The Sultan and the Storyteller by Lichelle Slater

Nine

Father stood inside the palace doors, waiting. Zayne didn’t stop to greet him, but Father stepped quickly up to his side and matched his speed. “Sire, where have you been? Prince Gerard and Princess Ismae of Fidsa have arrived at the docks and are on their way here to purchase your Windforn mirror. I have been searching the palace for you.”

Zayne halted where the hallways crossed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I forgot. Must I speak of such matters right now?”

Father tilted his head. “Perhaps you need a break from Shahira.”

Zayne looked over his shoulder at me, as if considering my father’s suggestion.

I glared at my father. “As my husband, he is allowed to spend time with me. Besides, why is a prince here to purchase a mirror?”

“Not just any mirror,” Zayne explained. “A Windforn mirror.”

“Your mother used to tell you stories,” Father added. “These mirrors can be opened like a door and take you to different worlds.”

I hugged Zayne’s arm, feeling safety in his closeness and relief when he didn’t pull away.

Zayne’s brows dipped. “I don’t recall this mirror opening.”

“Because no one knows how to, unfortunately.” Father sighed. “Prince Gerard claims to have traveled through many of the mirrors. We are hoping he will be able to tell us how to open this one.”

“I thought you said he wanted to buy it,” I stated.

“He does, but maybe we can have him show us how to use it before we agree on a price.” Although Zayne was the one who said it, the statement sounded exactly like something my father would say, and I felt deep in my heart that perhaps my father had more to do with Zayne’s attitude than I first thought.

The palace doors opened and a messenger bundled up against the sand removed the wrapping from his face. He bowed stiffly. “Pardon me, my sultan and queen. Prince Gerard is nearing the palace gates.”

Zayne pulled his arm from my grip. “Let me change and I’ll meet him at the door.”

My father eyed me, and I thought he would try and speak with me, but I had no desire to speak with him. Instead, I followed my husband and changed myself to something not stained in sand. If we were meeting royalty from another country, I should look presentable too.

Zayne remained silent, probably processing the day, and he left the room without me. I retrieved the golden griffin pendant and rushed after him, catching up only when I met him at the top of the staircase leading to the palace.

He looked sideways at me and nodded, but looked away before I could respond.

Sliding my hand into his, I used my other to place the charm in his pocket as discreetly as possible.

A man, younger than I expected, accompanied by a young woman, approached the bottom steps. Both of them were pale skinned and had brown hair, but the prince’s was tied up on his head. The princess had the most stunning blue eyes I’d ever seen.

Prince Gerard stopped at the bottom of the steps and bowed. “Sultan Zayne, thank you for accommodating me and my betrothed, Ismae. I’m afraid I wasn’t told your queen’s name.”

Ismae curtseyed. She wore an unexpectedly plain light blue and white dress with a leather belt that held a pouch large enough to fit a book.

Zayne lowered his chin in a slight bow. “Welcome to Sheblom, Prince Gerard and Princess Ismae. This is my wife, Queen Shahira. I hate to cut to business, but perhaps we should discuss the mirror and then eat lunch.”

“I think that is appropriate,” Gerard stated.

“Ship food is tolerable for the first few days, but by the fifth it makes you crave anything not cured or preserved.” Ismae laughed and looked at me as if I could relate.

Never in my life had I traveled by sea, and I couldn’t wait to ask the princess about her adventure. I smiled politely while Gerard held Ismae’s hand and escorted her up the steps to greet us face to face.

“You are incredibly beautiful,” Ismae said to me, catching me off guard.

“Oh. Thank you,” I said quickly. “You’re beautiful too.”

“Your clothing is so unique and bright. I’ve never seen such color before, unless it was woven in a tapestry.”

Gerard chuckled and leaned to Zayne. “Your wife and my fiancée should get along splendidly, don’t you think?”

Zayne gave me a sideways look as if to ask for help.

“We are only recently married. We’re still getting to know each other,” I explained.

Ismae’s brows pinched. “What do you mean? You didn’t know each other before?”

“In our land, we often have arranged marriages,” Zayne said with an absent shrug. “Please follow me and I’ll introduce you to my vizier. He knows more about the mirror than I do.”

The guards held the front doors open, welcoming the guests into the palace.

“Shahira can show me the palace in the meantime,” Ismae offered.

“I wouldn’t mind, but I’m curious about this mirror,” I said. I had no desire to give the princess a tour of the palace. I wanted to know why Zayne needed my father to be present for the arrangement. He had to have some motivation.

“I think it’s a good idea for you to spend some time with another princess,” Zayne said in a tone that was nearly a command.

I raised my brow in challenge. “Why can’t I be present?”

Gerard eyed Zayne. “I don’t mind if she joins.”

“And to be honest,” Ismae added, “I want to see the first Windforn mirror. I was nervous to ask.”

“Certainly.” Zayne’s face was stoic, though his voice was light. “I could ask the servants for tea, cookies, and other things.”

“I want to see the mirror first, and then we can have dinner,” Gerard said.

Zayne gestured his hand toward the hallway. “This way, then.”

Ismae fell back to walk by my side while Gerard separated us from Zayne. She wouldn’t stop talking about how she loved the paintings, vases, tapestries, rugs, and even the very colors of the tile. I couldn’t blame her; I’d had the same amount of awe when I entered, and I found myself not minding her enthusiasm because it dampened the tension of the palace. And I didn’t have to focus on Zayne’s sudden distance.

Ismae stopped at the same statues that had fascinated Kiara, and I found myself thinking she and Ismae would be perfect friends.

Finally, she said, “I had hoped to learn more about you, not truly get a tour of your palace. You seem unhappy here.”

“It is . . . hard, finding my place here. I wasn’t raised to be a queen. I was raised to work in my mother’s shop,” I replied. “Have you heard anything about what is happening here in Sheblom?”

Even though Gerard was asking Zayne questions about trading and other kingdom-related matters, I still felt like my question was too loud in the large halls.

Ismae glanced forward. “Gerard told me people are fleeing because of the sultan.”

I nodded. “Things have been a bit . . . chaotic in our land.”

“What do you mean? Because of him?” Her voice was low.

I swallowed hard. “Well, his wives die the day after they’re wed.”

Ismae visibly held in a gasp, though she luckily didn’t make a sound. “Do you know why?” she pressed.

“I’m afraid not.” I glanced at her. “He has no reason to trust me, and I can’t blame him because we barely know each other. But I wish I could figure out why. I have my suspicions, but no idea what to do.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile. “Maybe we can talk after we’re done here?”

“I would like that.” I returned her smile, not knowing how she could possibly help me.

We entered one of the many unnecessary rooms in the palace. Standing in the middle of that room was a golden mirror taller and wider than any doorway in the palace and I wondered how they’d gotten it inside. The enormous frame was decorated with what appeared to be at least a hundred smaller mirrors, and each of those mirrors had its own unique design.

“Wow,” Ismae voiced. “This one is bigger than any of the others.”

“You’ve seen the mirrors too?” I asked.

Ismae smiled. “Yes.”

Gerard stepped forward and ran his hand over the surface reflecting our images.

“This is it. I feel it. How much do you want?” He stepped back and faced Zayne. “I came prepared with gold and jewels.”

My father entered the room just then, his staff tapping on the floor as he did so. “Prince Gerard, Princess Ismae, pleased to meet you.” He bowed.

“This is my vizier, Khorshid,” Zayne introduced.

“You’re the magic user in the palace?” Gerard stepped forward and shook his hand. As he did so, his eyes drifted to the staff. “I have a magical staff too. They’re helpful, aren’t they?”

My father gave a stiff smile. “Yes, indeed.”

I furrowed my brows and turned to Ismae. “Gerard has a magical staff?”

She nodded. “It talks to him. That’s another story.”

I didn’t have time to ask further before my attention was drawn back to Gerard and my father.

“I had hoped you would show us how this works,” my father said, his voice smooth and enticing.

“I’m afraid I don’t know.” Gerard faced Zayne. “Each of the mirrors has a special phrase or mechanism to open it. I do not know how this one will operate.”

“Then why do you need it, dear boy?” Father smiled.

Ignoring my father, Gerard said, “As I mentioned, I am willing to pay for it. However, I’m afraid I cannot leave this palace without it.”

“Are you making threats?” my father demanded.

Gerard didn’t acknowledge him. “Sultan Zayne?”

Zayne studied the mirror for a long time. “Considering it just stands here and is useless to us otherwise . . . perhaps you will eventually discover how it works. I don’t see a problem with you purchasing the mirror.”

Father tightened his lips. Whatever he’d hoped for, he wasn’t going to get. “Sire, I must object.”

“Will you have a servant fetch James?” Gerard asked.

Zayne looked at my father. “You heard him.”

Father gave him a bewildered expression before bowing and leaving the room.

Gerard held his hand in a fist, but pointed it to the ground. Without a word, a sword swirling with blue magic formed in his hand and he suddenly turned with a grunt and sliced the blade through the air. The sword struck the mirror’s surface.

There was a pause as everything went still.

And then the mirror shattered, exploding into billions of tiny fragments.

I turned my face away, letting out a noise of surprise while Ismae shielded her face with her hands. Zayne ran to me to protect me from the glass, but I heard Gerard utter a spell and shards fell all around us, clattering onto the tile floor like glass raindrops. A loud crack permeated the air and the force of it slammed through my body.

The room fell silent.

Zayne straightened and shards of glass tumbled from his shoulders to join those on the floor. “What in the sands of time have you done?”

Gerard banished the magic sword and the shield protecting us. “I kept a promise.”

Even the frame of the mirror was destroyed beyond repair.

A man stepped awkwardly into the room, holding a heavy wooden chest in his hands. His skin was darker than mine and Zayne’s and he wore a ship captain’s hat with a large red feather. “It appears I missed the fun.”

“Thank you, James.” Gerard walked across the glass to Ismae and began checking her for cuts.

“I’m all right. I just wish you had warned me first.” Ismae smiled, dusting pieces of glass from her hair.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t risk him backing out of the deal.” He straightened and looked at Zayne. “Your payment is in the chest. Is there a room we can wash in before lunch?”

Zayne stared at him in bewilderment. “I . . . suppose.”

“I’ll show you to a room,” I offered.

Zayne caught my arm when I started to move. “Are you injured?”

“I’m fine.”

His brows were soft with concern, and when he took my chin to make sure, I felt a connection with him I’d never felt before.

“Really, I am all right,” I said softly.

“All right. Good.” He let go and straightened. He then turned to Gerard. “I expect an explanation and compensation for destroying this room.”

The shards of glass had destroyed the two sitting chairs near the windows, scuffed up all of the walls, and ruined the painting hanging on the wall to our right. The whole room would need to be repaired.

Gerard bowed. “Certainly. The money James brought should be enough, but I can send for more if needs be. And we can discuss this more over lunch.”

Zayne heaved a sigh and shook his head. “I’ll have a servant show you to the suite we prepared for you.”

“I’ll go with them as well,” I offered.

Zayne looked at the prince and begrudgingly allowed me to go.

With the help of a servant to show the way, I walked with our guests to one of the spare rooms. Gerard opened the door and allowed Ismae to enter the room first.

He lingered at my side and turned to face me. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Earlier, I mean.”

I ran my fingers over the bangles on my wrist. “Why did you destroy it?”

“I made a promise to a demon that I would. If I didn’t fulfil my vow by the end of the month, the demon would have come for my soul.”

“Gerard is a necromancer,” Ismae explained.

My eyes widened. “You are? In our land only women can use magic.”

Gerard smiled proudly. “I’m a wizard.”

“Curtains, open!” Ismae spoke, and to my astonishment, the curtains in the room all opened.

I gasped.

She spun around. “Is magic not—”

I gave Gerard a push, urging him into the room, then closed the door behind us. “It’s just that you’re the first person I’ve met in my life with magic similar to mine.”

Ismae’s eyes widened and she ran to me. “You’re an orator too?”

My brows pinched. “A what?”

“Orator. You speak a sentence and it happens.”

I shook my head. “My magic is tied to stories. If I tell a story and put magic into it, it happens. I told a story about a particular woman and Zayne and I met her this morning.”

“Fascinating!” Ismae beamed.

I looked between them. “Zayne . . . doesn’t know. I haven’t told him. The women in our kingdom who have magic have been forced to hide because of a decree from his father years ago. Not to mention with how unstable everything has been.”

Gerard walked to Ismae and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Can we help?”

I chewed my lip and glanced at the door to make sure it was closed. “Do you know anything about shadows or possession?”

The couple smiled at each other.

“I’d say we know a thing or two about magic, possession, curses, and other such things,” Gerard answered confidently.

“How do I know if someone has one?” I tried not to fidget with the tiger charm in my pocket and placed my hands behind my back.

Gerard shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s difficult to say. Personality changes, desires to go on grand adventures to break it—”

Ismae nudged him with her shoulder and scowled. “She’s being serious, Gerard!” She rolled her eyes. “Curses affect everyone differently. I got cursed to become a beast by an enchanted rose, and I turned into a wolf with ram horns!” Ismae gave a wry smile.

I drew a deep breath. “If I can’t figure out for sure if he has a curse on him, is there any way to protect him from one?”

Gerard nodded. “If you know a protection spell, that might help. Or an enchanted artifact. Although, magic users often feel magic, so you might be able to sense that darkness. I must say it is extremely difficult to reverse a curse if you don’t know the source. Might I ask if the man you think is cursed is the vizier?”

I blanched, my eyes widening. “Why would you think it could be him?”

Gerard smiled kindly. “I sense darkness around him. I felt it when I shook his hand. And the staff.” He paused. “Well, it radiates with dark power. Do you recall where and when he acquired it?”

“He’s had it as long as I can remember. But it isn’t him I think is cursed. I believe it is Sultan Zayne. He was surprised to find me alive the morning after our wedding, and I saw a shadow in our room last night.”

“Ah.” Gerard nodded. “Does Sultan Zayne know of the darkness in his vizier?”

I sighed. “I don’t believe the vizier is the one cursed, but I’m afraid to discuss this with Zayne.”

Gerard nodded. “I could talk to him.”

“I don’t want him upset with you.” I smiled and straightened. “Thank you for offering your advice. Please make yourselves at home. We have servants who can help get your bath water going and help with whatever else you might need.” I bowed and left them until lunch.