The palace was even more intimidating than I’d expected. It was one thing to hear about the “Black Palace”, but another thing to see the dark structure in person.

I strode up to the towering building, and as soon as I pushed the front doors open, swords were at my throat.

“I am Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Qarani. I’m here to see Idris.”

My voice didn’t waver, although my thoughts were already urging me to leave. Now, however, it was too late. My arms were grabbed and I was yanked inside, the door slamming behind me. The stony-faced guards said nothing; the only sound was that of their heavy footsteps down the black marble hallway.

Despite my fear, I couldn’t help a twinge of interest at what I was seeing. I had always heard of the dark splendor of this horrid place, and now, I was seeing it for myself. Stained glass lamps lit the darkness, while the guards were furnished with the most exquisite blades I had ever seen.

Before I knew it, I was being thrown into a well-lit room, onto the floor.

Angry voices sounded around us.

“Why have you brought some thief here to us? We have dungeons that are more than adequate.”

“This is Rashid, the future king.”

“I’ll deal with this.”

At the last voice, Idris’s, I scrambled up onto my feet, my chest moving right into the tip of a sword.

“Careful, friend.”

The next thing I knew, the sword was lifting, and I was staring into the sneering face of Idris, his fleshy lips twisted with mock surprise.

“Rashid. What an unexpected pleasure.”

“You know why I’m here, Idris. Let’s not waste time.”

He gave an infuriating wiggle of his eyebrows.

“Do I? I can’t say I have any idea why you’d come here, of all places, when your happy wedding and coronation are just days away.”

“Return her to me, and you and your family will come to no harm.”

“What do you mean?” His eyes glittered in comprehension. “Have you lost a bride?”

As soon as I drew my sword, several sharp points were thrust into my back.

“I’m not here to play games, Idris.”

Still smiling, he drew his own sword.

“Nor am I. Leave us, all of you.”

“But, sir—”

“I said go!”

And then we were alone and his sword was flashing towards me. I parried it, the room filling with the clang of metal against metal. My next hit he parried, both of our arms shaking, our faces close together.

“If I did have your bride-to-be, how do you know she didn’t come here of her own volition, didn’t come seeking out help to get home unscathed?”

When I didn’t respond, his sneer deepened. “Even if I did have her, what makes you think that I’d give her back?”

My next slice he ducked, so I stepped back. “Because you think you can win this fight.”

Suddenly, Idris lunged, his blade slicing inches away from my face. “I don’t think; I know, pretty boy.”

I slapped his sword away with my own. “So, it’s a deal, then?”

At this, he put his sword on the ground and leaned on it.

“What’s a deal?”

“If I win, I get the girl.”

A pensive look came over his face as he twirled the blade in his hand.

“And if I win?”

I drew my sword, lifted it away from my body and spread my arms. “You get me.”

Idris studied me for a minute. Then, in a flash, he had slashed his blade towards my face, nicking my cheek while whispering “Deal” in my ear.

When he came at me again, I was ready. The sound of our blades hitting each other echoed throughout the room with a sharp ringing, both of us holding our grips with all our might.

My next hit he parried, but the following one connected, slicing his arm.

“Not bad for an amateur,” he sneered.

“You won’t win this, Idris. Give up now, and I’ll spare you.”

He slashed at my throat, but I deflected it easily.

“Ha, me? You’re the one who should be worried, Rashid.”

Our swords met again; the blades were shaking, lowering. I was winning. Idris wasn’t in nearly as good of shape as me.

“Give up,” I urged him. “Give up, and I’ll let you go unharmed.”

Idris’s whole face was one tense mask of exertion. “Never.”

When my sword reached his throat, however, he dropped his blade with a curse and held up both hands.

I froze as I heard shouts up ahead, raising my sword once again. Lacie appeared in front of me, the two guards holding her backing off once they saw the look on my face and the blade in my hand.

“Lacie!”

“Rashid!”

I ran towards my wife-to-be, taking her in my arms and pressing kisses on her forehead, her nose. She was shaking, her face slowly changing from an expression of terror to relief as Idris and his guards began to bicker amongst themselves. I felt the urge to make Idris pay, but he wasn’t worth it. She was the only thing that mattered, my only priority.

I wrapped one arm around her small, quaking body, and the two of us rushed out of there.