INICIAR SESIÓNThey roughly pulled open my cloak and turned my face toward the man who was slowly approaching, Aldrich.
The moment I saw him, every instinct inside me screamed to run but I couldn't. My body still ached from the fall, and the injuries I had suffered made even sitting upright difficult. So I forced myself to remain where I was, trying not to show the fear building inside me.
The night had settled over Harun's village.Beyond the small huts, the desert stretched endlessly toward the horizon, dark beneath the scattered stars.Kharef stood alone. His massive figure was almost motionless as he stared into the distance, his arms crossed over his chest.He could still hear the faint sounds coming from the village behind him. People talking and dinner being served. The occasional laughter and somewhere among those sounds was the woman he loved.Maritza… He knew exactly what she wanted him to do, return to Egypt and to his throne. Leave her here until the danger is dealt with.The thought alone made his jaw tighten. He had spent his entire life protecting Egypt, never hesitated to return to the ba
No one dared to make a comment.The moment I finished speaking, everyone lowered their heads, suddenly finding the ground far more interesting than the conversation.I couldn't blame them because I had just told the Pharaoh of Egypt what he needed to do. Yes, I had practically ordered him to leave me behind and return to his kingdom.And somehow, I was still alive.I glanced around at the others to see Rasyid remained completely silent while Harun wisely said nothing. Even Zahra had stopped what she was doing and was watching us with a small, knowing smile.They all understood what had just happened. No one dared challenge Kharef and order him anywhere. Yet somehow, I had done exactly that.
Once again, it seemed my wound was slowing everything down.I hated admitting it but it was the truth. By now, we should have already returned to the palace and yet we are still here.Kharef was the Pharaoh. He had responsibilities waiting for him—decisions that only he could make, leaders who needed his guidance, and a kingdom that had been without him for far too long.Yet here we were, still hiding, still waiting and still trying to make sure I was strong enough to travel.Once again, my injuries had become the reason everything was delayed.I sat in the dining room with Zahra while she prepared our food. The familiar smell of herbs and roasted meat filled the room, but I barely noticed it.
The fire had burned low by the time I finally asked the question that had been sitting in my mind all evening.“So... what are we now?”Kharef turned his head toward me.He stared at me as though I had suddenly started speaking a language he had never heard before.“What?” he frownedI almost laughed. “You heard me.”His golden eyes narrowed slightly.“What do you mean, what are we?”I hesitated.“It’s just...” I looked down at our joined hands. “We never really talked about
Two days later, I was finally able to get out of bed.The pain was still there. Every movement reminded me of the wound in my back, and sometimes I had to stop and breathe whenever I moved too quickly. But compared to the days when I couldn't even open my eyes, I considered it a miracle that I could stand again.Well… Almost stood, because apparently, Kharef had other plans.That evening, everyone gathered in the open space outside Harun and Zahra's home.A campfire burned brightly in the middle of us, its warmth spreading through the cool desert air. Meat was being roasted over the flames, while a large pot of soup simmered nearby. The smell made my stomach growl almost immedia
After Kharef was finally convinced that I was feeling better, and Zahra arrived with lunch, he reluctantly agreed to let the healers treat his wound.He had been refusing treatment ever since I woke up.Apparently, the fact that I was conscious again was enough for him to decide that everything else could wait.It took Zahra and me nearly half an hour to convince him otherwise.“You need to let someone look at your wound,” I told him.“I’m fine.”“You've been saying that for three days.” Zahra added.He scoffs. “I am still fine.”I stare







