Palace of Wishes (2020 Reissue)

by Helena Rookwood

  I flashed him an apologetic smile with my arms thrown up over my head, weaving my sun-warmed hair back into a hurried braid. “Sorry, I got roped into getting the princes settled in the guest quarters. And then I had to rush back to my own rooms to change.”

  I glanced around and gulped. Spirits, the training ground seems a lot bigger now I’m on the ground. The last time I’d been here the vizier had caught me and Safiyya spying on Kassim sparring with Elian from the walls above us, but today, I was meant to be here, and I would be the one fighting with the captain.

  A nervous energy ran through me and I forced myself to swallow, despite my dry mouth.

  “Well, we’ll have no more distractions for the next two hours.” Elian stood from where he’d been examining a scimitar in the shade and strode toward me, his boots crunching on the sand.

  I sighed as my fingers worked deftly to finish the braid. “No more distractions,” I promised.

  “How’s the wound on your back?”

  “It’s fine,” I said quickly. The cut I’d got on the journey to Tigrylon still smarted a little, if I was honest, but it was healing well and I didn’t want to give Elian any excuse to postpone our lessons.

  The captain moved into the center of the training ring and beckoned for me to join him. “Kassim tells me you’ve read a lot of books on fighting.” A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  “Something like that,” I replied, thinking of the wish I’d made. I frowned down at the ring on my finger as I recalled how difficult the djinni had been before I’d made my wish to speak An Nimivah.

  “Well, while I’ll be the first to admit your interest in books has helped us in the past, I think you’ll find reading is very different to actually fighting.”

  “I’m all too aware of that, Captain,” I murmured, eyeing the scimitar in his hand.

  “Then let’s get started.”

  We stood eye to eye, but Elian still felt like he towered over me, his muscled arms at least three times the size of mine. The captain bounced on his feet, rolling his shoulders and circling his neck. I wondered if I should do the same, but felt too self-conscious to copy him.

  Elian twirled the scimitar in his hand, the blade flashing in the light. I eyed it nervously. I knew it was a training sword, but it still looked sharp.

  “Don’t worry, princess.” Elian gave me a reassuring grin. “We’ll start with the basics. So, angles of attack. There are–”

  “Eight,” I cut in, the knowledge springing to my mind. I slashed a hand through the air to demonstrate.

  Elian nodded in approval, and I allowed myself a smug smile.

  “Apparently that was too basic. Perhaps we’ll start with defense first…”

  “Isn’t it a better tactic to start with the offensive, rather than wait around for an opportunity to counter an attack?” I phrased it like a question, but thanks to the wish-knowledge, I knew it was the truth.

  Elian’s eyes creased in the corners as he lowered his blade. “In a fight, yes. But I’m not fighting you, princess. I’m teaching you defense like Kassim asked. If you’ll let me,” he added with a raised eyebrow.

  I pressed my lips together in answer.

  He nodded to the wooden rack of scimitars at the edge of the ground. “Grab a blade. Let’s start trading blows, not facts.”

  The blunted training blades were large, the same size the soldiers in the Astarian army carried as standard. I selected the closest one, frowning at its weight as I half-dragged it back with two hands.

  Elian began to move around to my right. I moved away from him, so we slowly circled each other. “There are five defensive moves you can use.” He swung his sword through the air in a slow, exaggerated maneuver. “If I attack with an overhead blow…”

  “I block like this.” I knew straight away to move the sword above my head. I heaved it up, holding it horizontally with both hands, while his blade hovered over mine. My arms trembled with the weight of it and my back twinged. I prayed to the spirits he didn’t bring his sword down to meet mine.

  Elian nodded. ‘Right. And again. Quicker.”

  He moved his blade toward me, faster, and I thrust my own up to meet it. This time the swords clashed, and I gritted my teeth at the impact.

  I had no doubt that the captain of the guard was holding back. How long can I keep this up?

  Elian ran through the other four defenses, and we spent the next half-hour running drills – him attacking, me blocking. My arms burned and trembled with the effort of holding the scimitar aloft. I licked my lips and tasted salt.

  “Enough.” Elian reached over and pried the scimitar from my hand.

  I stretched out my aching palms with a groan, inspecting them for the blisters I could feel coming. Elian chucked both blades to the side with a clatter, then grabbed two wooden staffs from where they had been leaning against the wall.

  I glared at the staff in his outstretched hand, masking my embarrassment with irritation. “A staff?” My breath came out in gasps as I looked down my nose at the smooth pole, my arms still trembling. “I’m not a child, Elian. I want to learn with a real weapon.”

  Elian looked at me, kindness shining in his deep brown eyes. “You’re not strong enough yet, Zadie. It’s your wrists. They’re too weak.”

  I looked down at my narrow wrists with a frown.

  “You know, I know a few exercises to help build up your wrist strength.”

  I looked up at his suggestive intonation. The captain waggled his eyebrows at me, making a one-armed gesture that, despite my irritation, sent heat rushing to my cheeks.

  I still wasn’t used to Elian’s bawdy teasing, but if it meant he was treating me like one of his soldiers and not his sultanah, I supposed I could put up with it. And give as good as I get.

  I smiled with mock sweetness. “I don’t need to know how you got such strong wrists, Elian.”

  The captain let out a bark of laughter, his teeth dazzling against his dark beard. “Okay, here are your options. If you want to practice sparring, we use poles. Or we could spend the rest of our time doing some strength training. Try to bulk up those dainty, princess arms of yours.”

  “Strength training?” I crossed my offending princess arms across my chest as Elian dropped to the ground, then pushed himself up with ease, the poles still gripped in his hands. He performed several more pushups without even breaking a sweat.

  “Are you going to join me? I could keep this up all day.”

  I flung my braid over my shoulder. “You’ve made your point, Captain. I’ll use the spirits-cursed staff. On the condition that you keep your smutty pole comments to yourself.”

  “But I have so many.” The captain sounded pained as he jumped up in a smooth motion. He tossed me the pole and I caught it.

  Compared to the heavy scimitar, the polished wood felt light in my sore hands, and it was short enough that I could hold it like a sword. I gave it a few experimental swings.

  Elian launched forward, faster than he’d ever moved with scimitar, and I whipped up the pole to block him with a clack.

  “Better.”

  I allowed myself a small smile at the genuine approval in his voice.

  We traded blows, faster than before, the poles clattering together, our feet kicking up small clouds of dust as we scuffed across the ground. With each exchange, Elian barked orders, correcting my footwork. Each time he struck at me, he held back a little less.

  “It needs to become second nature,” he instructed between strikes. “Your body will learn what to do even before your brain tells it to.” Elian feigned an attack and jumped aside as my pole whooshed through the air, missing him by a fraction.

  We ran through the same movements time and time again until I began to parry his blows without even thinking about it.

  “Phew.” Elian wiped the back of his arm across his brow, “You’re giving me quite the workout.” The captain tugged his shirt over his head, wiping the sweat from his face with it before tossing it to t
he ground.

  “I’m not sure Kassim would approve of his captain sparring bare-chested with his bride-to-be.” I brushed away the flyaway strands of hair that had come loose from my braid and stuck to my face.

  “Kassim never wears a shirt when we spar, as I’ve seen you notice.” Elian’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Feel free to follow suit. I’m sure we’d gather quite the crowd.”

  He swung forward, and I jumped back with an outraged yelp. Then I found my feet and launched forward with an attack of my own, which he easily blocked.

  “Perhaps Princess Safiyya will come and watch us, if she knows you’re fighting.” I kept my voice mild, watching for Elian’s reaction.

  The captain said nothing, attacking me again with slightly more fervor.

  “What did you think of her suitors?” I continued, my voice breathless as I spoke and fought. “Which one do you think– Oof!” The pole smacked against the side of my ribs as I missed one of Elian’s jabs.

  “Guard up,” he barked.

  Elian’s next blow was so hard, it sent my pole spinning from my hands and clattering to the ground. “You fight with a rhythm, Zadie.”

  I scooped up my pole. “Thank you.”

  “It’s not a compliment. You fight with the knowledge of the correct counterattack, but that makes you predictable.”

  I planted a hand on my hip. “Well, it is my first lesson, Captain. How can I be unpredictable when I’m practicing the basics?”

  Elian dipped his head, some of the amusement returning to his eyes.

  “Zadie!” Someone called my name from above before the captain could make another snarky comment.

  I squinted up to the walkway above the training grounds, a hand shading my eyes from the bright sunlight. Two shadows emerged from the palace, stalking around the high sandstone walls.

  What are Kassim and the vizier doing here?

  “There you are.” Kassim jogged down the sandstone steps, the vizier close behind him. He was still dressed in his fine cream robes.

  I glanced over my shoulder to the captain, raising a brow in question.

  “Don’t look at me, I have no idea what this is about,” Elian murmured, stepping to one side and resting the tip of the pole he was holding to the ground.

  Kassim stopped in front of me, his blazing eyes taking in my loose tunic and pants, my flushed cheeks, the sweaty flyaway hair framing my face. “I looked everywhere for you.”

  “I did tell you I had a training session with Elian.” I wrung the pole in my hands, trying not to sound too defensive.

  Hepzibah glided to Kassim’s side, her shimmering navy robes pooling to the ground like a blot of ink. “It’s most unusual you’re allowing the princess to practice swordsmanship, Kassim.” She gave a small, high laugh, looking between me and the captain’s bare chest. “You father would have found it most curious.” The vizier always spoke under a guise of politeness in front of Kassim, but there was an edge to her words.

  I ignored Hepzibah, instead taking a step closer to the sultan. “If you’re going to tell me I can’t learn, after you promised–”

  “Enough, Zadie,” Kassim growled, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that.” I noticed his cheeks were flushed, and he ground his teeth together. He’d been in good spirits greeting the princes this morning. Something had changed.

  “What happened?” I asked, my own anger dissipating at the presence of Kassim’s, replaced by curiosity.

  “It’s the talisman.” He clenched his fists at his sides. “We just met with the so-called expert from the Magic Quarter and he was worse than useless.”

  I made a sympathetic face. So Kassim still had no idea how the talisman was supposed to function as a map. Which meant we were no closer to figuring out where the treasure was.

  “Can I help?” I asked tentatively.

  “Actually, yes, you can.” The sultan pinned me with a stare. “That’s why I’m here.”

  My heart lifted at his words. The sultan’s actually asking me to help?

  I glanced at the vizier as her lip curled into a sneer. My heart beat a little faster in trepidation. If Hepzibah was looking so smug, I doubted I was going to like what the sultan was about to say…

  “I need you to take over the tournament for Safiyya’s suitors.”

  My heart plummeted. “Take over?”

  Kassim gestured vaguely with his hands. “The princes, the showcase, the ball. Find a champion for the swordsmanship round. Advise Safiyya where necessary.”

  So the sultan just wanted me to host a few guests while he was busy with more important things? I couldn’t think of a bigger waste of my time.

  “Kassim.” I tried to keep the irritation from my voice. “I would be more help with the talisman. Let me–”

  “Zadie, this isn’t a request.” The sultan’s amber eyes narrowed as they bore into my own. “Hepzibah and I are dealing with the talisman.”

  “But–”

  “Safiyya’s engagement is important. Whichever prince she chooses will strengthen our political alliance with that kingdom. And we need allies now more than ever. I need to make sure the tournament is in capable hands. And I need someone who can advise her.”

  I scoffed. “Why can’t Namir–”

  “Namir is busy.” Hepzibah cut in, resting her long delicate fingers against her serpent choker. “It is not the palace spymaster’s job to babysit princes or host parties.”

  “But it’s mine?” I demanded, incredulous. The midday sun seemed to beat down on all the hotter as my temper flared.

  “It’s a sultanah’s job, yes,” she said mildly.

  I crossed my arms. “Well, I’m not sultanah yet.”

  She gave a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Then it’s your chance to prove yourself worthy of the role.”

  “Kassim.” I turned to the sultan. “Surely, I’ve proven myself useful in the past.” I didn’t want to sound like I was pleading with him but my voice grew tight with emotion.

  The sultan sighed. His anger seemed to have dissipated and now he just looked tired. “Zadie, everyone has a part to play in this. Namir is still tracking the thieves and looking into some worrying reports of Phoenitian soldiers near our borders. Elian is in charge of palace security. Hepzibah and I will concern ourselves with the talisman. And you will be entrusted with the princes’ wellbeing during their stay here.”

  I opened my mouth to protest but Kassim silenced me with a raised hand. “If this tournament goes off without a hitch...” He paused, rubbing his lips together as if unsure what to say next. “And if you learn to adequately defend yourself with a sword...” He glanced at the pole in my hand, then toward his captain. “I’ll allow you to accompany us in the search for the treasure, once we learn of its whereabouts from the talisman.”

  He’s letting me come?

  A dark look crossed Hepzibah’s face. “Sultan, I don’t think we should rush–”

  “Really?” I couldn’t believe it. All I had to do was make sure six spoiled princes were fed and watered for a few days, and I would actually be involved in finding the treasure.

  The sultan was already heading back up the steps away from the training ground, taking my incredulous reaction as confirmation that I’d accepted his terms. The vizier stared at me in disbelief. She looked as if she might say something, then her gaze flicked to Elian. Her dark eyes narrowed before she swept after the sultan.

  “Don’t mess this up, Zadie,” Kassim called down from the walkway above, then disappeared back into the palace in a whirl of cream silk.

  My mouth still hung open when Elian came to stand at my side. “We better get practicing if you want to live up to both parts of Kassim’s deal, princess.”

  Thoughts whirled through my mind. Spirits, I had no choice but to take this tournament seriously now, at least just as seriously as my lessons with Elian. Being forced to spend more time with the princes might help dig up some clues about Tarak, too.

  I just had to conc
entrate on hosting the princes for a few days, train with Elian, and I could join Kassim on the search for the treasure.

  My grip tightened on the staff, and I whirled back around to face the captain.

  “Come on,” I said, determination surging through me. “Let’s go again.”

  Chapter Three

  “Did you recognize any of the princes when they arrived?” I took a tiny sip from my cup of steaming jasmine tea, then replaced it on the platter beside me.

  I lay on my stomach on a huge orange pillow, surrounded by a sea of books and maps. Next to me, Tarak, in his beetle form, was nestled on a small round cushion. Red-and-pink gauzy curtains fell all around, concealing us from view and keeping the afternoon heat at bay.

  “Not by name or voice,” the djinni replied, his dark shell gleaming in the rosy-hued light. “But I’ve been trapped in the ring longer than any of those princes have been alive.”

  I rolled to my side and cupped my head in my hand with a sigh, gazing out through a gap in the curtains to the gardens beyond the pavilion.

  Long-legged flamingoes ambled through the vast lotus-filled ponds that surrounded us, and somewhere just out of sight, birds cooed softly from the white-latticed dovecote.

  So far, I had avoided the women’s pleasure pavilion at all costs. But now, well… It wasn’t the worst place to plot with a beetle. My handmaids were happy to leave me alone here, assured I couldn’t get into any trouble among the plush divans, and squishy cushions, and I could be certain Namir and his men wouldn’t be listening in. I’d have to keep an eye out for Hepzibah after her threats to expose me, but after our conversation at the training grounds yesterday, it seemed that she had her hands full with the talisman.

  I scrunched my face at the memory of our conversation, sighing heavily into the pillow. “I wish Kassim would let me help with the talisman instead of looking after the princes.”

  “What more could you do about the talisman than he’s doing already?”

  I glared down at the beetle. “I don’t know. More research? And I still haven’t heard back from Ambar. He might have more information than the magical merchants in Kisrabah.”