Epilogue
Rami Nahlah
Rami:
With my fist pressed against my heart, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as I looked at our new leaders. ”Sultan Haytham, Sultana Yasmeena,” I greeted them, dipping my head respectfully.
”Marhaba, Captain Rami!” Yasmeena replied, her brown eyes sparkling as she beamed at me.
“Shukran for being here,” Haytham added, his smile just as wide as his sister”s. The siblings sat upon their respective black and red sandsilk lily thrones—their father’s extravagant golden one notably absent.
After Sultan Ghazi’s dark secrets came to light, they’d chosen to rule jointly in order to avoid straying down his tyrannical path. Last night marked the momentous occasion of their coronations, and I”d had the privilege of standing beside them on the dais as their witness. But tonight, it was time for them to either accept their role as my masters or set me free.
Yasmeena”s black kaftan trailed gracefully behind her as she rose from her seat, her long black hair woven into a thick braid comprising dozens of smaller, intricate ones. ”Sidi Rami, your courage, strength, and perseverance have helped shape us into rulers fit for this throne. The sultanate owes you a debt for your centuries of service.”
”Sultana,” I replied, my voice filled with conviction, ”there is only one debt I wish to settle.”
”Of course!” she nodded, motioning toward her brother. ”Haytham?”
The Sultan got to his feet, his smile unwavering as he exclaimed, ”Let”s begin!” Despite his new rank, Haytham remained true to his humble nature, wearing a plain red jellaba with no adornments, his nondescript sword strapped to his hip.
The siblings clasped hands before reaching out to me, a gesture of equality and respect I”d never experienced before.As we joined hands, I glanced up, suddenly needing to see her face. When I caught her gaze, she smiled beautifully, her expression radiating pride and love. She touched her fingers to her lips and then placed her hand over her heart, a silent reminder of her unwavering support.
“Sidi Rami,” Yasmeena began, drawing my attention to her. ”We hereby renounce any claim over you.”
“As our slave, as our servant, as anything other than the free genio fae you are meant to be,” Haytham added.
“Your life is your own, free of our lineage, of the past, and any future demands,” Yasmeena concluded.
They exchanged a glance before declaring in unison, “Rami, you’re free!”
For a moment, it felt like the universe was suspended in silence; the air charged with anticipation. A tangible shift occurred in the fabric of my existence, and the cursed lamp—resting on a small table beside us—began to glow, fissures of light spreading across its golden surface. The cracks widened, and with a blinding flash, the lamp exploded into swirling shadows that drifted away like wisps of smoke, disappearing harmlessly into the air. A moment later, my bands unlocked with a resounding click, clattering to the marble floor with a sense of finality.
The enormity of the moment was overwhelming, emotions surging through me in a torrent—wonder, disbelief, gratitude, excitement. “Shukran,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
”Don”t thank us,” Yasmeena shook her head, tears clinging to her lashes. ”It”s long overdue.” She threw her arms around me, and Haytham joined in, his laughter echoing the joy within me.
This was the restoration of my dignity, my identity, my very soul. I was now my own master, and such a thing was greater than all the powers and all the treasures in all the realms. I didn”t belong to anyone but myself and, by choice, Nahlah.
A single thought resonated through me as centuries of enslavement lifted from my heart: I was free. Truly free.
Nahlah:
The clattering of his shackles on the marble floor signaled the end of Rami”s servitude and the dawn of something truly magnificent for us. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt a surge of overwhelming emotion. I could hardly breathe, my heart swelling with relief and joy. This was the moment we had dreamed of, the beginning of our new life together.
After our confrontation with Sultan Ghazi, we retreated to the Mirage, a much-needed respite for our minds, bodies, and souls. At first, Rami struggled to adjust—the constant bustle of communal life overwhelming for someone used to eternal solitude. But it wasn”t long before he found his place, becoming a cherished member of our family.
Ummi quickly recognized his culinary talents, often dragging him into the kitchens to exchange recipes or to coax him into cooking with her. His artistic soul also found a kindred spirit in Kenzie, who regularly consulted him on her designs. Their collaborations resulted in stunning pieces, selling for staggering sums in the marketplace.
As a warrior, Rami also bonded with Alauddeen. He didn’t just train my brother; he offered lessons to anyone eager to learn, becoming a mentor and protector to all. Beyond that, he dedicated himself to the expansion of the Mirage. His vision of creating a sanctuary for those who”d been taken by or affected by the Hunters had evolved into actionable plans, establishing him as one of Amu Sinbad”s trusted advisors.
He was admired by the children, respected by the Amus, and cherished by the Khaltus, even gaining an admirer in Irfan. He”d woven himself into the Mirage”s very essence, his life intertwining with those he loved and who loved him in return. Here, he transcended being just a genio fae; he was a confidant, a guide, a friend, and family.
But most importantly, Rami was truly free.
”Mabrook!” Amu Sinbad congratulated, slinging his arm across my shoulders.
“Shukran, Amu,” I replied with a smile, watching the royal siblings release Rami from their shared embrace. When he began making his way toward me—his smile radiant, his eyes ablaze with that heat reserved just for me—a shiver of anticipation ran through me.
Tonight, we would celebrate his newfound freedom in more ways than one.
“For the love of the realms,” Amu Sinbad grumbled, and I glanced up at him.
“What?”
He rolled his eyes. “Please wait until I leave before you climb on him.”
I burst into embarrassed laughter, remembering the night Amu Sinbad accidentally walked in on us in the throes of passion... suspended in midair. Fortunately, Rami made us invisible. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quick enough. Following the “incident”, as a traumatized Amu Sinbad called it, he”d forbidden us from sharing a room until after our wedding.
He didn’t need to know that Rami materialized into my bed every night.
“Mabrook, ibni!” Amu Sinbad exclaimed, greeting Rami warmly.
“Shukran, Amu Sinbad.” Rami’s smile was contagious as he returned Amu”s embrace.
”I need to get back home, but I”ll see you in four months.” Amu”s gaze shifted between us. ”Make sure you check in with me regularly, so I don”t worry, okay?” He sighed, exhaling sharply. ”I”m going to miss you two.”
”We”re going to miss you, too!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. He returned my hug just as tightly before kissing my forehead.
“Be safe, and have fun,” he instructed, a hint of playful mischief in his voice. ”And I”ll expect a gift from each land you visit to add to my collection!”
”Do you even have room for anything else?” Rami asked in amusement.
”I will make room!” Amu Sinbad laughed again, pressing his fist against his heart. ”Besslama, my children!”
”Besslama!” Rami and I responded together. As Amu strolled out of the throne room, disappearing from view, I blinked rapidly, failing to stop the tears from falling.
At the request of Haytham and Yasmeena, Rami agreed to stay on as captain of the guard, but only after we”d taken a much-needed break. We planned to tour the entire universe, with specific stops at Vee”s and Veneterra. To my surprise, Luna had reached out to the royals in concern upon realizing I”d gone missing. After discovering the truth from Yasmeena, she immediately sent me a letter, extending an open invitation and soon becoming one of my close confidantes.
“Aw, hayati,” Rami laughed, grasping my arm and tucking me into his chest. ”We”ll be back home in no time.”
”I know,” I smiled, tilting my head back to kiss him once, twice, thrice. ”Mabrook, habibi.”
“Shukran, hayati,” he murmured. ”I never thought this day would come, and now that it”s here, I”m feeling overwhelmed by emotions.”
”That”s to be expected,” I reassured him. ”Let yourself feel whatever you”re feeling.”
”Well, right now I”m feeling excited about our trip!” he said, grinning. ”Shall we go?”
“Yes!” I exclaimed, threading my arm through his. After bidding farewell to the new Sultan and Sultana, we quickly made our way through the palace, picking up the pace when we reached the clementine orchards. As we arrived at the stables, an already saddled Huriyah was waiting impatiently. He pranced in a quick circle before trotting over, nudging my chest with a chuff.
“I have nothing, you greedy thing!” I laughed. He nickered in disappointment, swinging his head around and poking Rami repeatedly.
”Okay, okay,” he chuckled, conjuring a honeyed apple. Huriyah whinnied in delight, munching on the fruit happily as Rami lifted me into the saddle, swinging up behind me.
“Ready to see the realms?” he asked, his arms wrapping me in a protective and loving embrace as he gripped the reins.
“Absolutely!”
Rami clicked his tongue, and Huriyah immediately surged forward, his muscular legs thundering across the sand before he launched into the air, his wings snapping out to catch the breeze.
“Huriyah!” Rami”s voice echoed with excitement, his enthusiasm bringing a smile to my face. “Remember, it’s the second star to the right, and straight on till morning!”
As we soared through the starlit sky, I felt a profound sense of happiness. No matter where our journey took us, as long as I was with Rami, I was exactly where I belonged.
And they lived happily ever after
THE END