Page 37 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

“I’ll let you go if you agree to join with me in every way possible.” Her fingertip teased along my neck and chest, stopping at the opening of my tunic. “Say yes, and I’ll not only make it worth your while, but I’ll also make sure you never regret giving in to my request.”

“Never.” She may take away everything that was me, but she wouldn’t take my will or my ability to control my own fate.

She pouted and ground her fingernail into my chest. “Yes is such a simple word.”

I looked her in the eye. “No.”

Wrenched back to the present, I growled. “I’ll never give in to your demands.”

“A silly man has replaced the silly boy you were back then, I see.”

“Not silly enough to agree.”

“And now you live with regret.”

“Not regret.” I sighed. “Never that. I live with a need for vengeance.”

“One you’ll never find, and thus, you’re still a silly man.”

A sound echoed behind us. Jasmine waking up?

“Humans are much too fragile,” Cardia said with a sly smile.

“If you harm her or anyone she cares for, I’ll find a way to make you pay forever.”

“Now you’re threatening me?” Her smile lifted completely, though her eyes remained sly. “You’re trapped inside a lamp, subject to the whim of simple people who don’t understand the true value of the gifts you bestow upon them. I’m the one with power here, not you.”

“That’s not exactly true.” Incredible power came with the lamp. Enough to control a witch if only for a short time?

A blink, and I’d bound her with magical ties even she couldn’t spirit away or loosen. When she shrieked, I secured a thick cloth around her mouth.

I stood over her while she lay on the floor trussed up by my magic. If only I could make her remain bound forever.

“Never threaten Jasmine,” I growled. “You won’t like what I’ll do to get even.”

Another blink, and I’d sent her from the lamp. After encasing it with magic to keep her from returning, I released her binds. As much as I’d love to leave her secured in a dungeon until she rotted, I wasn’t cruel.

Perhaps if I was, I’d find a way to kill her.

Even if that meant I’d still be trapped inside the lamp.

20

JASMINE

Iwoke in Boshun’s arms and smiled at the memory of what we’d done together.

I wanted to do it again. That second cock . . . I pitied the women lying with males who didn’t have them.

“We should go,” he said, his arms tightening around me. “It’s nearly time for you to speak with the healer.”

“Do you think she’ll be able to help my sister?” I wasn’t sure my heart could take losing her like everyone else in my life—like I’d soon lose Boshun. His loss would be sharp, as if someone sawed through my chest with a dull blade.

“I don’t know.”

“Can you see the future?” If he could, did I want to know where I’d be in a year? Who I’d be with, if anyone? If my sister would live?

“Only fragments. Nothing about you or myself.”

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