Page 8 of Bound by Wishes (Enchanted Deceptions #1)

S omething stirred me from sleep. I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the darkness. And then I heard it again, a faint whisper and the nickering of horses echoing through the stillness of the night.

I sat upright in the bed, clutching the covers to my chest. “Ranen?” I called, my voice barely above a whisper. As the sounds grew louder and he remained silent, my anxiety fluttered to life.

I cautiously approached the tent opening and peered through the slits without untying them. My breath caught as shadowy figures descended from the top of a dune, moving in my direction. I backed away, my heart thundering in my chest.

“Where are you, Ranen?” I pleaded as my limbs began to shake uncontrollably. What was the point of having a genie if he wasn’t around when I needed him? I glanced at my surroundings. There was nothing in this fancy tent to protect myself with. I couldn’t be sure that these people had bad intentions, but being alone in the middle of the desert with strangers was not ideal.

“Whoever is in that tent, I suggest you come out, slowly,” a deep voice boomed from the other side of the thin canvas. A shiver of fear crept down my spine, like a spider skittering along each vertebra. He didn’t sound too friendly.

When I didn’t respond, the blade of a sword shot through the tent entrance, slicing through the meager ties that held the flaps in place. Definitely not friendly.

“Well, well, look what the sands have blessed us with.” A menacing man emerged from the darkness, clad in tattered robes. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the interior of the tent before resting on me again. A scarf concealed most of his face, revealing only glimpses of weathered skin and a glint of cunning eyes beneath the shadow of his hood. Fear gripped me, freezing me in place as he took another step toward me.

“What is a desert rose like you doing out here all alone?” His voice grated across my nerves, sending dread spiraling to the pit of my stomach.

I glanced at the tent entrance, where the flaps danced in the night breeze, and more masked men ventured inside, their faces hidden beneath similar cloth coverings.

Where was Ranen?

“Look at her.” A shorter man snickered as he stepped closer. “She’ll bring a high price in the market.”

His words sent a chill through me, shaking me out of my fear-induced paralysis. My heart pounded wildly, torn between the urge to run and the instinct to fight. Anger and dread bubbled up inside of me, my muscles coiling like a spring ready to snap. I would die before I let another man attack me.

With wild, frantic eyes, I scanned the tent for anything I could use. My gaze snared on a lantern sitting on the bedside table. I grabbed it and hurled it to the ground. The air filled with the scent of burning oil as flames erupted, creating a small barrier between me and the men. The fire spread fast, fueled by the rug beneath the tent. Flames danced and flickered, consuming the fabric at an alarming speed.

The men cursed, their shouts mingling with the roar of the flames as they struggled to reach me. But the growing inferno forced them back, its searing heat and fierce glow keeping them at bay.

But it wasn’t enough to stop one of them from lunging for me. He grabbed my arm, his viselike grip threatening to crush my bones as he yanked me toward him.

Panic surged within me, and I fell to my knees, desperately searching for something, anything to free myself. My fingers closed around a sharp shard of glass, the jagged edges ripping into my skin as I tightened my grip. The heat of the flames scalded my bare skin, but adrenaline surged through me, sharpening my focus.

I swung wildly, finally managing to slice through the arm that held me captive. He released me, a slew of curses spilling from his lips as he clutched his injured arm. His face twisted in pain, and his eyes widened with disbelief and anger.

Everything seemed to shift into slow-motion. The fire crackled as I scrambled away, frantically fighting my way through the growing inferno, the heat licking at my skin as I hurried to the back of the tent.

Dropping to my stomach, I managed to squeeze through a small gap between the sand and the tent. As I crawled out, a searing pain shot up my leg. I sat upright and realized the hem of my skirt was on fire. I quickly threw sand on it to extinguish the flames, but not before the heat scorched deep into my skin, leaving it raw and blistered. Tears gathered in my eyes from the intense burn, but I had no time to inspect my injuries. I had to keep moving.

My legs wobbled as I forced myself to stand, ready to run, only to find myself trapped in a pair of strong arms. The pungent odor of an unwashed body assaulted my senses, making my eyes burn as he pressed me tightly against his chest.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he grumbled in my ear.

I dug my nails into his forearm, but his grip did not ease up. Desperate, I slammed the back of my head against his face. I heard something crack, and then he threw me down. Sand stung my eyes as my face collided with the ground. The gritty particles embedded themselves into my skin, making the impact hurt even worse.

“That little viper broke my nose!” He cursed, holding his hand up to stop the blood that trickled down his face and sprinkled on the ground.

Before I could gather myself, more hands grabbed me, forcing me to my feet. Two of them held me firmly in place.

“Let me go!” I fought like a wildcat, but they were too strong. “Ranen!” I screeched, desperation clawing at my throat as tears burned my eyes .

“Who are you calling for? There is no one here to save you.” The miscreant’s words seeped into my soul, causing my legs to buckle beneath me.

As I glanced up, I saw it was the same man I’d cut with the glass in the tent. He was clutching his injured arm, bright-red blood dripping onto the sand, forming dark splotches against the pale grains. I was trapped, with no one around, and the reality of my hopelessness pressed down on me like the weight of the dark desert sky above.

The one with the busted nose walked over to me. “I was going to take it easy on you. The buyers don’t like bruises on their merchandise.” He leaned in closer, whispering in my ear. “But now I won’t.” His fingers banded around my arm, yanking me forward. The delicate sleeve of my top tore with a sharp rip, and ruby-colored beads littered the ground. My pulse pounded so rapidly, it drummed in my ears, and then I went numb.

Inky dark tendrils began to slowly churn through the air, weaving through the smoky haze of the burning tent. Everyone froze, their eyes wide with fear and awe as it spread, casting an eerie veil over the place. Hope flared in my chest as Ranen appeared, his form shimmering with power as he hovered above the men.

Ranen's dark eyes scanned the perimeter before locking onto mine. I swore I saw something ignite in his intense gaze.

“It’s a demon,” one of the men holding me said. “I told you we shouldn’t have come here. This oasis appeared out of nowhere.”

“You put your hands on my sayyida,” Ranen growled, his tone laced with death. The men holding me shoved me away, and I hit the ground hard, collapsing to my knees. Some drew swords, others grabbed rifles that were slung across their backs. An evil smirk spread across Ranen’s face. “You will all die for this trespass.”

The men rushed to attack, gunfire exploding with a deafening roar. Bullets passed easily through his body, not leaving so much as a powder burn. Ranen’s wicked smile deepened and his hazy magic spread, tainting the air around them. It was a horrifying, deadly smoke that twisted around the men. They froze in fear as an unsettling energy hummed its lethal warning. I gasped as their bodies began to combust.

Screams filled the air, rising in pitch as flames erupted from within them, consuming their flesh. I could feel the heat radiating off them, and I watched in horror as they writhed in agony. Their bodies turned to crumbly ash, the remnants swirling in the hot air before turning into particles of black sand. Their screams faded to whispers that drifted away on the winds as the golden hues of the desert floor mixed with their dark remains.

I sat there in shock, paralyzed by the horrifying display of sinister power. The air around me felt heavy with the lingering presence of dark magic, and the pungent smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils. The torn fabric of my sleeve fluttered against my arm, stirred by the cool night breeze, reminding me of what those men had tried to do.

I began to tremble all over. My eyes locked on the tattered remains of my sleeve, as the frayed edges tickled my skin. Unwanted memories that I had fought for years to bury deep within the recesses of my mind suddenly surged to the surface like relentless waves, threatening to drown me. My throat constricted, and I gasped to breathe. My vision blurred at the edges. I clutched my chest, desperate for relief, my fingers digging into my flesh as if I could somehow claw my way back to calm.

I felt Ranen’s eyes on me. “Don’t concern yourself with these men. They will never bother you or anyone else ever again.” I heard him, but my mind couldn’t comprehend the words.

He knelt before me. “It’s over.” Ranen reached out to touch me, but I recoiled instinctively, folding in on myself and hugging my knees tightly to my chest.

“Don’t touch me,” I hissed as tears streamed down my cheeks.

Ranen hovered before me, concern showing on his blurry face. “Sayyida?” He reached out to touch me again, and a whimper escaped my lips.

“Sayyida?” He moved closer but didn’t try to touch me again. “Let me pick you up off the ground and take you somewhere safe.”

I felt trapped within my body, an invisible vise tightening around my ribs, squeezing the air from my lungs. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the image of Mathew hovering over me. His presence filled the air, and I caught the scent of his skin, a nauseating blend of sweat and his obnoxiously sweet cologne.

“Caleena.” Ranen's voice was gentle yet firm as he tried to break through the panic that consumed me. My gaze finally shifted to his as he held out his arms again. The image of Mathew shattered. “Please.” The word was soothing, urging me to allow him to touch even though a man’s touch was the last thing I wanted at the moment .

My teeth chattered, rendering me unable to speak. I nodded my head once, giving him permission to pick me up. He slid one arm under my knees and the other around my back, effortlessly lifting me from the ground. The warmth radiating from his body coaxed me to lean into his chest. The rapid beat of my heart calmed as Mathew’s scent quickly faded from memory, replaced by Ranen's blend of masculine spices and smoky essence.

Ranen began to walk slowly, holding me tightly in his arms. Our surroundings began to rush by in a blur like we were moving at lightning speed, but Ranen’s pace remained slow and gentle. The contradiction of his pace and that of our surroundings intensified the nagging ache in my skull. I leaned my head against the crook of his shoulder and closed my eyes, waiting until the world literally stopped spinning.

“You can open your eyes now, sayyida,” he gently insisted.

I reluctantly pried my eyes open. We were on top of a massive dune, and beneath us were three massive caravans stretched across the rolling sands. Each one was decorated with intricate patterns and vibrant fabrics. The curved roofs and embellished sides and banners signaled their nationality. Smoke gently spiraled from several campfires.

I tilted my head toward Ranen. “Where are we, and who are they?”

“The marriage candidates. They are waiting their turn to be summoned into the kingdom.” Ranen nodded subtly, directing my gaze.

Beyond the caravans was a massive kingdom surrounded by a solid stone wall that made it look like a fortress. Above the wall, tower peaks with intricate designs soared into the heavens, their golden domes and minarets gleaming under the full moon. At the heart of the kingdom, a grand palace of shimmering white marble stood, its roof glistening as though fashioned from pure gold. It was a beautiful sight that I had been excited to see, but now I wasn’t so sure after hearing what awaited me inside.

Ranen’s magic billowed around us, slithering to the ground below like snakes.

I tightened my grip around his neck. “What are you doing?”

“Making you appear just as significant as the rest,” he answered, his tone icy and unyielding.

His magic continued to spiral until it crafted multiple tents of dark hues in the colors of Lidian. The area buzzed with people and animals. Ranen began to walk down the dune toward the campground. My gaze flew to the multiple strangers who crowded around the campfires, and I shrank closer to Ranen.

He smiled down at me. “Don’t worry. None of these people are real. They’re just for show. Think of them as kind of a mirage.”

I glanced up at him. “How are you going to parade a mirage through those gates?”

“I don’t have to,” he said matter-of-factly. “Only a very small caravan is permitted to enter the gates. Not even a princess's servants are allowed in the palace. You will have to rely on the servants in the palace, which is why I said it was important to act like you’re used to that kind of treatment.”

“Why? ”

"Very few are permitted to enter my kingdom, and those who do are seldom allowed to stay for long,” he answered.

I glanced up at his face, studying the sharp angle of his jaw. “Why?” I continued to press. I didn’t want any surprises.

His dark gaze found mine. “The longer they stay, the more likely they are to notice the extreme time difference.”

I huffed in frustration. This world felt so foreign, and the rules seemed to twist in ways I couldn’t grasp. I had a thousand questions, but my recent bout of panic left my mind foggy and confused.

Ranen paraded me through the center of the caravan, still holding me tightly in his arms. He approached a massive tent that was twice as big as the one that he conjured in the oasis and walked inside. My gaze swept through the lavish tent, admiring the frills and finery within.

“Would you like for me to continue holding you, sayyida, or would you prefer I set you down?” Ranen’s tone turned teasing.

The fact that it took me more than a millisecond to respond to his question proved how disoriented I was. “Put me down,” I demanded.

Ranen walked over to a massive cot adorned with silk sheets and blankets that were woven from the finest fabrics. He sat me down gently but when my scorched skin brushed against the cot, a hiss of pain slipped past my lips.

Ranen’s gaze flew to my leg. “You’re hurt?” he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

“It’s nothing.” I quickly brushed off his alarm, pulling the tattered remains of my charred skirt over the wound. The act ignited more pain.

Ranen knelt before me, his expression grave. “Let me see it,” he said, gently reaching toward my leg.

“No.” I scooted further back on the cot. “It’s nothing.”

Ranen’s jaw ticked, but when his gaze met mine, his eyes softened. “Ya amar, there is no need for you to be in pain when I can easily heal whatever is wrong.” His gaze ventured back down to my leg. “Will you at least let me have a look?”

The tenderness in his voice cracked my resolve, and my leg felt like it was on fire. Reluctantly, I moved closer to the edge of the bed, carefully pulling the skirt away from the wound. I cringed when I glanced down at the reddened, angry, welted skin. It was worse than I had imagined. Clear serum, tinged with blood, oozed down my calf, gluing the skirt to my leg.

“May I touch you?” he asked as his hand hovered just above my leg.

A firm “no” threatened to spill from my lips, but the fact that he asked for permission held it back. I nodded once.

I forced myself to stay calm as he cradled my ankle in his large palm. The fabric of my skirt had fused to the burn, and each gentle tug sent sharp stings shooting up my leg. He worked slowly, peeling the cloth away from the raw, blistered flesh, revealing more of the angry red marks beneath.

"This would have never happened if you hadn't left me,” I said angrily, bitterness turning my words to venom.

Ranen’s focused gaze seemed to soften further when his eyes met mine. “You are telling me something I already know. ”

I held my breath when he lifted my leg higher, waving his hand over my injury. Dark smoke poured from his palm, brushing across my skin, and instantly cooled the intense burning. I watched in amazement as his magic made my skin as good as new. Something deep within me wondered if he could mend the emotional wounds as easily as he had healed my physical injury. But pride and fear held me back, and I refused to ask him to try.

Once the crackle of his magic faded, he lowered my foot back to the floor and released me. “Will there be anything else, sayyida?”

I tucked my legs protectively beneath me. “No,” I said firmly, my tone colder than I intended.

Ranen stood and waved his hand through the air. In the corner of the tent, a stunning copper tub with intricately detailed claw feet appeared, filled with steaming water. “Wash the grime and soot off, and you will feel better.” He turned to leave but glanced back around. “I’ll send someone to help you get dressed in the morning.”

I slowly stood. “How much more time do we have before I’m called into the palace?”

“None. We will be summoned tomorrow,” Ranen said curtly before throwing the tent flaps open and vanishing into the encroaching twilight.

Great. It looked like my royal debut started at dawn.