Page 17

Chapter Fifteen

“ A -Adir...” I didn’t recognize my own voice. It was too high, and my throat was tight enough to choke on air.

Adir is the jewel thief...

The door thudded shut behind him, the soft noise sounding far more foreboding in my mind. He took a few steps into the room, looking more puzzled than anything as he knit his brows together.

“You don’t look so good,” he said, his steps quickening. I subconsciously touched my cheek, realizing how hot it felt and how wobbly my knees had become. “Please, sit down. Quickly.”

“I... I…” Before I could argue, he was at my side. He braced his arm around my waist, keeping me steady until he lowered me onto a padded lounger.

His touch felt rigid, but his eyes were more caring than I deserved.

Was he really that worried about me? Why would he be concerned about me when I was the one snooping through his belongings?

I looked over at the chest of diamonds I had left wide open, nibbling my lip while he pressed the back of his hand against my forehead.

“What’s wrong, Kya?” He brushed a damp strand of hair from my forehead, looking at me like he was afraid I was going to shatter if he stared too intently at my quaking frame. He followed my gaze, his eyes widening as he saw the chest of jewels I’d found. “Oh...”

He withdrew his hand, his expression as cold as the polished jewels. An unsettling silence fell over us as we were both caught red-handed. I slipped my hand under the extra fabric of my skirt, unsure what he would think if he noticed the ring at this moment.

“I...I can explain,” I squeaked, breaking the silence.

He moved slowly toward the open chest, the open window flicking wind at his hair. He lowered the lid back down, the soft click of the lock deafening.

“No, I should explain.” He sighed, his head hanging as his hands lingered on the top of the chest. “I should have expected that a real thief would figure it out.”

He’s not denying it.

“It was you, then.” I sat up a touch, not feeling much better, but too attached to the moment to pull away. I twirled the ring on my finger, pressing the stone into my palm. “You’re...you’re still looking for the wishing diamond, aren’t you?”

It was a question, not an offer to help. The curse that Adir’s wish had left on me didn’t seem to mind my prodding. Though I doubted it would let me reveal my hand now that I’d tucked it out of sight.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” he said in a pained voice, his fingers curling into a fist on top of the chest. He raised his head, the sunlight reflecting off a red tapestry and cloaking him in the rosy hue.

“I know that’s not an excuse, but it’s the truth.

It’s only that...I saw how easily thieving changed your life, and thought that maybe it could do the same for me. ”

Me? I inspired him to do this?

“That’s why you were able to get past all the princesses’ guards so easily,” I said. “They wouldn’t stop their prince.”

“Nor would they tattle on him,” he said with a broken laugh.

“I know it was foolish. Jet is probably gathering evidence to pin the blame on me as we speak. Once again, I fell right into his hands...” He released the chest, still staring at it like it was now his coffin.

“I just wanted to find that diamond so badly... It’s real, I can feel it in my bones.

If I could just find it, I could change everything. ”

My hand felt like a lead weight. Nothing in all the kingdoms could make me feel more awful than I did now.

Picking up the gold bangle I stole and then dropped had nearly cost him his hand; giving me the bracelet had gotten me wrapped up with his uncle; wishing to be a princess had nearly robbed him of his throne; and now here I was inspiring him to steal from his own guests.

I was the worst thing to have ever happened to Adir, and I couldn’t even offer him a sliver of help.

It’s right here... I begged my finger to even lift an inch, but it refused. I wish I could help you.

Wait... Could I? Could I really wish it?

“What would you change?” I asked Adir, my heart sharing his heaviness as he looked up at me with those sad eyes. I carefully crafted my words, ensuring the magic would permit them. “ If you had it, what would you wish for?”

“If I had it?” He sat up a touch. “I’ve thought about that question my entire life. For starters, I’d wish to secure my place as sultan. I’d wish for a peaceful rule. Oh, Kya, there’s so much I would wish for...I’d even wish away all these silly princesses; I’d much rather marry whomever I choose.”

“Hold on, can you not already do that?” I asked curiously.

He shook his head. “Unfortunately not. The law states that I have to marry a lady of noble birth, or better yet, a princess,” he said, his eyes drifting to the fine attire I was disguised in.

“That rule never bothered me until recently.” My heart fluttered under his longing gaze.

“A cunning little thief helped me see that princesses glitter like any other jewel. I’ve always had my eyes set on diamonds, but I never thought I’d find one in the rough. ”

A warm ripple spread through my chest, followed up by the amplified beats of my heart. What was he saying?

“What do I really wish for, Kya?” He rose from his seat, crossing the room and joining me on the long-cushioned chair.

He sat so close. I could see my wide blue eyes reflecting in the pool of amber staring back at me.

His hand shifted closer to mine, and I held my breath when he sought out my hidden fingertips. “I wish to know more about you.”

He wants to know me?

“I-I’m a thief,” I blurted out, my tongue moving on its own while my thoughts went murky.

I looked down at my hand, my heart stopping when I noticed the tip of his pinky touching my ring.

“I-I was orphaned at a young age.” I couldn’t stop, but the prince didn’t look like he wanted me to.

He absorbed every word, completely oblivious to the wish he’d made.

“I spent some time living in an abandoned shop, but the royal guard was sent to demolish it. I...I refused to leave, so one of the guards decided it was better to get the job done than to wait for a child to move out of the way. ”

“What?” Adir fully grabbed my hand this time, ring and all. “They tore down the building with you still inside?”

“Burned it down, actually.” I nodded, my head starting to ache as the magic forced the memories to the front of my mind. “Yes, I was nearly burned alive, but fortunately, another guard took pity on me and pulled me out just in time.”

My tongue loosened, the wish apparently satiated with that small piece of my history. I let out a long breath, disappointed to find that the dizziness didn’t dissipate with it. I hadn’t felt this terrible in days.

“Kya?” He squeezed my hand, looking more closely at my skin, which was probably turning pale again. “Are you feeling all right? You’re still not looking well.”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I said with the most assuring smile I could muster. “It’s nothing, Your Highness. Believe it or not, I’m actually more often like this than not. My health has never been a very consistent thing.”

“Oh.” He pulled back, giving me some space but not releasing my hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. Though I’m glad I know now. It looks like my wish came true, after all. I enjoy learning more about you, Kya.”

His wish? Did it bring on another dizzy wave so he could learn about my condition?

“I’m glad.” I squeezed his hand back, begging in the back of my mind that he would notice what was on the hand he was holding. Maybe, just maybe, I could make use of his wish too. “There’s one other thing you should know about me. I rarely wore rings until recently.”

My mouth felt dry, and my voice choked as I barely managed to get the words. The conflicting wishes running through me seemed to go to battle within my veins, finally allowing Adir’s most recent one to be the victor.

Please look.

He didn’t notice at first, only gave me a curious look while brushing his thumb against the top of my hand. Then he brushed the ring. Then again, and again.

He looked down.

His touch turned cold. “Kya...” His eyes widened and his jaw went slack as he stared down at the diamond from his dreams. “Is this...?”

“I wanted to tell you sooner,” I said in a breathy voice. Air felt sparse in my lungs, and my heart felt like it was on fire. Was this the cost of evading the rules of a previous wish? “But things kept getting in the way, and then—”

Knock, knock.

We both froze.

“Adirion? Are you in there?” an unfamiliar voice called .

“It’s Dorian...Jet’s servant.” Adir cursed under his breath.

He cupped his hands over my ring, looking frantically around the room like he was going to hide me in a chest next.

“We can’t let him see you in here, and we definitely can’t let him see this.

” He peeked between his fingers at the ring once more and his face blanched.

“If Jeteran finds out the ring exists...”

“He already knows I have it,” I said quickly, my head aching as I stood up from my seat. I needed to slip out while I still could, but first... “He’s known all along. It’s not safe with me.”

I slipped it off my finger and held it out to him.

“What? What are you doing?” he asked in a panicked whisper.

“Adir, take it please,” I begged him, my stomach churning as nausea accompanied my blaring head. “I want your wishes to come true.

Knock. “Your Highness? Is everything all right?” the servant called again.

Adir hesitated, his fingers twitching as he looked skeptically at the ring.

“I can’t just take it from you.” He was trying to be thoughtful, but I could see how desperately he wanted it. This was all he’d ever searched for, all he’d ever need to protect himself and his kingdom .

“I wish you would take the ring.” Not a moment after I spoke the words, he swiped the diamond from my hands, his eyes widening when he realized what he’d been compelled to do.

“It works...” he said in a mesmerized voice. He slipped the ring on his finger, a hopeful smile curling up his lips as he raised his hand. “It’s real...”

“Your Highness?” Another knock, and Adir pulled his focus away from the ring long enough to grab my hand and rush me back toward the servant door. I helped him pull it open, immediately dreading the horrid heat when I stepped inside. “Thank you, Kya. I promise I’ll find you later.”

He shut the door on me before I could respond, but I didn’t mind his urgency. My head felt like it was about to burst, and my eyes were already struggling to focus. I wandered down the scorching hallway, feeling more like I was suffocating with every step.

I did it...I managed to get the ring in safe hands.

For the first time since I’d met Adir, I’d finally been useful to him. Maybe now I could finally rest...

I found another door. I didn’t know where it led, but it had to be somewhere cooler than these narrow halls. I stumbled out, and the last thing I remembered was a pair of boots running toward me.

Then it all went dark.