Page 130 of Shâhzâdeh

Babatte’s laugh didn’t help matters and many eyes were put on her with disdain. Which had Mr. Bijan standing taller.

She cleared her throat, but didn’t bother to return her face to one of solemnity. Instead, she continued to giggle in their faces until she got control of herself. “We have other guests to greet. We have ensured everything for the reception ishalalso that you are free to enjoy. Please make your way to your table and find your seat since you have so rudely entered the room before it was time.”

“And how are ve to be sure?” That came from the man who’d been eyeing her like a tall drink of water in the desert. He’d clearly only spoken because he wanted maman’s attention but she refused to even look his way.

“Because you are not worth the mark on our souls to lie. But if you would rather starve…” Babette raised her delicate shoulders and I struggled to keep my face blank and my laughter inside. She looked stunning in the mauve pink pleated sweetheart neckline evening gown she wore.

“Still speaking vhen unnecessary, Babette?” He was trying to bait her but was instead drawing the glares of both Bijan and Xerxes. I really hated that all this food was going to go to waste and the reception was going to be canceled because this room would be a crime scene. I mean Frankie had family problems and a brawl at her wedding, so I really shouldn’t have expected anything less.

“Still thinking I have to care about what you think of me, Ibriham? Tsk tsk tsk, I see it is you have not learned in all these years. But like my son said, you will.” This time she turned to him, smiling so sinisterly he took a step back.

“And to zhink he could have had Farah here vho vould’ve been a proper vife.” His grandfather nodded toward a girl who had been standing silently next to him and her purpose for being here clicked.

I turned to Xerxes whose jaw was tight and I gave his arm a squeeze. “Is that why she is dressed in all white? To upstage me? It is a shame she didn’t know your favorite color was gold,mon amour.”

“Since I have barely spoken three sentences to her, I am not surprised.” He was glaring at the woman who had the good sense to look embarrassed. Not enough for me to be appeased, but I would take it.

“Zhere vere promises made—” The man, Ibriham, angrily spoke up on the woman’s behalf.

“By you to your friend zhat held no weight wiz me. Again, we have ozer guests to greet. Zhose who have not overstepped zheir bounds nor zheir manners by inviting additional guests. Luckily, we assumed the vorst of you and you more zhan lived up to your reputation. Stay or go, it is of no interest to us.” Xerxes waved them off with the type of aggression that screamed he didn’t fuck with them. And that shit was sexy as hell.

The tension was high and despite it all, I could feel the woman that was supposed to be in my place according to the Mahdavis glaring at me.

“Oh, and Farah is it?”

She answered maman without looking away from me. “Yes?”

“You give my daughter thecheshm-e hasudon her wedding day and be careful. That bad luck that you wish on her through your jealousy will return to your one thousandfold.”

The girl’s eyes widened and she looked over at the king and Xerxes uncle like she expected them to speak up for her. When they stayed silent, showing who held the control in this room. She started to beg, “I didn’t—”

“And to lie? I guess she’s not the proper muslimah you expected, huh Ibriham? Your seats. Find them quickly.” Babette flickered her fingers as though she were shooing a fly and her husband and mine grinned in amusement.

It was funny how my attempts to keep the peace had only caused them to be ugly, but her threats had them silent. They really thought that being kind was something to look down on and manipulate. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

The silence was loud despite the buzz of the rest of the guests trying to pay their respects to our family. Without a bow, the king turned around forcing everyone to jump back and scramble to make way for him to exit and still fake control.

Babette tittered at his tantrum before smiling at me.

“Do not fret, you have the most intricately embroidered amulet to ward off harm worked in the embroidery of your dress and in your bracelet. I protect those I love at all costs from every culture that might wish them harm.”

I hadn’t given any thought to harm, because what did she mean?

“What did she do?” I glanced after the woman who was covered in white from head to toe and wondered if I could fight her and still keep her hijab on so I wasn’t disrespectful to her culture.

“It’s called zhe evil eye. A very big deal in Persian culture. It’s when someone looks at you wiz jealousy and wishes bad on you. Maman wasn’t about to let zhat fly today. We’re all protected. You permanently, it seems.” He held up the delicate butterfly on my wrist before turning it until I could see the amulet. It was a stone set within a stone and vaguely resembled an eye. Maman Babette reached over and pressed at something that was embroidered near my heart and again on my stomach.

Her protection over us without me knowing was another demonstration of the love she had for me without having to say a word to us. “Thank you.”

She winked at me and smiled brightly before she wrapped her arm back around Mr. Bijan. “Always.”

The bridal party was trickling in and Sho and Quentin can in with their eyes assessing the situation. They didn’t bother to come near us, but kept their eyes trained on the area of the Mahdavi table.

“So they tried to get you away from me, huh? Is that what all the gunfire was about?” I had to wonder if they’d gotten word about him and who could’ve given them the information.

Xerxes’ face was still unmoved as his eyes watched where his paternal family had scurried off to. “Who knows? I’m sure it was more zhan zhat but zhey truly zhought I would be susceptible to zheir antics after so long. I’m almost insulted.”

He removed my arm from his and instead threaded our fingers together, symbolizing that he felt the issue was over.

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