Page 41 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

“How long has your sister been sick?”

“Almost two years.”

Geradine’s lips thinned, and she closed her book with a sigh. “That’s much too long. With conditions like this, the best chance of success lies in treating it early.”

“She’s still alive. She’s strong and determined. It’s not too late.” I dropped to my knees. “Please. I’ve done all I could for her, but I can’t get her well. Can you help her? Would you be willing to try?”

Boshun lifted me to my feet, holding me. “You’re a healer, Geradine. No one, not even a woman from the village, should have to beg.”

“This is my time,” Geradine said. “I’ve spent over a week with a family helping first one, then another recover from the wasting sickness. I only want one evening to myself.”

“Tomorrow, then,” I said. “Please?”

Geradine grumbled but finally nodded. “All right. I’ll go see her in the morning. Not too early, mind you. I want to sleep in as well.”

We all needed rest, but we were talking about my sister’s life, not whether this healer should have sausage or bacon with her eggs for breakfast. But I couldn’t risk antagonizing her.

“Thank you.” I pinched my lips together before I said something that would offend her, but I hated that my sister’s health could be subject to this woman’s whim.

After giving her the address, we left, returning to my room.

“I was going to take her to your sister myself immediately,” Boshun snarled, pacing back and forth inside the room. “I would’ve brought her supplies and pinned her down until she’d not only examined your sister, but prescribed her a cure.”

“That’s very close to healing someone. I’m sure it breaks your rules.”

Stopping in front of me, he gripped my arms, staring down into my eyes. “I’d break every rule to help you, Jasmine. Don’t you see that?”

“Then why didn’t you do it yourself?”

“I tried.”

“When?”

“I went to her the night I met you and . . . something odd happened.” He swallowed hard. “When I tried to heal her, my magic left me—for only a brief time. But . . .” He closed his eyes and when he opened them, pain filled them. “It happened again after I brought us here. I tried to use it to take her to your sister, but nothing happened. My magic doesn’t work any longer.”

23

JASMINE

“How is that possible?” I rushed into Boshun, wrapping my arms around him. He sounded shocked and completely devastated.

“I’m not sure.” He held me, his chin on the top of my head. “I suspect this is the penalty for using my magic to help you. A genie’s magic exists solely to grant the wishes.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have expected anything more.”

“It’s not your fault.” He cupped my cheeks with his warm hands. “I adore you, and all I want is to make you happy.”

My eyes filled with tears because I couldn’t envision a happy ending for us. Once he’d granted my wishes, he’d return to the lamp, and I’d leave the palace. I doubted I still had a job, which was going to put me in a bind. How could I support my sister if I couldn’t make money?

I also worried that Lana would continue to sicken, that she’d die.

“My life is in a downward spiral,” I said, though I was sad for him more than myself.

I didn’t want to wallow in grief. The healer was going to see my sister in the morning, and she might be able to give Lana a cure. I had this weekend with Boshun, and I needed to savor every bit of it.

And if I had my say, we were going to find a way to free him from the lamp forever.

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