Chapter 19
Rami
”Remember, I expect updates every day.”
”Of course,” I replied, striving to mask my growing irritation. I’d left Nahlah two and a half hours ago, and the Sultan’s list of demands showed no sign of stopping.
”Under no circumstances should you reveal that you’re a genio fae. You may use your powers when necessary, as long as you don”t exceed the limits of an elemental fae’s abilities.”
”Understood, sayyidi.”
”I need to return to the festivities,” he said, a rare moment of genuine emotion flashing across his face as he sighed tiredly. ”You should leave now while everyone”s distracted.”
”Yes, sayyidi,” I said, waiting expectantly. When he didn”t move, I hesitantly added, ”We”ll need the tome.”
With obvious reluctance, he extended the book toward me. “Be vigilant,” he cautioned, his voice strained, as if parting with it caused him physical pain.
”I will.” I placed my fist to my heart before spinning on my heel, a sense of foreboding urging me to distance myself from him quickly.
“Rami,” he called, halting me in my tracks. ”One more thing.”
The feeling of dread intensified as my bands seared into my skin, signaling an imminent wish—one I dared not ignore.
Climbing the stairs to the northern staff quarters, I carried a bundle of food—a small peace offering for Nahlah. As an elemental fae, conjuring water, fresh produce, and even nuts and seeds posed no challenge. However, I’d taken the extra step to include dried meat, khubz, and ghoriba, remembering her fondness for the almond shortbread cookies.
Reaching the room where Marwa had taken her, I tried to open the door, frowning when I found it firmly shut. “Is it locked?” I asked, turning to the guard stationed in the hallway.
”No, Captain Rami,” he answered, offering a salute.
”You”re dismissed, shukran,” I said, waiting for his footsteps to fade before unlocking the door with a flick of my wrist. As it swung open, a sight greeted me that simultaneously frustrated and amused me: bedding and clothing meticulously tied together, her improvised rope dangling over the edge of the open window.
Obviously, Nahlah was determined to be a thorn in my side.
Calculating the time it would’ve taken her to escape, I predicted she was navigating through the last of the trees or nearing the stables by now. Chuckling wryly, I snapped my fingers, materializing behind one of the clementine trees and stepping into her path. Her eyes widened in surprise at my sudden appearance, and, unable to stop in time, she crashed into me with an alarmed squeak.
“Did you not understand the consequences of breaking the oath?” I demanded, gripping her arms to prevent her from falling. It seemed out of character for her to endanger her family just so she could escape.
“I wouldn’t dream of breaking it,” she hissed, yanking herself free and putting distance between us. ”I just wanted to inform my family that I was safe and gather...” she trailed off, inadvertently revealing more than she meant to.
“Gather?” I prompted, suppressing a smile as she glowered at me.
”Supplies, okay! I was going to meet you afterward.”
”Supplies?” I repeated, amused by her lie.
“If I”d simply asked, would you have taken me to the Mirage?” she questioned. My clenched jaw revealed what I couldn’t say—I was bound by the Sultan’s rules, and he’d specifically forbidden me from bringing her there.
”That”s what I thought!” she scowled, jabbing my stomach before swiftly striking my shoulder, throwing the full weight of her body behind the blows. I wasn”t surprised that she could fight—I’d expect nothing less from those under Captain Sinbad”s care.
She followed up with a sharp kick aimed at my knee, forcing me to pivot and deflect her with my arm. Her movements were precise and fierce, a whirlwind of strikes and dodges that kept me on the defensive. I had no interest in fighting back, but I also knew that she wouldn”t be able to best me.
”You”re wasting your time,” I grunted, dodging another punch aimed at my face. ”And your energy.”
”Maybe,” she shot back, her voice strained with effort, ”but it”s better than doing nothing.” She feinted left, then delivered a painful blow to my ribs.
I winced but remained on the defense, refusing to strike back. ”You”re only going to get yourself hurt,” I warned, blocking her next punch with my forearm.
She spun, her leg sweeping low to catch my ankles, but I jumped to the side just in time. Before she could fully regain her footing, she lunged forward, aiming a precise punch at my jaw. As I reeled back, I spotted some of my guards approaching, their laughter barely contained.
”It seems you”re out of a job, Captain!” Darif crowed.
“We should fill our ranks with pretty girls!” Fareed chimed in. ”Maybe then he”ll go easier on us in training?”
”Only if they were fae!”
I stopped in my tracks, the full force of my glower silencing their mocking. But in that moment of distraction, Nahlah’s well-timed kick connected with my face, blood bursting from my nose as it broke under the impact.
”ENOUGH!” I bellowed, my patience shattering. With a flick of my wrist, a whip of leaves coiled out from a nearby tree, ensnaring the guards, while vines sprang forth, binding Nahlah”s hands.
”Let me go!” she exclaimed, struggling against the bonds, her eyes blazing with fury.
I ignored her and approached the guards, my tone leaving no room for disobedience. ”Return to your posts and forget this happened unless you’d like a demotion and a repeat of my training.” I snapped my fingers to release them, and they quickly scattered, eager to escape further retribution. Turning back to Nahlah, my frustration was palpable. ”I understand this isn’t easy, but I would appreciate your cooperation. I’m just as bound by the Sultan’s orders as you are.”
”Of course you are,” she scoffed, shaking her head.
“What does that mean?” I asked, pressing my jellaba sleeve against my nose, which was already in the process of mending thanks to my advanced genio healing powers.
“Get your nose fixed, Captain,” she retorted, her words dripping with scorn.
”Let”s go,” I gritted out, escorting her to one of the receiving rooms. Locking the door behind me, I stormed off to the infirmary for the sake of appearances. I wasn”t angry with her as much as I was angry with myself. Even before my men had shown up, I”d allowed myself to get caught in her orbit once again.
If I was going to get her out of this mess alive, I needed to remove my emotions from the situation, and fall back into the stoic, lonely fae I”d spent centuries as.