Chapter 24
A fter what feels like the longest trek through the grasslands and mountains, they finally arrived at the Bashar Kingdom.
Pulling up to the castle, Malik and Zain rush out to greet them.
Behind them came out guards and servants.
The carriage stopped; Jahar exited first, then helped Aza exit as well.
Aza is pulled into Malik’s arms, then Zain’s. She happily returned the affection. She likes these men. Everything about them is the opposite of Abasi. She appreciated their fun, welcoming nature, especially after everything that happened this past week and this morning.
“We are happy to announce your guard has pulled through excellently and is ready to join you once again,” Malik announces.
“That is wonderful. Thank you so much for taking care of him.”
“Of course. Now, please, let us take care of you. We will have the kitchens cook up only the best for you and your entourage to enjoy. Come now.” Zain offers his arm.
Malik comes up on her other side and does the same.
Both of them escort her to the dining room.
Jahar follows, his expression tight. Zain asks one of the servants to make sure Aza’s things are properly taken care of, as well as her entourage's things, and to make sure to tell them all to eat.
She scurries off to complete her tasks. They ask another servant passing by to ask the kitchens to cook them a lovely meal.
“My dear, why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost? You’re awfully pale for a woman with such a naturally beautiful skin color.” Malik asks.
“Um… let’s just say it was a long week.”
“Oh, you must divulge all the details over dinner.” Zain chimes in.
“I don’t know if I should. I…”
“Nonsense! We are here to listen to everything you have to say.”
Aza smiles at them.
They enter the dining room, and servants are setting the table. Zain pulls out a chair for Aza to sit in. The twins sit across from her, and Malik gestures for Jahar to take a seat as well. The staff brings them all out bowls of a delicious-smelling soup. Aza, famished, starts eating immediately.
“Dear Princess, how was the mighty King of Amunis?” Zain asks.
Aza nearly chokes on her soup.
“That bad, huh?” Malik interjects.
“You just took me by surprise.” Aza dabs her mouth with her napkin.
“Well?”
Aza pauses momentarily, then responds, “What have you heard about him? Before I left, it seemed like you had something you wanted to say or warn me about, but didn’t. I have already met him and made up my perception of him, so please, enlighten me.”
Jahar taps her foot under the table, subtly shaking his head at her. Aza ignores him.
The twins share glances before Zain speaks, “Some have fled his empire to come here. They say he’s a harsh ruler that is obsessed with his military and gold. He works his people to the bone and gives them nothing in return. ”
“Unless they live in his main cities. They get his overflow of goods, but they are also the ones who command the outskirts cities to do his bidding.” Malik adds.
“How do you know all this? I’m sure these people aren’t coming to you personally to discuss.”
“Have you met us, Princess? City folk talk and gossip, and we love gossip.” Malik says, raising his wine glass.
Aza chuckles, “That I have no doubt.”
“So, spill.”
“I saw the same… but worse while we were there. I think they softened the truth about the nature of things quite a bit.”
“How so?”
“Princess,” Jahar warns quietly.
“It’s alright, I trust them,” Aza assures, her hand settling lightly on his leg.
Jahar tenses at her touch. His eyes search hers, filled with worry. She gives him a small smile.
“Your guard doesn’t trust us?” Malik jokes, “I mean that’s fair, we are very handsome, either one of us could steal you away easily.”
“Do either of you even really want a wife?” Jahar asks, seemingly pissed off.
“And be tied down with responsibilities and not be able to have fun whenever we want. No way!” Malik chides playfully, while throwing his feet up on the table, downing the rest of his wine.
“We can still take some things seriously, though,” Zain assures, smacking his brother, making him take his feet off the table, “Please continue to tell us about your visit.”
“Very well. Please forgive Jahar. We just spent a week with a man who is, without a doubt, conniving and willing to use anything and anyone to his advantage. I don’t know the full extent of his actions, but what I’ve seen is enough.
I agree with Jahar. It would not be wise to speak openly, not before I’ve spoken with my father.
But I implore you, do not let your guard down, especially with your kingdom bordering his.
He may be a bad man, a bad king… but there wasn’t a single day I felt safe there. Not once.”
“ We appreciate the warning,” Zain says. “But it’s us, Princess. You don’t need to be so formal .”
“Yeah, sis, tell us what that man did!”
Finally relaxing, Aza spends the rest of dinner drinking and recounting what happened with the King.
She told them about him dismissing her guards during their first meal together, how he seemed to have barely any time to spend with the visiting princess, the conversation at their last dinner where he made it clear that she would basically be a pretty thing on his arm whose only real purpose was to make heirs, and how he dove in to kiss her on their last night.
“He did not!” Zain cries in outrage.
“I thought Jahar was going to slice his head off.”
“Princess!” Jahar interjects, a warning lacing his tone.
“Oh, relax, Sir Jahar, you are in friendly company. Please drink some wine, enjoy the night. One of Aza’s many guards or soldiers can protect her tonight, or we also have plenty.”
“Everything is okay right now. Please, take whatever weight you have on your shoulders now off, at least for the night.” Aza all but begs.
Jahar searches her eyes. Aza holds his gaze until he finally relaxes, and his breaths slow. He lightly nods his head in agreement.
“Hooray! Wine for the good gentleman!” Malik shouts, and servants come to fill a glass for Jahar.
Aza raises her glass to Jahar, who mouths cheers to her before downing it all.
Malik and Zain both holler their encouragement.
They finish the night with a few more drinks, then Jahar suggests they call it a night since they have another long journey in the morning.
Aza agrees. The twins walk them to Aza’s room, being incredibly loud as always and continuing to make Aza burst out in laughter.
The wine has definitely gotten to her as she stumbles slightly when she walks, and her eyes have a blur to them.
She looks over to Jahar, who looks sturdy as ever despite also having a few drinks.
She gets lost in his eyes, the fall of his hair, the clean cut of his beard, the strength beneath his clothes. Distracted, Aza missteps and tumbles forward. Jahar catches her easily, sweeping her into his arms. Instead of setting her down, he keeps walking.
Mockingly, Malik jumps into Zain’s arms, shouting, “Carry me like a princess.”
Unlike Jahar, Zain drops Malik on his back and takes off running down the hall, Malik chasing after him.
“Are you alright?” Jahar asks in a low voice.
“Yes, I… I am quite f-fine.” Aza stutters her words through giggles.
“That was very convincing, Princess.” Jahar teases, and Aza can’t stop giggling, “Have you ever been drunk before?”
“Hmmm… n-no.”
“Does that mean I need to take care of you tonight?”
“How… how would you do that?” Aza traces her finger from Jahar’s beard, down his neck, and towards his chest, playing with the top collar of his shirt.
Jahar lets out a small groan, and a dark expression crosses his face as he leans in closer to Aza, “Well, first off, I clearly have to carry you to bed, since you can’t seem to stay on your feet properly.
And then, I don’t know, if you’re that clumsy, maybe I just have to stay with you tonight and make sure you don’t fall off the bed. ”
“Would you hold me close and tight, so that I don’t?” Aza whispers in a silky voice, sliding her hand up the back of Jahar’s neck and gliding her fingers through his hair.
He lets out a moan, “Yes,” his hands gripping her body tighter, bringing her even closer to his face, his lips almost brushing hers.
A small gasp leaves her lips at his closeness. A warmth sensation spreads through her stomach and between her legs. She can’t help wondering what his lips feel like, what he tastes like, how his lips would feel kissing between her thighs.
Aza realizes they’ve stopped moving, now standing outside of her bedroom door. She aches for him to take her to her bed and not stop touching her in every way possible until the sun comes up.
“Jahar, I…” Aza is cut off by the sound of Malik and Zain running back down the hallway.
“Oh, good, you found the room. Sorry, I had to take care of my brother.” Malik says, out of breath, holding his brother in a headlock and messing up his hair.
“Oh, get off you mutt!” Zain yells, breaking away.
Jahar sets her back on her feet, and the loss of his warmth is immediate.
“We hope you have a good night, Princess, and we will make sure you are taken care of before you leave on your journey tomorrow,” Zain assures.
“Thank you. I appreciate you both very much.”
“Of… course.” Malik hiccups.
“I think it’s best you boys go off to bed too.”
“Right, you are madam!” Malik cheers, then gives her a quick hug and stumbles down the hall.
Zain shakes his head and gives Aza a goodnight hug before following his brother. Aza and Jahar stand in the hallway in silence as the footsteps of the twins get farther away.