Page 19 of Bound by Wishes (Enchanted Deceptions #1)
R ays of flickering sunlight caressed my face, urging me to open my eyes, but I refused. I wanted to stay in this peaceful state a little longer. I couldn't remember the last time I slept so well—no nightmares, no dreams, just peaceful darkness. I was vaguely aware that my arms were wrapped around an incredibly muscular torso, but even that didn't frighten me because I knew who it was. Ranen had held me through the night. It was disturbing how much I trusted this man. I was at peace in his arms and never feared that his hands would venture anywhere they shouldn’t.
“Sayyida, I would love to hold you all day, but the sun has been up for hours and I’m sure your servant will be in any minute to help you dress.” Ranen’s voice beckoned me to open my eyes.
I shifted until our eyes met. He was unnaturally handsome first thing in the morning, his ebony hair tousled and a darker five o’clock shadow accentuating his chiseled jawline. His piercing gaze seemed to swallow me whole, making my stomach clench with a mix of nerves and excitement. He brushed his fingers across my jawline with a featherlight touch, sending goosebumps across my flesh.
I sat up before I lost myself completely in his embrace. That was when I noticed his dark smoke swirling around us, twisting and curling in the early morning light. The tendrils of smoke danced around the bed, forming a large circle.
I glanced at him. “What’s this?”
The smoke gradually faded, and he sat up straighter. “Why didn’t you tell me that you suffered from night terrors?” he demanded.
I swallowed a lump of emotion that formed in my throat as he brought my vulnerabilities to light. “How do you know I suffer from night terrors?”
“I could feel them when they came for you,” he explained. “Surrounding you in this barrier was the only way I could keep them away.”
I inhaled a shaky breath. “So that’s why I finally had a good night's sleep?”
“How long has this been happening?” he asked, genuine concern pinching his steely features.
My spine stiffened at his question. Pride begged me to lie to him. “Years,” I answered truthfully.
His hand gripped mine, forcing my resolve to further crumble. “Tell me what happened to you,” he urged.
I stood up from the bed, my gut roiling. No matter how much I trusted Ranen, I could never tell him about that night. It lived within me like a plague, ever-present and haunting, a shadow I could never escape. I was too ashamed to voice out loud what had nearly happened to me. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with,” I said, brushing off his concern.
I rushed into the bathroom before he could ask more questions. My resolve was already weak after what had happened yesterday and the way he’d held me in his arms while I fell apart.
I splashed cold water on my face to soothe my red-rimmed eyes. I blindly reached for a towel, only for my hands to brush against a rigid chest.
Gasping, I stepped back, but Ranen ventured closer. I froze as he wiped a fluffy towel across my face, the unexpected softness and gentleness contrasting sharply with the tension I felt.
“You don’t have to tell me, sayyida,” he said in a tone that was entirely too understanding. “We all have demons we are trying to outrun. I only wish I knew how exhausted you were so I could have helped you.” His words shattered the fragile remains of my composure. “You have my word that as long as I am around, you will never have to worry about those nightmares again,” he swore.
It was a sweet thought to have someone promise me no more nightmares, but the truth was, our time together was running out.
I stepped away from his touch, pulling the towel with me. “You’re not going to be around much longer. Once this whole mess is over, you’ll go your way, and I’ll go mine.” Something darkened his gaze, but he didn’t contradict my words. “I thought you wanted me to go in search of the book last night?” I asked, remembering his words from yesterday. “You didn’t wake me. ”
He crossed his arms before his chest. “The book can wait. After the day you had yesterday, you needed some rest.”
“Thank you,” I said, barely above a whisper. I could scarcely believe this harsh, brooding genie was putting my needs ahead of his agenda.
It looked as though Ranen was going to say something else, but he was interrupted by Arwa. “Princess? Are you in there?” she squeaked. Ranen vanished in a puff of smoke.
“I’m coming,” I answered with a huff and walked out of the bathroom.
To my surprise, she was not alone. There was a vaguely familiar man standing in the doorway with greasy hair that was slicked back out of his face.
He bowed before me. “Princess, I am Mozenwrath. The king’s adviser. From now on, I will be in charge of you,” he said as he slowly rose. He reminded me of an eel as his dark, beady eyes locked onto mine.
I became acutely aware that I was wearing a silken deep purple nightgown. Last night, when Ranen had scooped me up in his arms, I’d been wearing that awful blood-stained dress. He must have used his magic to change my clothes to keep Namir from going predator. Now, I was kicking myself for not grabbing a robe before walking out of the bathroom. Embarrassment pinched my cheeks as I folded my arms protectively in front of me.
“What do you mean, in charge of me?” I asked, suspicion creeping into my tone.
Mozenwrath’s head bowed slightly. “I will be at your beck and call, Princess. I’ll ensure you are dressed appropriately and arrive at the right place at the right time,” he explained. “Everything about you has to be perfect, and I am the man who will ensure that you are.”
My pulse quickened. “Is there a reason why I suddenly need your assistance?” I asked with a little too much anger in my tone.
He stepped closer. “The king will be selecting his bride today, and I am to ensure everyone and everything is perfect.”
I took a step back. “I see.” Suddenly I was an endless pit of nerves.
“I’ve selected your clothes for today’s announcement,” he said, waving his arm, and suddenly the room was filled with servants, their arms draped with clothes, silks, jewels, and other finery.
Inwardly, I cringed. The last time so many people tried to dress me, I ended up passing out and Ranen had to revive me by ripping my corset. The memory made my cheeks flush.
“What are you thinking about, sayyida?” Ranen’s deep voice echoed in my head, and I was sure my blush deepened.
“Oh, be quiet,” I scolded him a little too loudly, causing all eyes to turn in my direction. Ranen’s deep laughter rumbled in my head.
Once their relentless torture was done, I turned, catching my reflection in the mirror. The bodice was form-fitting, accentuating my figure, and was adorned with jewels and gold beads that flowed down the length of the A-line skirt like a thousand sparkling stars. The neckline was a delicate V-neck, trimmed with golden threads.
They draped a ruby necklace around my neck. Its central gem was as large as a quail's egg. It shimmered with deep, fiery hues, encircled by a halo of smaller diamonds that sparkled with every tilt of my head. Arwa brought over matching stud earrings, adding a final touch to the look.
Mozenwrath, who had been observing everything from the shadows, held out his hand. I reluctantly took it, and he led me out into the grand hallway. The marble floors echoed our footsteps as we made our way toward the throne room. Just outside a grand velvet curtain stood the other two candidates, their dresses as extravagant as mine. A pang of sorrow twisted in my chest as I thought of Elenor. She should be here with us, but her life had been cruelly taken by the Canaari Medjai.
The other two princesses' gazes swept over me, as frigid and indifferent as a winter wind. I exhaled and leaned against one of the marble columns.
“Princesses should always stand up straight,” Ranen scolded.
My gaze swept across the room, wondering where he was hiding this time. “And genies should stay in their bottles,” I grumbled.
Razoul entered the throne room, draped in a robe that trailed behind him like a wedding train. His entourage followed, including Mozenwrath and the other members of the council, guards, and dignitaries. The curtain was thrown open, and he walked out onto a massive balcony. Curiosity forced me to peer around the curtain. A hush fell over the assembly below. Hundreds of people were in the courtyard, and I was shocked to see that they had allowed the Canaari people inside the palace walls.
Razoul stepped to the edge of the balcony, his voice ringing out above the crowd. “I have chosen my bride and your queen!” he announced. All awaited his words with bated breath, including me. “In a fortnight, I will wed the lovely Princess Soraya.”
The crowd below erupted in a sudden uproar, a wave of murmurs and exclamations that sent a chill coursing through me. Did he just say my name? My heart raced as I scanned the room. The other two candidates shot me venomous glares, their expressions stony with resentment. Yes, he had indeed called my name.
“Ranen?” I seethed, shrinking into the shadows. “What am I going to do? I wasn’t supposed to be selected!” Panic swirled within me. “I’m not a princess.”
Ranen’s voice echoed in my mind. “Are you not? You certainly look like one.”
Wait. Did he just compliment me? Surely, I was hearing things. I had finally snapped after dealing with all of this craziness for so long.
Mozenwrath pushed back the curtain with a touch of annoyance written across his face. “Come, queen, your people await,” he beckoned.
With sweaty palms, I gripped his hand as he pulled me onto the balcony, edging me forward until I was side by side with Razoul. Razoul’s hand shot into the air as he lazily waved. I looked over the crowd. They didn’t seem pleased, and I couldn’t blame them. Why would they care that they were getting another pampered royal when they were literally starving to death?
Razoul turned to Mozenwrath. “Escort the princess below and parade her through the people,” he instructed. “I want them all to see how lovely she is.”
Bile burned the back of my throat as Razoul reached up and brushed his hand across my cheek. I snatched away from his touch so quickly that his face blanched with anger.
I wanted to lift the shimmering red skirt of my dress and run for dear life. This situation had reached a point of pure insanity. How in the world was I going to get out of this?
Mozenwrath’s grip on my elbow was harsh, his fingers pressing so deeply into my skin that it would no doubt leave behind an imprint. He pulled me across the throne room, the tulle fabric of my gown bunching around my legs with each hurried step. The room seemed to blur as he dragged me toward the double doors. We burst out into the courtyard, all eyes on us as he led me toward a massive elephant with long ivory tusks and a grand seat strapped to his back.
Ugh, an elephant. It had to be an elephant. The crowd parted, creating a path for us to go through. He finally released me when we reached the elephant. A servant tapped the animal with a stick, and it slowly lowered to the ground for me to climb aboard.
I hitched up the skirt of my dress to climb onto the elephant, but before I found my footing, Mozenwrath’s hand shot out, gripping my arm and yanking me back with a forceful jerk. He threw me off balance, my heart soaring as I stumbled against him. The bustling courtyard around us blurred in motion and noise.
“You will not show your legs to anyone but the king,” he hissed in my ear.
Anger coiled, snaking through my veins. This was far worse than the demeaning treatment I'd endured at the museum. Now I was the king’s property, and Mozenwrath was determined to remind me of that .
“You’re hurting me,” I growled as I tried to pry my arm from his viselike grip.
The tense air around us shifted, and Mozenwrath’s pupils widened before he collapsed face down in the dirt. Gasps erupted from the crowd, mingling with my shock. I quickly bent down, pressing my fingertips to his neck. Relief flooded through me when I felt the flutter of his pulse beneath my fingers.
“Ranen, did you do that?” I whispered, glancing around at the people who pressed forward and the guards who rushed toward the scene.
“At least I didn’t kill him,” Ranen answered, sounding proud of himself.
I slowly stood as the guards reached me. “Must have been the heat.” I shrugged and smiled at the guards, who looked confused.
“Protect the princess!” Razoul yelled from the balcony, his voice sounding like the buzz of an angry gnat from so far away. The guards raised their swords, and the Canaari people rushed back.
“There’s no need for violence,” I scolded them, hoping they would listen to me. “No one touched the royal adviser. He simply fainted.” They glanced at me and then back at Razoul. “Now help me get on this beast so I can get this over with.” I tried to pull their attention away from the crowd of people.
Finally, they yielded, and two of them stepped forward and helped me get on the elephant. I quickly settled into the seat as he slowly rose and began to stomp through the garden and toward the palace gates.
I felt a solid chest press against my back and a hand circle my waist, but when I looked down, nothing was there. The warmth and pressure of his body against mine was unmistakable. It was always a strange sensation whenever Ranen was invisible and touched me. His unseen presence wrapped around me, grounding me in a way that calmed my frazzled nerves.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, my gaze never wavering as I stared forward. “I am perfectly capable of riding this elephant without you.”
“Are you?” he asked, his warm breath tickling the shell of my ear. “Do you want me to leave?”
He was goading me, and I knew it, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to ask him to leave. I changed the subject instead. “What are we going to do?”
Ranen’s grip on my waist tightened. “Nothing has changed. This just complicates matters.”
“Just complicates matters?” I scoffed. “That’s putting it lightly. This is awful. What would possess him to choose someone like me?”
Ranen laughed, deep and hearty, the sound flooding me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. “He must have lost his mind.”
I turned around, even though I couldn’t see him. “You're such a charmer,” I said sarcastically.
“Only when the occasion calls for it.” He chuckled softly. “Now I need for you to take a deep breath and calm down.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, feigning calm like I wasn’t on the verge of a meltdown.
He leaned in closer, the stubble of his five o’clock shadow brushing against the shell of my ear. “Your poor little heart sounds like a sparrow trapped in a cage.”
“You can hear my heartbeat?” I asked, aghast .
Ranen’s fingers danced from my waist to my stomach, pulling me closer. “You forget, I am your genie, and I am deeply attuned to everything about you,” he whispered in my ear.
The servant boy turned the elephant, carrying us back toward the palace. I bit my lower lip, feeling the embarrassment of Ranen’s words. The palace walls loomed closer with each step, making panic rise in my chest. I had to get out of here before I lost my whole heart to this infuriating genie, whose every word and smile pulled me deeper under his spell.
Once we were back inside the palace walls, I was told to remain seated on the elephant until the guards cleared the courtyard. My anger flared as they roughly ushered the poor people back onto the streets.
I distracted myself from the horrid scene by gazing around the gardens. Perched high on the back of the elephant, I had a clear view over the tall, trimmed hedges. In the distance, several servants wrestled with a long, rectangular box, trying to maneuver it through one of the narrow servant entrances of the palace. More than a dozen guards watched over their efforts, hinting at the importance of whatever was inside.
“What do you think that is?” I asked Ranen.
Ranen’s muscles tensed behind me. “I’m not sure, but we’re going to find out.”
I sagged against his chest. “I was afraid you were going to say that.”