Chapters 18: Dinarzad Pulls a Thread Summary

When night falls and Dinarzad cannot find her sister, she panics that Shahrayar has given in to the rumors and executed her. She relays her fears to 'Ajib, whom she trusts as family since he has come to live with her and her father. They find the king's chambers empty and the chamberlain raises the alarm for the missing monarch. 'Ajib sends a message to his brothers: "Now." Shahrayar and Shahrazad arrive home and when Shahrazad will not divulge where they've been, Dinarzad breaks down, accusing Shahrazad of loving the king more than her, lambasting the king for keeping her sister's life always in jeopardy, and admitting that her initial request for a story on their first night of marriage was all part of a master plan.

Shahrayar is horrified as he begins to put...