Zahra

If I ever desired to kill someone, the urge is strongest now. I glance over my shoulder as Mahmud walks me to his home for my own safety and possibly the safety of the piece of scum who helped murder my parents.

I try to cool myself off with thoughts of something else. I'm a strong believer in thinking with a level head and right now I'm as homicidal as I've ever been. We step over the hearth of Mahmud's living space and I try to focus on that.

Mahmud's home. I've never spent the night in a human home. Even before I came to Kanan.

"I have to interpret King Raman's dream, Zahra, or we're both done for," Mahmud mutters, shutting the door of his apartment behind him after taking a momentary glance around to ensure we're not being followed. "Both of our heads are on the chopping block..." his voice trails and fear shrouds his features. "But what if they're on the chopping block either way?"

"Mahmud," I say, placing my hands on his shoulders and directly looking him in the eye. "You are going to tap into your magic and interpret that awful king's dream. We're just going to have to figure out together how to do that. Where does your magic come from and how can we amplify it?"

"I've literally spent all my life trying to suppress my magic, I haven't a clue in how to tap into it!" Mahmud's eyes widen and he shakes his head. "I mean... How do you shape-shift? Do you need some kind of energy to draw from in order to do it?"

"I don't think so... it doesn't hurt to change shape either. There really is no difference between my forms save the physical appearance," I say with a shrug. "I don't need energy to take a different shape... at least I've never thought about that making a difference."

"Maybe it is so easy for you because you're sure of yourself all the time, whereas I stumble about hoping I'm getting things right!" Mahmud groans. "If I met another Magi I'm sure they'd laugh at me on my clumsiness."

"What are you talking about?" I exclaims, releasing him from my hold and turning an agitated circle in his living room space, snorting once in annoyance. Horse-like of me to be sure, but I spend most of my time in that form. "You are not clumsy, Mahmud! You think on your feet. Although I don't like to admit it, what you did back there saving me was brilliant."

"Really?" Mahmud cocks his head adorably. His lips part as if he were about to say something, but then he closes them.

Hmm... should I kiss him?

I want to so badly.

His lips on mine or his arms enclosing me to him....

Imagining that.

It's enough to make my heart pound in my chest and a buzz of magic seems to hum around me.

I cast my gaze away from him so he can't read my wayward thoughts, and hope he can't sense the magic I feel or the magnetic draw that pulls me towards him.

"How did you know I was in trouble anyway?" I ask, "Was it magic?"

"I think so. I think it's because I have such a strong connection to you, I was able to feel that you were in danger," Mahmud says.

He feels a strong connection to me?  More than just a friend?

Don't assume something that isn't possible!

"What if you were to find a connection to the King's dreams?" I ask. "Maybe if you actually saw the dream in it's sequence you'd see things the other magi King Raman approached didn't."

"Perhaps I should sleep on it, focusing all my energy on the king's dream," Mahmud says, although I can tell by the expression on his face how hopeless he feels about everything.

"Maybe instead of thinking the gods see you as an abomination, you should pray to them to give you guidance?" I say, carefully, considering Mahmud's upbringing I can't be too forward about this. My parents had taught me that the gods had blessed our kind to be horse-shifters, not cursed us. "You hating your gift is possibly why you can't use it to its full glory."

"What?" Mahmud draws in a breath and his eyes widen at my blasphemy. "Zahra, why would you say that?"

"Your magic comes from you, right? It's a gift. At least that's how I see it. I mean, look how far we've come, two misfits in a kingdom that would despise our kind? Maybe those who created the law about magi and magical creatures were insecure and afraid and declared it the will of the gods in order to get their way and wipe you from existence! Maybe the gods don't hate you, like you presume, maybe they love you, Mahmud," I have to say it, it's been on the tip of my tongue for years.

Maybe they love you for your kind heart, generous spirit, and undying devotion, just like I love you.

Mahmud falls silent, and he furrows his brow, pondering all I've said. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... you might be right! I've spent years believing I was cursed, but maybe it's the other way around because, just look at what we've been capable of!"

An exhale of relief leaves me.

Yes, finally. Now we're getting somewhere.

Now the real fun can begin.

That is if Mahmud can interpret King Raman's dream and he gets to keep his head on his shoulders.