Page 80 of Bound By Wishes

“He what?” Malik stammered. “What did you say?”

I swallowed the once-sweet pastry that now felt heavy in my throat. “I said yes.”

Malik’s expression hardened, and we settled into an uncomfortable silence. Finally, he asked, “Do you love him?”

Love is such an unnecessary word,Ranen had said, but I refused to repeat his harsh words. “No, but his offer was very tempting,” I explained. “He’s promised me the freedom to travel around the world and to fund my own dig sites.”

“You truly believe he’s going to grant his queen that much freedom?” Malik’s eyebrow shot up in skepticism, his gaze sharp.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “But I can’t go back to my old life, rotting away in a dim room in the back of the museum. I want to learn more about my heritage and the people here.” I stepped closer, resting my hand gently on his arms, which were tightly crossed in a defiance. “Ranen said you could stay with me, that you’d have a place in the palace.”

Malik’s expression remained guarded, but I could see the conflict in his eyes. The garden’s soft glow and the distant babble of the fountain seemed to emphasize the gravity of our conversation. He looked away, staring at the twinkling stars as if seeking answers from above.

“It’s not just about freedom,” I continued, trying to convince him as much as I was myself. “It’s about a chance to start anew, to have a purpose beyond the darkness of my past.”

Malik’s silence was heavy, filled with the weight of unspoken doubts and concerns. He finally turned back to me. “I hope you’re right,” he said softly. “I hope this decision brings you what you’re seeking and that you're not just escaping one form of tyranny only to fall into another that could be even worse.”

He was right, but Malik hadn’t seen the tenderness Ranen had shown me, or the way he held me through my night terrors and promised that nothing or no one would hurt me. It might’ve been an empty promise, one he couldn’t keep, but after everything I had endured withMathew, I craved the freedom to feel secure and respected more than anything else in this world.

“Will you stay with me?” I asked, my voice trembling as I looked up at Malik. The thought of facing this new life alone felt overwhelming. His presence had always been a source of strength.

As I waited for his response, the cool night air seemed to grow colder as Malik mulled over my request.

“Of course, Cal,” Malik conceded with a sigh. “I’ll always support you, even if I believe you’re making a deal with the devil.” His gaze softened, though the worry in his eyes remained.

I pulled him into a hug, feeling some of my worry blow away in the wind. “And here I thought you were only sticking around to keep me out of trouble,” I teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Malik chuckled, tightening his arms around me. “That too,” he admitted with a wry smile. “I have to make sure you don’t do anything too crazy. Someone has to keep you in line, after all.”

He turned to face the palace, its gleaming towers sparkling like diamonds in the moonlight.

“I mean, I could’ve done worse, right?” I joked, following his gaze.

Malik exhaled deeply. “All that glitters is not always gold,” he warned. “I don’t know what you’re getting us into, and I’m crazy for following you, but we’ll face this together.”

Two weeks flew by with frightening speed, bringing me closer to the day of my wedding. With each passing hour, my nerves grew increasingly frayed. Everything around me was a blur—the flowers, the elaborate spread of food, and the countless other preparations. Each detail was perfected, from the delicate embroidery on the table linens to the flawless arrangement of the centerpieces. My role in this whirlwind was simple: to show up and look stunning. I was a mere spectator in the grand show. I felt both overwhelmed and detached, as if I were watching someone else’s fairy-tale wedding unfold.

Arwa styled my hair and helped me dress as she did every morning. “Aren’t you excited?” she gushed, pinning pieces of my hair into place. “Your wedding is tomorrow!”

I forced a smile, even though it was the last thing I felt like doing. Arwa had finally started to emerge from her shell, becoming more relaxed and friendly around me. I didn’twant to undo all the progress we had made together, so I beamed like a happy bride.

A knock at the door interrupted our conversation, providing a welcome escape from having to lie to Arwa. She hurried to open it, and my stomach churned at the sight of Mozenwrath standing in the doorway.

“We have a few things we need to discuss before the ceremony tomorrow,” he said. “Will you join me in the king’s study?”

Arwa quickly finished the last few details of my outfit before I followed Mozenwrath down the long, winding hallway.

The rich aroma of leather-bound books and polished wood greeted me as I stepped through the doorway. My gaze wandered over the room. I hadn’t been permitted to see the study before. Dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and books that reached up to the high ceiling. My fingers itched to get my hands on some of the books that looked old as time. A large desk sat in the center of the room, cluttered with maps, documents, and a few well-worn quills.

Ranen sat behind the desk in a silky black shirt, his presence as commanding as ever. His eyes softened when he saw me enter. “Sit here,” Ranen said, gesturing to the chair closest to him. I walked slowly to the chair and took a seat.

Mozenwrath babbled on about the ceremony and what was expected of us, but I tuned him out, more absorbed in the study’s details. A massive chandelier hung overhead, its crystals winking at me as it cast a warm, golden glow across the room. Heavy curtains, embroidered with intricatepatterns, framed the tall windows, offering a view of the palace gardens.

“…then this afternoon, the physician will complete the princess’s bridal inspection,” Mozenwrath concluded, closing his binder with a snap.

Blood drained from my face, and my eyes widened in disbelief. A bridal inspection? I’d read about such practices in the history of ancient civilizations, where royalty were subject to inspection rituals meant to preserve their so-called honor. But that was a lifetime ago, as was the inspection of the marriage sheets. Ugh, the thought made me sick. I kept forgetting that for the djinns that ruled Jalam, time was different, an unmoving thing. They still lived by the rules of a world long gone.

“Bridal inspection?” I repeated, rising slowly to my feet. “Is that really necessary?”

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