I blinked. This felt so much more intimate than I’d planned. But the water did look refreshing. I hesitated before joining her, removing my shoes as well and rolling up my pant legs.
As I splashed into the water, it caused ripples that slowly faded the further out they went.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered reverently, as if a normal tone might disturb the sanctuary.
Dropping onto the dry ground at the edge, leaving my feet in the cool water, I leaned back, content to stay silent and enjoy the moment.
Arie was still taking it in with awe and wonder written all over her face.
I patted the ground next to me, and she sat closer than I expected, not even noticing when our arms brushed together.
“This is heavenly,” she breathed.
“My secret paradise,” I replied with a smile, staring at the water instead of her. “Well, mine and Naveed’s. We grew up here, you know.”
Arie was quiet for a moment before she put two and two together. “Thisis the kingdom where the prince cut out his tongue?”
I nodded, not really wanting to dwell on that day. We’d truly thought we would lose him. So much blood.
Her soft hand slipped over mine. She’d never touched me intentionally before. I lifted my eyes, happy to be distracted. Her pretty face was just a foot away from mine. Those warm brown eyes and soft lips distracting as she said, “I’m so sorry.”
I shrugged. My throat grew too tight to speak and I looked away. For a long minute, we stared out at the water and didn’t move. I needed to change the subject. I said the first thing that came to me. “I think Gideon can read minds.”
Arie pulled her hand away in surprise. “He spoke directly into your thoughts too?”
“What? No—” I spun to face her. That chased away all thoughts of how her dark hair shone or how her cheeks were tinted red. “He did that with you? When?”
“At the auction.” She bit her lip and averted her eyes.
“I wish you’d told me.” I blew out a breath, running a hand through my hair. “It’s not right. I’m glad the Jinn left our land. If only they would’ve taken all the Gifted with them.” I turned back to the water, tossing a pebble into the stillness. The little rock smashed through the sense of peace there, which was exactly how my mind felt at that moment. Mind reading was such an unfair advantage. It was abuse. Anyone with an ability like his should be avoided at all costs. “Do you know the extent of his abilities?’
Arie shook her head. “No. But we could ask him?”
“No!” I turned to face her. “You and Bosh both need to be more careful about what you ask a Jinni. Haven’t you heard the stories?”
She just laughed. “You mean the Jinn who steal away naughty little children? You know those are just bedtime stories, right?”
When she put it like that, I felt foolish, but I persisted. “Think about it. All stories come from a place of truth. If Jinn really do have even a few of the Gifts the princes have, we’re completely at their mercy.”
She shifted uncomfortably, pulling her feet out of the water now as if chilled. “But everyone knows they have a code of honor. That’s the whole reason you brought Gideon here in the first place, to uphold their principles?” Her statement turned to a question at the end.
“I sure hope so.” I pulled my feet out to dry as well and we sat in silence, staring at the ripples still disturbing the pool’s calm surface.
It was time to bring it up.
Past time really.
“So. You’re a princess, hmm?” I elbowed her lightly to take the edge off my words. “When was that going to come up?”
“I was thinking right after never,” she joked, grinning back at me. But then she grew more serious. “No one can know. Please.”
“I promise to keep your secret,” I said, “if you tell me why.” It was underhanded. A good man would swear a solemn oath and never ask again. But I wanted to know.
“I can’t,” she protested, clutching her dress so tightly I thought it might rip. “If they ever found out where I am, they’d make me come back, and I... I just can’t...” She swung around to face me. “Please, Kadin.”
I liked the way she said my name. Those dark brown eyes were wide and pleading, drawing me closer. “Please, just promise me you won’t tell anyone.”
She sounded so desperate, I felt guilty. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t going to.”
