I flicked through the pages, scanning the dense text.There were tales of war, and victories that spanned centuries.Stories of a ruler who didn’t just lead, he dominated.He burned entire kingdoms to ash.Bent the land to his will and crushed anyone who defied him.
I didn’t know what I was looking for, or why I was torturing myself by even reading about him in the first place.Something deep within me couldn’t help but want to know more about him.
My hands stilled when something caught my eye, a single word standing out from the sea of ink.
Firewalker.
I kept reading.
Unlike any other Firewalker, Dalkhan’s abilities transcend the natural limits of Jinn magic.He does not conjure fire, but bends reality itself, shaping flame as an extension of his will.He is the only Jinn to ever hold dominion over Aradhi(The Lands)uncontested.Not by alliance, but through sheer, undeniable power.Dalkhan is called the king of the Jinn not by tradition, but for the reason that none dare to challenge him.None dare to end his reign.
A chill raced down my spine.
Iwas supposed tokillhim.Me—a mortal girl, whose biggest struggle in life has been brushing the knots from my hair, was meant to killthis!
A humourless laugh pushed past my lips.The sheer absurdity of it made my head spin.
I snapped the book shut, pressing my palm flat against the cover as if that would stop the words from sinking in.
It was ridiculous.Impossible.It was downright stupid.
What chance did I have against someone likethat?
I collapsed backwards, staring at the ceiling.I wanted to read more, wanted to understand what I was truly up against, but not now.
Now, I needed some air.
The walls felt too close.The lack of windows only made it worse.I couldn’t stay here.
I pushed off the bed before I could second-guess myself.Cracking open the door, I peered into the dimly lit hallway.
Empty.Perfect.
I kept my footsteps light, retracing the same path Jasila had led us through earlier.Shadows stretched along the stone walls, moving under the sparse torchlight.The fear of getting caught gnawed at my insides, but I swallowed it down and kept moving.
The massive doors to the throne room loomed ahead.I pressed my palms against them, straining with all my strength as I pushed.Jasila had made it look effortless, meanwhile my arms trembled uncontrollably.With a final shove, they groaned open just enough for me to slip through.I winced at the soft thud as they locked shut behind me.
Darkness swallowed the hall, save for the silver glow of moonlight spilling through the wound in the ceiling.The night breeze carried the faint scent of embers and something earthy.My footsteps echoed as I stepped forward, drawn toward the centre.
Tilting my head back, I stared up at the sky—at the thousands of stars scattered across the endless black.At the moon hanging above like a watchful eye.
I closed my eyes, just for a moment, letting the cool air brush over me.It was peaceful.
A spark ignited my bones, sharp and sudden.The fine hairs on my arms rose as a pulse of electricity skimmed across my skin.
I wasn’t alone.
I froze, my heart hammering.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I shouldn’t have been here, all alone.Readying myself, I turned.
He was only a few steps away, bare-chested under the pale light.Power rippled around him, though it was expression that held me captive.Rage was carved into his face like stone.
I dropped my head, bowing before him.My hands clenched into fists by my sides, squeezing tighter to help stop them from shaking.
He took a single step.
