Only years of reflexes kept him from jumping like a startled cat. Instead, he sighed, shook his head, leaned back against the cabinet, and used the dramatics to come up with something to save his own hide.

“A woman like you deserves better than this life, Nisa. Moving town from town in hopes of finding somewhere our father’s name is not invoked against us in. The world may see Baba and I as murderers... but you, Nisa. You radiate innocence. Innocence and beauty. You could have so much more!” He clasped his hands before himself, looking up. “What do you think of marrying, dear sister?”