The Forbidden Wish(69)

“Uncle, stand down,” she says. “You are my kin, but I will have you banished or imprisoned if you continue this charade.”

Sulifer doesn’t even blink. “This man stands accused of murder, sorcery, and communion with jinn.”

The blood drains from Aladdin’s face, and an audible gasp sweeps around the room.

“That is ridiculous!” says Caspida. “How dare you—”

“Let him speak for himself,” says Sulifer calmly. “And let him tell us if he is innocent.”

“Of course I am!” Aladdin replies. Dropping my hands, he steps around Caspida and faces the vizier. “You’re mad.”

“Am I?” Sulifer turns to Darian and gestures him forward.

“Enough of this insanity,” says Caspida. “Guards, remove my cousin and uncle from this place!”

Her guards hesitate, but Captain Pasha steps boldly forward. With a wave of his hand, Sulifer brings his own soldiers forward. They lower their lances at the captain, who falters and looks back at the princess. Sulifer and Darian don’t even flinch. They have the power of numbers, and they know it. The audience shrinks away, pressing against either side of the temple, well clear of the bared weapons.

The light in Caspida’s eyes is dangerous. Without breaking eye contact with her uncle, she motions for Pasha to stand down.

“Is it to be war between us?” she asks in a soft voice.

Sulifer raises a hand, palm up. “Let the boy prove his innocence, and I will leave this city today and never return.”

Caspida’s eyes narrow suspiciously. “And how do you propose he do that?”

“Let him be searched,” replies Sulifer calmly. “Surely you cannot object to that, for if he has nothing to hide, I shall be proven wrong in front of this entire court.”

“Very well,” says Caspida after a short silence. “Let him be searched.”

The blood drains from Aladdin’s face.

Sulifer bows, a bit too shallow to be genuine. “Thank you, Princess.”

Darian eagerly ascends the dais and steps toward Aladdin, drawing a knife as he seizes my master by the shoulder.

“You can’t seem to keep your hands off me, can you?” says Aladdin. “First in the baths, and now this. I’m flattered, truly, but my heart belongs to another.”

Darian just grins and wrenches Aladdin’s collar aside, exposing the scar on his bare shoulder. He presses the dagger’s edge against it, until Aladdin winces and blood trickles from beneath the blade.

“I knew who you were the moment I saw this in the baths,” the prince whispers in Aladdin’s ear. “I can’t believe I didn’t see it sooner, but it doesn’t matter now. You’re finished, thief. You’ll be wishing for death before I’m done with you.” He slides a hand down Aladdin’s coat, until he reaches the lump on his hip.

Aladdin swallows.

With a laugh of triumph, Darian pulls Aladdin’s sash, and the lamp comes swinging into plain sight. Curious murmurs rustle through the crowd; they aren’t sure what it is he’s discovered, but they know it must be important by the way Darian shouts excitedly. Aladdin grabs the lamp’s handle, trying to tug it away from the prince. I feel nauseated as once, twice, thrice I am nearly sucked into the lamp, only for Aladdin to regain possession of it.

“Sorcerer!” Darian cries. “Jinn-worshipper!”

The crowd picks up his cry, and the words echo across the room. Caspida angrily intervenes, grabbing Darian and pulling him away. The lamp, still bound to Aladdin, is torn from his grasp, and Aladdin catches it.

“What is this?” she asks, but by the dread in her voice, I think she already knows.

“Yes, thief, what is this?” asks Darian, smirking.

“It’s a custom of my people,” says Aladdin hoarsely. His face is drained of color, but still he tries to maintain his cover. “You know. Symbolizing light and . . . good fortune . . . All Istaryan grooms carry a lamp to their wedding.” He stares challengingly at Darian, daring the prince to announce that Aladdin had stolen the lamp from him, thus condemning them both.

“Liar,” snarls Darian. “You conspired with the jinn to pass yourself off as a prince, when you are nothing but a criminal. And with the jinn’s help, you murdered the king!” Darian pulls a vial from his pocket and holds it up. “This was found in his rooms—a deadly poison called Serpent’s Bite, the selfsame potion that took the life of our king!” He throws a finger toward Aladdin. “Murderer! King-killer!”

Aladdin’s jaw drops open. “The king? I didn’t—”

“Every word this man speaks is a lie!” Darian declares. “He is no prince. This man is a fraud and a criminal! His own parents were traitors, beheaded by my father for stirring up rebellion. He is not Rahzad, prince of Istarya, but Aladdin, a common thief who has plagued our city for years!”

And with that declaration, my glamour hiding Aladdin’s true face shatters and dissipates, revealing his true image. Recognition flares in Caspida’s eyes, and with it, dark anger.

“Aladdin,” she whispers, raising a hand to her temple. She blinks hard, as if unable to understand what she’s seeing. “Can it be?”

He steps forward, a hand raised. “Princess, I can explain—”