AYASHA'S POV
The guards came for me before the sun had fully risen. I heard their boots echoing down the stone corridor long before they reached my cell. Heavy, measured steps that spoke of ceremony rather than haste. They were taking their time, savoring this moment.
I sat on the cold floor with my back against the wall, watching the door. My chains had grown warm from my body heat during the long night, but the shackles still bit into my wrists. The key Koda had shown me was gone. He'd taken it with him when he left, along with his cryptic advice about wishes and djinn.
I'd spent hours thinking about his words. Turning them over in my mind like stones, looking for sharp edges that might cut me. He was right about one thing - I had to be careful. Precise. Kings didn't stay on thrones by honoring the spirit of agreements. They twisted words until they meant what was convenient.
