Page 15 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

“Because I didn’t believe they’d care.”

Strangely enough, I did. “I’m honored.”

Something he’d just said made me start thinking. And when I was deep in thought, I paced. The distraction of my body’s movement was just enough to clear my mind and allow my brain to come up with solutions I wouldn’t otherwise think of. “You suggested I was giving up.”

“I did.” He watched me intently, his full lips twitching. I’d enjoyed his kiss, but it was time to focus on what I needed to do, not my unexpected attraction to him.

“I’ve begun to believe you’re an actor, pretending to be a genie.”

“You know that’s not true.”

I cocked my head. “Are the wishes for real?”

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you one wish for free, something I’d never bestowed upon another.”

“Truly?” I breathed.

“Truly.”

I swallowed and thought about it before speaking, needing to make sure it came out right.

“Can I ask you to gain me an introduction to the palace healer, Geradine?”

He grinned, and it made his eyes sparkle for the first time, telling me it was a real smile, not something drummed up to please the person who’d summoned him from the lamp.

It crushed me to think that this man had so little joy in his life. Like Lana deserved the chance to live, so did he.

“Is that what you’d like?” he asked gravely.

“Yes. I want you to gain me an introduction to the palace healer, Geradine, and make sure that my introduction comes with enough time to explain my sister’s situation.”

“Very clever.” His face went solemn, and he bowed. “As you wish, Jasmine. So it shall be.”

I expected him to magically pop me from this room to wherever I might find the healer, but we remained in my room.

“Do you happen to know when this will happen?” I asked, pausing on the polished wooden floor.

“Geradine is not inside the palace,” he said. “But she’ll be back tomorrow night, before the evening’s festivities, and she plans to attend. She’ll dine and dance, but you won’t find her receptive to your request before or during that time. After nine, she’ll sit alone, reading in the blue room. She’ll gladly listen then, and I believe, though I cannot see that far, she’ll seriously consider your request.”

“This doesn’t prove you can grant wishes. It’s not something I can tangibly see.”

He huffed. “Then ask for something else.”

“All I want is an introduction.”

“You have it.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I have nothing.”

“So ask for something simple that I can grant here and now.”

I held up my finger. “Hold on.” Rushing to the door, I opened it, finding a guard passing by outside. “Excuse me.”

Pausing, he bowed. “Do you need something?” His gaze faltered as it slid down my frame, reminding me I still wore my now-wrinkled gown from last night.

“Is the palace healer, Geradine, here?”

“Are you unwell?”

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