After all the wedding functions ended, Rafey talked to Hayder about Zarkhan. And Hayder was right—Rafey liked Zarkhan for Hazel. And as Rafey spoke, there was a certain hope in his voice, a desire to make things right for his daughter in the only way he knew how.

Hayder listened, but for the first time in years, he found himself at a crossroads. He and Hyra had already been considering Hyzin for Hazel, yet looking at Rafey now—his quiet hesitation, his unspoken guilt—Hayder didn’t have the heart to tell him. So, instead, Hayder told him to invite Zarkhan over for dinner.