Chapter 1
It’s not stalking if it’s done with good intentions. Right?
Yeah, just keep telling yourself that.
Shut up, brain.
Wait, where did he?—???
Tap-tap. “Why are you following me?”
I spun around so fast, I had to keep my head from continuing the journey once my body stopped. For sure, that would’ve freaked the poor boy out, though the better question was, how was he able to sneak up on me in the first place?
“Oh, um…” I drew a blank. Empty. My mind devoid of all thoughts. Having no response wasn’t something that had happened before, but today appeared to be a day of firsts for me, starting with being snuck up on.
Raj pressed on, arms folded across his puffed up chest. It was cute, given his small stature, that he thought this stance would make him appear formidable.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you following me. Am I in trouble with the Maharajah?” Though he put on a strong face, the quiver in his voice gave away his true feelings. He was scared, as he should be given our ruler’s tyranny. Little did he know I’d be there to protect him as I always had.
My sweet Raj.
“As far as I know, you’re not.”
The villagers knew me as the Maharajah’s liaison, so to speak. But none of them knew I stood by his side against my free will, for the Maharajah held the key to my existence.
Or in this case, the lamp.
“Then why are you following me?”
Straightening my shoulders and squaring off, I donned a stiff no-nonsense stance, the very one I kept while in the Maharajah’s presence as we walked amongst the villagers. One that spoke of authority. I did my best to remain neutral. Not easily achieved when I vehemently disagreed with the way our supreme leader ruled.
At my towering height, it was easy to keep the villagers in line. I wasn’t as bulky as the palace guards, but I had an air about me that dared them to test me.
“I keep a watchful eye across this village and report back to my mas—” Master nearly slipped out. “To our ruler.”
Though I generally didn’t tell him squat. I couldn’t stand the man. Such a waste of human life. Born into the family that had ruled this land for centuries. The spoiled, evil man didn’t deserve the life he lived.
Nothing got past Raj, though. The boy was bright, quick-witted, and a fast study. His brow quirked questioningly, having caught my faux pas, though he chose not to address it in his reply. “True, though more times than not your attention is directly focused on me. Have I done something to offend our leader to have had him request you keep such a watchful eye on me?”
His deep, soulful, nearly onyx eyes stared expectantly up at me. I’d never stood this close to him, except while he slumbered. Back to that whole stalker thing. His long, raven locks spread across the linens. The sheet barely covered his naked torso. The outline of his was cock nearly visible through the threadbare linens…
Wait, what did he just ask me?
“Ahem. Forgive me, my mind was elsewhere. No, our leader hasn’t requested I watch you. My gaze just merely happened upon you, nothing more. My apologies if I’ve made you uncomfortable.” Now’s the time you would spill your usual warning to the commoner telling them to toe the line. Come on, let it out. Here we go. Raj, I watch everyone. I am the eyes and ears of this… Um, Genie?
The crazed look on my face was enough to send him off. “Right. I’ll just be,” Raj hooked a thumb in the opposite direction, “I’ll just be going.”
I forced myself to stay rooted in place as he disappeared around the corner knowing full well I’d see him again tonight.
Be strong, he’s not ready for the truth. Yet.
Or so I’d told myself for years.
He’d been of age for some time, not that age was of consequence to our ruler. Many of his wives were underage, though that was something I stood firmly by when choosing a lover.
Lovers.
I’d had many over the centuries I’d inhabited this earth. A magical being created by accident as the magic for which I was born by was meant for another, along with the power bestowed upon me. My maker died that night when his spell went awry, while I’d been condemned to a life of servitude. And a lonely life it has been. Melancholy, despair. All things I felt until Raj came along.
I couldn’t understand the connection I had to him or why. There were things that just couldn’t be explained, but I can assure you the fates had their reasons for them, and they were not to be questioned.
I’d protected him since his parents’ arrest and subsequent deaths by order of our demented ruler. Publicly humiliated and beheaded as an example of what would happen to those who broke his precious rules. All for stealing a loaf of bread to feed their hungry family. To this day, Raj still lived in the single room his family had inhabited, no idea I’d long since ensured he’d never be removed from it and would always have a roof over his head and food on his table. Amazing what humans would do for a few coins. The owner of the building didn’t so much as bat a lash when I offered to buy it from him. So many secrets I’d kept, waiting for the right time to tell Raj.
But would that day ever come?
Hope was all I had and the notion that with my truth, forever wouldn’t be spent alone. Raj would be there.
Later that night, as I sat inside the small room I wished to whisk Raj away from, I found comfort in his light snores. To curl up beside him and hold him in my arms would be a dream come true. How elegant he’d look amongst the fine linens that adorned my bed. I’d run my fingers through his hair and lull him to sleep after a hearty round of lovemaking. Dress him in delicate fabrics and decorate his body with the jewels I’d collected. I had the perfect ruby for his naval. The visual was so clear, so perfect. With each passing moment it became harder to ignore my desire for this boy.
When he was young, I’d watch him play and thought nothing of it. I’d only believed my role in his life was to keep a watchful eye as I did all through his schooling years. But as he grew into a man, that’s when the tides changed. The realization I was meant as more than a protector solidified that. No longer did the playful youth enjoying a game of stickball with his friends stand before me, but the handsome man I yearned to build a life with. The one I’d unsuspectingly slipped money, food, clothing, and supplies to. The very man who lay in the bed sound asleep before me.
“Sleep well, sweet boy. For I will return,” I whispered, and with the thought of home, I disappeared just as the sun rose and returned to my eternal tomb to begin a new day.
Over the centuries I’d collected precious artifacts, rugs, textiles, gold, you name it, and kept it safe within the never-ending confines of my lamp. Given it was a magical place, there was no beginning nor end to it. It went on infinitely. The areas I most used were decorated to my tastes, though it still never felt like a home. Only a place to rest my head between calls from greedy masters. The one I was currently ruled by was a demonic brat. One wish remained firmly in his grasp yet every time he beckoned me to his side, I held my breath. And when he refused to use it, it took all I had to bite my tongue and not lash out. It would do no good anyway and then he’d know where I stood with that issue and use it against me.
He tormented the villagers, driven by greed and his love of shiny objects, mainly gold. His demand for a ridiculous amount of tidings to be paid by them infuriated me. As though he needed the money. His family had amassed a wealth they were undeserving of. Meanwhile our people starved or were killed for doing their best to survive, just as Raj’s parents had been.
Too bad I couldn’t grant myself wishes or I’d rid the world of all the evil bastards such as him.
My hands were tied, and I hated it. Had I been free of the Maharajah’s grasp, things would be different. Well, at least until the next slimy bastard stumbled upon my lamp or I was awarded freedom. Like that day would ever come. Forever, I was enslaved to this tomb, destined to be alone unless I found a way for Raj to join me. Only one way came to mind, but would Raj be willing to accept it and relinquish his freedom by joining me?
This wasn’t a decision or an act to force upon him. If I did, he’d only grow to hate me over time. I’d have to earn his trust and love and show him a glimpse of the life we could have together. Minus the iron shackles that led mine. Then and only then would he grasp the magnitude of what the choice to be with me ensconced.
Eternal life.
In the beginning, maintaining a human form was tiresome. As with anything, time erased that, though I preferred my natural form while away from prying eyes. A green whisp, barely visible to human eyes, massive forearms adorned with gold shackles around each wrist. A visible sign of my enslavement. Sure, I had a touch of freedom and could use magic for things outside of my master’s wishes, though I could not harm him in any way. Much to my dismay.
Helping others, righting wrongs, things of that sort that didn’t involve my current owner, I could manage. All of which I learned over time through trial and error as I tested the magical limits within me. Granting a master eternal life, bringing back another who’d died, or taking a life were hard limits and ones I didn’t regret having bestowed upon me. While those who controlled the lamp considered the three wishes they were granted as wins, they neglected to realize a balance was necessary with each. If they were given infinite money per a single wish, something else was taken from them, whether it be a tangible item or a living, breathing entity. I didn’t control any of that, the fates did. Things at the time they’d think nothing of asking for, unable to see past what they craved, only to be haunted by what was lost in the end. Or driven mad with greed. Not sure which was the lesser of two evils, though I’d seen it happen far too many times.
Selfish. That’s what their wishes were, and it saddened me to see that. I’d say it had worsened over the years, but that would be a lie. Greed had been prevalent since the beginning of time. As we evolved, so did desire and a general lack of care for our fellow humans. My hope for humanity rapidly dwindled and though I was trapped and had to watch it all unfold, there were times I begged whoever listened to my silent pleas to grant my wish to end it all.
Fear enslaved the soul and drove men to madness.
As did solitary confinement.
Not long after the Maharajah and his family finished their morning meal, I was summoned to his side. Good thing my existence wasn’t hinged on rest as it was for humans. Sleep and food weren’t anything I required to survive.
No rest for the wicked they said.
Which was how I considered myself, given I was forced to grant undeserving wishes when so many others cried for help. Real help, real need, yet this was the life chosen for me.
“Yes, my Master?” I addressed him as I appeared.
His hand firmly gripped my lamp and I wished with all my might he’d make his final wish and I’d be done with him. Many tried to force me to grant them another set of wishes, using their last to ask for more. Never would that happen. At that point they lost their last wish and the lamp was returned to me, and my time served whilst under their thumb came to an end. Each time I hid the lamp in the deepest, darkest of places I could find. I’d be free for centuries until the next hunter located it. With the increasing population on earth, safe places to hide it were fewer and farther between.
Somehow, it’d even disappeared from my private residence hidden far away from human eyes.
“Genie. How was your walk amongst the commoners yesterday?” The weight his question held wasn’t missed by me. His true ask was had I seen anything worth taking. More treasure to add to his trove. “Anything new to add to collection?”
A barely contained snarl nearly escaped. “No. You’ve all but bled them dry.” While in his presence, my wicked tongue was meant to be controlled, though I’d long since lost the ability to care for his worthless rules.
“How dare you speak to me in that insulant tone. I’ll have you…”
“You’ll have me what, Master?” There was nothing he could do to me. I couldn’t be killed, or harmed in any way. Yet I was held at bay when it came to doing the same to whomever had control of the lamp and was forced to appear when beckoned. Such a pity.
“You’re of no use to me. Be on your way.”
“Don’t you want to make your last wish, Master? Maybe one for world peace?” Like that would ever happen. “Maybe for a twelfth wife?” As though eleven weren’t enough. Oh, let’s not forget the twenty-three kids they bore for him.
His face reddened to a dangerous shade as he approached me. “You may not care for me or my life, but I control yours.”
In my human form I towered over him and yet he had zero fear. He may intimidate the commoners, but not me.
“You’re right, which is sad. Though I know many who live far better than you do.” And with those final words I left him to ponder what they meant. A final jab as we parted, a potential checkmate to try and push him to make that final wish. All the gold in the world wouldn’t right his wrongs nor make him whole. He’d do well to realize that.
Silently, I appeared at the edge of the marketplace and my senses immediately led me to Raj as he strolled through, picking out a loaf of freshly baked bread and fruits from the stalls as he planned his meals for the day. He reached into his pocket, and retrieved more coins than he remembered having. How did I know this? Because I was the one who just slipped them in there. His head turned from side to side but found no one near enough to have been able to pull off such a maneuver. He shook it off and continued perusing the vendors’ wares.
“Always.” My voice was but a whisper as it ghosted through the air. Always I would be there, the one to ensure Raj never had to beg, borrow, or steal. He wouldn’t meet the same fate his parents had. Not whilst I roamed this earth.
I kept a better distance than I had before, clocking his every move as he’d pick up an item only to decide against it and set it back down. I’d amassed quite the collection of gifts to spoil him with someday. Odds and ends I’d watched him eye only to decide against them. Dreams of dressing him as his sun-kissed flesh peeked from beneath the finest fabrics. Jesus, how many times had I come from those very thoughts?
The only problem with all of this was, what if he never felt the same for me?
Would fate be so cruel?
Don’t answer that.
“Follow me.”
Shit, this was the second time in just as many days Raj had snuck up on me. I bowed my head and followed him between the stalls and up the stairs to his room.
“Sit.” Raj was full of surprises today, though I was inches away from turning him over my knee and tanning that gorgeous ass of his for this bossiness. When I glared at him and made no move, he softened the attitude. “Please.”
I glanced around the tight room which held two twin beds, a small table with two chairs along with a makeshift kitchenette of sorts, and did my best to school my features. Giving away the fact I was intimately familiar with this space would take us down a path Raj wasn’t ready for. I took a seat while he stood in front of the open window, and patiently awaited his next move.