A Wish So Free by Z.R. Abaddi

Author:Z.R. Abaddi [Abaddi, Z.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-10-17T00:00:00+00:00

Reema’s miner army crept closer to Zareen, the soft rumble of Kaiden Damaris’s encampment reaching their ears like the distant growl of a beast. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and sweat. Reema held up a hand, signaling for the miners to halt.

Charged energy rippled through the miners as they exchanged determined glances and snarls, their weapons shifting in their hands. They were itching to attack, but it wasn’t time yet.

“Good luck,” Renfri muttered as she passed Reema, issuing sharp orders to the miners to stay silent unless they wanted to feel the edge of her shiv in their guts. She knew how vital it was for them to stay hidden, out of sight of the encampment, to avoid giving themselves away.

Reema looked over the restless miners, searching for any sign of dissent, but judging by the way they listened to Renfri, she didn’t think there would be any problems while she was gone.

Alaric approached, adjusting the cloth covering his face, hiding his features except for the glow of his brown eyes. “Ready?”

She nodded, before Asif and Ra’ad appeared.

“We’re coming with you,” Asif said.

Ra’ad glowered beside him, his face shadowed by rage and his eyes red from lack of sleep.

She met Alaric’s eyes. It wasn’t a good idea.

“You should stay⁠—”

“You owe me,” Ra’ad spat.

She opened her mouth to protest, hardly thinking that she owed him. But the look on Ra’ad’s face told her he was trying to forgive her, and himself. This was his bridge across the dark chasm that threatened to swallow him whole.

“Okay,” she said to both of them. If Ra’ad was coming, she needed Asif there to keep him in control.

Asif looked from Reema to Alaric and back. “So what’s the plan?”

Even with Alaric’s face obscured by the cloth, she could sense the sundamned smirk behind it. He turned and mounted the camel with practiced ease, his posture transforming into that of a commanding figure.

A moment later, he tossed down a rope tied to the back of the camel.

“Tie yourselves up, slaves.”

Asif’s eyes flashed with anger as he glanced at Reema.

She shrugged at him. “You said you wanted to come.”

He grumbled and began to tie his wrists together with the rope, before passing it back to Ra’ad. Ra’ad tied himself in behind, leaving room for Reema at the front. She looked up into Alaric’s eyes as she tied herself in.

Alaric’s voice softened, “Just stay close and follow my lead. Remember, just like you, I have a part to play. Don’t take what I have to say to heart.”

“Damn the deep, are you going to talk all day, Bloodlined?” Asif shouted from behind Reema, the sudden vehemence in his voice startling her. “You dung-eyed, ugly piece of shit!”

They all looked at Asif.

He grinned, shrugged, and said, “I think I’m going to enjoy this.”

Alaric’s eyes hardened and narrowed. “Silence, slave!”

He yanked the rope hard, making them all stumble forward. Asif’s grin wiped away, replaced by a deep scowl.

“You asshole.”

Alaric said nothing as he flicked the reins. The camel grumbled and started toward the encampment.

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