Page 65 of Bound By Wishes

The air shimmered as I conjured a cozy campsite nestled between two dunes. At its heart, deep-toned rugs and plush cushions in burgundy and gold formed a welcoming circle around a low stone table topped with a glass lantern. A small fire crackled in a ring of smooth stones, spreading a warmth that pushed back the desert’s chill. Everything was encompassed in a clear protective dome of magic that shielded everything from the cold yet still allowed us to enjoy the starry night sky.

Caleena and Malik hurried inside to escape the biting night wind. I followed close behind, eager to leave the harsh gusts that nipped at my exposed skin.

“This is the best thing that has happened all day,” Malik exclaimed as he dug into the spread of food on the table.

It was laden with warm, golden-brown falafel, crisp on the outside and tender inside, alongside soft pita bread, freshly baked and slightly charred. Bowls of creamy hummus and smooth baba ghanoush sat next to stuffed grape leaves filled with seasoned rice and herbs. Skewers of spiced kofta added a smoky perfection to the meal.

“Ranen is a good cook.” Caleena smiled at me before sitting on the rug beside Malik and joining in on the feast.

I settled down, leaning against a silk pillow, and watched as Caleena and Malik enjoyed the food. As they ate, I contemplated how I was going to get the book from Razoul.

“How are we going to get inside the palace and retrieve the book?” Malik asked between bites of food. It was as if he’d read my mind, the concern in his voice mirroring my thoughts.

“Simple,” Caleena said with a confident smile, lightly dabbing her lips with a linen napkin. “We walk right through the front gates.” Her tone was casual, as if the task were as effortless as the meal she was enjoying.

"Care to elaborate?" Malik questioned, his brows knitting together as he crossed his arms, waiting for an answer.

Caleena set her napkin down, and I was drawn to the hint of mischief that twinkled in her eyes. “Razoul is looking for me.” She paused. “Or at least, he was. Malik can simply carry me back and turn me in.”

“Simply,” Malik echoed. “Nothing about that sounds simple.”

“I don’t want you back in Razoul’s clutches, especiallynow that he knows who you truly are,” I growled, glaring at her.

Caleena rose from her seat and walked over to me, her expression calm but determined. “And for that very reason, he won’t hurt me,” she said, her voice steady and velvety soft. “I’m too valuable to him, and it's the only way I can get close enough to get the book.”

“She always gets her way,” Malik warned, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

My gaze wandered to the staff resting nearby, its surface shimmering in the flickering light of the fire pit. From within its core, I could hear the faint whispers of evil voices, their taunts curling around my thoughts like carnage. They seemed to dare me to go along with Caleena’s plan, their mocking presence adding an unsettling tension to the moment.

I shook my head, defeated. The plan would work. Razoul was greedy and unaware that we already had the staff he sought. He needed the key—he needed Caleena to unlock the mines, where he believed the staff still lay hidden.

“What could possibly go wrong?” Caleena taunted. She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “You’ll be right there with us.”

“Don’t ask that question, Cal,” Malik warned. “Everything could go wrong.”

She pressed her lips into a thin line but never took her eyes off me.

“Fine,” I conceded. We were out of time and options. “We’ll leave at dawn.”

Caleena smiled, clearly pleased with herself for getting her way. “Good,” she said, her tone brightening. “Now,could you arrange a hot bath for me? Preferably in a separate tent that’s not see-through.” She glanced up at the invisible dome that shielded us from the cold wind.

My eyes drifted to the dried, caked blood on her arm, then traced down to her hand where dirt and blood still clung. “As you wish, sayyida.”

Tendrils of black smoke swirled outside the dome as I wove together a warm tent, complete with a bath fit for a queen. Caleena’s smile of gratitude was brief but genuine before she hurried off to the new tent.

Malik watched me with a hawklike intensity, his disdain rising to the surface now that Caleena was out of sight. He stood, closing the distance between us. “Caleena’s been through a lot, and she’s very fragile,” he warned.

I couldn't resist the smirk that tugged at the corners of my lips. “Caleena is anything but fragile.”

Malik’s voice sharpened as it rose in pitch. “You didn’t see what I saw that night.”

I stood, towering over him, my expression hardening. “In my experience, it's those who have walked through the fire, endured its searing pain, and emerged on the other side—scarred yet unbroken—who are truly the strongest.”

“She’s not as strong as you think, and I won’t let you hurt her,” Malik threatened, his voice trembling.

“I admire you for standing up for her,” I replied, recognizing his threat, however small it seemed to someone like me. “But you have no idea who she truly is or what she’s capable of.”

Malik's eyes narrowed, flickering across my face. “You talk like you know her better than anyone, but you don’t know what she’s been through. You don’t know what it’slike to watch your friend break,” he said, his voice humming with emotion.

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