Prince of Cahraman: A Retelling of Aladdin (Fairytales of Folkshore Book 2) by Lucy Tempest

Author:Lucy Tempest [Tempest, Lucy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Folkshore Press
Published: 2018-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

“Well?” Marzeya sat forwards, looking around at us all. “Convince me why I should give it back to you.”

No one moved.

I didn’t want to go first. I wanted to wait until at least two went forward so I could read the situation, and gauge Marzeya’s methods and limits before testing them in an argument. Patient as she had been with Fairuza’s aggression, there was no telling what could provoke her into turning me into a frog.

Marzeya snapped her fingers, releasing a whip-like crack that made us all jump or jerk. She pointed at Cherine. “You, little mouse, come sit down. Present your argument.”

Cherine swallowed, visibly shaking as she circled the table and took Cyrus’s vacated seat. She was too far for me to comfort or whisper that she’d be all right.

Cherine opened her mouth but only a croak came out. “Uh…”

Speechless. The presence of a witch was what it took to finally render Cherine Nazaryan speechless.

“How compelling,” Marzeya snorted, pointing to Ariane next. “How about you?”

Ariane looked as apprehensive as I felt. Her typically serene, closed-mouth smile fought to remain on her face as her eyes looked everywhere except directly at the witch, as if she feared the red eyes would burn out her own.

“My lady, as Prince Cyaxares said, we are here to negotiate the return of Queen Zafira’s necklace, an important heirloom of the House of Shamash.” Despite her put-on cheerful demeanor Ariane’s voice trembled, gaze more towards my face than the witch’s.

I gave her an awkward smile, the most I could do to encourage her.

“Nice of you to parrot his words for me, but I’m old not dead.” Marzeya sighed, her earlier amusement falling to displeasure, like she had been expecting a troop of exotic birds and found only a clutch of hens. “Start negotiating.”

Letting out a shaky breath, Ariane fastened her smile on. “It’s known the heirloom in mention was handed over in a pact of peace after the witches’ war with King Abraxas—Artaxes!” Sweat now coated her fair skin, her peachy glow turning bright pink. “But since it was so long ago that this happened—not that I’m invalidating your memory of the war, or your experience of it—” she rushed to add, before spilling out the rest of her argument in an agitated rush. “—but you and your people have since been peaceful subjects to the royal family, giving Cahraman its magic wards and trains. There is no need to hold onto a useless piece of jewelry anymore.”

Almost hitting me in the face with her elbow as she downed the remainder of her drink, Marzeya’s breath fogged up the inside of the glass. “If it’s so useless, why do you want it back?”

“I don’t—it’s not—” Ariane paused to curb her stuttering before continuing. “It’s not useful in the practical sense, Your Grace, like a sword or shield, but it has a symbolic meaning to the House of Shamash. A ceremonial use in the Bride Search I am currently participating in.”

“So, you’ve come here to

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