Red Hood's Revenge

Faziya’s and whispered her name. When that didn’t work, she kissed Faziya’s cheek and tried again, more loudly this time.
    Not a twitch. Talia fought fear. Doing her best imitation of Mother Khardija, Talia said, “Sister Faziya, wake up this instant. Your duties don’t go away simply because you stayed out too late with your hoodlum friends!”
    Faziya groaned and started to roll over. Talia held her shoulders, trying to keep her from moving her arm.
    “Mother Khardija?” Faziya coughed, then gasped and grabbed her arm.
    “I have you,” Talia said. “Try to relax.”
    “Talia?” Faziya blinked and looked up at her. “How—” She coughed again. “What happened? Where—”
    Talia kissed her. Gently at first, not wanting to aggravate her injury. Faziya wrapped her good arm around Talia’s neck, returning the kiss with a hunger that reminded Talia of their first days together. All too soon, Faziya fell back, panting for breath.
    “Don’t try to move,” Talia said, trying not to feel guilty. Even this small exertion might be too much for her.
    “I used to pray that God would bring you back to me.”
    “God had nothing to do with it,” Talia said.
    Faziya pulled her down and kissed her again. When Talia broke away, Faziya smiled. “You taste like salt.” Her lips pursed. “Though you smell like horse and blood.”
    “And you have jackal breath,” Talia said.
    Faziya frowned and looked down at herself. “I’m also naked.”
    “Yes, I noticed.” Talia found herself wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. She did neither, instead doing her best to explain what had happened. She had only gotten halfway through the story when Faziya reached over to take Talia’s hand in hers.
    “Thank you for finding me,” Faziya said.
    Talia shifted against the rocks, allowing Faziya to rest against her head against Talia’s chest. “How do you feel?”
    Faziya shivered. “My arm feels like it’s been smashed with a hammer.”
    “I’m sorry.” Talia kissed the top of Faziya’s head. “It was the only way.”
    “It worked.”
    Danielle coughed politely before crawling into the cave, carrying a skewer of meat and a waterskin, along with an extra robe and head scarf. She smiled when she saw them. “Snow said to make sure Faziya eats the liver and kidneys first. They’re small, but they’ll help with the blood loss.”
    “What’s she saying?” Faziya asked. After Talia translated, Faziya frowned. “Her voice is familiar.”
    “Danielle helped to calm you when you were a jackal. When I—” She swallowed. “When we broke your curse.”
    “I remember,” Faziya said. “It’s hard. Like a dream from childhood. Please thank her for me.” She pressed against Talia’s body. “I remember being afraid. Terrified of everything.” She broke off in another bout of coughing.
    “That was the fairy spell.” Talia helped her to sit up and take a drink. When Faziya had swallowed enough, Danielle passed her the meat.
    Faziya chuckled. “Liver and kidneys first. Your friend is a good healer.”
    “I’ve given her plenty of practice,” said Talia.
    That earned another smile. Talia blinked and turned away, fighting tears that came out of nowhere. Danielle was already retreating into the sun, leaving them alone. “What were you thinking?” Talia whispered. “Leaving the temple, going to Rajil’s mansion?”
    “You would have done the same thing,” Faziya said.
    “You’re not me.”
    “I know.” Faziya swallowed. “Zestan-e-Jheg. She’s—”
    “Deev,” Talia said. “Father Uf’uyan told us.”
    “I left my tribe years ago, but I’m still Kha’iida.” The liver and kidneys were both gone, and she had moved on to the rest of the meat. Talia took her appetite as a hopeful sign. As Faziya chewed, she said, “My people swore an oath.”
    “You could have been killed.”
    “I went to Rajil the day of the new moon.”
    Talia nodded. Every raikh held open court with each new moon. Faziya would have been one of hundreds, all petitioning to speak to Rajil or her adviser. “What did you plan to say? You can’t simply march into the raikh’s mansion and accuse her of conspiring with deev.”
    “ Now you tell me.” Faziya smiled. “I told her I was a fairy worshiper, and I wanted to serve Zestan. I hoped she would take me into her confidence. Instead, she brought me to Jhukha.”
    Talia’s fists tightened. Once she had dealt with Zestan, she would return to Jahrasima to kill