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Page 30 of Bound by Wishes (Enchanted Deceptions #1)

W isps of hair that had come loose from my braid were tickling my face, but I was too exhausted to brush them away. The warm touch of fingertips glided across my cheek, tucking the stray strands behind my ear. My eyes fluttered open, and there was Ranen, hovering just inches from my face. His closeness, combined with the softness of his touch, created a moment of unexpected intimacy.

“It’s time, sayyida,” he rumbled, his voice low and deep as he slowly withdrew his hand. “Razoul should be in court for a few hours now.”

I sat up, my cheeks burning with embarrassment as I noticed a small puddle of drool seeping into the fabric of the pillow. Ranen's smirk heightened my mortification. For years, I had struggled with night terrors, never managing more than a few hours of sleep before a nightmare jolted me awake. But ever since Ranen had learned about my sleepless nights, his magic held them at bay. Now I was sleeping so soundly that drooling had become a new, unwelcome addition to my nights.

Ranen stepped out onto the balcony, and I followed closely behind.

“How are we getting past the guards?” I asked, glancing around for a plan of escape.

Ranen lifted his arm, and the proximity caused me to flinch, his sudden movement triggering a deep-seated reaction. The memory of Mathew’s harsh backhanded slap clawed its way to the surface—my jaw exploding with pain, the metallic taste of my blood flooding my mouth. I shoved it down, but not quick enough to keep Ranen from noticing my reaction.

Ranen slowly lowered his arm, as if he were dealing with a frightened mare that might bolt at any sudden movement. “I don’t know who hurt you, sayyida.” He growled, his tone sending goosebumps across my flesh. “But if you ever decide to trust me enough to reveal their identity, and if they’re still alive, I promise you that they won’t be for much longer.”

Our gazes collided, the wicked promise in his words mingling with my fear. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said quietly, my voice trembling.

I knew I couldn’t fool him forever. Judging by the lethal look in his eyes, he already had a general idea of what had happened. But I refused to confirm his suspicion. The thought of a genie on the warpath, hunting down Mathew, was tempting, but it would only cause more problems when I returned to that life.

Ranen nodded, a glint of understanding in his eyes. “Have it your way, sayyida, but my promise still stands if you ever choose to take me up on it.” He gestured toward the balcony’s edge, moving more slowly this time, as if to avoid startling me again.

I took a deep breath, pushing the unsettling memory to the back of my mind where it belonged, and stepped closer to Ranen.

He turned toward me. “May I pick you up?”

His question took me off guard, but he was so gentle and cordial with his request that I didn’t even bother asking him why and simply nodded.

Ranen approached with the smooth grace of a predator. He wrapped his strong arms around me with surprising tenderness, lifting me from the ground. The warmth of his body seeped through the fabric of my robe. As he hoisted me up, I wrapped my arms around his neck. His intense gaze held mine as he looked down at me, his eyes reflecting a mix of longing and something else I couldn’t describe. Cradling me against his chest with a grip that was both strong and gentle, he made his way toward the balcony’s edge.

“Hold tight,” he purred softly, his stubble brushing against the delicate shell of my ear. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine. I tightened my grip more so to keep from turning into a puddle of mush in his arms than fear of slipping.

Ranen wove through the air, his smoke billowing around us. As he moved over the edge of the balcony, the air seemed to solidify beneath his feet, forming invisible steps. The moonlight cast a silvery glow on the leaves, highlighting his fluid movements as he carried me toward the shadowy garden.

Once back on solid ground, Ranen set me gently on my feet, and I missed the warmth of his embrace. I nervously cleared my throat and took a step away from him. “Can you change my clothes?” I asked, glancing down at the silky kalasiris robe with its plunging neckline that Arwa had dressed me in. “They might get the wrong impression if they find me wandering through the king’s bedchambers like this.”

Ranen’s calculating gaze traced the length of my body, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. “That’s exactly what I’m counting on.”

My eyes widened in shock, and I took another step back. The unexpected edge in Ranen’s voice and the way his gaze lingered made my pulse quicken. My mind raced to process his words, but his implication was clear.

“Excuse me?” I gasped.

“If you’re caught,” Ranen said, stepping closer with swaggered grace, “it would be better for them to believe your intent was to warm his bed rather than to steal from him, don’t you agree?”

A sheen of nervous sweat broke out on my brow. “No, I don’t agree,” I said, my voice rising in panic with each syllable. “What if he catches me dressed like this in his bedroom?” My voice rang throughout the garden.

“You need a ruse, especially since I can’t go with you,” he argued.

“What?” I screeched, disbelief hitting me like a punch.

Ranen moved with lightning speed, placing his large hand over my mouth to silence me. “Shh, sayyida,” he whispered urgently. “You know I won’t let anything happen to you.”

I nipped at his hand, and he pulled it away, a hungry gleam in his eyes and a smirk tilting one side of his mouth.

“How can you promise that if you’re not going with me?” I asked, trying to lower my voice. “Why aren’t you going with me?” I hated the tremble in my voice.

“I can’t get past Razoul’s magic,” he answered. “There’s some kind of field around his chambers keeping me out. But I’ve seen people come and go without issue.”

Panic welled in my chest just thinking about the situation he was asking me to put myself in. “What about the Nightshade?” I asked as dread clawed at my lungs, leaving me gasping for air. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know,” Ranen admitted, his usual confidence slightly shaken. “I haven’t seen her since her less-than-pleasant rise from the grave.”

The night seemed to grow colder at Ranen's words, its icy fingers trailing across my skin. The silence that followed was heavy with my unspoken fears. I forced myself to swallow past my constricted throat.

Ranen reached out, his rough fingers surprisingly tender as they cradled my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He lifted my head slowly until my gaze was locked with his. His eyes, usually filled with mischief, were now a storm of concern. “You’ll be fine, sayyida,” he promised, his confidence like a soft caress against the anxiety that was raging within me. “You’re clever and very seductive. I’m convinced there’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you set your mind to it.”

“Seductive?” I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

Ranen stepped closer, the heat of his nearness seeping through the delicate silk of my robe. “You’ve seduced me,” he rumbled low in his throat .

For a moment, the world around us seemed to fade, and all I could hear was my heartbeat drumming in my ears as I held his gaze.

“You’re just saying that to get me to do what you want,” I argued, unable to believe his words no matter how sweet they sounded.

He released my chin, letting his hand fall to his side, but his eyes never left mine. “I can’t lie to you, sayyida,” he said, raising his wrists, the cuffs around them gleaming in the moonlight.

A knot of longing and fear twisted in my stomach. I took a few deep breaths, gathering my nerve before straightening my posture. “I’ll try,” I promised.

“That’s all I ask of you,” Ranen whispered before leading me through one of the narrow servants’ passages that snaked back into the heart of the palace. The air was cool and damp, and the walls seemed to close in around us as we moved deeper into the corridors.

I trailed behind him, my slipper-covered feet making too much noise in the unnerving silence. Ranen slipped through the shadows like a phantom, his brawny figure blending with the darkness. Each movement was precise, calculated, as he avoided the guards with ease. The flickering torchlight barely grazed his form as he led us to Razoul’s chambers.

When we finally reached the high arched doors, Ranen paused, glancing back at me with a silent signal to keep going. “There shouldn’t be anyone within his chambers while he’s at court,” Ranen whispered, “but if you do encounter a servant, just ignore them and keep walking. It’s not their job to question you or your presence there.”

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and continued forward, never looking back for fear I would chicken out if I did. I gripped the cold, smooth metal of the handle, and I slowly pried it open. A cold wave of panic surged through me, twisting my insides as the door creaked open. I slipped into the darkness, the shadows closing in around me.

Golden lanterns flickered, their light pooling over richly embroidered tapestries that lined the walls, the vibrant colors muted by the surrounding darkness. The marble floors seemed to whisper underfoot with every step, amplifying the soft rustle of my silk robe. The air was thick with the scent of incense, mingling with the distinct lingering fragrance of frankincense that Razoul often wore. The rich aroma seemed to cling to the walls, reminding me that I was in a place I shouldn’t be.

How many rooms did he have in his wing? The hall was lined with doors, each one more lavish than the last but none that looked like the private quarters of the king.

Finally, I approached a corridor with grand double doors where the floor was covered in a rich, deep carpet that muffled my steps as I reached the end of the hallway. Their dark wood was inlaid with intricate patterns of gold. This had to be it. I took a deep breath and reached for the handles, ready to slip into Razoul’s rooms.

The handle turned from the other side, and a wave of panic flooded through my veins. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. The door creaked open, and the slender gap revealed the startled face of a beautiful woman, her features partly obscured by layers of silk and sheer scarves.

I pushed the door open further, and the woman’s eyes widened in shock, her large brown eyes locking onto mine. She wasn’t dressed like a typical servant; her garments were sheer and elaborate. The only other reason I could imagine for a beautiful young woman to be waiting in the king’s bedchamber was if she was one of his concubines. I felt sorry for her for having to endure Razoul’s distasteful company.

“You’re dismissed,” I commanded, infusing my voice with as much haughty authority as I could muster, trying to sound like a fiancée who had just discovered another woman in her betrothed’s chambers.

The woman’s eyes widened with fear, and without a word, she turned and fled from the room, her silks trailing behind her like shadows fleeing the dawn. The door closed softly behind her, leaving me alone in the unsettling silence.

I stood frozen by the door, my gaze drifting over the perimeter. The room was dominated by a large canopied bed with rich silk drapes in deep crimson and gold, piled high with plush cushions and thick expensive-looking blankets. A large rug, woven with vibrant colors and extravagant designs, covered the marble floor. I stepped forward, my feet sinking into the lush carpet as I moved across the room.

Near the bed, there was a large intricately carved wooden chest lined with gold. I eased toward it, hoping what I was searching for was inside.

The hinges squeaked as I pried the chest open, and I grimaced at the noise. To my disappointment, the book wasn’t there. Instead, it was full of fabrics of silk and velvet and other trinkets that glittered in the dim light. With an irritated huff, I closed the lid and glanced around the room.

“I’m in his room,” I whispered to Ranen, “but I don’t see the book anywhere. ”

There was a long pause, but no response. “Ranen?” I tried again, my voice barely above a whisper.

Silence.

Great. Whatever magic was keeping Ranen out must also be preventing him from speaking to me. Panic welled in my chest, but I shoved it back down. I could do this.

My eyes swept over the furniture, the shelves lined with trinkets, and an imposing mural painted across the eastern wall.

Something about the mural caught my attention. It was a dramatic scene of a massive lion lunging at a man, who drove a spear through the beast’s broad chest. The detail was amazing, vivid and gory. But it wasn’t the art itself that intrigued me. Years of fieldwork with my father had taught me that decorative elements often hid something more.

I stepped closer, my fingers brushing against the cold surface of the wall. The lion’s eyes were unusual. They were two red rubies, giving the lion a demonic, rather than animalistic, appearance. My heart raced as a theory began to form in my mind. Hidden compartments and passageways were common in palaces and castles.

I examined the mural more closely, gently running my fingers along the edges of the gemstones. I pressed each stone one at a time, but nothing happened. Taking a deep breath, I pressed the rubies simultaneously.

To my relief, they sank into the wall with a faint click. The sound of shifting mechanisms filled the air, and a section of the wall swung open, revealing a hidden room beyond.

The faint scent of dust and parchment greeted me as I stepped inside. Treasures and important-looking documents lined the shelves. But my gaze fixed on a single book, its leather cover cracked and weathered with age. Symbols embossed into the leather spelled out Ledger of the Canaari Medjai . I traced the letters with my eyes, feeling a chill settle over me. Why did Razoul have this book? And how could he have gotten his hands on something that belonged to them? My brow furrowed, unease blooming in my chest.

My fingers trembled with anticipation as I reached for it.

I hesitated for only a moment before picking it up. Cradling it against my chest, I sprinted from the room, adrenaline coursing through me as I fled like the thief I was. Blood roared in my ears as I raced down the hallway, desperate to get out of these chambers before I was discovered.

An eerie figure emerged from the shadows as if it stepped from the darkness itself, cutting off my path. Its form was barely distinguishable from the surrounding gloom, like a phantom drawn from the depths of night.

I skidded to a halt, my slippers sliding on the polished floor and nearly sending me sprawling at the feet of the looming figure. I froze as I found myself dangerously close to the dark presence before me. Fear surged through my veins as the grotesque Nightshade solidified from the shadows, a chilling embodiment of death.

She was as nightmarish as I remembered, a mummified monstrosity that seemed to have stepped out of the darkest corners of my fears. Gone were the tattered remnants of her old dress, replaced by a flowing gown in blood-red silk. The deep neckline plunged over her chest, revealing a ghastly display of exposed bones and peeling skin.

Her hollow, glowing eyes locked onto mine, and despite the urge to look away, I couldn’t tear my gaze from hers. Slowly, her attention shifted to the book clutched in my hands. A grisly smile stretched across her face, if it could even be called a smile, revealing a row of decayed, chipped teeth.

She reached out, her bony fingers barely grazing the cover of the book and making fleeting contact with my skin. A shiver ran down my spine, my skin tingling where she touched me.

“The Book of the Medjai,” she rasped, her voice dripping with malice. “We no longer have use for it,” she continued, circling me like a vulture, her bones creaking with each movement. “Not now that I have been freed.” Her decaying fingers slid over my shoulder, grasping my braid and pulling it forward until it hung over my chest. “We have all that we need.”

The Nightshade moved with a surprising speed for her mummified form. I flinched as her nails dug into my forearm, drawing blood. “I can’t wait to smear this sweet blood of yours all over King Thalorian’s mines,” she hissed. “And reclaim what is rightfully mine.”

Fear pumped so violently through me that my knees nearly buckled, but I managed to dart around her. I rushed toward the door leading out of the king’s chambers, her wicked cackling chasing after me.

I yanked the door open and glanced over my shoulder, checking to see if she was following. To my astonishment, she’d vanished as if she’d never been there. For a moment, I wondered if her presence had been an illusion, conjured by my fear. But the stinging pain of the cuts on my arm argued otherwise .

I crashed into Ranen, his muscles firm and unyielding like stone. He pulled me into his arms, his familiar scent wrapping around me like a comforting balm, soothing the chaos that swirled inside me. My arms encircled his waist as I clung to him.

"What happened, sayyida?" he urged, pulling me closer until my head rested against his chest.

I stayed there for a moment, breathing deeply, letting the steady rhythm of his heart calm the turmoil left by the horrible encounter with the Nightshade.

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze. “The Nightshade,” I said breathlessly. “She was there.” I took a step back and held out the book to him. “It’s a ledger that belongs to the Canaari Medjai . She let me take it. She said they didn’t need it anymore.” His eyes fixed on the slashes on my arm, ignoring the book. A concerned expression shadowed his handsome face.

Anger swirled in his eyes as he gripped my arm, pulling it closer to examine the wounds. “She did this?” he demanded, his voice laced with horror. The intensity of his reaction made me dizzy with fear.

I pulled my arm from his grasp, cradling it protectively against my side. “Yes, but it’s just a scratch,” I reassured him, trying to keep my voice steady. “You can heal it in no time.” I forced a smile, though the sting of the cuts pulsed with pain and the worry tugging on his face made it hard for me to remain calm.

"I can’t fix this, ya amar," he growled, his voice tightening with fury. "Her touch is deadly." He gently cupped my cheek as he continued. "Her nails breaking the skin means her poison is now seeping into your veins."