Beyond The Realms

•Epilogue•

I have been feeling dizzy since morning and now I feel like trowing up.

" Jabeen, don't you think we are pushing this a little too far ?"

She rolls her eyes at me as this isn't the first time I had asked her this
" Everything is fair in love and war. Isn't there a saying that goes  like this in the human world , cousin ?"

" Yes there is, but---"

" No buts. Women up Amelia and don't let your nerves get the best of you "

Easier said than done as I struggle to keep my panic levels to a minimum" There are many Princes out there waiting for my reply " I say in a chocked voice as nerves threaten to overwhelm me " Waiting to get betrothed to me "
More than twenty Princes in the great Hall of my father's palace , technically my palace are wating for my reply. 

" But is the  prince you actually  want to be with there ?" She  questions bluntly already knowing what the answer is. 

I'm past eighteen now and according to the rules of Djinn world it's time I choose a  betrothed.

" Listen " Jabeen says trying to calm me down as she places her hands on my shoulders and looks me in the eyes " A week from now I'll be leaving this palace to go to Ather's kingdom as his wife but before that I want to see you with the guy you love , so even if I have to pull something crazy to do it " She shrugs "I'll  do it "

" Do you think he will come ?" I ask my voice small and scared. When Jabeen had suggested this idea I was secretly thrilled but now that the guy is a no show I'm loosing hopes and wondering if this plan of ours will backfire .

It has been a year and half since I had seen him or heard from him. The last was when I was in  the garden of my fort.

" Ruslan is annoyingly  stubborn and he sure had been avoiding his feelings  for a long time now but you know..." she says looking at me  intently "  It's not often that a djinn  falls in love but  when he does  it is an  intense and  hard fall , no way out "

I snort because she said the L word .  I don't  know if Prince Ruslan feels that way about me . After all this time of absolute silence from him I  don't know if he feels even the tiniest fraction of what Jabeen is saying .

"  I'm sure my brilliant plan will draw him out"My cousin says  while I wish I could share my her confidence.

The plan better work or I'll have to cancel the ceremony , making all  the gathered princes here super offended and pissed off at me  for I'll not be choosing any of them to be my betrothed. 

I have already chosen the guy I want , now if he would just turn up.

I begin pacing the length of my bedchamber going out of my mind,  biting off my nails , yup, totally not a royal etiquette but cut this girl some slack because I'm a hair's breadth  away from  having a mental breakdown.

What was I thinking ?

This is such a stupid thing to do !

What made me and Jabeen think that he would even  bother to come ?

My heart shrinks as another incredibly glum thought fills my head,'
What made me think he would even  want to be my betrothed ? '

My train of glum thoughts comes to an abrupt halt when a  shocked  servant girl   rushes  into my  chambers  " Princess , My Princess..."

" What is it ?" Jabeen questions as the girl tries to catch her breath .