The Law of Stars and Sultans

Asmodeus took a step toward White, his own expression granite. “Why don’t you take a place in the crowd, White. I know you have no concern for her. Let this be.”

White shot him a condescending look. “I am afraid I cannot do that.”

Ari held in a gasp, taking a stumbling step toward them, her pulse throbbing in her throat.

“You see,” White cast his eyes around lazily, as if completely bored with the situation, “I do not remember agreeing to a betrothal.”

Again, just as they’d done at the feast, the crowd gasped. Ari’s eyes searched them frantically, wondering what that meant. What does it mean?

Azazil snorted at the comment. “I thought your agreement irrelevant considering your lack of paternal affection for the girl.”

“Father,” The White King’s tone was almost mocking, “Surely you know me better than that by now. I am such a stickler for rules, am I not? And ultimately, it is up to the father of the bride whom he allows her to marry.”

Hope exploded through Ari and her eyes sought Jai. He was gazing back at her, looking as if he was going to burst out of the crowd toward her any minute. And in his eyes she saw the same hope she was feeling.

They both turned to look back at the kings and found Azazil was no longer amused. He narrowed his eyes on the White King. “Are you suggesting you are not in favor of a match between Ari and Asmodeus?”

“Indeed.”

Ari sagged at that one word.

“It is a matter of honor, you see,” White continued. “My daughter has already approached me concerning a betrothal to another and I have agreed to allow her to marry him. I could not go back on my word.”

“You’re lying,” Asmodeus growled, but Azazil, although unhappy, held up a hand to halt him.

Azazil curled a lip at his son. “If you mean this, my word to Asmodeus is superseded by the law.”

“I am aware of that, Father.”

“You’re lying about this, aren’t you?”

White suddenly wore a wicked smile. “Prove it.”

A simmering heat built among the three of them until Azazil finally asked, “And who is the man she is betrothed to?”

“I think we can all guess,” Asmodeus hissed.

“Jai Bitar of the California Ginnaye Tribe.”

Ari’s knees nearly gave out in relief, and she closed her eyes, bowing her head as tears leaked down her cheeks.

“You would see your daughter joined with a lesser jinn instead of becoming bride to the first and most powerful marid in our worlds?” Azazil asked in utter disbelief.

White merely shrugged. “As I stated, it is a matter of honor. Jai has guarded my daughter well these last few months. He will continue to do so as her husband.”

The sultan sneered. “He was guarding her from you.”

Ari’s father smirked, obviously enjoying the fact that he’d ruined his father’s and Asmodeus’s sick fun. “Do you not love the irony of it?”

Some tittered in the crowd but abruptly stopped when Azazil flashed them a deadly look. “Fine,” he snarled. “Ari Johnson and Jai Bitar are free to go.”

Just like that.

It was over.

Her eyes clashed with Jai’s and his mouth was curling at the corners in relief. Before Ari could go to him, however, the White King gave his father a militant nod. He then turned on his heel and swiftly walked back down the aisle and past Ari without a word.

What?

Heart racing, Ari shot Jai a look that told him to follow and she ran down the aisle after her father, holding up the train of her ridiculous gown.

“Wait!” she called, as she stumbled out of the ballroom, her eyes on her father’s departing back.

The White King stopped just as Jai appeared beside Ari, his hand immediately seeking hers. Ari almost wept with relief at the feel of it, and she sagged against his side as her father turned to look at her with his dark, alien eyes.

Ari shivered, unnerved as always. “Why? How?” she asked softly.

“My brother, Glass, paid me a visit.”

“Glass?”

He nodded, face blank. “Yes. He told me what the sultan’s new form of entertainment was and well … it pleases me to thwart my father.”

“That’s why?”

His gaze sharpened and he took a step toward her. “Do not mistake my actions as affection. I will leave that to my brothers, Red and Glass, who seem to have developed an unseemly fatherly devotion to you.”

Ari ignored his reproach and felt a warmth in her chest knowing Red and Glass really did care for her. She’d have to thank them profusely later. Their affection, however, did nothing to soothe the hurt. She’d never have her real father’s love. That was clear now. She squeezed Jai’s hand and leaned even more heavily against him, needing his strength. “You could’ve given me to anyone, though. Why Jai?”

The White King flicked a disinterested look Jai’s way before turning back to Ari. “My brother asked me to stipulate it. Since I believe in balance, I granted his request.”