Page 18 of Shâhzâdeh

“And as for you?” My uncle had been so used to the bullshit of his family, I knew he needed insight into emotional regulation because the people around him daily had none.

“I keep a tally of wrongs zhat have been done to us all.”

Afshin laughed knowingly because despite all of his virtues, he knew what the deal was with me. “And vhere are ve now?”

“Zhe balance is soon to be tipped.” I watched his face to gage his emotions on what I had to say. He had a slight raise of his brows as though he were wondering if I could predict the future.

“You know zhis?”

I shrugged not wanting to show my hand too soon. “I feel it.”

“And vhat vill tip it?”

A smile I couldn’t contain at the thought of Vanya crossed my lips. “My marriage.”

He sat forward, surprise clouding his features. I knew he was wondering who the woman was because we hadn’t discussed Vanya often. “Your marriage?”

“Yes.”

“I take it zhat your vife is not one of zhe dozens of muslimahs zhey have paraded in front of you over zhe last few years.” His lips were curled into a knowing smile as he too had been subjected to the parade of women for years. And like me, he’d avoided them all.

My lips quirked as I answered his question. “She is not.”

“She is not Persian? Is she Arab?”

“No. She’s a Black American woman who is divorced.”

“Wallah!” His smile softened his sounds of outrage, as I knew he would be further surprised by what I had to say. Afshin fell out playfully against the back of the sofa cushions clutching his chest.

“And she used to be a Mormon.”

“Divorced and a former Mormon,wallah. Zhey vill zhink you have strayed so far. You are bound and determined to give your grandfather a heart attack.” He was cracking up laughing either at my actions or their potential outcome.

“I would pray Allah not cheat me of zhe vengeance I am owed on behalf of my fazer and mozer. For him to be allowed to die in such an honorable way would infuriate me. I could not control zhe destruction zhat would come from it.”

“Zhen we shall pray for his health until zhe time is right.” His tone was somber and despite how they treated him, my uncle was still an extremely moral man. “People may wonder vhy you still help. Especially wiz all the issues between your fazer and grandfazer.”

“Because zhis is still his homeland. Contrary to how de king feels about him since he disobeyed his orders, he still belongs to zhis land. Same as you. Neither of you should be forced away from zhe only home and culture you’ve ever known because of a tyrant. Zhe people here deserve to have zheir culture preserved, but zhey do not need a government zhat doesn’t care about zhem. Where zhey have no voice. You care because you understand, no one else behind the palace gates does. De people here did not shun my father, my mother nor me. Zhey may not agree, but zhey were never loud with zheir disrespect. Not like zhe others. So I help here the same way I do in my home, because I see a need and can make it right. Zhat is how I was raised and zhat is how I vill always operate.”

“You are an honorable man,baradarzadeh. It is an honor to enjoy a bloodline as vell as a friendship vith you.” My uncle reached over to embrace me briefly and I returned it happily.

“You cannot punish zhe masses for zhe sins of a few. I have seen zhe anti-American sentiments because of zhe actions of a few in government. I’m not under any delusions that I would be welcomed here. I don’t need zhat. Being able to help make zhings better is where my concern is. Zhat’s zhe destiny I was sent here to fulfill. I much prefer zhe shadows to zhe limelight.”

He sighed and ran a hand over the short, full curls on his head. “A position I understand vell.”

“But one you vill have to get over soon enough.Sharbat?” I motioned toward the kitchen hating I hadn’t offered him something as soon as he walked in.

“Please. Night time has fallen and it is time to replenish myself. Although zhere are times I wish I indulged in somezing stronger.” He smirked and I knew he didn’t mean that. We moved toward the table that was just set for three but I would add another setting.

If nothing else, Afshin was extremely devout. But not like the good Christians in the United States. My uncle was only concerned with his walk with God and living the best life he could. I’m sure whatever he had lived through in the palace made him cling to his religion.

The entire country was observing Ramadan and because of my upbringing, I did as well. In my mind, Ramadan was just the food form of Lent that was observed daily. As a child, I didn’t understand why we did both in our home, but it taught me discipline at an early age.

“Still no alcohol.” It was a statement. One that I made as I motioned for another setting to be put at the table. Sho and Quentin had been around Afshin to have no issues breaking bread with him. Afshin was the only person in my extended family they could tolerate.

“Eseeing zhe vay it corrupts zhe people in our family? I’m far beyond being tempted by it often. Just zhe zhought of what is coming—” He sighed as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Afshin had already been carrying the totality of the goodwill for the family for years getting no praise for it. I knew he was built for the next phase of our plan.

The carafe was placed in between the two of us and I poured it without hesitation. Despite the reach of my family, mine was longer and I paid far better. The people who worked for me were treated with respect and had been hired and approved by my father. Afshin was here often enough that they’d grown to respect him the way they did me.

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