Then he took my hand, and suddenly I found myself with him in a palace.
He said, "You are one of us, Rana. We were meant to be married, if not for what happened. You are in love with me too—only your mind refuses to accept it. You and I lived an epic love story. Nothing could defeat us. Even when they stole your soul, I never gave up."
With tears in my eyes, I replied, "I am human, and you are from the jinn. Please… let me live my life. I want to go back to my family."
He answered sharply, his voice filled with anger, "I am your family. You are a jinn like me. Even if you wear the body of a human, your soul is jinn."
I was shocked. I didn't know what to do. His words shattered my entire identity—who I am, where I come from, what I truly am. I remained silent; there were no words to express what I was going through. It felt as if I had died in that moment… as if all hope had vanished, along with my right to live.
I started walking along a road under cold rain, without direction. I didn't even know where my home was anymore.
Suddenly, a luxurious black car stopped in front of me. Inside was a girl with red hair, wearing a red dress adorned with golden patterns that looked like magical symbols. Her eyes were intensely black, and her skin was strikingly pale.
She said, with a tone laced with mockery, "Aren't you tired, little one?"
I replied, "Who are you?"
She said, "I am Malika, daughter of Aba Mahrez, the Red King."
I shouted at her, "I don't want to talk to any of you!"
She lowered her voice and said, "You are in our dimension now. You won't be able to leave unless someone from our tribe helps you."
I began to run with all my strength, but I wasn't moving—it was as if I was trapped in a closed loop.
She said firmly, "Listen, Rana. If you want to return to your family, I can send you back—but on one condition."
I asked, "What is your condition?"
She said, "I love Malik. He is my destiny, and I am his. You are no longer part of his fate."
I froze. "I don't understand anything…"
She continued, "I will explain briefly. You were once the daughter of a guardian in the palace. You were exceptionally beautiful and intelligent—a powerful sorceress. Malik had been fascinated by you since childhood. He was determined to marry you, despite his father's refusal, since you were not of royal blood. But he eventually convinced him.
On your wedding night—a night of a blood moon—just moments before the ceremony began, I took your soul from the world of jinn and placed it into the world of humans, inside the womb of that woman you call your mother. She was shocked to discover her pregnancy, as she had been using birth control.
You may ask why her specifically—I'll tell you: one of her grandmothers had once been a servant to a sorceress.
That night, Malik nearly lost his mind. He searched endlessly until he found you in her womb. Since then, he has stayed by your side like your shadow.
But now, it is time to free him from your curse, Rana. Malik must marry me so he can ascend the throne, rule, and move on with his life.
You… are not one of us."
I replied calmly, "What are your conditions for letting me go?"
She said sharply, "You must perform the Veil Spell. You will become hidden from Malik's sight—he will no longer be able to reach you or touch you. You will return to living a normal life."
Without hesitation, I replied, "I agree."
But then I added, "I don't know anything about this ritual… how will I perform it?"
She said, "Go now. In two days, I will come to you and explain everything. Now get into the car—I will take you back home."
I didn't think twice. I got into the car, and after a brief moment, I found myself lying on my bed in my room. I woke up as if it had all been a dream I couldn't fully remember.
Suddenly, I felt a warm embrace surrounding me.
A sad voice whispered, "Don't leave me, Rana… I am your destiny, and you are mine. No matter how they try to separate us, we are meant to stay together."
I turned around, but I couldn't see him. I knew it was Malik—but I refused to listen.
I went to take a hot shower to calm myself. While under the water, I closed my eyes… and when I opened them, I heard Malik's voice:
"My princess…"
I found myself bathing in a hot spring surrounded by snowy mountains. The water was filled with red roses. Malik stood before me, his strong, sculpted body approaching. He took my hand—I couldn't resist. I don't know if it was the shock… or because I had fallen for him.
He placed my hand on his chest and said, "Trust me. I am your home, your family, your everything… and you are everything to me. Do not listen to Malika—she wants to separate us so she can marry me, become queen of our tribe, and carry out her dark plans."
I replied, "You are just an illusion. The truth is that I am at home, taking a shower, and soon I will go have dinner with my family."
He looked into my eyes in a way that made my heart race… then he kissed me, a deep and intense kiss that left my cheeks flushed.
I pulled away and moved to leave the spring.
He said softly, "Are you still sure this is just a dream, my princess?"
As I stepped out of the water, I felt cold and began to shiver. Malik followed me, wrapped me in a red fur coat, and held me close.
"I will never leave you," he whispered. "I will fight an entire world for you, Rana."
I answered, "I want to go back home."
I opened my eyes and found myself still in the shower.
"This is just an illusion," I told myself.
I got dressed and went to have dinner with my family. I won't deny it—Malik had captivated me. His kiss awakened something inside me and made me grow more attached to him.
But I want a normal life… like any human.
To me, Malik is like a beautiful dream… but still, only a dream.
When I returned to my room, I found something written on my mirror in red lipstick:
"Do not betray the promise…"