Daughter of Thieves: A Retelling of Aladdin (Sands of Wonder Book 1) by Lichelle Slater

Author:Lichelle Slater [Slater, Lichelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-12T18:30:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

When I opened my eyes, I closed and reopened them twice before I realized I hadn’t gone blind, but could only see the darkness of the cave surrounding me. After a moment of my eyes adjusting, I noticed a small glow to my right. I rolled my head that direction. The movement felt sluggish, as if there was a weight upon my neck that made it difficult to move.

Igborg was curled up on my stomach, his little body keeping me somewhat warm.

The light came from the jinni’s golden freckles on his skin. He smiled softly when he met my gaze. He sat across from me with his feet straight out and his back against the wall. He silently gestured to the other three, who rested nearby.

I licked my parched lips. “Thank you. For saving me. Especially since it wasn’t a wish and you didn’t have to.”

He reached out and lifted my hand, the one with the tattoos. “Perhaps I didn’t have to. But you’re different than most humans I’ve met. This mark, you’ve had it your entire life?”

I nodded. “A woman named Telama gave it to me. At least, that’s what my father says.”

“You don’t believe him?”

My heart twinged and I pulled my hand away, my jaw clenching.

“Ah. He’s lied to you in the past?”

“Yes,” I answered softly, not wanting to wake the others. “He told me my mother was a sorceress, but he never told me she was the grand sorceress. He wouldn’t tell me why he left with me either. I recently met her—Roshanak—and she sent me to find you to earn my father’s freedom.” I looked up at the jinni. “But if I can convince Abudar to help me with a wish for my father’s freedom . . .” I heaved a sigh and slowly sat up.

Igborg grunted in protest and peeked an eye open to glare at me while I resituated him in my arms.

The jinni remained close but didn’t press me for details. I didn’t know why that was oddly comforting. His friendliness and calmness, and the fact he was intrigued by my tattoo, made me wonder if there was more to this jinni than I thought.

What if he wasn’t a random jinni trapped in a lamp? What if there was a reason Roshanak wanted him specifically? Of course, I had no idea if it was typical for jinn to be trapped in lamps or other artifacts. I knew next to nothing of the magic world.

I leaned my shoulder against the cave wall. “What do you know of my tattoo?” I braved to ask.

His gaze rested on the markings. “The symbols aren’t a language, if that’s what you think,” he answered, being intentionally vague and dismissive.

“If they aren’t words, what are they?” I challenged, narrowing my gaze at him.

The jinni’s lip curled. “Symbols.”

“Care to share with me what they mean?” I asked in a flat tone.

He touched his index finger to his lips. “I can’t give you all the answers. Some you have to learn on your own.

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