His syrupy voice was nothing compared to Enoch’s response. The Jinni placed his hand on Amir’s shoulder, and spoke for the first time, “Yes, you do, Princess.”
Everything else faded.
“I’ve never seen such a happy bride.” Amir’s words made my ears pound. Excitement flowed through my bones, coursing through my blood and making my heart beat faster.
I grinned and clapped my hands like a little girl with her first pony. “I can’t wait!” The feeling of joy was powerful, surging over me like a wave. “How long do we have?”
“Just a few hours.” Amir smiled back. He wouldn’t be so bad to marry. I wondered what my dress looked like. “See,” the king turned to Rena, who was blinking between us, fascinated. “She’s a joyous bride. I’d wager she would be thrilled to have one of the Mere as a bridesmaid, if that would interest you? You could wear as many jewels as you’d like.”
His words drew my eyes to her neck and hands, which were covered in gold necklaces and rings, glittering with diamonds and jewels. She’d definitely been enjoying my jewelry box.
She stepped forward and took my hands, beaming, “It’s settled then. I’ll do it!”
“This way, my dear,” Amir said to her with a smile. “We’ll find someone to take care of you.” He left as quickly as he’d arrived, with the strange, silent Jinni and Rena on his heels.
And they were gone.
Normally, I could shake off Amir’s Gift within minutes. But this time, as I woke from my stupor, I found myself standing on the dressing room floor with Havah cooing over me as she drew a bath. While she described my wedding dress and elegant hairstyle options in detail, it slowly dawned on me that this happiness wasn’t real. It took even longer before I remembered why.
Whatever the violet-eyed Jinni had done when he’d placed his hand on Amir’s shoulder had amplified the king’s Gift a hundred-fold.
Everything felt numb and distant as the truth of my circumstances finally reached me. My eyes filled with tears. I had to fight this. Somehow. But if I thought about it for one more second, I’d break.
CHAPTER 42
Kadin
WE SUFFERED THROUGHTHEtwist of traveling impossibly fast, standing in front of the Red Rose one moment, then in the forest beside a road the next. It was a vast distance to cross in mere seconds and my body rebelled, shivering and sweating simultaneously.
Bosh groaned, while Daichi outright heaved in the bushes. My own stomach felt unsettled, but I ignored it. “Where are we?”
“This is just a short walk from Hodafez,” Gideon replied, pointing behind me.
I swung around. The peak of a mountain stood before us with a small city surrounding a beautiful white stone castle. Whisps of clouds brushed the tips of its towers.
I cleared my throat, searching for a diplomatic way to ask Gideon, “Why didn’t you bring us closer?”
