Maha staggered out of her sister's room, her body aching. On her way out, drops of blood tainted the floor, her feet giving out on her from time to time.
She held onto the wall, trying to fight the dizziness. The physical pain was nothing compared to the emotional roller coaster she was experiencing.
Around her, the guards and servants watched on. Some pitied her while others disdained the girl. Some enjoyed watching her in pain. Despite the pain and humiliation it brought on her, they envied her royal background.
For them, it was something to gloat about. What if she was born a princess? How was she different from them when she got treated worse than they?
They were accustomed to watching her misery, so much so that they felt she deserved it. Maha didn't care much for their opinions or their care.
After all, they were strangers to her. Why would she expect others to care when the ones she shared blood with despised her?
Somehow, she temporarily escaped the eastern wing of the castle, her feet leading her to the courtyard behind her quarters.
Surprisingly, that courtyard was a place only she could go to, except for its caretaker. Initially, it felt like a trap, but it became her sanctuary.
Whenever she needed time to herself, she would go there. Everything about the courtyard was magical.
She took a deep breath, her back straightening once her feet stepped into the courtyard. The previous weakness she had shown was nowhere in sight. Except for the faint scent of blood wafting from her body, there was no sign of torture.
She looked around, her eyes shining brightly at the sight of the hammock bed under the biggest oak tree in the middle of the courtyard. She rested her head on the pillow, closing her eyes momentarily.
Although her back ached from the pain, the scent of blood and the bloody mess were illusions she had created. To those present, they had witnessed Laiba's torturous whipping until her flesh was exposed.
In reality, she had expended a lot of energy and created an illusion for everyone around. It wasn't her being whipped. The illusion was held for nearly two hours, which drained her body and soul.
Her younger sister was a sadist. She never understood how one could take pleasure in another's pain. Whenever she was in a foul mood, she would use Maha to vent. In the beginning, it was bearable, until it wasn't.
In her younger years, she could bleed from the torture her siblings inflicted on her until she fainted from excessive blood loss.
With her smaller stature, she became an easy target for bullying. It took her a while to learn more about creating spells and illusions.
Her ability to learn fast was inspired by the hateful healer who used to treat her wounds. Her body shivered at the thought of the old woman. She shook her head to try to get rid of those memories.
At least now, she was no longer the little 'doll'. She had a growth spurt after turning fourteen. She sighed, opening her eyes.
It was then that she witnessed one of her favorite views. The branches of the trees expanded uniformly until they stretched wide enough to cover a few feet more. She watched the leaves grow in size, swaying gently, fanning her body.
The tree was welcoming her. Opening its branches and shading her with its leaves. It protected her from any intruder whom it may deem a threat.
Of course, she discovered this some years back. Although it couldn't talk, she could swear it was there solely to be her companion.
One who listened when she needed to rant. The best listener who wouldn't talk back or try to give her solutions. She didn't need solutions. She needed time to grow and execute her plans.
She named it Rafik. Despite its inability to talk, it served its purpose, being the best comfort. When she needed hugs, the leaves would extend to hold her in a protective cocoon.
When she felt hot, it would fan away the heat. When she was cold, it acted as a blanket to keep her safe. Perhaps one of these days, it would talk to her, too.
As though aware of her thoughts, the area around her dropped in temperature until it was just perfect. It was neither too hot nor too cold.
The sweat glistering on her body evaporated, leaving her exposed skin comfortably cool. The runes on her body disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a breathtaking face.
Maha closed her eyes, her face adorned by an alluring smile. Two beautiful dimples appeared on her dainty face. Soon her breathing became even as she slept soundly.
The exhaustion from days of traveling back from the desert, coupled with everything that had happened since she came back, caught up to her.
Soon, everything around her fell into a comfortable silence. Occasionally, soft whimpers could be heard coming from the sleeping girl.
A big snow white bird landed on top of the hammock, looking down at her. Its pink human-like orbs held a plethora of emotions, watching the girl sleep. Its majestic wings retracted as though afraid to wake the girl.
It moved cautiously until it sat face to face with Maha's sleeping face. A few stray lights fell on its feathers, making it shimmer magnificently.
Its orange beak opened as a magical tune filled the air. As it sung, the little tension and discomfort apparent on Maha's unconscious features disappeared.
Her whimpers turned into a relieved sigh, lulling her deeper into slumber. Its shining white head moved until its forehead rested on Maha's.
Soon, its initially shimmering feathers began to dull as it absorbed all the pain from the girl. Its beak never stops singing the song that comforted the soul.
Before long, Maha was completely in bliss. The Caladrius bird withdrew its head reluctantly and lay beside her. Its dulled feathers slowly transformed.
Gradually, a partially naked man lay beside the girl. Long, white, smooth hair replaced the feathers. On his head, a pair of white bat-like ears appeared. The man opened his eyes with difficulty, his body aching.
Pink inhuman eyes stared fondly at the sleeping beauty. His fingers traced her fair, dainty face. He scrutinized her features like he always does, unable to look away.
Beautiful, exotic features softened by the state of sleep graced his sight. Thick eyebrows covered her forehead. They were neither shabby nor overgrown.
He moved a finger, gently tracing her long, Romanesque nose. He watched the subtle flutter of her long lashes that curtained her orbs.
Afraid of waking her, he blew lightly on them, sending her back into dreamland. He was a selfish man in his desire to explore. Since he couldn't do it while she was awake, he could only covet her beauty in her sleep.
His fingers moved, lightly caressing the black mole beneath her nose, right above her heart-shaped lips. Her dimples were still apparent. Her soft, exquisite features beckoned to him, making his heart race.
He reluctantly removed his hand and rested it on her black silky mane, caressing it fondly. A lazy smile loomed on his ethereal features.
Arif supported his weight on his elbow, his head lying leisurely on his palm. While Zuneir was considered the most handsome man across the five kingdoms, Arif's looks easily surpassed it.
The long white hair added to his ethereal features. His pink eyes accentuated the paleness of his skin. Unlike Maha's exotic appearance, his entire frame was gorgeously pale.
While this could easily make another appear sickly, it made him more appealing to the eyes. No woman who laid eyes on him could resist his charm. He was naturally bewitching.
A single stare into his eyes and it was enough to steal one's soul. Except the girl sleeping oblivious to his charm. He sighed, his gaze remaining fixed on her face.
Although he was tempted to freely look at her, he didn't wish to intrude beyond what he had done. He desired her in more ways than one. However, his desires were negligible compared to her happiness and satisfaction.
He was bound to her. A bond that outweighed almost all others. Unfortunately, he wasn't her destined mate. She belonged to another. Her soul calls unto another.
He didn't like it, but he respected it. Until he comes to her and claims her, Arif would savor the moment and cherish her as his own. Even after she was claimed, he would remain by her side, protecting and adoring her.
A time would come when he, too, would find his mate. Despite his reluctance to sleep, he had exhausted all his energy healing her wounds. Additionally, transforming into his human form depleted the little energy he had left.
His eyes grew heavier by the second until he eventually closed them. The two slept under the tree, shielded by its enormous branches.
As Maha slept peacefully, Laiba was having a storm brewing over her head. She paced around anxiously. Her room was in shambles.
Broken pieces of furniture lay around her, the previously well-organized space now in disarray. She was still angry despite venting on Maha.
Her heart was in turmoil from the weight that lay heavily on it. Although she was in love with Wahid, she couldn't give up on Zuneir.
That man was every woman's dream lover. She wasn't in love with him, however, she wanted to be associated with him. Since she always got whatever she desired, he was no exception.
Sadly, this time, she had to give up on one thing. She couldn't keep them both. Her hands rested on her lower abdomen, aware of the life growing therein.
She bit down hard on her lips until they bled. She didn't want to give up Zuneir for Wahid. She knew deep down that when it came to power, Zuneir held a lot of it. As for Wahid, he was just one of the princes among the many princes of his kingdom.
Should she give up the man her heart beat for? Should she choose power over her child? If only she weren't pregnant. If only she had never given in to the temptations that Wahid brought!
What should she do?