Page 16 of Bound by Wishes (Enchanted Deceptions #1)
I found myself in a restless tug-of-war between sleep and wakefulness, my mind teetering on the edge of nightmares while my body fought to stay alert. The persistent, nagging hum of thoughts kept me from fully falling asleep, despite how desperately my body needed it. Was I afraid to go to sleep because I was scared of what awaited me there? Yes. I was so tired I wanted to cry, but then that brooding genie of mine would probably pop out of his bottle and demand to know why I was upset, and I wasn’t going to explain my fears to him.
Rays of sunlight slowly snuck past the sheer curtains and into the room. Soon after, the mattress sank under a massive weight. Namir purred as he laid down beside me. Smiling, I turned over and ran my hand across his silky fur. “Good morning,” I cooed to him.
Black smoke poured from the spout of Ranen’s lamp and then he stared down at me. “Would you care for breakfast before we leave for your riding lessons?”
My stomach rumbled in response, and I smiled sheepishly. “And lots of coffee, please.”
In an instant, Ranen’s magic swirled and then dissolved, leaving behind a silver tray overflowing with mouthwatering food. There were soft freshly baked flatbreads, still warm, perfect for dipping into the bowl of creamy hummus. Also on the tray were ripe succulent fruits—pomegranates, figs, dates, and juicy slices of melon.
“I’m going to gain a hundred pounds if I keep eating like this,” I said, picking up a piece of kunafa, its delicate strands drenched in syrup and topped with crushed nuts. Its sweet fragrance mingled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee that was rich and dark. But it would take more than the caffeine-spiked miracle drink to wake me up today.
Ranen walked out onto the balcony, leaving me in peace while I finished my breakfast. He stretched, extending his arms over his head. The morning sun cast a golden glow on his form, making him look even more ethereal than usual. The thick, corded muscles along his back rolled and flexed under the exertion, each tic a display of his strength. My gaze followed his every movement, captivated by the fluidity and power. Never mind, I was fully awake now.
I shoved the last of my breakfast in my mouth, followed by a long swig of coffee, before pushing the tray aside and getting out of bed. Ranen walked back inside, eyeing me from head to toe. His gaze felt like literal fire was brushing down the length of my body.
“What…are you doing?” I asked sheepishly .
“Sizing you up for a new riding outfit,” he answered without taking his eyes from my bare legs.
Embarrassment pinched my cheeks as I stood stark still under his intense gaze. Ranen’s magic embraced me, lifting me slightly off the ground as my pajamas vanished. Once back on my feet, I turned to the mirror to see what Ranen had crafted. The deep emerald gown was stunning, with a bodice tailored to accentuate my waist and curves. It was intricately embroidered with gold thread, forming elaborate patterns of flowers and vines. The neckline was modest yet elegant, with a slight V-shape. The outer layer of the skirt was split down the sides, revealing a fitted inner layer. The outfit was complete with knee-high leather boots.
I twirled, admiring the way the shimmering fabric caught the sun. “This is lovely, Ranen, but how exactly do you expect me to ride in a dress?” I questioned, even though deep down, I already knew the answer. “I’m used to riding in hand-me-down oversized trousers and worn leather boots with slick bottoms.” Ranen’s eyes widened, and I shrugged. “My father didn’t exactly take me shopping much. I wore his hand-me-downs. A dig site wasn’t exactly the place for frilly blouses and tight skirts.”
“Pity,” he said with a carnal smirk. “I’m sure that would have been a sight to see.”
I ignored him and the way his words made my heart pitter-patter and walked toward the door. “Let’s get going then. My ride with the king is in a few hours, and judging by these clothes, I’m going to need all the help I can get.”
Ranen grabbed my hand and pulled me toward him, and my breath caught in my throat. I barely had a chance to lift my hands and brace myself before colliding with his rigid chest. His firm muscles felt like steel under my palms, and the sudden proximity left me dizzy.
“I wasn’t planning on using the door, sayyida.” His husky voice made my toes curl inside my fancy boots.
Tension coiled within me, and a familiar wave of panic surged to the surface. Ranen gently grasped my chin, tilting my head up until our eyes locked. “You have nothing to fear from me, sayyida. I would never hurt you.”
And for some reason, I believed him.
His hand ventured to my waist, pulling me dangerously close as he transported us out of the palace. Once his smoke cleared, I glanced around, seeing nothing but sand as it shifted and swirled in the morning breeze.
“So, where are the horses?” I asked, distancing myself from the increasingly irresistible genie who made me feel comfortable in his arms.
Ranen’s dark eyes collided with mine. “Patience is a virtue, sayyida.”
“Sorry. Fresh out.” I tried to smile, but I was too tired to actually put forth much effort, let alone act like I cared about proper horseback riding.
In a flash, two majestic beasts appeared, a striking difference in their appearance, with each embodying grace and power in its own unique way.
The black horse was a magnificent stallion, his coat as dark as midnight shimmering under the sunlight. His mane and tail were long and flowing, reminding me of black silk. Muscles rippled beneath his sleek coat, flaunting his strength and agility.
Beside him, the white horse was a vision, something out of a fairy tale. Her coat was pure and pristine, almost glowing with a silvery luster. Her eyes were a clear, vibrant blue, radiating a gentle intelligence. Together the black and white horses created a perfect balance, much like the brooding genie and me.
I walked up to the smaller white horse, running my hand along her velvety soft nose. She pranced eagerly, ready to run free. I couldn’t blame her—the feeling was mutual.
The stallion pawed the ground, sending particles of sand flying as he snorted impatiently. Ranen gripped the saddle horn and effortlessly lifted himself into the saddle. I glanced at the saddle on the white steed, which was different than what I was used to. “Is this a sidesaddle?” I asked, cringing because of its odd shape.
“What else would a princess use?” Ranen taunted, his eyes dancing with amusement as he leaned forward in his seat.
I threw my arms in the air in frustration. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe something a little more comfortable. Like a man’s saddle,” I grumbled.
“It’s unheard of and very unladylike,” he replied, shaking his head as if the idea was absurd.
“Right. Play the part, no matter how daunting it may be,” I whispered under my breath, drawing closer to the saddle and trying to figure out how I was going to get into the thing in this long, tight dress.
“Sayyida, don’t make this difficult.” Ranen’s tone was laced with impatience. “Place your right foot in the stirrup. Then use it and the support of your left hand on the pommel to lift yourself up.” He waited for me to meet his gaze before continuing. “Swing your left leg over the horse's withers, keeping it bent at the knee. Your left leg should rest on the saddle with your knee against the pommel, then sit down gently, ensuring your skirt is adjusted modestly.”
“Easy for you to say,” I groaned.
Using the stirrup, I easily lifted myself off the ground. My sweaty palm gripped the pommel and I attempted to swing my left leg over the horse’s withers. And that was when everything went wrong. I gasped when my hand slipped, bracing myself as I fell toward the sandy ground.
Strong arms snatched me midair, and the air whooshed from my lungs as I collided with a solid chest. His black smoke settled around us, indicating he’d used his magic to reach me in time. I blinked up at Ranen, who smiled down at me with a sarcastic smirk, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Not very graceful, sayyida,” he teased.
This was the second time I ended up in his arms, and both times did unspeakable things to my composure. My heart raced uncontrollably, and a warmth spread through me that I couldn’t ignore. His touch, his proximity, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me—it all left me breathless and unnerved. He sat my feet back on the ground, but his hands lingered at my waist much longer than was necessary. Our almost-kiss resurfaced in my mind, and it frightened me more than I cared to admit that I wanted it.
Ranen was the one to step back first this time, his eyes turning hard and steely. “We’ll practice mounting again later.” He lifted me into the saddle, quickly removing his hands and walking back over to his own mount.
The sting of his quick rejection felt like a pesky bee, small yet painful. I disregarded the feeling, focusing instead on adjusting my skirt to ensure my legs were properly covered .
Without a word, Ranen nudged his horse forward, and it reared before racing across the desert. The mare beneath me pranced eagerly, her muscles tense with the desire to chase after the stallion, but I pulled back on her reins, holding us both back from pursuing the pair of impressive studs. Instead, I allowed her to settle into a steady trot as I adjusted to the unfamiliar feel of riding sidesaddle.
I quickly decided I hated the thing. Every trot made me feel as though I might slide right off the horse. Gripping the pommel tightly, I fought to steady myself.
The urge to sling my other leg over and ride astride like a man was relentless, but the underlayer of my skirt was far too tight to allow such defiance. Ranen disappeared over the dunes, seemingly trying to distance himself from me. Once we reached the top of the dune, I paused to look at the breathtaking scene.
The desert stretched out in an expanse of shimmering sands, meeting the deep blue of the ocean. I hadn’t realized that Ranen had brought us to the sea. The sight soothed my tattered nerves. The sand, fine and soft, flowed in gentle curves down to the water's edge where it met the sea.
Gentle waves lapped against the sandy shore, the rhythmic sound soothing to my ever-souring mood. Ranen waited by the water’s edge, and I nudged my horse down the steep dune toward him.
We sat there in silence, at peace with each other and our surroundings. Ranen shifted in the saddle, the leather creaking softly under his weight. “Is there anything you’re good at?” he teased, a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.
“If you give me a man’s saddle, I’ll gladly show you how good I am,” I responded with a smirk. “Or are you afraid that someone will better you in something?”
The challenge did the trick. Ranen’s magic brushed against the horse, replacing the horrid sidesaddle with one I was more accustomed to.
I reached down to the hem of my skirt, where the underlayer was seamed together, and ripped the material halfway up my thigh. I smiled while Ranen’s pupils narrowed and his gaze fixed on my skin. I swung my leg over the saddle and eased up on the reins, giving the mare her head and letting her run. Cool saltwater sprayed my face as we raced through the surf. The rhythmic pounding of my horse’s hooves blended with the sound of the crashing waves. Wind whipped through my hair, and the salty scent of the ocean filled my lungs as we sped along the shoreline.
I glanced back to see Ranen and his long-legged stallion quickly gaining on us. I urged the mare to go faster, and she happily complied. The gap between us and Ranen widened, the mare’s hooves flinging up sprays of saltwater and sand with every stride. I could hear Ranen’s laughter carried by the wind, deep and rich. The thrill of the chase coursed through me, and for a moment, all worries and fears were left behind, swallowed by the endless horizon.
The beach quickly gave way to rugged rock and dirt. I pulled my horse to a sudden stop, nearly toppling forward in the saddle. My heart lodged in my throat as I stared down from the top of a steep cliff, the ocean swirling angrily below with jagged rocks jutting out from the foaming waves. The mare snorted nervously, her ears pinned back as she sensed the danger below .
Ranen reined in his horse, bringing it to a halt beside me. “Why did you stop?”
I turned to him, my brows knitted together at his outlandish question. “Um, because I didn’t particularly feel like dying today,” I replied, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
Magic seeped from Ranen’s fingertips, weaving into a dark haze that surrounded both my horse and his. I bit down a scream of astonishment as shimmering wings suddenly jutted out from the mare’s sleek shoulders. They were massive and pearly white. Each feather seemed to catch the light in an iridescent array of colors.
My mouth hung open as I turned to Ranen’s stallion, now similarly adorned with magical wings as dark as a moonless night. He pawed the ground eagerly, as if sensing the freedom that his wings now gave him. My mind refused to accept the fact that I was sitting on a Pegasus, something straight out of Greek legend.
“Are you coming, sayyida?” Ranen urged his stallion forward, and its massive wings spread out as it leaped from the cliff. I held my breath as they plunged toward the sea, the horse's powerful wings beating against the air until the wind caught them, lifting them high into the sky.
Anxiety slithered through me as I glanced down at the menacing rocks below. The mare snorted nervously, her eyes wide with fear. I reached out cautiously, running my fingers along the smooth, ethereal surface of the mare’s wing. It felt cool to the touch, yet buzzed with energy and the lingering effects of Ranen’s magic.
“You can’t be afraid your entire life.” Ranen’s voice rumbled in my mind.
His words were like the talons of a beast, sinking deep into my flesh and resonating with me deeper than he could possibly imagine. He was right. I would never experience life if I couldn’t take risks. Besides, he was my genie, and I his master—well, sayyida. Surely, he wouldn’t let me fall, would he?
“We can do this,” I whispered to the mare as I nudged her gently in the sides and she lunged from the cliff. Paralyzing fear gripped me as we plummeted to a rocky death below. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling the sudden jolt as she spread her wings and we soared up into the air. I slowly pried my eyes open as I felt the cool ocean breeze across my face.
Ranen’s powerful black stallion waited impatiently nearby, he and his rider looking like something straight out of a hauntingly beautiful nightmare. Ranen urged his mount higher, and I followed. As we soared above the ocean, a rush of exhilaration replaced my fear.
Below us, the ocean stretched out in an endless span of deep blue, with whitecaps dancing on the surface.
The world beneath us began to blur as we soared straight into the billowing clouds. The mare's wings beat steadily, slicing through the dense mist, creating swirling vapors in our wake. The cool moisture cloaked me, clinging to my skin and clothes, and the air grew colder, filled with the clean, crisp scent of rain.
As long as I lived, I would never forget this magical moment. I was at peace, and I was happy. I followed Ranen as he veered left, taking us back across the desert. Below, the golden sand stretched endlessly, rippling like a sea of molten gold. Soon, the city of Jalam appeared below, a tiny speck in the endless stretch of sand .
“We have to get you back and prepare you for your outing with the king,” Ranen yelled over the loud beat of the horse’s wings.
The idea of going back to reality filled me with sadness. I wanted to spend more time with this broody genie who challenged me, but that thought concerned me. As we descended, the magic of the moment began to fade, and the heat returned when the mare landed gracefully. Her wings vanished, taking away the wonder of the moment.
Ranen dismounted, his movements fluid and confident as he walked up to the mare and extended his arms to me. I shocked myself by going willingly into his arms. I was always the girl who had to prove she could do things for herself, so why hadn’t I insisted on getting off the horse myself? Our gazes collided as he ever so slowly lowered me to the ground.
Ranen reached up, tucking a strand of my wind-tousled hair behind my ear. The act was so simple, yet his gentleness tugged at my heartstrings. I quickly turned away from him before he could see vulnerability flicker across my face.
“Let’s get you back to the palace so Arwa can help you change, and this time don’t rip your dress,” Ranen playfully scolded and offered me his hand.
I quickly pulled myself together and prepared to play the part of a princess eager to gain the attention of a king.
Ranen grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. His hand ventured up my arm until it snaked around the back of my neck, urging me forward until our breaths mingled. “Forgive me, sayyida,” he pleaded. “I can’t fight it any longer.”
“Fight what?” I asked breathlessly.
“This.” Slowly, he leaned in, the pressure on my neck increasing as he urged me forward. His touch was firm, sending a shiver through me. Time seemed to slow as his face drew closer.
When our lips finally met, it was as if a spark ignited between us. The kiss was tender at first, a gentle exploration that sent waves of warmth through my entire body. I instinctively leaned in to him, my hands finding their way to his shoulders for support.
As the kiss deepened, it became more urgent, more passionate. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. The world around us disappeared completely, leaving only the sensation of his lips against mine, the taste of his kiss, and the heady mix of emotions swirling inside me.