Chapter 63: Another Surprise

My body jerked. My arms and legs flailed about. I was awake. I was moving. Most importantly, I realized I was in control.

I opened my eyes. Only darkness greeted me.

I sniffed and…couldn't detect much, only a light incense in the air which was useless.

Then I rubbed at my nose and discovered the problem.

Hands.

I had human hands.

I was a man again and as my eyes adjusted, I saw I was in a bed with the curtains drawn.

I got up.

Flinging the curtains back, I called out, "Abbi? Jasmine!"

No response.

No Abbi.

No Jasmine.

The room was empty, but familiar. I was back in my guest suite.

Considering all that had happened, this didn't make any sense, but few things had in the last few days. I could figure it out later. I needed to find her now.

First the magicked version, then Abbi, I had to track down whatever was left of her and know if she was alright, if the wake had happened yet, if it had worked without me.

I was at the door by the time a voice squealed, "Rājakumāra! You're here!"

I turned to see a smiling Vinit bursting out of a side room.

"Where's Abbi?" I asked.

Vinit's pace and smile faltered. My heart dropped with it. The man's voice was tentative as he said, "I am very sorry, Rājakumāra, but who is-?"

"Never mind," I said quickly, realizing my mistake. "Jasmine. Where is she?"

"Oh! The princess!" he comprehended, reviving my soul. "I am not certain, Rājakumāra. Perhaps she is in her rooms?"

"Thank you," I said, opening the main door to the rest of the palace.

"Rājakumāra, wait!"

I did not wait.

"You're still in your pāyajāmā!" he called after me.

I was already turning a corner, but he was right. I was back in the plain white nightclothes I had drown in. It was very improper to be running around in such a state.

I would care about it later.

For now, I sprinted past curious faces, down palace hallways, through the gardens. I did not stop until I reached Jasmine's rooms.

A pair of guards stood outside of the doors.

"Is Jasmine in there?" I asked.

The guards exchanged a look. "I don't think that's any of your—Hey!"

I had disarmed him and now held his sword. "I am not in the mood for games. Is Princess Jasmine in there or not, Fazal?"

"She's not!" he yelped.

"Where is she?" I demanded.

"That Mujulaai holy man and his people insisted she meet them for lunch. She's in the Sultana's studio," he said.

"Truly," I looked at the other guard.

Amir nodded dumbly.

"Forgive me," I said. Pushing past them and opening her bedroom door, I shouted, "Jasmine!"

No answer.

No sign of her or anyone else.

"Thank you." I handed the sword back to Fazal. Then I was running again, each step taking me closer to her. I focused on that.

Some part of Jasmine lived.

I wasn't too late.

She was alive.

She had to be.

Gods, please let her be alive!

There were more guards loitering by the last flight stairs that led up to the studio. Some of them were Mujulaai. Negotiating with them would take too much time.

"Urgent message," I declared as I sped up. Ignoring their cries of protest, taking the stairs three at a time, ducking under the crossed blades that barred the double doors at the top of the stairwell, I slammed into the stone-backed wood and pushed!

There was a crunch and a snap!

The heavy doors sprung free.

And there.

Standing by the little table was:

"Jasmine."

"Ren!" she breathed, surprise lighting up her face.

"Jasmine," I said again, going to her. I had to be sure. "Are you…"

"I'm fine," she said, meeting me in the middle of the room, her lovely brown eyes shining. "Which is more than I can say for—Oh! This is new."

My arms had wrapped around her. I was hugging her tight. It felt like she was the only thing holding me up. "Please," I begged her, "tell me it's really you this time. Tell me everything. I was so worried."

"It's me," she said, squeezing me back just as fiercely. "I promise. It's me, all of me. And you? You've been gone for days, you know. You missed my wake, Ren." Her voice was an attempt at lightheartedness, but I could feel her concern, her tears, her warmth, her everything.

Jasmine.

"I'm sorry," I rasped. "I'm so sorry for everything."

"Then perhaps…" a cold voice said in an affronted tone, "You could make up for your regrettable actions by letting go of Agrabah's princess."