An Aladdin Retelling: The Stolen Kingdom Series, #1

by Bethany Atazadeh

  Three of us. Enough to make people pause and King Amir reconsider his plans. But when the fourth woman stood, I could actually feel the shift in the room.

  Her long white braid hung over her hunched back, but she tottered down the aisle toward us without help.

  Recognition spread—the village healer.

  Children had grown up learning from her. At least half this room had known her their entire lives. Someone like her—someone that everyone knew and loved—was far more difficult to hate. She stopped beside me.

  I stepped forward, standing between the elderly woman and Lady Eiena, blocking Amir from their view. “We are not to be feared,” I decreed, with confidence I didn’t fully feel. “Not any more than Gifted men. The same rules that apply to the princes will apply to us.” I spread my hands, gesturing across the Great Hall. Their thoughts had revealed at least three other Gifted women who’d yet to reveal themselves, maybe more. “Clearly, we’ve existed among you for years. I believe it’s time to recognize that anyone can be Gifted.”

  Thoughts shifted, almost painfully, as they mulled over my words. “Guards, seize King Amir and keep his mouth shut. He will be held accountable for his actions today.” They obeyed, hands clapping over his mouth as they dragged him down from the platform.

  Using the momentum of the moment, I declared a bold proclamation in my father’s absence, “From now on, the Kingdom of Hodafez will no longer require a Gifted woman to go on trial or sever her Gifts. They will be given all the same rights and privileges—along with all the boundaries and discipline—as the law allows Gifted men.”

  The same? Truly the same? No one knew how to respond. The whispers and shuffling made it hard to distinguish any one person’s opinion unless I focused on them. My Gift threatened to overwhelm me, and I let the thoughts go out-of-focus, becoming one loud hum to find relief.

  Lady Eiena spoke up, “My kingdom as well.”

  The floodgates opened as rulers across the room declared themselves supportive of Gifted women. Kadin’s gaze grew more focused, taking it all in, but staying seated, still under the Persuasion. I tried to listen for his thoughts, but there were too many washing over me to single one out.

  “Not in Keshdi,” a man snapped as he stood, whipping his cloak out of his way. “I won’t have it!” It was King Zhubin. His kingdom nestled just below ours, and I’d passed through it during my escape, not to mention spent multiple courtship tours under his roof, dining at his table. Despite all that, his hatred was palpable.

  I started to back up, but caught myself and stood even taller, meeting his gaze without flinching. “You will abide by our laws as long as you are visiting Hodafez,” I commanded. “Anyone who abuses the rights of a Gifted woman in Hodafez will be brought before the royal courts for punishment.”

  To stand before the courts often meant imprisonment or worse. The threat was clear. Respect my wishes, or leave. His face twisted in a snarl. Pushing his way past those still seated, King Zhubin stormed out of the room.

  Gideon returned then, holding my father’s limp form in his arms.

  With a gasp, I ran to him, kneeling as he set my father on the ground. Kadin stood, walking toward us as if wading through water, but I barely noticed. “Somebody help,” I called, not caring that it wasn’t dignified. “Please, somebody help him.” The dark stains on the bandage wrapped around my father’s head and his utter stillness terrified me. I dropped to my knees beside him. Those close by moved in closer, surrounding my father as they tried to get a better look. Kadin moved around them to stand by me in silent support.

  The Gifted healer pushed through the crowd forming around us, and people let her through out of respect. “Let me,” she said, leaning heavily on a shoulder as she lowered herself beside my father. “Someone get me warm water and fresh bandages.” People obeyed.

  As she unwrapped the dirty cloth from Baba’s head, I whirled to face Gideon. “Can’t you see how King Amir is abusing his Gift?” I cried. “Will you not bear witness to his crimes? He needs to be stopped!”

  “Where is the king?” Gideon asked.

  My gut clenched. When I spun to look at the dais, he was gone. Rena stood on one side, Lady Eiena and the holy man on the other.

  But no Amir.

  His guards stood dumbly, holding the air between them as if they thought they still held the king.

  The coward had seen his chance during the chaos and disappeared.

  Chapter 51

  Arie

  “CAN YOU SENSE HIM?” I clutched Gideon’s sleeve in a panic. “Is he nearby?” If Amir escaped, there was no telling what he might do. What if he turned the people against me? What if he came back with a mob?

  “I’m not a magical bloodhound,” Gideon replied, but he held up a finger at the genuine horror on my face. “Hold on, one moment.”

  He flashed out of sight, and I choked back my anxiety under everyone’s stares. Kadin pressed closer, though he never touched me, letting me know he was there.

  We waited.

  Out of respect, the guests stayed seated, whispering among themselves. I paced.

  “I gather it’s not actually tradition to struggle at a human wedding,” Rena guessed after I passed her a third time.

  I would’ve laughed if my eyes weren’t trained on my father’s still form. “No,” I answered Rena softly. “No, it’s not.”

  The elderly woman finished cleansing his wound and placed her hands on his forehead, closing her eyes. The cuts and scrapes along his forehead knit together, healing before our very eyes. The larger wound was slower to repair, but the sickly yellow and green hues along the edges faded into more healthy colors. The whole room watched the process intently.

  “So, how do you know Gideon?” Rena asked lightly.

  This time, I did laugh, though without humor. “How do I? How do you know Gideon?”

  That stopped her questions.

  The healer moved aside. Baba’s wounds had turned to scars. Yet he still didn’t move or open his eyes.

  Gideon reappeared, alone, and all thought of the Mere girl flew from my mind. “Where is he?” I demanded. “What happened?”

  “Amir is gone,” he whispered, as if hoping to keep it private, but I had no such reservations.

  “He can’t be gone!” I yelled, “I need him to fix what he’s done to Baba!”

  A crease appeared between Gideon’s sharp blue eyes as he frowned. He knelt beside my father, pressing a hand to his forehead.

  I’d never seen the Jinni’s expression quite this uncertain before. My heart pounded harder. “Something is wrong inside his mind,” Gideon said finally. His soft voice carried in the stillness of the room. “I’ve seen it before. The human body grows ill if a Gift is pressed onto it too strongly or for an extended period of time.”

  Amir had been here for almost two full weeks. And I had no doubt he’d pressed. Guilt suffocated me.

  Gideon stood slowly as he added, “I don’t have the skills to heal this kind of injury.”

  I wanted to crumple. The only thing holding me up was the knowledge that Baba wasn’t dead yet. I’d never imagined King Amir would go this far when I ran away. This was all my fault.

  “What do I do? There has to be someone who can heal him!” My voice broke. Kadin stepped forward, breaking all rules of etiquette to wrap an arm around me. I let him, but resisted the urge to bury my face in his chest. I needed to be strong. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. You,” I pointed to the Gifted healer, “can you fix him?”

  She met my eyes and shook her head. “I’ve no experience with this sort of malady, Your Highness.”

  Tears filled my eyes. I refused to let them fall while we had an audience. I was still struggling to find words when Gideon stepped closer and murmured, “There may still be a way to help him. There are healers trained in lacerations of the mind.”

  One of my tears escaped.

  “I will find a healer for your father, for your sake,” Gideon said, adding for only m
e to hear, And also for your mother’s. I knew your face was familiar when we met, but I didn’t recognize Hanna until you told me your Gift.

  My lips parted. You knew my mother? How? When?

  Gideon took my hands between his own, clasping them once, and then again twice more, in the way of the Jinn making a promise. That’s a story for another time. “I’ll come back as soon as I can.”

  He vanished.

  So many unanswered questions flew through my mind. But besides Gideon, the only other person who could answer them lay unconscious on the ground. His chest moved with each breath in and out, but he was otherwise still as death.

  “Bring my father to his rooms,” I commanded the servants. “Make sure he’s comfortable.”

  Our kingdom was vulnerable. My people looked to me now. I pulled away from Kadin and stepped past the holy man, who moved to the side. With everything that had taken place, especially the revelation of Gifted women, I needed to show strength. No doubt Amir had spies in place for the slightest opportunity to return.

  I knew what I had to do.

  Reaching for the heavy gold crown on the dais, meant to replace the one on my head during the wedding ceremony, making me a queen by marriage, I lifted it gently for all to see.

  “Please be seated,” I said, though many already were. As the few remaining lowered themselves into their chairs, I waited.

  Kadin raised a brow, but he sat as well. Rena didn’t take the hint until I waved for her to join him. That left only myself and the holy man at the front of the room.

  I let the silence stretch until even the shuffling in the crowd ceased.

  Carefully, I handed the crown to the holy man, maintaining ceremony as best as I could, considering I was breaking it.

  Understanding my decision, he moved up the stairs to stand at the top of the dais.

  Before I followed, I lifted my mother’s silver crown off my head. The diamonds sparkled in the sunlight. It only served to remind me of Gideon’s history with my mother.

  Setting it on the cushion where the other crown had rested, I faced my guests. “My father is temporarily indisposed.” I emphasized the fleeting aspect. “In these difficult circumstances... I will rule in his place.”

  I forced an edge to my tone so it wouldn’t crack. “With everyone gathered here for a ceremony, you will all bear witness to my coronation.”

  They didn’t miss my choice of words. Bearing witness was usually reserved for the Jinn and meant to be taken with utmost gravity.

  I knelt on the steps before the holy man.

  Signaling for him to begin, I listened to the thoughts and outright whispers across the room that it wasn’t right, that a woman couldn’t rule—especially not a Gifted one.

  I ignored them.

  My wedding was now my coronation.

  With everything that’d happened over the last hour, everyone was too shaken to protest. They sat shell-shocked as the ceremony unfolded.

  When the holy man spoke the final rites, he raised the crown above my head, jewels glittering in the last bits of light as the sun set.

  He lowered the crown onto my temples, and I felt its weight, cold and solid, heavier than I’d ever imagined.

  No longer the princess of Hodafez.

  I was the reigning Queen.

  Chapter 52

  Arie

  I HEARD HIS THOUGHTS before he spoke. “You’re free now,” Kadin said softly. We stood on my balcony overlooking the ocean. He’d used the tunnels over the last few days, though I suspected he would’ve found a way in even if I hadn’t shown him. I stared down as waves crashed into the cliffs below, creating white surf. The sound usually calmed me.

  Not today.

  “Free?” I scoffed, glaring at the waves. “I’ve never been less free.” My father was still in a comatose state—only in Rena’s presence, under her enchantments, did he occasionally wake. Over three days had passed this way. If he didn’t get better soon, I worried he’d never recover.

  When I’d imagined becoming queen, it’d never felt like a burden. And there was no one to share it—most of the Shahs were avoiding the castle. It had become a silent tomb with servants tiptoeing through it.

  “You mean Amir?” Kadin hopped onto the marble ledge to sit facing me, trying to catch my gaze. He misunderstood, but he was right about that too. The king of Sagh was still a threat. “Why does he want Hodafez so badly anyway?”

  “He needs it to reach the other kingdoms.” I finally met his gaze, but I couldn’t hold it. The ocean didn’t stir up feelings the way he did. “And yes, I’m worried he’ll try again, but it’s more than that... It’s also the people...” My new rule was so fragile. The other Gifted women depended on me, yet if even one of them made a mistake, it would demolish the delicate peace I’d created. And I couldn’t comfort them—the entire kingdom feared me more than anyone else.

  Kadin waited.

  “And... I’m worried about my father.”

  That was an understatement. Gideon had promised to save him. The Jinni had come back only once, for mere minutes. No news. He’d asked for the lamp, and vanished once more. I feared his own mission came first. And that there might not be a solution to be found.

  “There’s another healer on the way,” Kadin murmured. “Bosh sent word he found someone. And the others haven’t given up searching.

  I nodded, turning to pull myself up onto the ledge as well, swiping the tears away while my back was turned and keeping my voice steady. “How are they doing?”

  “Good. You’ve given us more than enough,” he waved a hand and I stared at it where it landed on the balcony next to mine. I’d pardoned Naveed and Daichi, who’d landed in the dungeons, and given each of the men a handsome reward for their aid. “They just want to help. I just want to help,” he added.

  I already knew that. It was impossible not to hear his thoughts when he let his walls down. Even now, he pictured wrapping his arms around me. It was more a warm sensation than a full thought, but I could sense it all the same. I put a palm on the stone between us, and he covered it with his own, leaning toward me.

  Instead of moving away, I held my breath, hoping the kiss would be as good as he was imagining. The seagulls called to each other, the waves crashed around us, and I let myself forget everything else, just for a moment. I closed my eyes as his lips brushed softly against mine, light, tentative. I leaned toward him and kissed him back.

  He pulled away first, rubbing the back of his head, as if it still ached from the guard’s blow during the fight. Tell her how you feel, he urged himself. I blinked, and the spell was broken. This couldn’t happen.

  As much as I wanted to give in to the feelings, I pushed off the balcony until my feet touched the ground, putting distance between us. He was a weakness. If Amir found out, he’d exploit it. If the people found out, they would add his lack of nobility to their list of reasons I shouldn’t rule. And most importantly, I couldn’t fathom allowing myself a moment of happiness when my father was in this state. When it was all my fault.

  “He’ll be okay, Arie,” Kadin whispered, as if it were him who could hear thoughts, not me. He’d jumped down as well to follow me inside, but stopped a few feet away on the threshold, unsure of himself. It was a side of him I’d never seen before. I supposed now that I was queen, he wasn’t sure how to act.

  His words pulled me out of my thoughts, as if dragging me to the surface of the water where I could breathe, penetrating the fog in my mind. I clung to the hope. But out loud, I only said, “You don’t know that.”

  The sunset glowed over the rippling waves and created a halo around Kadin’s form. His warm eyes shone golden-brown in the fading sunlight as he stared back at me. He didn’t make promises he couldn’t keep, didn’t lie, just stood there, opening his mind.

  It was comforting. And at the same time, too soothing. It wasn’t right.

  “You should go.” I crossed my arms, bracing myself against the cool evening wind. “Thank you for this la
test information. I’ll make sure you and your men are well compensated.”

  “Thank you,” he said slowly, studying me with those golden eyes as if solving a puzzle. “If you need anything—”

  “I don’t,” I interrupted, spinning to pass through the marble archway that led into my bedchambers, speaking over my shoulder. “I’d rather you didn’t come here again, actually, unless you have further information.”

  Kadin had followed, but he stopped in the middle of my room, blinking. Hurt.

  I felt that brief moment of pain as if it were my own, before he slammed his walls into place, hiding his thoughts from me. He’d accepted me as I was, accepted my Gift, only for me to reject him.

  I pulled on the mask of a queen, cold and alone. I had to fix this by myself. I’d been weak before, when I’d run away; I couldn’t allow that again. And Kadin was my biggest weakness.

  Settling onto my seat in front of my dressing table, I watched him in the mirror as he searched for words, even though I could no longer hear his thoughts. In typical Kadin fashion, he avoided the argument. “That’s fine. It doesn’t matter.”

  I dropped my gaze to the jewelry, sorting through it so I wouldn’t have to see his hurt.

  A quiet formed around him so deep that I couldn’t sense him at all anymore. Unsettled, I whirled to face him, but he was already gone.

  My heart broke. It struck me as funny how it wasn’t in two pieces, the way I’d always pictured, but more like how glass would shatter if dropped from a high point, into thousands of tiny slivers so fragmented they could never be put back together again.

  Utterly destroyed.

  Though he couldn’t hear me anymore, I wiped a tear that slipped down my cheek and whispered, “I think that’s the first time you’ve ever lied to me.”

  THE END.

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