three days later, as

, no long tables of laughter and spice, no brotherly slaps on the back.

a set of golden gates he had never noticed before. The driver who fetched him wore no name

livered to his home that morning. It fit perfectly, though he'd never given any

ourtyard he stepped into was scented with jasmine and silence. Only a few figur

him, stood a woman. She did not speak. She wore a red veil that reached the f

br

name. Not aloud.

oft. Low. Almost afraid. But there was something stead

them husband and wife,

an, reaching gentl

. Her hands were gloved. She lowere

aid. "Your place

bride was es

-

orridors of old stone and perfumed wood, the walls lined with carved verses and candlelig

ered him a note

g without permission. Please speak to no one outside the designat

t the lette

s mar

as not a

t

-

soft rain on glass.

th a fountain shaped like a falcon. Attendants brought his meals, his clothes, even a selection of books and newspap

not s

e fel

arden wall. Soft. Purposeful. At night, h

u like

an of faith

you fe

plies on the fountain stone. The n

rriage had truly happened, or if he had fallen asl

he sixt

the prayer room when

down to her waist now, her hair hidden under silk, but her profil

l," he said

eep brown, unreadable, like

you," sh

pped f

y m

ho looked at the world the way I did. Like i

ask why she hid. Why he was kept from

w who you are?"

ice so

ou stop

he was

d him tasted like

of secrets. And his bride wa

: stay. Because love, like a ve

she was wor