Page 79 of Bound By Wishes

“I don’t think the princess is well enough to make it to the dining hall, your Majesty,” the physician said, drawing my attention from the smoldering man who held me in his arms. “Might I suggest a tray be brought to her room so she can rest?”

“Do you want a tray brought to your room?” Ranen surprised me by asking what I wanted.

“I want to get out of this room for a while,” I replied honestly, only to be met with a disapproving scowl from the physician. “But I am feeling a bit dizzy.”

Ranen swept me up into his arms, the silk of my skirt billowing through the air before settling around my legs. Gasps of surprise, including my own, filled the room. He cradled me close to his chest as he strode confidently into the hallway.

“This is highly irregular,” Mozenwrath argued, quickening his steps to match Ranen’s stride. “Your Majesty, perhaps I should carry the princess?” he offered, his tone cautious but insistent.

A tremble coursed its way through me at the suggestion of being carried by another man.

Ranen froze in his tracks, leveling Mozenwrath with a spiteful glare.

“Then again, maybe not,” Mozenwrath stammered as Ranen continued down the hall.

A nagging headache pressed at my temples, and the hallway blurred into a haze of smooth marble and flickering lights as Ranen marched determinedly toward the dining hall. Each step he took seemed to echo in my mind, amplifying the pain, while the shifting shadows around us added to my disoriented state.

Blessedly, the dining hall came into view, offering a momentary distraction from the pounding in my head. But the relief was quickly overshadowed by the heat of embarrassment flooding my cheeks as Ranen paraded through the hall with me still cradled in his arms. We drew stares of shock from every corner, the murmurs of the servants barely audible over the thudding of my heart. Malik rose from his cushion at the table as we approached, his eyes wide with surprise. Ranen bent down, carefully placing me on the pillow closest to Malik.

Malik leaned over, wrapping his arms around me, and I instantly felt the warmth and comfort of his embrace. Tears pricked at my eyes as I clung to him, unable to shake the haunting image of him lying on the marbled floors with blood pooling around him.

“Remove your hands from the princess!” Mozenwrath’s harsh command cut through the moment, making me jump as my heart leaped into my throat. His rude interruption shattered the brief reunion between Malik and me.

“Stand down,” Ranen warned, his voice sharp like thecrack of a whip, cutting through the air with an authority that demanded immediate obedience.

“But no man other than the king is permitted to touch her,” Mozenwrath insisted, his jaw ticking in frustration.

Anger flooded through my veins. Property. I was someone’s property.

Ranen’s face tightened, a flicker of aggravation crossing his features as if the need to explain anything to Mozenwrath was beneath him. “Caleena is a grown woman. I’m sure she is more than capable of deciding who gets to touch her and who does not,” Ranen stated, his gaze briefly locking with mine before returning to Mozenwrath’s. “If she protests to someone touching her, then you may squawk.”

My heart surged at Ranen’s words. Maybe I had made the right choice after all. No one at the museum had ever shown me that kind of respect.

Mozenwrath bowed at the waist, his posture stiff with reluctance, before retreating to a smaller table in the corner of the room. His scrutinizing gaze never wavered, watching our every movement with a piercing intensity that made my skin prickle.

“You really scared me, Cal,” Malik whispered, leaning closer. “I didn’t think you would ever wake up.” His concern touched me, and I smiled softly in response. “But I’m assuming you’re not feeling better, seeing as the king himself had to carry you in.” His tone shifted abruptly from tender to condescending, catching me off guard.

I could only imagine how upset he would be once he learned I had agreed to marry the very king that seemed to set his teeth on edge. Thankfully, the moment was interrupted as servants flooded into the room, carryingtrays loaded with food, sparing me from having to break the news to him.

My stomach rumbled as the feast was laid out before us, the air thick with the scent of cumin, coriander, and garlic. A large platter of spiced chicken, lamb, and basmati rice was placed before me, making my mouth water. The kebabs, grilled to perfection over an open flame, looked juicy and tender.

Finally, my weakness arrived in the form of sweets. The syrupy richness of baklava layered with honey and nuts and soft dough balls soaked in rose-scented syrup beckoned to me. Platters of fresh fruit, dates, and figs provided a lightness to the rich desserts. I was tempted to dive into the desserts first, but I knew I needed my strength, so I motioned to the servant closest to me to fill my plate with meats and vegetables first.

The chattering in the room died down as people dove into the succulent dishes, their focus entirely on the feast before them. Soft music played in the background, the gentle melodies of stringed instruments adding a soothing rhythm to the clinking of utensils. I was tempted to marry Ranen for the food alone, it was that good.

Malik’s gaze kept drifting toward me, so I set down my fork with a soft smile. “Something’s wrong,” he said, taking a bite of the fluffy baklava. His lips glistened with honey, and I couldn’t help but laugh as I handed him a cloth napkin.

“We can go for a walk in the garden once we’re done eating,” I promised.

“I’m done,” Malik declared, standing abruptly.

I huffed, accepting his offered hand. As he pulled me tomy feet, I quickly grabbed a flaky piece of baklava. Ranen glanced at me but remained silent, focused on finishing his meal. My nerves spiraled, and I tried to steady them by focusing on the pastry in my hand as Malik led me outside.

The cool night air nipped at my exposed skin as we stepped outside into the garden, where a blanket of stars stretched across the inky sky. Moonlight bathed the landscape in a silvery glow, forming soft shadows on the cobblestone paths that wound through lush greenery. The scent of jasmine and roses filled the air, mingling with the earthy smell of damp soil. Delicate lanterns hung from the branches of ancient trees, their gentle light flickering like fireflies. The garden seemed to come alive at night, with the rustling of leaves and the distant sound of a bubbling fountain.

“Well, out with it,” Malik demanded. I stuffed the rest of my pastry in my mouth, buying a few more seconds to figure out how to break the news.

“Ranen has asked me to marry him.” The words spilled from my lips before I could soften the blow. I coughed, nearly choking on my pastry as Malik’s eyes widened to the size of the full moon above us.

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