Queen of the Sun Read online

  “What’s with the sullen pout?” Genie asked as I walked into his chambers and sat down on the long chaise next to his bookshelves. He gazed upon me with a twinkle in his hazel eyes and a hint of humor on his face. Most people wouldn’t think of Genie as a handsome man. He didn’t have the same cute appeal that my father had, but there was something commanding about him, something majestic and regal that even my father could never hope to possess. He also knew everything about everything and had a wit and wisdom I’d never found matched in any other man. He had a whole suite in the palace to himself, and this room was my favorite in the whole palace. I’d lost count of the hours I’d sat here, reading Genie’s extensive collection of books and discussing everything and anything with him. The outer chamber where I was now, he referred to as his office, but I thought of it as a library. A door led to his inner suite with his bedroom and bathroom and a living area. I’d never been through that door.

  “I’ve helped my parents rule this kingdom by creating policies that work,” I whined as I slouched on the chaise.

  Genie listened intently to what I said, taking in my words, weighing everything carefully as he usually did.

  “I’ve rolled up my sleeves and gotten to work when asked. Now suddenly, my father wants me to back off and be more of a traditional young lady. He’d…no, they’d rather I find a good suitor to help me rule.”

  I drummed my fingers on the arm of the chaise and waited for Genie to respond.

  Genie’s mouth pulled at the edges, giving a hint of dimples. I ignored the tugging in my stomach at the small change in his expression. I was mad. I needed to stay that way.

  For the longest time, he’d been like an uncle to me, a mentor of sorts, but in the last few months, I’d noticed things about him I’d not picked up on before, such as his pale eyes framed by long dark lashes and his strong jawline and how fit he was. And the way he gazed at me with such intensity when I told him something he had to think on.

  Genie held his hand out to me. “Come, let’s take a walk in the palace gardens. I think we can both do with some fresh air.”

  I took his hand, ignoring the tingle running up my arm, the same tingle I’d been ignoring for weeks now, the same one that was threatening to turn into a veritable earthquake if I wasn’t careful. Genie was thousands of years old, but he could pass for a man in his mid-thirties. I needed to remind myself of that fact. The age difference between us was insurmountable...It was beyond that, it was ridiculous. We weren’t May to December; we were May to...well, the next millennia. Eighteen years ago, my father had saved him from his prison of a magic lamp, and it was only then that he started to age the way humans do. He told me once that he’d been trapped in the lamp at seventeen years old, which was why now, eighteen years later, he only looked thirty-five. I sneaked a quick look at him as I stood. He stood well over six feet, with broad shoulders and long black hair that usually trailed down his back, but today, he’d tied it back in a plain gold band.

  I took a deep breath as the fresh scent of jasmine hit me as we walked outside.

  “I think the Sultan simply wants you to relax and smell the flowers once in a while,” he said, picking one of the sweet flowers and handing it to me.

  I smiled and tucked the flower behind my ear. “However much I enjoy being given flowers, I need to speak to you about something that’s been playing on my mind for a while now.”

  “Something other than your parents trying to hook you up with the first available man that happens to pass these parts?”

  I gave him a playful shove, ignoring the electricity building up inside me at his touch. Electricity that he didn’t notice, let alone share. “Yes. I’ve noticed some oddities across the kingdoms. I can’t pinpoint anything specific that’s wrong, more that it’s lots of things happening at the same time. There is something ominous happening, but I don’t know what exactly.”

  He rubbed at his chin. A habit I’d noticed of his when he was thinking. His skin was impossibly flawless, and I found myself wanting to reach out and touch him.

  “You’ve picked up on this from reading your newspapers?”

  I nodded, shaking the thought of his skin from my mind. I was here to have an important conversation with him, nothing more. As a veritable bank of worldly knowledge, he was the one person that I indulged my love of intelligent conversation with. My girlfriends only ever filled their heads with fashion and boys, and lately, boys were all my parents talked about too. With Genie, I experienced the world without having to leave the palace.

  “Hmm.”

  The wheels in his head were spinning. I could sense that much. He wouldn’t fob me off as my father had done. He would actually think about what I’d said.

  Before he had time to answer me, one of the guards came calling. “Princess Gaia, Genie; the sultan and sultana request your presence in the throne room for the sheik’s arrival.”

  Damn! I’d forgotten about the sheik.

  I sighed, and Genie took my arm in his sending another rush of adrenaline through me. It was the sweetest torture having him so close to me. Taboo and yet so normal. My emotions tormented me as we walked through the palace.

  The throne room was heavily decorated in gold and white, with massive crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Velvet chairs had been arranged in a circle, something my parents liked to do when entertaining guests. My father thought it put people more at ease than having them sit facing the royal thrones that were set to one side.

  “Gaia!” My mother said, looking up at me. “You look beautiful, my daughter. Truly amazing. Come, let me get a good look at you.”

  Genie released my arm so I could go to my parents’ side. Genie elected to stand in the shadows. That was just what he was like, preferring to watch from the sidelines and take everything in before making his presence known.

  I gave my parents a quick bow then sat in my designated seat. A second later, a guard entered the room “Your Majesties, Your Royal Highness, may I present Sheik Ahmadullah and his son, Yama.”

  They both wore pristine white robes, each with a golden belt around the middle.

  The son’s robe was more modern with a mock stiff collar, giving him an edge of sophistication and class. He smiled brightly, revealing two rows of pearly white, straight teeth.

  They reached our inner circle and bowed.

  “Sheik Ahmadullah, we welcome you and your son to our palace.” My mother said, standing to welcome him.

  “Such a pleasure to have you with us. I do hope you stay for a while,” my father added.

  The sheik smiled, establishing eye to eye contact with my mother. “Sultana Jawahir, Sultan Aladdin, thank you. It is our honor and privilege to be here, among our most beloved rulers.”

  As they introduced themselves to each other, I took the opportunity to size up the son. He was handsome in a bland kind of way. A little too perfect for my liking, and his eyebrows were too thick. They almost met in the middle. He caught me looking and gave me a wink causing me to blush. A thief wanting to rip my heart out of my body I could cope with, but a pretty boy wannabe prince winking at me had me unraveled. A couple of months ago, it wouldn’t have, but now I felt Genie’s eyes on me as he watched from the sidelines.

  “This is our daughter, Princess Gaia.” My mother said pointedly as I vainly fought to keep the redness out of my cheeks. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Genie chuckling at my predicament. He never missed a trick much to my chagrin.

  I stepped forward, allowing the sheik and his people a moment to bow to me, as was the custom.

  The sheik turned to his son, “and this is my son and only heir, Yama.”

  We all slightly inclined our heads in Yama’s direction, acknowledging his presence.

  He stepped toward me and took my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips. So much for keeping my blush under control. I needed to get a grip. I hated it when men thought they could kiss my hand. I pretty much hated any kind of contact with boys. Dating was something t
hat held no interest for me whatever, and a pretty face wasn’t going to change that. And gods, I knew that the blush had less to do with the man giving the kiss than the man watching it.

  “Please, let us sit and take tea. Your people will be shown to their rooms, and your luggage will be put away in your suites,” my mom said as she gave one of her handmaids a signal to get moving.

  I carefully observed my mother’s every move, knowing that someday, I too would be in her shoes, ruling over Badalah. I knew Badalah’s laws and policies like the back of my hand, but etiquette was something I never felt I got right. Want to know the right way to invade a kingdom? I was your girl. Want to know which fork to use during which dinner course? You were on your own.

  “Sheik Ahmadullah, how are your lands?” my father inquisitively asked.

  The sheik looked down to his clasped hands, and there was a moment of grief which he quickly brushed off. “They’ve seen better days. I’m considering visiting the Kingdom of Floris, with Her Majesty’s permission, that is.” He paused as he looked kindly at my mother. “They’ve done such amazing things with their flowers that I feel they might have some wisdom to share or trade to help my soil. The spices aren’t growing as they once were, and the coffee crop is looking particularly poor this year.”

  My father tilted his head to one side, carefully placing a forefinger on his temple, lost deep in thought. I, however, sat up and began to take notice. The spice and coffee crops had never failed us before. This was another symptom of whatever it was that was laying plague to the other kingdoms. I was sure of it.

  “Floris is the kingdom to go to in matters of plants,” the sheik continued. “They can grow anything.”

  “Their crops have been abysmal this year also. They’ve had the worst yield in years. Some might say it’s a plague,” I said, looking pointedly at my father, who shook his head at me.

  The sultana was quick to offer words of advice. “Perhaps it would be wise to take a carriage into Atlantice. They’ve been known to harvest a special variety of kelp. It’s said that the values of this type are wondrous for growing vegetables, even in sandy soil.”

  The sheik perked up. “I hadn’t heard of this. I’ll certainly consider crossing over to the Kingdom of Atlantice. Thank you, my sultana. I’ll send someone first thing to find me a carriage to make the journey.”

  “We have carriages that can easily and quickly make the journey. I’ll send word to have one prepared for your trip. We all have a vested interest in seeing if this kelp truly is key in helping the soils.”

  “Indeed.” The sheik responded then turned to me. “Princess Gaia looks bored with our conversation.”

  I sat taller in my seat. “I assure you, sir, that I am not. I take a high interest in everything happening in our kingdom. What concerns our citizens also concerns me.”

  Yama took the chance to enter the conversation. “Does Her Highness plan on attending university?”

  “University? No. I have the best scholars attending to my educational needs here in the palace,” I said, shifting in my seat. I didn’t like to be the center of attention when I was the subject matter. I’d have preferred to carry on talking about soil.

  “What does the Princess do for fun?” he continued quizzing me.

  “Fun?” I laughed. “I highly enjoy assisting my parents in overseeing our kingdom. I take great pride and pleasure as we work tirelessly to combat the injustices our most disadvantaged citizens face. Why, just the other day, I attended the judicial court to speak on behalf of a few of our men who were taken into custody, unjustly, for stealing food for their young families. Food!” I said with emphasis. That reminded me, I still had the bag of trinkets from the thief last night stashed in my closet.

  “How very kind of you,” he said with a hint of mockery. He didn’t get the answer he expected, and it showed plainly on his face.

  I heard both my parents sigh. I knew what they wanted me to say, how they wanted me to reply. They wanted me to conform to the boy’s expectations and tell him I liked picking flowers and reciting poetry and doing other activities more suited to a princess.

  I stood in one motion. “Kindness, while good, isn’t what our people need. Our people need champions who are willing to lay it all on the line to see that everyone in our kingdom, at minimum, is clothed, fed, and has a roof over their head. Now, if you all will excuse me, I have a previous engagement,” I said, not waiting for a response.

  My parents would be angry at me later for my rudeness, but I saw no value in pretending to be someone I was not, nor did I see the point in being interested in the sheik’s son. It would only upset him further down the line. Best nip it in the bud while I could.

  I slid through the door, purposely not looking at Genie as I went. Behind me, I could still hear the conversation.

  “Our daughter is very passionate about our people. We truly are thankful for her support in running the kingdom.” I overheard my mother say.

  “Yes, but she’ll soon need a suitor. It is important we find someone worthy of her and the position of sultan when the time comes,” my father added, no doubt trying to placate the sheik after my little outburst. Suitor, pah! He’d always told me he’d never force me to marry, and yet, here they both were, trying to set me up with some stranger. Well, they had another think coming if they thought I’d end up with the sheik’s son

  “Perhaps there is no better time than the present, then, Your Majesties. It is no secret that my household is one of the wealthiest in the kingdom. I also run a viable and sustainable trade business, which has taken us throughout the kingdoms. All of this has allowed me to give my son and only heir, Yama, the best education money can buy. Look at him,” he paused, for effect, I presumed. “He’s very handsome.”

  There was a moment of silence before the sheik continued. “I believe Her Royal Highness, Princess Gaia, and my son, Yama, would make a great match for marriage.”

  I stormed down the passageway, not wanting to hear another word of the nonsense being spoken in the throne room.

  When I finally reached my bedroom, I slammed the door behind me, startling Asher in the process.

  “I’m sorry, Asher,” I said as I made my way out to the terrace. I reached my hand over to pet him, but he flinched at my touch.

  I turned to him and looked him in the eyes. He seemed rather sickly. “Asher, what is the matter?”

  He gave me a sorry stare. Knowing he was a highly magical creature, I wondered if some of what I’d been reading about across several of the kingdoms was connected to him, but he’d never shown an ounce of the magic he was supposed to possess.

  I returned indoors to retrieve the daily papers of the kingdoms.

  Surely, I missed something, I thought to myself as I spent the next hour scanning every page, line by line and waiting for either of my parents to come to my room to demand my presence again.

  A subtle knock alerted me of a visitor, and I let out a breath.

  “Yes?” I called out, willing it not to be my parents, or worse, Yama himself.

  The door opened.

  My heart leapt into my throat as I saw who it was. “Genie! Thank goodness it’s you,” I said, eager to get back to what I was trying to tell him earlier. “I’ve been scouring the papers again. I don’t know, Genie; something is terribly off. I’ve gone through every kingdom’s paper of the last few weeks. There is something definitely odd; it’s as if there is a magical undoing. Like whatever order was put in place is coming undone. It is something to do with magic, I’m sure of it.”

  Genie flinched. Once, the most magical being in all the kingdoms, he’d shunned any mention of it since becoming human. He feared it. It was the only thing he feared.

  He looked past my shoulders out onto the terrace. “Where’s Asher?”

  I immediately turned on my heels. “I don’t know,” I said, rushing out only to find Asher sitting on the outdoor table. “Oh, buddy, you really aren’t feeling well, are you?” I said as I cooed ove
r him for a bit, gently petting him.

  “Look, I understand what you are saying. I, too, have wondered what the slight shift in our realms has meant. The wolves of Elder and the unicorn incidents in The Vale, the merfolk of Atlantice... I can keep going. Something is happening, but I just don’t know how serious it truly is. Why don’t you follow me?”

  I gave Asher a reassuring smile and followed Genie through the palace and to the arboretum, where light music was playing, and my parents were dancing in each other’s arms. At least, they weren’t harboring any grudges against me after my rudeness to our guests earlier.

  “You see, Princess Gaia,” Genie started. “Not even magic can undo what is truly meant to be. Aladdin and Jawahir, they possess one of the purest loves I’ve ever witnessed,” he said with a smile.

  “Okay, I get it. I suppose some things just happen. Can we get out of here now? I feel like a peeping tom. I really don’t want to continue standing here and watching my parents act like fools.”

  “Fools?” Genie asked, scrunching his eyebrows.

  “Genie, it’s no secret that I don’t subscribe to the whole notion of love.”

  “Princess Gaia, perhaps that’s because you have yet to find the right person.”

  I covered my mouth to muffle my loud laugh. After a few moments of getting control of myself, I finally addressed him. “I have you. Who else can I possibly need?” As soon as the words had escaped my lips, what I’d meant as a flippant remark, felt all too real. I didn’t want love, precisely because of Genie.

  He smiled, “Oh, but I’m a mere servant and much too old for you. Sooner or later, you’ll have to find a match. The more open you are to the process, the better off you’ll be.”

  I wondered if he knew how much his words cut me. He wasn’t a servant. That was the whole point of my father freeing him. He’d never been treated as a servant by either of my parents or by me. He was more than that. He was the brother I never had, the friend when I needed someone to talk to, the counselor when I needed advice. He was everything, and yet to him, I was just a young princess who needed to be married off at the first chance.