Chapter 4 – The Deal
Jasmine noticed how slow time seemed to move since the wedding. The moment had changed everything. Though Ali mostly kept to himself, she was still forced to struggle through their meals together. For two weeks, the hours had dragged into grueling days. There was no satisfaction in living a life without hope, and that's exactly what the prince had stolen from her. The only moments of bliss were the few nights he had chosen to rest outside of the palace, supposedly hard at work on their streets. While he spent his days out amidst her own people, she sat in the courtyard searching for purpose. When no suitable resolution revealed itself, she became more solidified in her decision to leave.
Her eyes glazed over the possible routes for when the moment presented itself to make her escape. The task was the only thing keeping her from losing her mind. Glancing at an array of vines growing along the wall, she examined their strength at a distance. A trio of guards stood far too near, but Jasmine made a mental note to revisit the area come nightfall.
As footsteps neared her, she withheld a groan.
"Afternoon princess," he smiled, the same fake smile he had used for two weeks now. She despised how quickly her temper was to rise around the prince. The wedding had changed more than just time. It had also turned her heart into a pit of relentless irritation. Before, she would offer a smile to each of the guards that passed. She would even go out of her way to ask about her servant's day. She had been kind. She had been humble. A terrible sickness stirred inside her, knowing what she had become. However, she refused to own the blame, for it was the prince who had caused such a negative change. It was he who deserved to bear the burden of guilt.
Logically, Jasmine knew her life could have fallen into far worse hands. After all, even after two weeks Ali continued to offer her space. His only demands had been attending each meal together where they sat in an uncomfortable silence. A shred of hope remained that she could bore him into leaving Agrabah, however the man continued to persevere. Even her couch had begun to dip from being used as bedding and Jasmine knew all too well that by now the other princes would have welcomed themselves under her covers. It chilled her to imagine what acts they would force upon her. And yet, despite all logic, her heart declared war against her mind nonetheless. She would give the man who'd stolen her future no sense of glory.
"Enjoying the sun?" He tried again, though this time he moved to sit beside her. The heat of his body soaked into her own and it felt absolutely revolting. Her jaw clenched in an attempt to prevent her disgusted shouts.
"Jasmine," he sighed. "It's been two weeks and we've hardly talked. It might be beneficial for us to get to know each other."
Her temper flared. The man had done nothing to earn any special knowledge of her. What information did he think he could gather from her? As if the man could read her thoughts he moved to clarify.
"I don't need to know your secrets."
"Then what do you want to know?" She asked coldly
"I don't know, what's your favorite color?" He tested. She looked him over, trying to understand his intentions. She should refuse him, but for just a moment she decided to play his game.
"Fine. It's teal." she sighed.
"Teal," he nodded. "It's a good color."
"Now you can rule Agrabah with such valuable information." The words were an attack, or at least they were supposed to be. Yet Ali smirked as if failing to hear her frustration.
"Mine is orange," he answered, as if she cared. "Your turn. Ask me anything."
An endless list of vile questions raced through her mind. Questions designed only to get a rouse out of the prince. Perhaps if she was foul enough, he would learn to leave her be.
"Come on," he teased patiently. "Anything."
Shaking her head in frustration, she settled upon a simple question.
"What's your favorite animal?"
Ali stiffened while shaking his head in mock offense. "Well now you've crossed a line."
Later, she would make sure to scold herself for laughing at his jest. She ended it quickly before composing herself.
"Monkeys," he answered honestly after their chuckles subsided. "I have one back home that I miss quite dearly."
"What is its name?"
"His name is Abu," he smiled. "He's always getting me in trouble by stealing from people's pockets and placing their belongings in my own."
"A learned trait, I presume?" She lifted her brow.
"Sadly yes, though one that has gotten out of hand." He nodded with a chuckle. "I assume your favorite is a tiger?"
"Rajah was a gift from my mother," she nodded. "He's my greatest protector. He fought off numerous suitors as they came to our doors."
"Well, I appreciate you refraining from siccing him on me."
"He does seem fond of you, for some insufferable reason." It had been meant as a jest, though even she could hear the underlying distain within her voice.
"Am I truly so revolting?" he asked a bit quietly.
"You did travel hundreds of miles just to force a woman's hand…"
"I did not travel to Agrabah to marry you," he interrupted with a sigh. She looked to him in surprise, considering the words for just a moment before revolting against them. No. He was lying.
"Am I expected to believe that it was by coincidence that you accepted my father's offer of a forced marriage?" She challenged.
"Jasmine, I know that you did not ask for this." She flinched at the risen tone. Though he wasn't furious by any means, it was the first time he had broken his gentle façade. "But I feel your distrust in me is undeserved."
"Give me one good reason why I should trust you," she retorted. Ali merely strengthened his glare.
"Would you have preferred that I declined your father's offer? To let him turn to another prince? Achmed, was twice your age. You'd have been nothing more than a slave to a man like him. That is only one example."
"Am I expected to believe that your choice to marry me was an act of compassion?" She sneered but Ali remained unmoved. He took a deep breath, sighing away whatever anger boiled beneath those eyes before answering.
"Yes." His jaw tightened. She flinched at his answer, surprised by the confidence within his stare. He stood from their bench and faced her. "You think that you are alone. You think that you are the only one who has suffered loss. You are wrong, princess."
With that, Ali left her. Staring after him, her heart twisted inside of her. For a strange, and wild moment, she considered running after the prince; to learn more of his intentions and to relieve that bit of sorrow in his eyes.
No! Quickly scolding herself, she resolved to the knowledge that she would not be fooled. Moving to her feet, she returned to her task.
The rest of the day dragged slowly as she continued to wrestle with her heart. Ali's disheartened gaze refused to cease haunting the princess. Though she tried desperately to find a reason against allowing even a shred of compassion, the guilt gnawed at her sanity none the less. Jasmine prided herself over her strength of will, however, she had never been cruel. It seemed that even with someone so vile, she could not bring herself to accept torturing the mind of another.
The moon rose as the sky turned dark. Recalling her task from before, she shoved the troubled emotions away before returning to the courtyard. Minutes passed as she waited for the guards to complete their round before swiftly reaching the wall. Jasmine tested one of the vines, glancing behind her shoulder to make sure no one could see her. After a tug, she trusted the piece enough to carry her weight, she only wondered how far she could go.
The stones were jagged, making the climb a bit easier. The vines remained steady even as she rose higher. Having only planned to take a few steps, a wave of panic struck the princess as she noticed the great distance below. Her arms ached and her mind muddied as Jasmine realized she had scaled nearly half the wall.
"There are doors you know."
Jasmine nearly fell backwards at the voice. Quickly catching herself on the vines, she breathed a bit more quickly.
"What are you doing out here?" She asked.
"I should ask you the same question." She could hear Ali's smirk. "So you're taking up rock climbing?"
"Go away," she groaned; trying desperately to hide the panic of alerting their guards.
"I feel obligated to stay," he chuckled. "You got yourself in quite a mess there, princess."
"I have everything under control," she lied.
"Really? Because it looks… I wouldn't put my foot there." His instruction came too late as her toe fell against a weakened stone. Her body slammed against the hard wall and a hint of fear flowed through her. "Kind of looks like you don't."
"I don't need your help," she sang her sarcasm. Her arms had begun to shake from their exertions and her knee throbbed from where it smashed against the wall.
"I can see that, you're really making progress. Just hanging there."
"Ali, I have never resorted to slapping a man, but you are testing my limits." She gasped from exhaustion.
"Right, only setting your tiger upon them. That's much more humane. Oh, and I wouldn't grab that vine."
"I'd be fine if you let me be," she managed to speak before the vine snapped above her. A squeal escaped as gravity pulled her from the wall. Bracing herself for a hard fall, she almost felt grateful for the pair of arms that softened the descent. The princess grunted as she collided into Ali's chest, yet he appeared unscathed as his smirk remained.
"For what it's worth, I commend your accomplishment of such a great height in heels," he quipped before lowering her feet to the ground.
"And how would you know what it's like to wear heels?" She found herself retorting, though even more surprising was the softest upturn from the curve of her lips.
"Behind every man lies a story of a curious boy that just wanted to play with mum's shoes. Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise," Ali chuckled before returning his glance to the wall. "So you wanted to escape by scaling a wall only fifty yards from the palace gates?"
"I wasn't trying to escape," her temper was quick to return. Though even her anger could not shield her from his mischievous gaze. It wasn't a lie, not technically anyways, yet it appeared as if he could see right through her. Her body flinched when a pair of guards rounded the corner. She tensed when they glanced their way, but paid little attention before continuing their route. "What do you want?"
"Strawberry jam," he raised his brow while nodding. "Haven't had it in weeks."
"I'm not sure what I find more strange," she raised her own brow while squaring her shoulders. "The fact that you do not act like a true prince, or the fact that no one else finds it odd but me?"
"Still on the rumored theories?" His mood did not falter as he moved to sit upon a bench. "You know, if you would speak to me I could tell you all about my kingdom. However, I'm curious, what theories have your brilliant mind come up with?"
"I'm not one for foolish games," she answered sternly. "I only see that something doesn't add up."
"Could it simply be that I happen to be a prince and am also a really great guy?" He smiled.
"Perhaps I was wrong. You must be a prince," she scoffed. "You do seem to view yourself quite highly."
"On the contrary, I'm much shorter that most men."
"Is everything a joke to you?"
"I'm just trying to lighten the tension, princess," he spoke a bit more seriously. "You wield a thick shield of it every time your around me."
"I feel that I have good reason too," she challenged.
"Perhaps you do. But, that doesn't warrant your hatred. I told you, I didn't ask for this."
"You…"
"I'm not asking you to love me," he interrupted while returning to his feet. "I'm not even asking for you to like me. But, seeing as we are both in this together, our lives might improve if you could at minimal learn to tolerate me."
She hated that he was being reasonable. Her stubborn heart wanted nothing more than to despise the man who'd stolen her freedom. Yet, here was that same man, wielding logic against her petty hatred.
"I promise to never touch you without your permission." All humor fled as he met her gaze intently. "I promise that I will stay out of your way. I only ask that you refrain from broadcasting your hatred for me."
"I don't broadcast."
"Princess," he rolled his eyes. "If looks could kill, I'd have been slain at 'I do.'"
He held his hand out between them.
"And one compliment every night."
"What?" Her brow scrunched.
"I want a compliment. One each night," he smirked. "I will reciprocate. Deal?"
She scoffed while shaking her head. She waited a moment before grasping his hand. Sealing their contract with a nod. "Deal."
"Great." Their hands parted immediately. For a moment, she stood awkwardly in his presence before he smiled arrogantly. "So?"
"What?" Her eyes narrowed.
"What's your compliment?"
"You mean… now?" she nearly groaned.
"It is nighttime, princess." His hands waved to present the moon. "Come on, let's hear it."
"You are infuriating."
"That's not a compliment," he smirked.
"You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?" Her lips became impossible to control as they curved upwards.
"Still not a compliment."
"Fine," she shook her head while attempting to void her smile. Her eyes observed the prince, searching for anything pleasant. "You have… a nice shirt."
"Thank you," he exaggerated his delight. "And you are very beautiful tonight."
"Thank you," she rolled her eyes. "Are we done?"
"A deal's a deal." He shrugged. She felt the impulse to shove him and his smug smirk, though managed to refrain.
"I'm going to bed," she stated quickly before shoving past him. She could hear his chuckle behind her.
"Goodnight, princess."
Review Replies:
Classified Director 101 – Aww thank you very much! That is a great relief to hear that you enjoy the dialogue, I don't get a whole lot of feedback on that so I thank you! Hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Bellydancer10 – I am glad that you are enjoying the story! I'm going to try very very hard to push through to the end. I'm still very much in the hype of Aladdin, so at the moment writing isn't taxing. I have the first draft up to chapter 8 written already, so it will be after that where it might become more good thing about this story is I already have everything planned, I just need to write it out. My other multi-chap was a figure it out as I go. Thanks for reading and commenting!
