I ran, dodging hands that reached out to grab me, but I didn’t get far. Someone seized my cloak, yanking me to a stop. Others latched on until they held me firmly in place. I gripped the bread so tightly that the middle caved in and it threatened to break in half.
Why did she stop? She could’ve made it. There was that familiar male voice again. I swung my head around, trying to glimpse the owner of the thought. Over my shoulder, as the shopkeeper shoved through the crowd yelling orders, I spotted him. Golden eyes. He leaned against a building, watching the scene unfold.
A hand clamped down on my wrist, yanking the bread in my hand above my head for everyone to see. “This woman stole from me,” the man screamed over the crowds, drawing attention. “I call for the maximum punishment for the crime! Do I have three to bear witness?”
My mouth was dry. The maximum punishment in most kingdoms was either slavery or death, depending on the leniency of the crown. “Let me go!” I struggled to yank my arm from his grip without success. The bread dropped to the ground. “It’s just bread! It’s not even worth anything!”
“Not worth anything!” The man’s face reddened.
“I’ll witness,” a woman snapped, crossing her arms as she glared at me. “That’s the only way they truly learn their lesson.” No mercy there.
“So will I,” a man intoned, shuffling supplies from one hand to the other. This was ridiculous. What kind of people reacted so harshly over a piece of bread?
The shopkeeper twitched as he waited for a third. “Who else? Come, I don’t have all day!”
A pause. Maybe not everyone in this city is insane. But, no. Even as I thought this, two more voices sealed my fate. I tried to pull away again, startling him, but he was stronger and faster, and so were two strangers standing nearby.
The crowd closed in. There was nowhere to go even if I could break free. I stilled, feeling bruises form under their fingers. The shopkeeper untied the rope securing his tunic, wrapping it around my wrists. The sharp rope bit into my soft skin. I flinched as he tightened it. “She belongs to me now!” He raised his voice so all the onlookers could hear, adding, “She’ll fetch a high price at the auction tomorrow, if anyone is interested!”
He yanked on the rope, leading me back to his shop. How had this happened? Was this how people truly lived? As the crowd dispersed, a grin spread over his face and he added to himself, “I won’t have to work for weeks.”
I stumbled along behind him, unable to escape, listening to him ponder the price I might fetch tomorrow. I clenched my fists. We’d see about that.
“Sit.” He pointed to a narrow spot against the wall between the heavy baskets of bread and wares. I considered running, but he was already determining that he would beat me if I tried. I lowered myself to the ground with as much dignity as I could muster and sat. Tying the end of my rope to a large basket full of heavy cloth, he didn’t say a word. Try to escape through the market with that. See how far you get.
“Maybe I will,” I muttered.
His eyes narrowed in on my face and his hands stilled on the rope. “Say again?”
My heartbeat roared in my ears and I couldn’t breathe. He could not find out about my Gift. “Maybe I will... sit.”
He shoved the basket back against the wall at my impudence, which dragged me with it, knocking me sideways. By the time I caught myself, he’d already turned back to the front of his booth.
I stared at the knotted rope around my wrists and the dirty carpet underneath me. My empty stomach squeezed even tighter than the rope. When the shopkeeper’s back turned, I immediately set to work on the knot, but I paused and fell back as soft leather shoes stepped onto the carpet in front of me.
“Good morning, Haman,” a smooth male voice said. I lifted my gaze to find the boy with those golden eyes standing in front of us.
He gave my captor a charming smile. “How fortunate. I’m looking for a slave and now I overheard you say she’s going to auction tomorrow. Why don’t I save you time and buy her from you now?”
“I think not,” the shopkeeper huffed. “No doubt she’ll cause a bidding war. I’d be a fool to sell her to you now.”
No. The initial shock was wearing off as the full scope of my situation sank in. “I’m no one’s slave!” I snapped at both of them, standing halfway, before the heavy basket stopped me.
The shopkeeper’s hand swung at my face before I had time to react, cracking across my cheek and knocking me sideways. I fell into the limestone wall behind me. Sharp pain spread across my face and side. Blinking back tears, I stayed standing, glaring at them.
“Ah,” golden eyes said, shaking his head. “I’m not sure I’m interested in damaged merchandise.” The shopkeeper’s hand stopped mid-air, where it was raised to slap me again. I couldn’t tell if he was saving me or the ‘merchandise,’ but I appreciated it.
Don’t stop, golden eyes thought when I stilled, and it sounded like a groan. He wanted me to struggle? I hesitantly tugged at the ropes that held me there. The basket hardly budged an inch, but irritation spread across the shopkeeper’s face. I dragged the basket a bit further, testing its weight.
That’s it, golden eyes thought, even as he raised his hand, thoughtfully stroking the dark stubble along his jaw. “Come to think of it, obedience is key. I’m not sure she’ll be worth buying after all.”
As golden eyes nodded farewell, turning to go, the shopkeeper’s greedy gaze shifted to me. She’s going to cost me more than she’s worth. I should sell her while I can... I risked another tug on the ropes to compound those feelings, even as I wondered why I was trusting golden eyes at all. I couldn’t tell what the shopkeeper thought of him, but his white tunic and overcoat were embroidered with gold thread in delicate ornamental designs, and his pants were dyed a rich, expensive red, which all spoke of wealth.
No doubt the shopkeeper could see a missed opportunity as easily as I could. He hurried to untie me, dragging me to the edge of the carpet. “I suppose I could sell her to you now,” he called after the well-dressed stranger, a desperate tone in his voice.
Even knowing golden eye’s strategy, I couldn’t help but be impressed at his indifference as he paused and turned around. “How much?”
“Four hundred.”
“Tohmans?”
“No, rice kernels. Of course, tohmans!”
Golden eyes whistled. “You’re trying to steal from me, even as you sell me a thief?” He laughed and turned to go once more.
This time the shopkeeper dragged me out into the crowds as he lowered his price even further, and I knew we’d met a master bargainer when golden eyes graciously accepted, paying the man and taking my ropes so smoothly the shopkeeper didn’t have time to wonder if he’d been tricked until we were already walking away.
Glancing over my shoulder, I noted the shopkeeper counting his coin as he returned to his carpet. I felt multiple eyes on me; no doubt the same ones who’d just witnessed against me before. I would wait to struggle until the crowds thinned. I listened intently for golden eye’s plan for me, so I could anticipate if I should run or fight, but he didn’t think about me at all; the hum of his thoughts focused on something else.
He kept the rope loose between us, never pulling me along, slowing his pace to match mine instead. I picked a place up ahead, at the end of the market where the streets narrowed again—I could use the walls to my advantage, knock him into one, a well-placed kick—but we veered off course unexpectedly. He stopped beside the stall with the elderly woman from the day before. She greeted him warmly, eyeing me as she accepted the coin he set down in exchange for some fresh fruit. Handing it to me, he only said, “Take it slow.”
Stomach growling, I barely heard him, following mindlessly as I bit into the soft fruit and ate until all that was left was the core. Nibbling at that, my stomach reacted and I understood belatedly why he’d warned me.
I hadn’t even noticed we turned down a new street, so focused had I been on the fruit, until he took my hands in his
and gently slipped the rope off, tossing it to the side.
“Do you still want some bread?” he asked before I could form any words. Was that a trick question? I nodded, even as I frowned in confusion. He waved for me to follow and we strode down the new street until he found a stall with flatbread. “Is this okay?” he asked, and again I nodded, shocked into silence by the strange treatment. No one asked a slave what they wanted.
I took a step back at that thought. I was not and never would be his slave. Now that my hands were free, I should run. But I stood fixed in place by his offer of food.
She’s scared, he thought as he purchased the bread, staring at me. Accepting two loaves, he stepped back up to me. “You’re scared,” he commented, just as I was debating if I should run now or wait until his back was turned.
“No, I’m not,” I retorted. I was terrified.
Yes, you are. “Yes, you are.” It set me off balance.
He held one of the loaves of bread out to me silently.
“You don’t have to do that.” I didn’t take it. Accepting bread from him felt like accepting that he owned me, which I would never do. My father always said my pride would be my downfall. It just irked me that this boy was so cocky. Who was he anyway? Was he one of the princes? He couldn’t be. I would’ve met him in previous courtship tours if he was.
“A simple thank you will do.” He smiled as he took my hand, flipping it over so he could place the bread in my palm. My fingers curled over it as if they had a will of their own. He stepped back, crossing his arms and tapping a finger as if to emphasize that he’d wait.
“Thank you,” I ground out. It came with difficulty. I hated being told what to do.
“You’re very welcome,” he said. If I hadn’t been so annoyed at him, I would’ve laughed. Instead, I scowled and crossed my arms. As I did, the bread got in the way and I stopped mid-movement, giving up all thoughts of making a stand, to bring it to my mouth instead. Taking an enormous bite, I closed my eyes and groaned in happiness.
“That’s not very civilized,” he taunted. I responded by stuffing an even bigger bite in my mouth before I’d finished the first. “So,” he said when I didn’t reply. “What’s your name?”
My mouth was full to the brim. My court advisor would be ashamed of my poor manners. I garbled around the mouthful of bread, “I’m not going to tell you my name. It’s none of your concern.”
“Well at least give me a nickname or something. Otherwise I’ll have to give you one. I’m thinking I’ll probably go with ‘Bread Girl.’ Or maybe ‘Starving Sister.’ Or–”
“Arie!” I interrupted, swallowing the enormous bite. He cocked his head, unable to understand what I’d said. “Just call me Arie,” I repeated once I’d swallowed.
I took a more modest bite. He was ruining my meal. But I was too busy chewing to worry about where to go next. And I had to admit, if only to myself, that I felt a little safer with him nearby. Just the thought irritated me. I needed to learn how to protect myself. Maybe I could learn to carry a walking staff.
I was still mulling that over when he disrupted my thoughts. “I’m Kadin. But you can call me Your Highness.”
I jolted. Had I been wrong? Was I speaking to another royal all this time? His clothes did seem rather rich. But one glance at his face revealed he was joking. I raised a brow and took another bite.
“Kadin,” I began, trying to think of a diplomatic way to tell him I wasn’t going anywhere with him.
“You mean Your Royal Highness Majesty Kadin,” he corrected me.
“I definitely don’t,” I replied. “That’s not even right.” I stopped myself from adding anything further. Why would a village girl know or care about exact titles? He raised a thick, dark brow, thinking the same thing, but stayed silent.
“Listen, that was a good grab,” he turned to continue walking, and I found my feet moving to follow. Maybe I could let him buy me a bit more to eat before I took off. “If you hadn’t paused, you’d have been free and clear.” He glanced over at me. “So why’d you hesitate?”
I opened my mouth to tell him it was his fault. After all, he’d distracted me. But I couldn’t answer without giving away my Gift, so I only shrugged.
“With a little training, you could be pretty good. You could work for me, if you’re interested. A few small jobs now and then.”
I didn’t miss that he was purposely vague. “Are you going to force me?”
“No.”
No? I stopped walking and when he noticed, he stopped too, turning to face me, waiting. His thoughts didn’t tell me anything, which meant he wasn’t strategizing a way to drag me into it, wasn’t thinking about me at all. Just waiting.
I studied him. Ornate patterns on his long overcoat. Only the rich could afford all that detail. Dark hair that fell in front of his eyes with that five o’clock shadow that made him look just a bit disheveled and one-hundred-percent mysterious. “What is the opening for?” I asked slowly.
“The pay is good, but the job is risky. I can’t tell you unless you agree.”
Risky? What did that even mean? “Well... if you can’t tell me, then I’ll have to say no.”
Tensing, I prepared to run, waiting for the slightest thought of grabbing me. I raised my chin and kept my face clear of my plans.
He only nodded. “Okay. That’s a shame, I had a good feeling about you. If you change your mind, we’re on East Rice Street.” And he turned on those fancy leather shoes to leave. My lips parted in surprise.
I stood in the middle of the busy street, still holding the last bit of my bread, staring at his back as he strode away. Why did I feel like I’d made a mistake?
As he reached the corner, his final thought grabbed my attention, I can’t let a pretty girl keep me from finding a Jinni.
Chapter 9
Arie
“WAIT!” I CALLED BEFORE I could stop myself, running after him. He was looking for a Jinni? My thoughts from the night before, of finding a Jinni willing to sever my Gift, came rushing back.
I rounded the corner to find Kadin standing there, waiting, brows raised. Slowing, I stopped in front of him, mouth open. I closed it. He hadn’t actually said that last thought out loud. I wracked my brain for another way to bring it up. I’d have to take a risk. “I’ll do it.”
The way he studied me made my toes curl. I swallowed, but held his gaze, unwavering.
“Why’d you change your mind?” Again, so straightforward, saying exactly what he was thinking. It was growing on me.
Of course, I couldn’t do the same. I shrugged. “I need a job.”
“This isn’t just any job,” he cautioned me and I felt déjà vu from his conversation with the shopkeeper just a few short minutes ago. He’d hooked me, and now he had me chasing him.
“You really are a master manipulator, aren’t you?” I said on a whim, trying this new angle of being unusually direct myself. It felt good. No beating around the bush. He chuckled. It was all the encouragement I needed to keep going. “You said if I agreed, you’d tell me what the job is. So, what is it?” I crossed my arms, aiming for a posture of confidence, but it felt defensive.
He studied me. Should I tell her?
It was the first time I’d seen him uncertain. So careful. If it was such a big secret it must be something unlawful or forbidden... and he’d wanted to hire me after seeing me steal. As he searched for a way to partially reveal the truth, his thoughts confirmed my suspicions and my words slipped out, “You’re a thief.”
His brows rose at my accusation. My breath hitched. Why couldn’t I keep my mouth shut? But he didn’t deny it.
“You want me to come steal things for you?”
“I haven’t decided, honestly.”
Even though I knew he was turning the tables again, making me pursue him, it still worked. “I suppose I have some experience. What’s the job?” As if I stole often. As if that wasn’t my first time. Would he buy it? “I’ll consider working for you, if you tell me everyt
hing.”
He only laughed. “I’d be a fool to tell you everything. You’ll have to earn our trust first.” Instead of pushing him toward sharing his secrets, I’d helped him decide not to.
I could kick myself.
On impulse, I stepped closer, speaking softly, “I’ve heard rumors around town... that you’re looking for a Jinni?” I hesitated at the last second, turning it into a question, worried he hadn’t told anyone and I’d just given myself away.
He frowned. Lifting his chin, he crossed his arms. “You’ve only been in town a day. Who told you? And how come you didn’t say something until now?” He wasn’t quite buying it, but he hadn’t denied it either. I could work with that.
“This is what I do,” I told him. “It’s my job to find Jinn for people who’re looking. I just... wanted to make sure you were worth working for first.”
I was reaching now. Men hunted the Jinn occasionally, but a woman? Nonetheless, I’d already started down this track. Too late to turn back now. I stretched myself to my full height even though I only came up to his chin.
“Who told you I was looking?” Kadin repeated. He wasn’t gullible. His thoughts were suspicious, and he didn’t hide them from me, speaking almost as soon as he thought them, “Are you a Jinni?”
I took an involuntary step back. “Of course not.” I caught myself. I couldn’t afford to appear defensive. Lowering my arms to my sides, I shook my head at him and smiled, as if it were obvious. “Don’t you know anything about the race you seek? You can recognize a Jinni by their pale skin, paler than any human.” I quoted my mother’s book as I held up my arm, gesturing at the warm tone, far darker than any Jinni, although much lighter than my father. “But more importantly,” I added, as another detail from my mother’s book returned to me, “They always have blue eyes. As you can see—” I gestured to my face. “—my eyes are brown.”
“It could be a trick,” he replied.
He had me there. Could they disguise that feature? I didn’t know. My knowledge was so limited; I’d only just begun to read the book when I’d left home... But I needed him to believe he needed me, so I lied. “No,” I shook my head. “Not possible.”
The Stolen Kingdom: An Aladdin Retelling (The Stolen Kingdom Series Book 1) Page 6