The Enchanted Crown by Bethany Atazadeh

Author:Bethany Atazadeh
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: fairy tale retelling, sleeping beauty, retelling, sleeping beauty retelling, enchanted, crown, fantasy, fairy tale, fairytale, fantasy reteling
Publisher: Bethany Atazadeh
Published: 2021-03-22T16:00:00+00:00

LATER THAT SAME DAY, I met with Captain Navabi and the Shahs again, as usual, but they were growing restless. “How much longer will these Jinn be with us?” the captain asked. “I would like to speak with the queen. Not to offend you, sir, but we’ve been lacking in royal leadership as of late...”

I couldn’t blame him. But when I found Arie in her small room and relayed his request, she made excuses. “We’re far too busy. These last few days are too important. I’ll meet with him once this is over.”

“Arie.” I hesitated, wishing she’d look up from polishing the sword Jedekiah had given her. “Your people are important too.”

“Of course they are,” she snapped, standing abruptly, finally meeting my eyes. “You think I don’t know that? Why do you think I’m here? And in case you’ve forgotten, I can’t leave.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” I said softly.

She paced toward the door, then back to where I stood by the bed. “They don’t need me. You’ve been doing a better job than I ever could.”

Under any other circumstances, I might’ve been proud to hear that. I kept my arms crossed, resisting the urge to reach out and hug her since she tended to interpret that as pity. “You think too little of yourself.”

She only shrugged, tears filling her eyes.

Now I couldn’t help it. I reached out.

For a brief moment, she let me hold her, then pulled back, returning to sit on the little bed and picking up the practice sword.

“You’re right. Running the kingdom is not your place,” she said stiffly to the sword. “I will meet with the captain going forward. You don’t need to concern yourself with any of this. Consider yourself free of me.”

Stung, I didn’t say a word.

There was a pressure in my chest, almost like a physical blow. Free of her? She wanted to be free of me.

I slipped out of her room, shutting the door softly behind me.

I couldn’t say that I hadn’t seen it coming. She’d made her choice. Though it hurt worse than anything I’d felt in years, I would respect it.

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