Page 20 of Bound By Wishes

Sure enough, when the men carrying the banners stopped in front of the palace, so did my elephant. I exhaleda shaky breath, more than happy that experience was over. The servants laid their treasures on the lawn as the palace doors were slowly pried open. The doors were so heavy, it took two men on each side to open them. As they strained against the weight, the wooden panels groaned and creaked, resisting their efforts at first before slowly swinging outward with a deep, echoing rumble.

Guards exploded from the palace, weapons raised as they created a human walkway for several important-looking men to walk through. My gaze fell upon the one in the middle who was strutting like one of the nearby peacocks. He was shorter in stature and clean-shaven, his ebony hair mostly hidden beneath an extravagant turban and crown. Despite his size, the resemblance to Ranen was unmistakable.

“Don’t let his boyish charm fool you,” Ranen warned, whispering in my mind. “He’s a very old and powerful djinn.”

I gulped down my rising panic as the king stopped beside the elephant, glancing up at me with an air of authority and impatience. “I don’t believe you were invited to my little celebration. Pray, what is your name, princess?” he demanded.

I froze in place as fear reached past my ribcage and gave my heart a squeeze. What was the name of Lidian’s princess? Was that even common knowledge? Did she have a name? Surely, she did.

“Princess Soraya,” Ranen whispered the name to me. “No one knows her name except those of royalty.”

“Princess Soraya.” I sputtered the name with a little too much gusto, which earned me a glare from the king.

“I see. You may dismount.” Razoul granted me permission to get off the elephant and then stepped back as two guards rushed forward to help me.

“Help me out, buddy. Don’t let me fall and disgrace myself,” I whispered, patting the elephant’s wrinkly head. He lifted his front left leg as if he understood me, providing me with a sturdy foothold. I slowly lowered myself onto his lifted leg and then was helped to the ground by the guards. My skin partially crawled where their skin touched mine, but I hid my unease as they released me.

Razoul was before me in seconds, running his eyes down the length of my body before I was steady on my feet. “I must say, it’s a surprise that a princess who has never been seen before has decided to come out of hiding.” His dark eyes were shifty as he stared like he was trying to unveil my secrets.

I gulped down my rising panic and straightened up. “My father believes this union would be good for our kingdom, and so do I.”

His scrutiny threatened to bore a hole through me, and I held my breath, hoping he couldn’t see through my deceit.

He waved a hand, indicating the palace. “My home is yours. I invite you to join the other candidates for our celebratory feast tonight.” Air whooshed from my lungs as I released a breath. “My servants will see that you are settled in a room.” With that, he walked away with his guards, leaving me alone with servants who stood at the ready to do my bidding.

"You did better than expected," Ranen said, his tone smooth as polished stone.

My jaw tightened. “So glad you approve,” I replied, thesarcasm curling through my words.

Ranen’s deep laughter rumbled in my head like far away thunder. “Start walking toward the palace, sayyida. The servants will gather your belongings and follow you.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped toward the palace and slowly started climbing the steps. I passed through the massive wooden double doors. Inside, the air was surprisingly cool and fragrant, scented with a blend of sandalwood, rosewater, and amber. The floors were made of polished marble, their smooth surfaces covered with intricate, colorful rugs woven with silken threads. Sunlight filtered through elaborately carved screens, casting dappled shadows that danced across the walls and floors.

“I am Leon, Your Highness. I will escort you to your room.” I jumped as a man approached and bowed low before me, his forehead kissing the floor.

The words “that’s not necessary” perched on the tip of my tongue, but I held them back, knowing that he was showing me respect. He finally rose and started down a hallway to the left.

“Tell him you want the rooms in the west wing.” I nearly jumped out of my skin as Ranen’s voice slithered into my ear instead of in my mind. I froze when I felt a tiny weight on my shoulder. Slowly, I moved my veil aside to see a miniature Ranen standing there, barely the size of my palm.

“What are you doing?” I gasped.

Leon turned around, having believed my question was directed at him. “Escorting you to your room, Your Highness,” he said, his eyes wide with confusion.

I smiled at him, quickly covering Ranen back up with the veil, hoping that the servant hadn’t just seen a tiny seductivegenie on my shoulder. My cheeks heated with embarrassment as I felt something caress my neck.

“Keep it up, and I’m going to pluck you off like a pesky fly,” I warned through clenched teeth.

Leon stepped closer to me. “Highness?”

I cleared my throat as I felt something lightly tug my hair. “I would like the rooms in the west wing, please.”

“Don’t say please to the servants.” Ranen tugged on my hair again, and it was all I could do not to swat him from my shoulder.

Leon bowed at the waist. “I’m sorry, Your Highness, those rooms have been locked for some time. No one is permitted in the west wing.”

“I don’t care what you have to do…” Ranen threatened. “But get those rooms.”

I straightened. “I am Princess Soraya of Lidian, and when I make a request, I expect it to be followed without argument,” I managed to say in my most haughty tone. “The consequences will be severe if I am denied.”

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