Chapter 20: Nahri

Nahri studies with Alizayd in the royal library, correctly identifying a prized “artifact” as a simple lock and teasing him about his formal Arabic. Their rapport grows as Ali brings Egyptian feteer and karkade to comfort her, though the familiarity reminds Nahri of Cairo and of Dara’s absence. Nahri notices Ali’s badly swollen wrist, which he downplays as a training injury.

As they leave, Ali mentions scholars restoring a star lens ahead of a comet. Entering the infirmary, Nahri finds Dara with Nisreen. When Ali challenges Dara’s presence, Dara smashes a glass table to declare himself “injured.” Nahri hustles Ali out and orders Nisreen to leave, creating a private moment that turns tense and intimate.

Dara needles Nahri about Ali, reveals the plan to marry her to Emir Muntadhir, and admits he broke Ali’s wrist after hearing it. He confesses his ifrit hunt failed. As Nahri plucks glass from his hand, she confides exhaustion and insecurity about her training and politics. Dara urges her to shun palace intrigues, let Daeva allies handle politics, and focus on decades of study.

Dara says he is staying with the grand wazir, Kaveh, warns that Ali is dangerous for a second son, and derides the prince as beneath her. Nahri examines the slave-mark rungs on Dara’s arm; he reveals there are hundreds and promises to explain his rebellion and the war fully at a future Grand Temple reception Kaveh is trying to arrange.

As their chemistry resurfaces, Dara senses someone outside. He throws open the door to catch Ali eavesdropping. After a hostile exchange—Dara speaking in Divasti to exclude Ali—Dara departs. Ali, torn by loyalties, simply asks Nahri to be careful and withdraws, leaving Nahri between competing guides and agendas.