Safiya had just arrived to join Meka when her eyes caught Malik, who was talking to his warriors far away from her. Her eyes traveled to his body; he was well-built, his muscles well-toned.
She had left the day Meka arrived. At first, she wanted to stay, but she couldn't. She couldn't be there when his betrothed was with him.
Laila had lent her some clothes to wear and she had only worn them to the palace, then wore Meka's old clothes afterward. She refused her royal cloth, feeling a bit odd to wear it. Laila would come around, bringing tiger nut juice to Meka, but would also come to see Safiya. She would tell her how much she missed her and remind her that she was yet to teach her how to fight, which she would of course.
