An Aladdin Retelling: The Stolen Kingdom Series, #1

by Bethany Atazadeh

  “We’ve been looking forward to this event for ages.” Kadin switched to the next subject, without even a glance in my direction. Maybe I’d imagined it. “When was the last time you visited the Aziz castle?”

  The conversation continued on around me, but my ears had caught on that one word and stayed there.

  We.

  I’d officially become a thief, just like the rest of them. I wasn’t ready to admit it to Kadin yet, but it sent a tingle down my spine. I was playing an important role in the heist. I was valuable. As the carriage rolled up toward the grand castle, I admired it with them, murmuring my delight for the coming celebration, slowly coming into playing my part.

  I rather liked it.

  Chapter 18

  Kadin

  WE SLIPPED INSIDE THE castle with the other arriving nobles without incident, walking up the steps alongside Azadi-Shah, his wife, and their daughter, who kept sneaking jealous glances at Arie.

  Despite her reticence, Arie drew everyone’s attention like a fire on a dark night in her vivid red gown. Even as we entered the grandeur of the castle with its vaulted ceilings, ornate sculptures, and brightly painted décor, I found myself admiring her more than anything else.

  She gripped my arm as if it was the only thing that kept her from drowning, and kept reaching a hand up to hide her face.

  “You look beautiful.” I caught her hand and drew it down. “Stop worrying. You’ll stand out far above everyone else.”

  Instead of reassuring her, her brows drew together and her hand flew back up to her face. “I don’t want to stand out. I shouldn’t be here. You don’t understand...”

  I was at a loss. Was it the heist? Was she having second thoughts? “Help me understand then.”

  “It’s nothing.” We passed through the enormous entrance into the grand dining hall where the tables were laden with a feast that could feed a thousand.

  “It’s obviously not nothing,” I murmured under my breath as I smiled at those around us, searching the room for my mark.

  “It’s nothing, because there’s nothing you can do,” she replied, lifting her chin. “Why have you brought me here?”

  I let her change the subject. A distraction would help her get over the nerves. I leaned closer to explain as we walked, “Each night, the Captain of the Guard gives the men who stand guard over the treasury a code that only they and the King know. They guard the treasury at the end of a long hallway with an arrow notched and ready to point at anyone who tries to approach without this code. If we can learn tonight’s code, Illium can get close enough to use his sleeping powders on the guards. Without it, we may have to shoot them to keep them from raising the alarm. I’d like to avoid that if at all possible, which is why you and I are looking for the Captain of the Guard.”

  Arie groaned.

  I paused, turning to study her. She was pale and shaking now. Steering us through the crowds, I led Arie out onto the balcony, and found a corner sheltered by a potted palm where we could talk in private. “What’s going on?”

  She pulled away, crossing her arms. “I just don’t want to be here. It makes me uncomfortable. This sounds like something you could do on your own.”

  I stared her down. She was hiding something. I crossed my arms as well. “I originally planned to get the Captain alone and force him to tell me... but I thought if you were here, you could sweet talk him into giving up his secret, the way you charmed Gideon. And then we wouldn’t need to hurt anyone.” I shook my head as I spoke. “Never mind, it was unfair of me to expect that of you without asking. Go meet the others instead. I’ll handle the Captain.”

  I turned to go back inside, but Arie’s hand on my arm stopped me. “Wait.”

  Chapter 19

  Arie

  I AGREED TO DO it on one condition: Kadin had to let me talk to the Captain of the Guard alone. She’s embarrassed, he thought as he agreed. And I let him think that, leaving him standing on the balcony as I moved indoors. He couldn’t know I’d met Captain Tehrani during my visit here last summer. Or that the Captain would recognize me on sight. Not to mention dozens of others. I’d already spied the king’s son across the room and made note.

  Is that Princess Arie? The thought struck me like a physical blow over the hum of other shapeless murmurs. I nearly choked. Only a few paces away, a girl with a mass of curls and a silver dress that shimmered with a hint of expensive Jinni magic caught my gaze and waved.

  I flashed her a smile and a wave before turning sharply in the other direction, only to bump into another familiar face.

  “Arie?” Someone touched my arm to stop me. I turned to squint at him, vaguely remembering him as a Shah from one of my first courtship tours. “I hadn’t heard you were visiting? When did you arrive?”

  “I—um—today actually,” I replied, stepping backwards, trying to keep moving.

  But he wasn’t having it, he matched me step for step, as if we were crossing the room together. “I as well,” he said, “I would’ve thought we’d have crossed paths.” Is she avoiding me? Was she keeping her visit a secret? What does this mean for my... the thought trailed off as he stopped thinking of me, though he smiled into my eyes as if infatuated.

  His obsession with his own importance irritated me. With the nobles, every word carried layers of meaning, always weighing what I said, what they said, what each of us really meant, like a dance... But now, confronted with his false smile, I decided to try Kadin’s direct approach. I stopped walking. “Have you seen Captain Tehrani?”

  The Shah blinked at the blunt question, searching for hidden meaning but at a complete loss. “I... haven’t... but, I’d assume he’s stationed by one of the main doors...?”

  “Thank you.” I smiled, turning on my heel and leaving him to stew in confusion over my strange behavior and what it might mean for him.

  I felt oddly elated.

  Striding across the room to the only other entrance, I couldn’t help but grin as a new realization struck me: the people here might recognize me, but they didn’t know I’d run away.

  Of course they didn’t. It made sense. Amir would never make it public; it would raise too many questions. And if my father had any say in it, he wouldn’t risk my life falling into the wrong hands.

  Even more reassuring: both my father and King Amir were a full day’s journey from here. Although there was still the matter of Amir’s guards... My heart fluttered at the possibility they’d remained in Aziz—would they have stayed at the castle? I couldn’t be sure, which dampened my mood for a moment. But no, a couple of lowly guards would never be invited to a party like this.

  As long as the royal family didn’t notice me, everyone else would just assume I was here visiting. By the time they learned otherwise, I’d be long gone.

  I was safe.

  The room was bustling as everyone searched for someone of importance to talk to. Women tried to be seen; men tried to see them. Finally, by a smaller side door, I spied Captain Tehrani.

  Swallowing, I strode up to him. Using Kadin’s tactics yet again, I skipped all preamble and dove straight into what I wanted to know.

  “Captain Tehrani,” I whispered as I stepped up beside him and touched his arm to get his attention, leaning in and leaving it there. His thoughts immediately zoned in on it and how close I stood. “I’ve just heard the most fascinating rumor. You must tell me, is it true that the king has a code for the men who guard his treasury?”

  The captain startled. “Where did you hear that?”

  I let my lips curve in a mischievious smile and pressed even closer, lowering my voice as an excuse to do so. “I can’t reveal my source. But I’m dying to know what it is? What’s the big secret?”

  He coughed to cover his surprise and stayed still, his thoughts revealing he was too concerned about offending me to move. “I can’t say.”

  This wasn’t the reaction I’d hoped for. “Oh, come now, you can tell me. What would a girl like me ever do with that kind of information anyway?�
�� I laughed, rolling my eyes at the absurdity, making him chuckle as well, though possibly just to humor me.

  He was growing suspicious. I needed to make this more believable.

  “Oh, alright, it was that guard by the entrance,” I said, guessing my way through. “The one who’s kind of lazy, you know? Looks right through you...”

  Captain Tehrani scowled. “I know just the one.”

  “But, now my curiosity is piqued,” I whined, batting my eyelashes and hoping it came across more flirtatious than ridiculous. “Just whisper it in my ear. I’ll never tell a soul.” I pressed my hands to my chest in earnest, drawing his gaze there, pasting on a smile when it stayed so I wouldn’t glare at him.

  “I know you wouldn’t do anything...” he trailed off, strongly considering it. I can’t tell her. If King Gaspar found out she knew, I’d lose my head. His eyes finally raised to mine. “Unfortunately, rules are rules.”

  That truly was unfortunate. “What if I guess correctly, hmm?” I ran a finger along my lips thoughtfully, drawing his attention there. He made it too easy. It was times like this where I understood why men feared my Gift. Before he could argue, I began guessing. “Is it the King’s name?” That would be horribly egotistical. And completely like King Gaspar.

  He smiled, but refused to answer. She’ll never guess.

  “Mmm, something other than a name maybe.” I watched him closely for a sign that I was getting closer. “Maybe his favorite food...” no reaction, “or a pet...” still nothing, “or... something to do with the treasure itself...”

  How did she—no, don’t respond, she’ll give up if you don’t let her know how close she is.

  This I could work with. “Maybe it’s... the number of coins in the treasury?” I sincerely hoped it wasn’t or I’d be here guessing all night. “Or maybe a painting... or, oh, is it jewelry?” I trailed off, slowly running out of ideas. “Maybe a weapon of some sort?”

  He was scowling now. This isn’t possible. If she guesses jade dagger, I’ll need to interrogate her to find out which soldier leaked the information.

  I sighed, slouching a little in defeat. “I give up. It’s probably something impossible like a secret lover’s name, isn’t it? This isn’t nearly as exciting as I’d hoped. If you’ll excuse me, Captain, I’m off to find dessert.”

  “Yes, of course,” he replied, and his relief was palpable. I listened for his thoughts as I turned away to find Kadin, hoping I hadn’t been too obvious. Not a single one about me. Because after all, what would a girl like me ever do with that information?

  Chapter 2O

  Kadin

  THE WAITING WAS THE hardest part. Arie met me on the balcony right at sunset and swore she’d learned the code, but refused to tell me her methods.

  “Jade dagger?” I scrunched my nose at the surprising choice. “Are you certain? I thought for sure it’d be his niece or a favorite pet.”

  Arie shrugged. “So did I.”

  “I don’t know why I trust you,” I told her honestly as we strolled to the ledge to admire the view of the open sea. “I barely know you.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “If you put me through all that just to say you don’t trust me, I swear on a Jinni I might hurt you.”

  “Only one way to find out, I suppose.” I grinned and changed the subject. “Can I just say how pretty you look?”

  She rolled her eyes and faced the water, leaning on the edge of the stone wall, but a hint of red touched her cheeks. I faced the sea as well, trying to focus on why we were here. It should begin any moment now.

  When the trumpets sounded from inside the great hall, I knew it was finally time. “Everyone, please come to the balcony for a surprise,” the King called out grandly.

  Everyone already on the enormous balcony began to murmur in excitement. “Come,” I said softly, pulling Arie away from the edge, pushing through the crowds coming toward us, against the flow of people. I regretted staying on the balcony so long. We only had from now until the final dinner course.

  The volume and chaos of the great room transferred outdoors and rose to new levels as they crowded each other, trying to get the best position. Arie pressed closer to me as we approached the King and his son, ducking behind me out of sight as they passed, and then returning to my side once indoors.

  I didn’t say a word. Whatever her secrets might be, they could wait til this was over.

  I stuck to the sides of the room, slipping into the hall at the first opportunity, keeping a slow, meandering pace for appearances as a distracted couple strolled by and busy servants glided past. “Not long now,” I murmured. Sure enough, the first boom sounded behind me. The castle shook. Arie’s eyes flew open and she gripped my arm. I patted her hand, grinning. “Don’t worry, it’s just the fireworks.”

  WE MET UP WITH NAVEED, Illium, Bosh, and Ryo in the far tower. Naveed signed to Bosh, who frowned as he tried to follow, while Ryo outright ogled Arie in her finery. Illium’s scowl deepened, causing his dark skin to wrinkle.

  I held the door open for Arie and entered behind her, waiting until it was closed to whisper, “Where’s Daichi?”

  Ryo rolled his eyes. “After we unbarred the door, he followed some girl out of the kitchen. Haven’t seen him since.”

  My jaw tightened. They looked to me with brows raised, waiting to see if they should be worried or not. I was, but they didn’t need to know that. “He knows the plan,” I said, waving them onward. “Let’s go.”

  We circled the tower stairs to the ground floor. A quick pick of the lock and we were in, following the mosaic patterns along the floor toward the Keep.

  The Keep held the treasury. And also the dungeons.

  If Naveed’s reports were accurate, this part of the castle should be very quiet, with everyone in the kitchen and dining room on the other end of the castle, or in the guard house by the entrance.

  “Illium,” I whispered, gesturing for him to take the lead. “You’re up.” As the authority on powders of all forms, our demolitions expert could flatten people as easily as buildings. Before our departure, I’d watched him grind up a special formula that would render any man unconscious within seconds of breathing it in.

  According to Illium, one simply needed to blow the powder in their direction. But we all preferred him to do the job. It sounded risky to me. What if we inhaled by accident? What then? Most likely, we would wake up on the dungeon floor. Better to let Illium do what he did best.

  He led us down the halls until we reached another turning point. The guard on the other side was down before I rounded the corner. He’d been posted alone. No one else to raise the alarm.

  We dragged him inside the stairwell, and Illium stripped him of his armor, putting it on over his own clothes for the next stage of the plan.

  The tiny arrowslit window in the tower barely let in the light of the moon. As the hallway door swung shut, Naveed lit a match and held it to the wick of his small candle, before lighting the rest of ours.

  We continued to follow Illium in his armor down the hall, bunching together, no longer worried about appearances this deep within the castle. No average servant would be caught wandering here.

  Our shadows crept along the walls as we reached the Keep. Another guard down. A set of stairs that led to the basement of the castle. Dank and dark. Now our candles were our only light.

  Halfway down, the stairs split in two. The red carpet continued on down the staircase to the right, while the one on the left was bare and plain. Everyone paused to check with me. I nodded to the red carpeted option. If our choices were treasury or dungeons, I doubted they’d put a fancy runner on the path to the dungeons.

  The stairs curved as we crept down. A light at the bottom made us slow. Illium stepped into the hall and into their line of vision.

  “Halt!” We heard the guards call immediately. “What’s the password?”

  “Jade dagger,” Illium’s deep voice rung out.

  A long pause.

  “Come forward,” th
ey called, less strident now.

  I waited, picturing Illium calmly drawing out his powders and blowing them into the guard’s faces.

  Moments later, a thud sounded, followed by another, as the guards dropped to the floor, unconscious.

  Though Illium insisted the powders would only reach his intended victims, I still drew the collar of my shirt up over my mouth and nose as we stepped into the hall and passed the two armored guards sprawled helplessly on the floor, out cold.

  This time, I nodded to Ryo, my escape artist. Able to get in and out of a tight squeeze, he could always see all the angles. He would stay outside and rearrange the soldiers to concoct a believable scene.

  With two it could be trickier. It would be difficult to convince someone that two guards fell asleep at the exact same time. Since our aim here was to be invisible, Ryo had sketched a few different options. He pulled a small hammer and chisel from his toolbelt, which meant that he’d gone with his favorite choice. He intended to chip away a few large bits of rubble from the ceiling and rearrange them around the guard’s heads, to make it look like a small earthquake or shift in the castle structure had caused debris to fall from the ceiling and knocked them out.

  Grinning, Bosh pulled out the key to the lock that he’d swiped from Captain Tehrani in the midst of the feast upstairs. Once the bolts clicked open, he swung it wide for us with a smirk and a bow. Naveed led the way inside, and we followed, leaving Ryo to his work.

  We’d broken into many castles before, but this treasury was definitely on the larger side. The vast room stretched what had to be almost a third of the castle above. We held our candles aloft.

  King Gaspar had an enormous work table front and center, currently piled with gold bars, leading me to believe he often came down and counted. We wouldn’t touch those. Along the walls were different cases set up to display a wide assortment of jewelry and weapons, which all gleamed in the light.