Steam rose from the hot water, settling atop his aching skin. Today was hellish. First, there was some noble demanding to speak to him, which he had not wanted to do. Thankfully, Hanbal came in and berated the noble for daring to glimpse at him in his private time. Kontar had quickly spirited him away to rest in his quarters.

Ali opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling. His curls were freed from the headscarf he normally kept them wrapped up in, and for the briefest of moments, his veil was removed. He cherished the time when he didn’t have to wear it. As much as it kept him safe, it also felt like a shackle. He wanted the world to see his magnificent face, after all, he was one of the finest specimen Eswor had ever seen, why should it be kept hidden?

With a huff, he sat up, his torso rising from the water. Droplets slipped down his dark skin, his chest rising and falling as he breathed the fragrance of the bath oils in. Hanbal said this scent relieved stress, but it just burned his nose. Ali clenched his jaw, running a wet hand through his hair. God’s dammit.

The sound of shifting dirt suddenly drew him out of his thoughts. Ali turned to his left, going rigid. A person. On his windowsill. Their face was obscured by a scarf, only revealing their vivid eyes. Ali was shocked for a moment before he suddenly stood up, naked as the day he was born. “You! Intruder!”

Without missing a beat, he summoned his magic, the familiar heat building within him. He cried out, sending the rays of the sun at the intruder. But they simply dodged it. But the Templar of Fire wouldn’t be deterred by this. He continued shouting, destroying his bathroom as the thief ran around.

He heard Hanbal shouting. The royal advisor was probably coming forward with Kontar, the court djinn. They’d be able to kill this damned thief. They had seen Ali’s face, and for that, they must die.