need rest, but not sleep.”
    Danielle leaned close to Talia. “Which one do you think will win?”
    “I thought you couldn’t understand Arathean,” Talia said.
    “No, but I know Snow’s tone.” Danielle glanced past Talia, and her smile vanished.
    Talia turned to see more of Lakhim’s soldiers approaching. A growl built in the back of her throat. The ebony horse must have continued to bring Lakhim’s men. They now outnumbered the Kha’iida nearly two to one, and the newcomers were fresh and ready for battle. “Stay here.”
    Talia strode to meet them. She was unsurprised when Danielle followed.
    The raqeem walked at the head of his men. His sash of rank was knotted around a gash in his thigh. He kept his hands open, away from his weapons. Little comfort, given that his men held spears and swords ready.
    “Talia,” said the raqeem. “Our orders are to bring you back to Queen Lakhim.” He at least had the decency to sound apologetic.
    Talia spread her arms and smiled. “Be my guest.”
    “Wait!” Muhazil moved to stand beside her. “This is Talia Malak-el-Dahshat. She risked her life to protect this land. She probably saved Lakhim’s life.”
    “She murdered Prince Jihab,” said the raqeem. “Whatever else she might have done, she must answer for that death.”
    Those Kha’iida who could fight were spreading out behind Talia, readying their weapons.
    Talia still carried her own knives, but she didn’t bother to draw them. Even with one hand injured, she could spring forward and break the raqeem’s neck before anyone else reacted. She wanted to fight. Numbers made no difference. These men served Lakhim, the woman who had sentenced Talia to death. Whose family had taken everything Talia ever knew. Her nation, her heritage, even her children.
    Zestan had been right. Arathea would follow Sleeping Beauty. Just as Rajil’s guards had turned against their raikh to help Talia. Just as the Kha’iida gathered behind her now. One fight at a time, she could take Arathea back.
    “What do you want?” asked Danielle. She hadn’t even drawn her sword.
    Talia’s rage broke. If she fought, Danielle would be caught in the middle. Faziya and Snow were farther back,