Fate of deception

Chapter 17 - Z

Amir awoke suddenly, his chest heaving as if he had been running. The remnants of a forgotten dream clung to the edges of his mind, slipping away like sand through his fingers. He blinked, disoriented, the earl morning light filtering through the thin curtains casting a pale, golden hue across the room.

For a moment, he lay still, feeling the coolness of the sheets beneath him, his gaze wandering over to Umaizah. She lay beside him, her dark hair fanned across the pillow, her breathing deep and even. Her face, serene in sleep, was turned towards him, a picture of peace that only heightened his sense of urgency. He had no time for dreams, forgotten or otherwise. Not now.

The clock on the nightstand read 6am. The world outside was still wrapped in the quiet calm of early morning, but Amir's mind was already whirring, calculating, plotting. He moved slowly, careful not to disturb Umaizah as he slipped out of bed, his bare feet silent against the cold floor.

In the stillness of the room, his thoughts were sharper, more focused. He could not afford any more delays. The task ahead was crucial - more than that, it was dangerous. He glanced back at Umaizah, his heart tugging at the sight of her. If she knew the full extent of his plan, the risks he was about to take, she would never have agreed to it. But she didn't need to know. Not yet.

He had always been good at keeping secrets.

As he moved about the room, gathering the items he needed, his mind was already several steps ahead. The spell had done its work, clouding the memory of the dream, but Amir knew better to dismiss the lingering unease that clung to him. Dreams were dangerous things in this world, often prophetic, sometimes manipulative. But there was no time to dwell on it. He had to focus on what was real, what was tangible.

He silently retrieved a small, worn notebook from the drawer beside the bed, flipping it open to the page where he had meticulously detailed his plan. The steps were laid out clearly, each one designed to lead him closer to his goal while keeping Umaizah in the dark. It was better this way, he told himself. She had always been the light in his life ever since he saw her in the forest, and he couldn't bear the thought of that light being dimmed by the shadows of what he had to do.

Amir paused, listening to the quiet rise and fall of Umaizah's breath. It was a sound he could lose himself into if he let his guard down. But there was no room for hesitation, no time for second guessing. "Don't fail me." The world outside was not as peaceful as it seemed in this early hour. Forces were in motion, alliances being formed and broken, and he was caught in the middle, like a pawn on a chessboard, trying to manoeuvre his way to the other side without losing everything.

He closed the notebook and slipped it back into the drawer, his resolve hardening. He would not lose. Not this time. As much as he hated deceiving Umaizah, this was a necessary evil. When it was over, when the dust had settled and dangers had passed, he would tell her everything. He would make her understand. But for now, he had to finish this. Alone.

Amir took one last look at Umaizah, her face still tranquil in sleep, and felt a pang of guilt that he quickly pushed aside. The sun was beginning to rise, as with it, the world would awaken to the same old lies. But not for long. Soon, everything would change.

He just had to make sure he was the one pulling the strings when it did.

Without another glance, Amir left the room, the door closing softly behind him. The day has only just begun, but his path was already set.

He would follow it to the end, no matter where it led him.

Everything had to be done quickly in order for it to go smoothly.

Nothing was going to stop him.