Atem POV

We left and returned to the palace. Mahad took Gahiji to the dungeons for a well needed time out away from people, especially after yelling some pretty rude things towards my father and I the whole trip.

"What do you think of Kamilah?" My father asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

"She's timid, but loyal to those who give her the respect she deserves. Gahiji never did- he sees her as property. Makes you wonder why he wants to marry her."

"More than likely to keep her light magic suppressed. She could be very powerful if she continues to use it-even those elemental spells." I looked at him. "Yes, I know. When she did her dance, we saw the flowers through the window and he explained that she possesses a very rare form of light magic that has no name, but her mother called it "Siren Song," I began thinking. 'That is a fitting name for her magic. She could be very powerful-or very dangerous when she becomes angered.' My father continues speaking. "What do you think about her becoming our next queen?" I am at a loss for words. 'Is he planning on marrying her or me marrying her?'

Three days later, we returned Gahiji to his home. Once there, my father offered a deal– "Either Gahiji becomes her Guardian Magician or he will be executed for treason."

"I will never become that whore's Guardian, and I did nothing to warrant being executed."

"You were about to strike the Prince of Egypt. That is treason by law." But, the younger brother of Gahiji- Jahi- came forward with a proposition.

"If I take my brother's place as Kamilah's Guardian, can the betrothal still be broken? Kamilah and I have been friends for years and I have done my best to try to protect her from my lustful brother."

"Yes, but you will lose your current status and fortune. Are you willing to give that up?"

"If I wasn't willing, I would not have offered."

"Very well. It is done. The offer is accepted and this betrothal between Kamilah and Gahiji is broken. If you ever say a foul thing about her again after today, I will execute you for treason." With that, my father, Mahad, Jahi, and I returned to the palace. Mahad called Mana to show Jahi to the Magician's barracks, and my father and I were taken back to Ahnknem's for my assignment reading. We went to his study and to my surprise, Kamilah sat in on my reading. Once I was finished, they both looked at each other and smiled.

"Did you know Kamilah actually came up with this last assignment for you? I have been teaching her battle strategy as part of her curriculum, and her last assignment was to be your battle opponent in your final assignment. She was to lose and you were to win. She knew this, and also knew if you lost the battle and she won, then you both would fail. I am proud to say that both of you passed with flying colors. Congratulations!" Kamilah stood up.

"We have a dinner being prepared for us to celebrate. Would you like to join us?" My father answered.

"Of course. While we wait, would the two of you give us the room? I have something to speak to Ahnknem about." Both Kamilah and I nodded and exited the room.

Kamilah's POV

The Prince and I exited my father's study and made our way down stairs. We walked to the kitchen. "Hey, Liza. May we each have a goblet of water, please?

"Yes, ma'am." Liza produced two goblets and handed them to us. I took both of them and motioned for the prince to follow me back to the garden.

"LADY ISIS, PLEASE LET YOUR TEARS FALL AND FILL OUR CUPS!" I held the cups to the sky and rain fell into them until they were full, then handed one to the prince. "So what have you been up to the last few days, Your Highness?"

"Just trying to figure out a way to break your betrothal to that guy without your father paying that fee."

"Did you figure it out?"

"My father did and we broke the betrothal. You don't have to marry him and you can enjoy this beautiful garden longer than you thought." Just then, our fathers walked into the garden.

"Liza just informed us that dinner is ready. How about we eat out here in the garden?" My father suggested. The prince and the pharaoh agreed, so Father went to tell Liza we would be eating in the garden while I led the prince and Pharaoh to the table. Soon, Father, Liza, and the rest of the kitchen staff brought our dinner to us. We all ate, chatted and enjoyed the company. The sun was beginning to go down, so the pharaoh called it a night and we bid them good night. As my father and I climbed the stairs to our quarters, he asked me a question.

"What do you think of the prince?"

"He's kind, but I sense a darkness in him and the pharaoh. I can't tell how the darkness has affected him or if it will- if it hasn't yet."

"They both use Shadow magic. It is very dangerous. They can call monsters from the shadows to do battle on their behalf, but it comes at a price- for each monster destroyed, the owner loses some of their life force. Once their life force is gone, they are sucked into the shadows as punishment."

"That's awful."

"Yes,but it will never happen to you if you ever happened to be in one of those battles and lost."

"Because I use light magic?"

"Yes, and you can control the shadows as well."

"How? I only use my magic for good."

"Exactly. You could command the shadows to release you- or the prince."

"Why do you mention the prince?"

"The Pharaoh broke your betrothal to Gahiji, and asked if he could set up a betrothal between you and the prince."

"What?! But, our status is not high enough for me to be considered a fit match. I mean, I do like the prince and I was worried about him the other day, but I don't know."

"We heard him stand up for you in the garden the other day. I think it is a good match. He wants to make you a Lady in his court in one week and announce the betrothal the following week at the prince's birthday celebration."

"When does the king plan on having the wedding held?"

"He is letting you and the prince decide that. It will have to be after your sixteenth birthday next month, by law."