An Aladdin Retelling: The Stolen Kingdom Series, #1

by Bethany Atazadeh

  Squeezing his hand, I gripped the lamp in the other and envisioned the main street in town where I thought a healer lived.

  The landscape shifted around me once more. I found myself kneeling on a quiet street. Alone.

  “No!” I cried out. The night sky was full of stars and the quiet, clear road mocked me.

  Without thinking, I clutched the lamp and pictured my father’s cell. The scenery flashed and I was in the dungeon once more. My father hadn’t moved.

  I set the lamp down on the damp stone floor, not wanting to travel again without meaning to. The infuriating object allowed me to travel... but no one else.

  Staring at the flickering light, I wanted to scream. I could try to send my father away with the lamp. But he didn’t look well enough to make it on his own. Would he even wake up? I could leave and come back with help. But what if something happened to him in the meantime? I would never forgive myself.

  I shook my head, settling back on my heels and pressing the palms of my hands to my eyes. Who would help me? Who could resist Amir? Only I knew when he used his Gift; everyone else fell under his power. Maybe Gideon could’ve helped, but I’d left him behind.

  The light sputtered.

  Startled from my thoughts, I leaned forward to look at it. The oil was low. All my traveling back and forth must’ve used up quite a bit. Did I even have enough to return to my room? If Amir found me here, there’d be no explanation.

  From inside his cell there was nothing I could do. I would lead Rena back out of the castle—better to have her roaming the village streets than the castle corridors, in case she broke her word and told someone I was there—and then I’d find the keys to the prison and come back for Baba.

  Shaping the image of my bedchambers in my mind, tears dripping onto my father’s prone form as I let go of his hand, I gripped the candle and let it whisk me back to my room.

  Rena wasn’t there.

  Instinct made me hide the lamp in the secret tunnels before I moved through my bedroom into the outer room that led to the hall. I paused at the door. Why was I going after the girl? She wasn’t important right now. I needed to save my father.

  I slipped into the hall, determined to steal a key to my father’s cell and get him out of there.

  “Just where do you think you’re going?” a man’s voice rang out. I knew that voice.

  I walked faster.

  “Guards. Detain her.” The familiar sense of a Gifting washed over me.

  I ran.

  “Stop!” The Gifting wrapped itself around my feet, making them sluggish as if wading through water. “You don’t want to be rude to your guest, Princess Arie,” King Amir called. His voice drew nearer. Footsteps sounded on the marble floor. One set sounded like the slapping of bare feet. “Come back and chat with us for a moment. Your little friend says you snuck in, but won’t say how. Maybe you’ll tell me...” A steel undertone lined his voice. Despite my wishes, my feet turned to obey, and I met them in the middle of the hall.

  “I didn’t know you were getting married!” Rena clapped her hands as we came face to face, shaking her head. “I don’t know why you kept it a secret—your fiancée is so charming!” I frowned, confused. Weren’t the Mere immune to a Jinni’s Gift?

  Amir smiled over at her and winked. Ah. She might be immune, but she couldn’t spot a lie to save her life.

  “She’s just shy about my seeing her on our wedding day,” Amir purred. He turned toward me, and I felt the full force of his Gift as he added, “Aren’t you?”

  Gritting my teeth, I nodded like a puppet.

  Chapter 41

  Arie

  KING AMIR SUMMONED A man who’d been standing unnoticed a few feet behind the king with his guards. I startled when my eyes landed on him. He was a Jinni!

  Violet eyes and pale skin, tinted with a faint blue just like Gideon’s, his hair was tied back and he stood just a bit taller, but they could’ve easily been brothers. He carried himself like a soldier.

  “This is my friend, Enoch,” Amir said, clapping a hand on the Jinni’s shoulder, who didn’t react. “And you are safe here with us. Your father is resting now, but he’ll be excited to see you when he wakes.”

  Despite everything I’d just seen, a sense of peace stole over me and I believed him. Of course, we were safe. And my father was comfortable. King Amir would never hurt him. My body relaxed as my mouth tilted into a smile. I bit the inside of my cheek. Hard. The pain snapped me out of it, back to reality, as I tasted blood.

  “I’d like to see him,” I managed to say, hating the way my voice trembled.

  His eyes narrowed. She has a strong mind.

  I should’ve pretended to be more confused. He studied me as I stood there. My father’s men did nothing. Their loyalties had shifted.

  “You don’t need to see him,” Amir told me, still using his Gift. My mind stretched, fighting it but struggling. “You’ve a wedding to plan, doesn’t she, Enoch?”

  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 THROUGH THE twist 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 and whisps of clouds that 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?”

  “If we were to appear at the front gate it would be very unsettling.” Gideon stepped onto the road and began to walk, not waiting for us.

  “Obviously.
” I resisted rolling my eyes as my men and I followed. “I meant, why didn’t you bring us somewhere inside the castle, out of sight? Save us the walk?”

  “That’s breaking the rules,” he replied, swinging his cane more like a walking stick.

  I stared at his back. “What? To appear in the castle without an invitation?” I asked. “You just did that a few days ago!” The dirt road was steep and I was already out of breath.

  “That’s different. I had an invitation,” Gideon replied. It was hard to read him by the back of his head.

  “How so?” I demanded, picking up my pace until I walked beside him.

  “Because you called for me.”

  I groaned. “I’m sure Arie would call now, if she could.”

  “That’s not the same,” Gideon said without looking at me.

  “You care about her too. I know you do. She could be in trouble.” Running my hands through my hair, I struggled to find some other form of logic to convince him. “What if they catch her? What if they kill her father? If your stubbornness keeps us from helping her, it will be your fault.”

  At my words, Naveed signed, Don’t be stupid.

  Bells rang out from the city above, letting all within earshot know of an event. Either a wedding or a funeral. Which meant that either Arie had been captured, or her father was dead. Either way, she needed help.

  Gideon tapped his cane on the ground. “Tell me, why is it so important to you to save her?”

  With my men listening, I struggled to form words. I could say so many things. She was the most confident girl I’d ever met. Fierce. Intelligent. It didn’t hurt that she was gorgeous either. But none of that came out.

  The men stared at me as we walked, eyebrows raised. A whisp of a smile appeared on Gideon’s lips.

  “I don’t know. It just is,” I answered lamely. “But you need the lamp, otherwise you wouldn’t have come all this way. You’ve gone to great lengths for it, don’t you have any other tricks or Gifts you could use to help Arie?”

  Though I’d always considered the Gifted to be selfish, I’d come to know Gideon well enough to believe better of him. To believe he had a heart. As I thought this, he nodded to me, just once. “I do,” he murmured. I wondered whether he was answering my verbal thought or my silent one.

  “Do you have a plan?” I asked him. “What do you want us to do?”

  Gideon met my eyes. “This is your venture, Master Kadin. The plan is up to you.”

  People were staring at us. At Gideon really. A Jinni in plain sight—whispers began to float along the air.

  “I see them,” Gideon replied before I could point out that he was drawing attention. He bent to pick up a stick, running his hand across it before handing the now engraved piece of wood to me. “Call me back when you’re ready,” he murmured, and disappeared before I could respond.

  Chapter 43

  Arie

  THE WHITE SILK WEDDING dress flowed over my curves, hugging them until it hit my knees and flowed out in an abundance of fabric. The enormous tiara on my head belonged to my mother. I’d never worn it before today.

  “You look just like her,” Farideh breathed.

  Havah wiped a tear from her eye. “You’ll make a beautiful queen.” As if this was what mattered most.

  Like everyone else, they were convinced this was the wedding day of my dreams. Nothing I said would sway them. I knew, because I’d tried. If one more person told me it was just pre-wedding nerves, I didn’t know what I’d do, so I clenched my teeth and stayed silent.

  Without meaning to, I saw myself through Havah’s eyes. Honey-toned skin, dark brown eyes flecked with amber, face framed with waves of black hair that touched my lower back, dripping with diamonds around my neck, hanging from my ears, and of course, a thick coating of them on my crown. A vision, Havah thought as she sniffed, turning away to compose herself.

  I supposed I was.

  But I found no joy in it. My wedding would take place at sunset in the midst of the Summer’s Eve feasting and dancing. It seemed as if Amir had never bothered to cancel it. The whole castle buzzed with delight and anticipation.

  Even though the young woman staring back at me in the mirror wasn’t smiling, when I glimpsed myself through Havah’s eyes once more, I was a vision of pure joy. How was this possible? This new trait of my Gift only made me feel more alone than ever.

  Shaking the image from my mind, I avoided my reflection, remembering instead the vision of my father lying broken in his cell, which was burned into my memory. I needed to act quickly. It was tempting to use the tunnels and try to escape, but this time I needed to take a stand, otherwise Amir would never stop.

  “Havah,” I said, “would you be a dear and go fetch my mother’s... perfume?” I grasped at straws, searching for something that hadn’t already been provided to me. “I want something to remind me of her.”

  “Oh, how lovely!” Havah sighed yet again with happiness. “Of course, I’ll be right back.”

  Alone, I hurried to dig through my drawers, searching for a weapon. Anything sharp really, but a dagger would be nice. I tried to remember where I kept that small blade from a childhood birthday. Had I left it in the stables after my last ride?

  As I searched for it or a sharp object of any kind, I came up empty. “Come on, come on,” I muttered as I raced to the closet, digging through the shelves in the back, making a mess but hoping no one would notice. But if there’d been a weapon of any kind, it’d been stripped from the room.

  I sank down on the bed. I’d never felt so alone. At that moment, the door clicked open and Havah returned. “What’s wrong?” she asked when she saw my posture.

  “Oh, now you can tell something’s wrong?” I snapped. It was unfair of me. She was under his influence, or she would’ve listened.

  The bed dipped as she settled onto it beside me and wrapped her arms around my shoulder. “You can tell me,” she said gently as she rubbed my arm.

  I wanted to scream. Instead, I pulled out of her embrace and turned to look at her, taking her hands and squeezing. “Will you do something for me, Havah? Please? Without any explanation?”

  Her forehead wrinkled at the pressure on her hands and my strange request, but I pressed harder. “Please. You’ve known me my whole life. Do you trust me?”

  “Of course.” Havah smiled as she tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. “Tell me what’s got you so upset?”

  “I will, I promise.” And if I lived through this, I vowed that I would. “But right now, I need you to do something for me, and I need you to keep it a secret. Can you do that?”

  Slowly, Havah nodded, though her frown deepened.

  “In the stables, I have a dagger,” I began. When Havah reacted, trying to tug her hands out of mine, I squeezed tighter, leaning toward her so she couldn’t help but meet my eye. “It was a gift, from my father,” I added, stretching for an explanation that wouldn’t raise any alarms. “I’m worried about him, Havah.”

  I hoped against hope that the mention of him might trigger some real memory of what was going on, but she raised her brows and asked, “Whatever for? He’s just taking a short nap before the festivities begin.” So, that’s what he was telling them.

  “It’s hard to explain,” I said finally. Harder still for her to understand with the fog of Amir’s Gift clouding her mind. “But I need it. Would you get it for me?” I begged, tears coming to my eyes despite my best efforts. “Please, Havah? Would you help me?”

  “Of course, I will, Arie-zada,” she smiled, pressing my hands between hers before wiping my cheek where a tear had slipped out. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but if this will make you feel better, I’m happy to help.”

  We stood together and I hurried her toward the door. “Thank you,” I whispered, voice cracking. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone—do you promise?” I made her swear to me twice that she wouldn’t tell a soul before allowing her to leave, but she paused at the door, hand fluttering to her he
art as she teared up once more.

  “What’s wrong?” A flicker of hope mixed with worry rose in me. Was she finding her way out from under the compulsion? Or was she second guessing my request?

  But she smiled through her tears. “I’m just so happy for you,” she said, her voice rising high and squeaky. “You’ve found your prince!”

  Whisking out of the room, she shut the door behind her before I could answer. Alone, I wrung my hands, wondering if she’d keep her promise. Would she bring me my dagger or would she tell someone? Was the dagger even there to be found?

  “I’m not looking for a prince!” I snapped at the closed door, kicking at my skirt as I paced. “I’m looking for a sword!”

  Chapter 44

  Kadin

  MY MEN AND I slipped into the city of Hodafez unnoticed in the chaos and festivities. Fireworks sounded even though it was still daylight. Children ran about with sparklers and ribbons.

  “Good sir,” I stopped a man headed toward the castle dragging along a toddler while his wife carried the baby. “Where are you headed on this fine day?”

  “Haven’t you heard?” He hiked the child higher as he walked. “It’s Summer’s Eve—” My spirits lifted as he hoisted the child, but then he added, “and the royal wedding is tonight at sunset! The whole town is invited. We’re going to get in line now.”

  I let the man go ahead, slowing as that sunk in. Had Arie agreed to the wedding then? I’d tried not to think on it too closely, but somehow, I’d hoped she’d find another way.

  I picked up my pace. “Looks like we’re going to enter the castle the old-fashioned way.”

  “In broad daylight?” Bosh whispered loudly as he caught up to me. “How are we going to do that?”

  “What about ‘Ladies-in-Waiting’?” Ryo offered. “That might work during the day.”

  “I am not wearing a dress,” Daichi argued. “‘Ghost in the Stable’ would be better.”