Claimed by the Desert

Chapter Fifteen

FYI  in case you were wondering Amias's name is pronounced Am-eye-as and Hael's is pronounced Hail.

Also, this chapter is dedicated to @AlwaysAlone1 because tomorrow is her birthday. 

  

Chapter Fifteen

Despite the calm façade she was portraying, Vera's heart and mind were racing. She sat still, almost frozen, as Amias's sister braided and styled her hair.

Preparing for a wedding was strange, not only because she hadn't expected it, but because she had never even planned on getting married at all. Vera knew most girls her age couldn't wait to marry and have children, but she had had different plans for her future. She had wanted to become a famous archeologist or perhaps a museum curator. Now she would be neither.

Amias had taken that from her – her future, her dreams. And that was one of the main problems she had with him – well, that, and the fact he was an obsessive, homicidal maniac. He didn't care about anyone else's wants or needs. He only cared about what he wanted and he was determined he would get it even if he had to kill and enslave the people in his way.  It was sick and wrong.

Vera sighed and looked at Amias's sister the mirror's reflection. She had been very quiet as well. It was difficult to tell what she was feeling. Her face was almost completely emotionless. But while Amias looked terrifying and dark, his sister was the exact opposite. It was almost like looking into a ray of sunshine. Her hair and eyes were golden and glowing and she was nearly a head taller than Vera.

"You never told me your name," Vera said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Amais's sister looked up into the mirror and met Vera's eyes for the first time in hours.

"I am not certain you could pronounce my true name, but you may refer to me as Hael," she replied.

Vera refused to say something like, 'it's nice to meet you,' because in all honesty it was not. To be frank, if she ever got away from this place and these creatures it wouldn't bother her a bit if they all disappeared from the face of the earth forever.

"So how do these types of things go in your world?' she asked the jinni.

Hael looked confused for a moment. "The wedding ceremony, you mean?"

When Vera shrugged and nodded she continued, "Well, usually these things take time. A long courtship usually precedes the marriage, but Amias has never been one for following rules."

She smiled when Vera snorted and said, "I never would have guessed that."

"Also, contrary to your cultural practice of a dowry, our kind usually gives the bride a gift before the ceremony," Hael continued.

"What kind of a gift?" she asked, wondering if she would receive one.

Hael seemed puzzled. "It is hard to explain to you, since you are not of our kind. Basically we give the bride a few wishes. She can use them however she chooses. Usually most brides wish for children or for longevity."

Vera felt a flicker of hope begin to blossom. If she were to receive wishes it was possible she could use them to escape.

"Will I be receiving wishes? Even though I'm not of your kind?" she asked, crossing her fingers underneath her gown for luck.

Hael seemed to consider it. "I'm not certain. I would think so, but if you were to receive them they would have to be given to you by myself or my brother since we are the last of our family."

Vera's hope dwindled. Amias would never give her wishes if she could use them however she wanted.

"Will you give them to me?" Vera asked Hael, holding her breath as she waited for the jinni's response.

Hael looked uncertain and nervous. "My brother would not appreciate it...but it is our custom. If I give you these wishes you need to know what you can and can't wish for."

Vera frowned. "I thought you said they could be used however I wanted?"

Hael nodded, but said, "Within reason, Vera. Under the laws of our people you cannot wish to kill someone, you cannot bring anyone back from the dead, you cannot ask to live forever, you cannot wish for someone to love you, and you cannot wish for more wishes."

Vera was fine abiding with those rules, especially since they still allowed her an escape.

"Also," Hael said, interrupting Vera's happy thoughts. "I know what you're thinking, and you cannot use your wishes to get out of your deal with my brother."

"What, why?" Vera snapped, before realizing she had just given away her plan. She mentally slapped herself.

Hael was smiling though, so she wasn't too worried.

"You cannot use the wishes to break your word on a promise. You gave your word to Amias and now you have to follow through. I am sorry," she replied.

Vera was furious. Balling her fists up against her sides she took several deep breaths to calm herself down.

"But he lied," she snarled under her breath. "I shouldn't have to do anything he says."

Hael removed her hands from Vera's hair and clasped them together nervously.

"You really believe that, don't you?"

Vera spun around to face her. "Of course I believe it! I was there, I heard everything!"

"But you didn't see it, did you?'

"No. But that was only because your horrid brother had me blinded!"

Hael began to pace the floor and wring her hands. "If, and I did say if, I believed you, what would you have me do? He's my brother! I will not betray my family."

Vera rolled her eyes. "When you do something wrong your family is supposed to be the first to point it out! They are supposed to care enough to stop you before you do something horrible! What you're doing is worse than betrayal. He's becoming a monster and you're just standing by!"

Vera panted, out of breath from her rant while Hael stared at her with wide eyes. Nothing was said for several minutes, but Hael eventually came around.

"I will go to the surface," she began, almost too low for Vera to hear. "And if I find evidence my brother is guilty of what you say, I will give you the wishes and help you escape."

Vera grinned so wide her face hurt, but Hael held up a hand before she could get too excited.

"But if I go there and find out my brother is telling the truth, you have to agree to stay here and keep up your half of the bargain. Agreed?"

Vera nodded frantically, rushing over to hug Hael in her excitement. The jinni laughed, but pulled away. She pointed one of her fingers in Vera's face and said; "Don't leave this room until I return, understood?"

"Of course. I promise I will be right here when you get back," Vera agreed, sitting back down on the settee to prove her point.

Hael grinned and before Vera could blink twice, she had disappeared.

...

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Please vote and comment if you get time - I appreciate it!