Page 51 of Jasmine's Enchanted Genie

Boshun cleared his throat. “Lady Bains is much more than a simple village woman.”

“I do apologize, my lady.” He bowed, his gaze darting to our door. “Please allow me to assist you. It’s my job here. I could get into trouble if I don’t at least tidy your room.”

“All right. But don’t stay long. We’re going to eat quickly and return.”

With a nod, he opened the door and went inside.

“He can’t steal the lamp, and that’s the only thing of value inside,” I whispered as we took the stairs to the lowest level.

“There’s something odd about him.” Boshun’s gaze shot in the direction of my room. “I don’t trust him.”

“I don’t either, but we won’t be gone for very long.”

We ate and went back to my room, finding it fully cleaned, a steaming bath waiting, and all my dresses pressed and ready to be worn. Viscar was gone, and the lamp in book form was where we’d left it.

I got back to work trying to learn the spell that involved a mirror and me casting magic that would make the spell bounce back on Cardia. We didn’t talk about how we’d lure her to a place where I could trap her. With time ticking away to when I had to ask my final wish, it was more important that I make sure I could do it than anything else.

Finally, after what had to be my one hundredth unsuccessful attempt to build the power needed for the spell, we collapsed on the bed side by side.

I rose onto my elbow, looking down at his handsome face. “We should be spending our time together, not trying to force something that’ll probably take me twenty years to learn.”

“You’re new to magic.” He tugged me into his arms. “You’re trying very hard.”

Tears stung in my eyes. “Because I don’t want to lose you.” I was sobbing, but it didn’t matter. I’d fallen in love with him and soon he’d return to the lamp where he’d be forced to live in a gilded cage forever. I’d never see him again.

“You’re everything to me.” He rolled me onto my back and kissed me.

I clung to him, taking the comfort he offered while doing all I could to give it back to him tenfold.

He gently removed my clothing, then tossed aside his own.

And after he’d made love to me, he held me while I cried.

32

BOSHUN

“It’s time,” I said.

Per our plan, Jasmine had sent a note to Cardia telling her that she’d used her final wish, and she’d happily deliver the lamp to her. Jasmine asked Cardia to meet her in the center of the maze.

Earlier, we’d set everything up. All we needed to do now was get into our places and spring the trap—and pray it worked.

Jasmine had spent all day reciting the spell and gathering magic, but while she had success with her first attempt to pull the power in, the magic had since proved elusive since. If she couldn’t gather the necessary power and send it out with the complicated spell, it wouldn’t work.

Then she’d have no choice but to ask for her final wish. If we were lucky, the lamp would return to the treasure room after she’d finished. I’d be trapped there until someone worthy collected the lamp, but at least I wouldn’t be under Cardia’s thumb.

Jasmine rushed over to me, dressed in her prettiest gown, and wrapped her arms around me. I’d encouraged her to dress up. I wanted to gaze at her for as long as I could and remember her like this. I was doing my best to imprint her image in my mind. I’d take it with me and hold it close in my heart when I could no longer be with her.

How was I going to find a way to spend multiple lifetimes without her?

I lifted her and kissed her. I’d never get enough of the feel of her in my arms. Returning to the lamp was going to rip me apart.

She slid down my front and gazed at me with love, her chin quivering but with steel in her eyes. “I can do it. I’ll find a way.”

I cupped her face. “The spell you’re casting would be a challenge even for an experienced witch. Please don’t blame yourself if it doesn’t work.” I couldn’t bear it if she spent years angry with herself.

“I’m going to try. I can’t do anything else.” After pinching her eyes shut, she opened them, and we left her room with the lamp in book form inside the bag.

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