15. Boshun
The woman tending Farisa walked away as if she hadn’t just told Jasmine dragons used to blast the village with flames.
“They burned down homes?” Jasmine asked, stunned. “Why did I never hear of this?”
“Magic.”
“Of course.” She grunted. “What else has the royal family hidden from us?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t been out of my lamp long enough to find out. I’m not even granted short reprieves where I can leave without being required to grant wishes.”
“I’m sorry.” She traced her fingers along my arm. “It’s upsetting to think they’ve kept this from us, but I’m just as sad for you. Being a genie sounds awful.”
“It isn’t always.” Like now, while I could be with her. But this was the first time I’d ever cared for the person who summoned me. The last time, likely, as well.
It was going to be horrible when I was once again trapped inside the lamp.
Unless I could find a way to escape.
The dragon sprung off the ground, her wings flicking out to catch the air. She flapped them, and we slowly gained elevation until we soared over the castle and toward the forest.
Jasmine’s breath caught. “It’s amazing. But also scary. I’ve never flown before, of course. I’m used to having my feet squarely on the ground.”
“I’ve got you,” I said by her ear. “I won’t let anyone or anything harm you, including a dragon.”
Her bright laughter bubble out. “I appreciate that, my kind, princely genie.”
I was her genie, no one else’s. I’d never feel the same way about another again.
Was there a way to hold onto her forever?
I could barely remember what it was like to hope I’d one day meet my fated mate. Back when I was a simple wizard, I believed we’d marry and live a happy life together. For too long, I’d been trapped inside the lamp, subject to others’ whims.
As I held onto the dragon”s sturdy scales, the rush of wind whipped through my hair, bringing with it the exhilarating scent of freedom. So tantalizing for a genie spending most of his time caged inside a bottle.
The dragon”s wings flapped, lifting us higher and higher into the open sky. The sun shone down, warming my face, and the scent of forest flowers filled the air.
“Everything below us looks so small,” Jasmine said. “I feel as if we”re the only ones allowed to see this, though I know that”s not true.”
I leaned to the side, taking in her eyes shining with awe and excitement.
“Have you ever ridden a dragon before?” she asked.
“Only once and to fulfill a wish.”
“Was it wonderful like this?”
“Everything in my past is a shadow of what I have in this moment with you, Jasmine.”
She leaned back into my embrace. “I wish . . .”
I didn”t want to ask, though the same wish echoed within me. I wanted to be with her forever, but the lamp and the spell surrounding it would never allow that to happen.
We continued to fly, the dragon”s wings taking us on a journey above the dense canopy of the forest.
“It looks magical,” she said, stretching her arms out to catch the air. “Look how lush and green everything is, how the sunlight filters through the emerald leaves, casting shimmering patterns on the forest floor below.”
Seen through her eyes, it was amazing.
A few fairies flew up to soar beside us, their tiny pink wings glistening like dewdrop covered jewels. They tittered and pointed, but I didn”t sense any malice. After laughing some more, they darted back down into the dense vegetation below.
Jasmine sighed. “I can”t believe I just saw . . .”
“Good fairies, thankfully.”
“There are bad fairies?” She smiled up at me over her shoulder.
“It”s better if you don”t know.”
“Until one flits into my bedroom and turns me into a toad.”
“I”ll make sure that never happens.” I could barely hold onto my smile. Once her wishes were fulfilled, I wouldn”t be able to protect her from things like evil fairies.
Or evil witches.
The woods parted, and Farisa plunged down to coast above a shimmering lake, her claws flicking across the surface. The scent of crisp, clean water mingled with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers along the shore. The water sparkled like it was coated with a thousand diamonds.
Everything felt different, as if I was seeing it for the first time. I was sure I”d been here before. I”ve been to every place in this world over the ages. But with Jasmine, it was all brand new.
“This is wonderful,” she breathed, snuggling into my arms. “If only we could stay here forever, flying over the lake and into the mountains beyond.”
“I want that too.”
Sadly, Farisa slowly turned and took us back toward the castle.
“We’ll get something to eat when we get back,” I said. At least I had dining at her side to look forward to. “But remember, you have to ask for your first wish before the sun leaves the sky today. The second by the end of tomorrow, and the third before that day is over.”
“I want to be with you all the time, Boshun.”
“Never wish for that,” I said, unable to keep fear out of my voice. “You wouldn’t enjoy being trapped inside the lamp with me.” She’d come to hate me for sure.
“Maybe I would like that. At least you wouldn’t be alone any longer.” Simple honesty came through in her voice.
For the rest of my days, I’d treasure the knowledge that she meant it.
“I don’t know what the lamp would do if you were there with me,” I said.
She peered up at me. “What can be worse than what’s been done to you so far?”
She didn’t want to know.