Page 32 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

I shouldn’t feel jealous.

“Or, while I’m here, I could impress the queen and she might invite me to be one of her ladies. The odds of that are zero, however.”

That was only trading one taskmaster for another.

“If my sister was well, she could also work, and we’d better ourselves that way, but I don’t dream of anything like that. It’ll hurt too much if the dream doesn’t come true.”

“What do you dream of for yourself, Jasmine?”

“So much. Too much.” She traced her finger along the pattern in her gown. “Things that can never come true for someone like me.” Rising, she left the living area, crossed the gym, and returned to my decadent bedroom.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, following.

She shrugged, tears shimmering in her gorgeous eyes again. “Not really. I wasn’t sure what to expect here. I guess I hoped I’d find a place where I could tell myself you were happy. Content if not satisfied.”

“You said you’ll never be completely happy, and neither will I.”

“It’s wrong. You should be free.”

And that was the problem. It would never happen. Once her third wish was granted, I’d never see her again. She had one chance with the lamp, and no matter how hard she rubbed it after that, I wouldn’t respond to her touch. In a short time, it would return to the treasure room or . . . Sometimes, the lamp plotted its own course, perhaps sensing an imbalance that needed righting. It would then send me there.

I hated this. Hated even more that I was making Jasmine sad. It was time to cheer her up if I could.

“Can I tempt you with sweets?” A flick of my hand made a low table appear with a solid gold tray holding glasses filled with every imaginable type of drink. “Or perhaps you’d like to try fruit unlike anything you’ve seen before in your life.” Another blink, and a new table joined the first, this one laden with sliced fruit from all over this world and the ones beyond the void. “Or roasted meat and vegetables?” Yet another table appeared, and the scent of this food swirled together with the others.

“I don’t want anything to eat or drink.” She took a step toward me. “I don’t want gorgeous dresses.” Another step, and our bodies brushed together. “I don’t want jewels or gold, either.”

“What do you want, Jasmine?” My voice croaked. “What can I give you that I’ve never given another?”

“I don’t even want wishes. Helping others has always been my goal, not pleasing myself.”

“You deserve to be pleased as much as any other person.” More so, in my mind.

“I’d never compel you to do anything you wouldn’t choose to do on your own.”

“Tell me what you want,” I breathed.

“I want you, Boshun. Freely given. You.”

18

JASMINE

Was I foolish for telling him how much he was coming to mean to me? Life tended to snatch away the things I loved most. My parents had died when we were young, leaving us to survive on our own. I’d lost more friends than I could count. My sister might join them soon.

But I couldn’t do anything about that right now. All I had was this moment.

If I didn’t speak my heart when I had the chance, I might live with regret forever.

“You haven’t been with anyone,” he said, his gaze locked on mine.

“My inexperience is probably not an asset.” I cringed, realizing how many women—and maybe men—he’d been with. Why would he want to be with someone like me when he could have a gorgeous person who knew what they were doing?

“You’re you, Jasmine, and that’s what matters most. I love you for who you are, not who I think you should be.”

“Love?”

“If I don’t tell you how I feel, how will you know?”

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