Page 41 of Bound By Wishes

“Canaari,” I gasped. “You mean they just slaughtered their own people?”

“Yes,” he answered tightly.

A chill coursed through me, leaving a trail of icy dread. “Why?”

Razoul’s face turned stony, and I feared that he wouldn’t answer me. “They were trying to prevent me from uncovering what I’ve been searching for…by using any means necessary,” he answered, tightening his grip on me.

Even in my shock-induced state, I didn’t miss the word he used. “Trying?” I echoed.

A wicked smile spread across Razoul’s face. “They’re too late. I already have it in my grasp. It’s on the way to the palace as we speak.”

It was pointless to ask him again what that something was, so I saved my breath and closed my eyes to stop the world from spinning. I only opened them again when I felt the horse beneath me stop.

We were back inside the safety of the palace walls. A nearby guard rushed toward us, and Razoul passed me tohim. I was already on the brink of a ballistic meltdown, and being touched by all these different men was not helping.

The guard carried me to my room with an entire brigade of servants and court officials following behind us. The guard placed me on my feet, and I swayed slightly, but I shoved his hand away when he tried to steady me.

“The king has sent for the physician,” Leon said as he entered my room.

“I just want to be left alone. I don’t need the physician.” I dismissed him.

“But princess, you have blood trickling down the front of your dress,” Leon argued, stepping forward with genuine concern on his face.

“I don’t need the physician,” I said with as much authority as I could muster at the moment. “The guards need him much more than I do.”

Leon bowed, signaling for everyone to leave my room. “As you wish,” he conceded.

Once the door closed, Ranen appeared before me, his hands gripping my face, forcing me to look up at him. “Are you all right?” he asked, his eyes wild with panic.

My voice constricted with unshed tears, preventing me from answering him. I shook my head. His hand ventured to my throat, and I felt the light brush of his magic as he wove my skin back together. If only he could heal the emotional wounds as easily as the physical.

My chest was so tight with tension, I feared it would cleave in two. I turned away from Ranen, my gaze falling absently to the marbled floor. The intricate patterns offered no distraction from the turmoil that raged within me.

Namir rose from his bed, a hungry gleam in his eyes. Igasped, my hand venturing to my bloodied blouse. Ranen’s smoky magic rose, creating a barrier between me and the tiger.

Ranen gripped my shoulders, his fingertips pressing into my skin. “You break if you have to, sayyida, but I’m going to hold you in my arms while you do.” His tone was firm and demanding but laced with a tenderness I’d never heard from him before.

I turned to him, and the look in his eyes undid the last of my resolve. I rushed into his arms, finding comfort in his strong embrace. He bent down, scooping me up as I broke down completely. He carried me to the bed and climbed in, pulling me close to his chest. I cried until the pool of my tears ran dry. My swollen, puffy eyes finally forced themselves closed as Ranen held me tight, his steady heartbeat a lullaby against my ear.

Rays of flickering sunlight caressed my face, urging me to open my eyes, but I refused. I wanted to stay in this peaceful state a little longer. I couldn't remember the last time I slept so well—no nightmares, no dreams, just peaceful darkness. I was vaguely aware that my arms were wrapped around an incredibly muscular torso, but even that didn't frighten me because I knew who it was. Ranen had held me through the night. It was disturbing how much I trusted this man. I was at peace in his arms and never feared that his hands would venture anywhere they shouldn’t.

“Sayyida, I would love to hold you all day, but the sun has been up for hours and I’m sure your servant will be in any minute to help you dress.” Ranen’s voice beckoned me to open my eyes.

I shifted until our eyes met. He was unnaturally handsome first thing in the morning, his ebony hair tousled and adarker five o’clock shadow accentuating his chiseled jawline. His piercing gaze seemed to swallow me whole, making my stomach clench with a mix of nerves and excitement. He brushed his fingers across my jawline with a featherlight touch, sending goosebumps across my flesh.

I sat up before I lost myself completely in his embrace. That was when I noticed his dark smoke swirling around us, twisting and curling in the early morning light. The tendrils of smoke danced around the bed, forming a large circle.

I glanced at him. “What’s this?”

The smoke gradually faded, and he sat up straighter. “Why didn’t you tell me that you suffered from night terrors?” he demanded.

I swallowed a lump of emotion that formed in my throat as he brought my vulnerabilities to light. “How do you know I suffer from night terrors?”

“I could feel them when they came for you,” he explained. “Surrounding you in this barrier was the only way I could keep them away.”

I inhaled a shaky breath. “So that’s why I finally had a good night's sleep?”

“How long has this been happening?” he asked, genuine concern pinching his steely features.

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