Chapter 23: The Shahanshah
Selima’s emotions had been rising and falling all day faster than a bucking horse. She awoke in despair that she was too faint to be seen and too weak to make her voice heard, knowing that this was probably her last day on earth. Then she heard Prince Ahmad proclaim his love for her and her spirit soared, only to crash again almost instantly as she realized how futile it all was. The world was growing dim around her, but she could hear other people discussing how the tide of battle was turning and she was alternately elated and dejected. Then a brief moment of peace came to the battlefield with the sudden knowledge that the evil emperor was dead, only to be dashed moments later by the evil presence of Aeshma and his army of demons sweeping down from the north. A
