Page 13 of Bound By Wishes

“I beg your pardon?” Her red-stained lips finally formed words. “I am not going to seduce you.”

When I made all the servants vanish and it was just the two of us again, she glanced around, looking more uncomfortable.

I stepped toward her only to have her take a timid step back. If I couldn’t break through this schoolgirl shyness, this would never work. “There will be more than one noble woman vying for Razoul’s attention. You have to at least beminor competition to keep from being thrown from the palace.”

Caleena bit down on her lower lip, the delicate action immediately drawing my gaze to the soft curve of her mouth. Her wide, doe-like eyes were filled with innocence and fear, the kind that made her seem fragile, vulnerable—impossible to resist. My fingers itched to reach out, to trace her trembling lip or cup her flushed cheek.

"That," I breathed, my voice low with unwanted desire. "Whatever you're doing right now. Do that."

She stilled, her breath catching as confusion flickered across her face. "What am I doing?”

"That innocence," I murmured, my gaze lingering on her wide eyes. "We’ll use that. It’s powerful, but you’ll still need to know how to flirt, how to catch Razoul’s attention."

Her hesitation was clear, her lips parting as if to protest, but she held back. She had no idea the weapon she could become, how that delicate innocence could lure even the most guarded heart. Caleena’s cheeks stained crimson, nearly rivaling the color of her lips.

I turned away from her. "Confidence is key. Unlike in your world, where you can simply approach someone you’re interested in, that’s not how things work in my kingdom. Approaching the king without being summoned is forbidden." When she remained silent, I pressed on. "That means you’ll have to earn his attention, draw him in, make him want to call you forward. Only then can you step into his world."

Caleena exhaled. “How?”

“Lock eyes with him from across the room and hold his gaze until you have his full attention. A lingering glance canbe a powerful way to show you’re interested in him.” I turned back toward her, purposely locking eyes with her. “Use subtle gestures to catch his attention, like a playful wave or a coy smirk.” I demonstrated with a sly smile lifting one corner of my mouth, and Caleena stood up taller. “Use your body language to signal your interest, like licking your lips or playing with your hair. But don't overdo it,” I warned, raking my finger through my hair, never allowing my eye contact to waver. Caleena stepped closer, already caught in my snare. “Then once you have his attention, be indifferent.” I broke eye contact then, slightly angling my body away from her. I suppressed a smile when she moved closer.

“Do you really think that will work?” she asked, stopping next to me.

“It made you come over, didn’t it?” A wicked grin crept across my face as her expression contorted with anger. “Now you try it.”

With a blink of my eyes, I created a makeshift throne room bustling with nobles, officials, dancers, and servants. The noise was nearly deafening, just like I remembered. As I settled onto my old familiar throne, a sense of anticipation coursed through me. Soon, very soon, this would all be mine again.

I cast a fleeting glance to where Caleena was standing, refusing to give her my full attention until she had earned it. Her eyes widened as she absorbed the commotion of the throne room.

“This is ridiculous, Ranen,” she whined.

I whispered in her mind above the bustle of the throne room. “You wanted to help save the Canaari people. This is how we do that.”

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye as she stood up taller and began to circle the perimeter of the room. I purposely ignored her, focusing instead on the dancers.

A loud crash brought my head back around. Caleena stood with a feigned look of innocence on her face as the contents of a punch bowl, a vibrant concoction of fruit and spirits, seeped across the pristine marble floor.

“You said to get your attention.” She innocently shrugged.

When I remained silent, the mischievous gleam in her chestnut eyes held my attention longer than I cared to admit. As she ran her hand through her hair, just as I had shown her, it caught on the veil delicately draped over her head. She jerked her hand free, sending the veil gliding through the air, the fabric floating softly before settling gently onto the floor.

I pinched the bridge of my nose to ward off an impending headache known as Caleena. “Well, you definitely have my attention, but not in a good way.” I huffed, rising from the throne. “Tell me, ya amar. What other havoc will you cause to my throne room?”

“I’m sure I could think of something if you give me a minute.” Her smile was as conniving as it was sweet.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Try again. That display would get you thrown out of the palace, not an invitation to be one of the king’s marriage candidates.”

“I don’t want to try again.” She stepped forward, and I could feel aggravation and anger radiating from her like a roaring fire. “I can’t take it anymore. Do you know how maddening it is to have your entire world shattered in asingle day, only to be thrust into things you never even imagined could exist?”

The cuffs around my wrists began to glow hot red, burning my skin. Intense pain shot through me, and I clenched my teeth, struggling to suppress the guttural growl that threatened to escape. Mysayyidawas angry with me, and the magic was punishing me for not making her happy and fulfilling her every wish.

I straightened, schooling my ire, and spoke in a softer tone. “My country and I need your help.” I was begging, or it sounded like it to me. Each word clawed its way out, tasting disgustingly bitter.

Her shoulders slumped. “I’m tired, Ranen, and my head feels like it’s in a vise. I can’t take anymore today. I want to return to my camp and rest.”

The burning at my wrists eased slightly as her anger turned to desperation. “You can’t go back to your camp. No one can know that you are alive.”

Her anger flared. “What?” she demanded.

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