Aaleyah sat on a cushion in father’s study attempting to read again. She finished the horrendous chapter on the Aljehni mark, which was a bit more interesting than the current chapter on history.

  The Aljehni mark was given to the female twin, one in every generation. Bork with a tattoo that was inked with magic. The male twin was also connected to the stone. As the protector, he could make one wish without unlocking the stone. As long as the wish came from the heart, and as long as the male twin was touching the female twin, he could wish for anything without anyone knowing but them. There were some confusing paragraphs about blood and heart needed to make the wish which confused Aaleyah deeply. To get blood from the heart would mean that the male twin had to be at death’s door as he made the wish. In that case why make it?

  Zale waltzed into the study. “Are you almost finished reading?” He asked with a bored expression on his face.

  “I certainly would not be in here if I was.”

  He sat on the floor cushion across from her. “If possible please hurry up. I am bored. Asbed is going around like his world has ended. Roset is planting rocks and Dharam and Herom are training.”

  “And Amenah?” Aaleyah asked, remembering what she heard earlier.

  Zale shuddered. “It is best not to ask. She has been running around preparing the manor for a guest tonight.” He huffed.

  “Why not play the lyre?”

  Zale disagreed immediately. “Then Amenah will be made aware that I am not doing anything and force me to help her.” He peered at the book from across the table. “What are you reading about?”

  “This chapter is Dlumaeni and Aljehni history,” Aaleyah waved her hand, “but the previous chapter was better. It was about twins. The female twin is always the only one born with the tattoo-”

  “We know that already, that is why at one Red moon everyone has to get one.” He lifted his left wrist where the tattoo of the stone sat.

  “I know but did you know as my twin you are connected to the stone too?”

  Zale leaned his arms on the table. “What do you mean? I thought because you have the tattoo you are the one who can unlock its power.”

  Aaleyah nodded. “Yes, but from what I have gathered you have more power.”

  “More?” Zale asked, his brows arched.

  “You can make a wish without unlocking the stone,” she excitedly told him. “My power has to do with the physical stone. I can always locate it, I always know where it is. And if ever unlocked I will be able to connect to its spirit, knowing the wishes it grants. But you, Zale, you do not need any of that. I am not sure of all the details but you can make a wish without even touching the stone.”

  His golden eyes widened. “Really? That is amazing.”

  “I know. The Protector is great.”

  “So how does it work?” Zale asked, no longer bored.

  Aaleyah turned the book towards him. “That is where I am confused. I will read it to you and you tell me what you think.”

  Zale crossed his legs. “Alright.”

  ‘If ever a time of desperation

  If ever a time of strife

  Without the stone being near

  Without conditions being right

  With the blood of the protector’s heart

  A wish can be made to alter the fate of another’s life’

  Zale frowned. “Was that entire chapter written like this?”

  She pouted. “Just about.”

  “No wonder it takes so long for you to read it. You hate poetry.”

  Agreeing with that, she set the book down. “You like poetry, what do you think it means?” She leaned towards him. “It means you can make wishes too, right?”

  Zale reread the words. “Possibly, but only in extreme conditions.” He nibbled on the corner of his lip. “That or anyone can make the wish as long as they have blood from my heart?”

  Aaleyah shuddered. “That sounds graphic.”

  “Somehow the entire verse gives me chills. ‘With the blood of the protector’s heart,’” he repeated to himself. “Maybe it will make more sense after I take father’s lessons?”

  “That makes sense, you have a book you must study as well.”

  Zale shook his head. “No, mine is not a book. I have to read the scrolls written in the family language.” He grimaced.

  “Maybe you can ask Asbed for help, he is obsessed with the old language.”

  Zale rolled his eyes. “It is not the old language, no one we know has ever heard of it!” He dropped his face onto the table. “What is the point of it? It is dead, why not translate it into the language everyone already speaks?” He grumbled.

  Amenah walked past the door and the both froze, in silent hope she would not notice.

  “Zale? Do you not understand the words, ‘leave your sister alone while she is reading?’” She marched into the room and lifted him to his feet. “You spent the morning yelling into each other's faces and now you are playing around? Twins are so taxing.”

  Zale snickered. “You would know.” He ducked from Amenah’s finger flick.

  Amenah lifted her hair and mimicked their mother. “If you have time to argue, you have time to train and study.”

  They all laughed.

  Zale brushed his curls back. “Ley Ley has been reading for so long. I only wished to find her something else to focus on. As her twin I knew that she was feeling so alone and bored.” He gave his best hurt expression, and Aaleyah held back her judgemental smirk.

  Amenah scoffed. “I have my own twin Zale, this will not work on me. Leave Ley Ley alone until she finishes the assignment father has given her. And if you can help it, do not play innocent twin with me ever again,” she added in a disgusted tone.

  Sitting in her seat behind Amenah, Aaleyah stuck out her tongue at Zale.

  “Put your tongue back in Ley Ley.” Amenah ordered.

  She sputtered in shock. “You did not even look at me. How can you-”

  Amenah turned to face her. “I have known you two chaos bringers all your lives. I am always aware of what you are up to.”

  Zale rolled his eyes.

  “If you have enough time to roll your eyes you have time to go help in the kitchen. You obviously are not doing anything in here.” Amenah suggested in a tone that made it obvious it was really an order.

  Like true twin magic Dharam walked past the study with a frown on his face, muttering about having lost to Herom. Lifting his head with a derisive smirk he made his way inside. “Perfect timing Zale. If you are bored and lonely you can help me with the food.”

  Zale groaned in disgust. “You are not the sibling I was looking forward to spending time with.”

  Dharam laughed derisively. “Mei Mei, open your eyes to how my siblings treat me. How amazing I am to continue to allow them to breathe in this world,” he said while pinching Zale’s ear.

  “Ow! Why do you all keep doing this! I am telling mother when she comes home. You are not supposed to pull my ear.” Zale whined.

  “Goodbye Zale, go help your brother in the kitchen.” Amenah said unaffected by Zale’s threat.

  Dharam paused at the threshold. “Is there a reason why Ley Ley does not come too?”

  Aaleyah panicked, the last thing she needed was to be dragged into the kitchen with Dharam.

  “Ley Ley has an assignment from father that she must complete,” Herom explained walking into the study. “Everyone disperse.”

  Zale grumbled behind Dharam in the direction of the kitchen with Amenah following behind. Dharam turned to shout out, “Finish studying soon Ley Ley and I will show you my new daggers.”

  Aaleyah grabbed her book and followed behind her siblings.

  Herom turned back to her. “Ley Ley go read,” he gently urged her.

  “I do not wish to read alone.” She danced to him to hold his pinky finger whilst wearing her best pout.

  Herom motioned for the others to continue their walk to the kitchen. “I will stay in the study with you, how is that?”

  Grinning victoriously she grabbed his hand and rushed back to the table.

  Releasing his hand she poured him a cup of tea. “You truly promise to stay with me?”

  Herom sat beside her and leaned his back on the wall. Accepting the tea he took a slow sip. “At least until you finish a chapter.”

  She climbed onto his lap getting comfortable, and opened the book to begin reading before pausing to look at him. “Did you get hurt while hunting?”

  Herom wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her. “Your older brother is too great to get hurt. Although Helan and I got into an altercation with a snake,” he motioned to his leg. “I pushed him out of the way just in time to get bit.”

  “My brother is hunting one of the most feared animals in the land and managed to become bit by a snake?” She drew the book to her face to hide her smile, but her body shook with laughter.

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  “You dare to laugh at me? I came in here to keep you company.”

  Aaleyah laughed harder at the imagery of her brother being but.

  “It could have been a dangerous snake, and you laugh at my pain,” he complained.

  She set the book down. “It was a garden snake right?”

  “I was saving Helan.” Herom repeated slowly.

  Aaleyah stopped her laughter but her grin was hurting her cheeks.

  “What is it father has asked you to read?” He asked, changing the topic.

  “It is the Aljehni history, have you read it?”

  “I have read some of it, once we reach one Red moon everyone must read the Aljehni history. However this book is specifically for you. It will have details I may not be knowledgeable of.” He taps her arm. “Enough distractions, read.”

  Aaleyah obeyed and read aloud, “‘Helaine Aljehni stood firm in her ideals, she craved justice above all else. She believed in equality, claiming that every person was born with the right to live how they wished. Name, family, and birth did not and should not affect the current career. Nor could the sins of the father fall on the son.

  “‘Ozan Dlumaeni believed in justice that helped the greater number of people. He wished to continue the monarchy. He claimed to care about the people whilst arguing that a kingdom needed a king. That without one, no one could utilize their rights to live and create a legacy. A king fought for the peace of the lands. A peace that gave its people the opportunity to choose to become poets, merchants, and farmers. He argued that without a king the only thing the people could fight for were their lives.’” Aaleyah scrunched her nose. “Is that true? Without a king will the people fall?”

  Herom opened his tired eyes. “It is hard to say, Ley Ley. Land without a leader is destined to fall. However the leader does not have to be a king. There can be tribal leaders instead. You must remember that our family originates elsewhere. Our ancestors' beliefs were different from the beliefs at that time.” He motioned to the book. “That is why it took many Blue moons before Helaine and Ozan could work together. Their beliefs clashed with one another. It took a war against the Marin King to unite the families. They both realized that despite their ways of going about it they both wished for the safety of the people.”

  Aaleyah frowned. “From what I have read, the two families compromised. Ozan Dlumaeni became king, but Helaine was only an advisor. After fighting together the Dlumaeni received more. They both risked their lives, they both wished to help the people, and Helaine helped the people admire and trust in Ozan Dlumaeni. It is unfair that Helaine did not receive as much.”

  Herom played with one of her braids. “I recall asking father the exact same question. But you will understand as you grow older. Helaine was able to get exactly what she craved. Being a royal, and being a leader are not always the same thing. Power in name, and power in the hearts of the people are different.”

  “A king is able to do whatever he likes, a king has the ultimate power,” Aaleyah rebutted.

  “Aaleyah there will be times where members of the royal family are unable to move the way they wish. Too many eyes follow them, and it could be a lonely position that leaves their hands tied when it comes to matters of the heart. Helaine traveled the kingdoms and moved as she wished before marrying and settling down. If she was to become a royal she would never have been able to move freely. Even now, generations later our family has power that we are not tied to. There are choices our family is given that others are not. Father is a scholar who advises the king yet we can choose the path of a scholar, or walk the path of weapon making.” Herom forces her to stand and face him.

  “Power is not having a crown Ley Ley. Power, true power, is the ability to stand for what you believe in and always uphold justice.”

  Aaleyah nodded, but in her opinion standing for what you believe in was not hard. In that case anyone could have true power.

  “Ley Ley.” Herom placed his hands on her shoulders. “If you are unable to do what is right, if you are unable to stand by your own values, then you are powerless. Regardless of what the world thinks. Never settle for something that is morally wrong. You hold the power of our family name. You have the fate of an Aljehni Head. Our legacy is with you, thus you must never forget to act on what is right. Never allow politics and the voices of others to dictate how you move.” He ran his thumb over the tattoo on her arm.

  Not expecting him to be so serious, she nodded. “I understand. I will always do right by the people. I will always try my best to help them.”

  Herom rose kissed her head and motioned for her to continue reading..

  As promised when the chapter was finished he left. Happily with no one watching her she also snuck out to go find Dharam and see the daggers.

  Once her boots were securely on her feet she walked off to the front training grounds and found Asbed.

  “Ley Ley. Did you come to train?” Asbed asked, sheathing his sword.

  Aaleyah grinned, Dharam was probably busy with Amenah anyway. Why not have fun with Asbed instead? She walked to the boxes and grabbed her throwing knives. “Care for a little competition?”

  Asbed glanced at the target, a contemplative look on his face. “Winner receives what?”

  Aaleyah twirled her braid and pinned it up with a hair stick. “Winner can ask for one thing. Whatever it is.”

  Asbed nodded with a grin. “Alright, if I win you have to make me a new batch of arrows”

  “Done. If I win you must buy me a new horse saddle.”

  “Done.”

  Asbed grabbed his bow and the two started the competition.

  Aaleyah aimed her throwing knife, pulled her hand back and-

  “Aaleyah Aljehni!” Her father yelled.

  Dropping the dagger Aleyah turned. “Father,” she greeted nervously.

  At her right Asbed slowly stepped towards the house.

  Her father made his way to her much faster than she would like. Behind him a young man with black curly hair held up in a ribbon, his red and black clothes starkly different from her father’s golden ones. Aaleyah was unable to think more of the young man when her father arrived, his golden eyes raging with anger and she prepared herself for the lecture.

  “I take it you are out here playing because you have finished the assignment I have given you.” He held his hand up and turned to her brother. “Asbed not another step.”

  Hand on the door handle Asbed turned with a tense expression on his face.

  “Father, I was reading I really was, but everyone-” Aaleyah started to explain.

  “Enough,” he cut her off. “Asbed serve tea to our guest.”

  Asbed greeted the scholar and led him into the manor, leaving Aaleyah and her father in the courtyard.

  The two stood in silence, it was only after Aaleyah began to rub her arm nervously that her father began to speak.

  “Aaleyah, did I tell you to read this morning?" He asked.

  “Yes father.”

  “Did you finish it?”

  She lifted her head. “I read almost a-”

  “Yes or no Aaleyah.”

  “No father,” she reluctantly answered, her thumb running over her nails.

  Her father stared at her in silence, no words spoken. It was even worse than if he chose to lecture her. “You have disappointed me. Go.”

  Her mouth dropped open as she sucked in a breath. As she took in her father’s cold expression tears filled her eyes and she could not tell her feet to move. “This one will read it. This one swears to read it. Father, please forgive me,” she pled him with a tight voice.

  Her mother entered the courtyard rubbing her hand tiredly over her temple. Her expression darkened when she caught sight of Aaleyah.

  “Havil?” Her mother called her father..

  Aaleyah watched him turn to her mother and bit her lip to stop her from speaking. “Take her out of my sight.”

  Aaleyah’s chin trembled. “Father, I am sorry. I promise to always listen to you. I will read everything without complaint.”

  “Go!” Her father roared.

  “Havil!” Her mother yelled, and made her way towards them. “What is the meaning of this?”

  Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked towards her mother. Still in her general’s uniform, her long hair tied up in a neat bun. She had just gotten home and Aaleyah was already in trouble. Will her mother’s weariness prevent her from standing at her side? She only wanted to train, she only wanted to look at daggers. Why is she only told to read?

  Behind her the door opened and Zale silently grabbed her hand. He bowed to his parents. “Mother, father, I will take Aaleyah inside.” Then he pulled her into the manor.

  Once both children were inside Aminah pulled her husband’s hand so he could face her. “Havil,” she called, shocked to discover cold anger in his golden eyes. “What is it? What troubles you so?”

  “Aminah,” he whispered her name. “What if the only way to save our children is to send them away? But how can we? How can we trust them to be safe if they can not listen?” He motioned to the direction Aaleyah left. “I asked her one thing, and she could not do it. If I asked her to run, if I asked her to leave. I do not believe she would listen.”

  Aminah glanced at the door, something big must have happened today. “Was the king's court so stressful?” she asked him softly.

  “Kemal is here.”

  Not sure how those are related, her eyes scrunched in confusion. “Kemal Adel? Why?”

  “He wishes to ask for Amenah’s hand in marriage,” Havil reported.

  “Our daughter is of age, but has Amenah met him before?”

  Havil clasped his hands behind his back. “To be specific, Kemal asked permission to court her, but we must accept,” he told his her..

  Aminah frowned. “Must? Is he not eyeing a position in the king's court?”

  “He will fail,” Havil said with a resolute expression.

  “You are certain?” She asked, piecing everything together. The plans they spoke of were forcefully coming into fruition.

  “Yes, the king will never allow my disciple to enter his court. He will find no position within the capital. He will return home.”

  Aminah glanced up at the window to her eldest daughter’s room. Would it truly become empty so soon? “Home where?”

  “Tamon.”

  She exhaled a short breath and returned her gaze to her husband. “So far,” she said, understanding his pain.

  “Far from the capital,” he corrected.

  Aminah stared up at the sky. “Well, let us welcome him, and let us make certain that Amenah is fond of him.”

  As long as Amenah reciprocated the young scholar’s fondness, then they could send her away happily and quietly, without sparking suspicion.

  Inside the manor Zale pulled Aaleyah to their study and shut the door. Aaleyah stared at the door, the engravings of the wood blurry from her tears.

  Zale forced her to face him and his jaw clenched. After a few breaths he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Ley Ley.”

  Aaleyah shook her head. She did not wish to talk about it. Letting out a shaky breath she inhaled slowly, her chin still trembling.

  Instead of forcing her to speak, Zale pulled her into a hug. “Father must be upset at something else,” he comforted.

  She hid her face in his chest and allowed her tears to fall and herself to sob. “He said I disappointed him,” she whispered brokenly.

  Zale only hugged her tighter.