Page 2 of Genie's Boy
It’s not stalking if it’s done with the best of intentions. Right?
Yeah, just keep telling yourself that and one day you'll believe it.
Shut up, brain.
Wait, where did he—???
Tap-tap.“Why are you following me?”
I spun around so fast, I had to keep my head from continuing the journey once my body stopped. For sure, that would’ve freaked the poor boy out, thoughthe better question was, how was he able to sneak up on me in the first place?
“Oh, um…” I drew a blank.Empty.My mind devoid of all thoughts. Having no response wasn’t something that had happened before but today appeared to be a day of firsts for me, starting with being snuck up on.
Raj pressed on, arms folded across his puffed-up chest. It was cute, given his small stature, that he thought this stance would allow for a formidable appearance.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve caught you following me. Am I in trouble with the Maharajah?” Though he put on a strong face, the quiver in his voice gave away his true feelings. He was scared, as he should be given our ruler’s tyranny. Little did he know I’d be there to protect him as I always had.
My sweet Raj.
“As far as I know, you’re not.”
The villagers knew me as the Maharajah’s liaison, so to speak. But none of them knew I stood by his side against my will, for the Maharajah held the key to my existence.
Or in this case, the lamp.
“Then why are you following me?”
Straightening my shoulders and squaring off, I donned a stiff, no-nonsense stance, the very one I kept while in the Maharajah’s presence as we walked amongst the villagers.One that spoke of authority. I did my best to remain neutral. Not easily achieved when I vehemently disagreed with the way our supreme leader ruled.
At my towering height, it was easy to keep the villagers in line. I wasn’t as bulky as the palace guards, but I had an air about me that dared them to test me.
None did.
“I keep a watchful eye across this village and report back to my mas—” Master nearly slipped out. “To our ruler.”
Though I generally didn’t tell him squat. I couldn’t stand the man. Such a waste of human life. Born into the family that had ruled this land for centuries. The spoiled, evil man didn’t deserve the life he lived.
Nothing got past Raj, though. The boy was bright, quick-witted, and a fast study. A questioning brow quirked, having caught my faux pas, though he chose not to address it in his reply. “True, though more times than not your attention is directly focused on me. Have I done something to offend our leader to have had him request you keep such a watchful eye upon me?”
His deep, soulful, nearly onyx eyes stared expectantly up at me. I’d never stood this close to him, except while he slumbered.Back to that whole stalker dilemma. His long, raven locks spread across the linens. The sheet barelycovered his naked torso. The outline of his cock nearly visible through the threadbare sheets…
Wait, what did he just ask me?
“Ahem. Forgive me, my mind was elsewhere. No, our leader hasn’t requested I watch you. My gaze just merely happened upon you, nothing more. My apologies if I’ve made you uncomfortable.”Now’s the time you would spill your usual warning to the commoner, telling them to toe the line. Come on, let it out. Here we go. Raj, I watch everyone. I am the eyes and ears of this… Um, Genie?
The crazed look on my face was enough to send him off. “Right. I’ll just be,” Raj hooked a thumb in the opposite direction, “I’ll just be going.”
I forced myself to stay rooted in place as he disappeared around the corner, knowing full well I’d see him again tonight.
Be strong, he’s not ready for the truth. Yet.
Or so I’d told myself for years.
He’d been of age for some time, not that age was of consequence to our ruler. Many of his wives were underage, though that was something I stood firmly by when choosing a lover.
Lovers.
I’d had many over the centuries I’d inhabited this earth. A magical being created by accident, as the magic for whichI was born through was meant for another, along with the power bestowed upon me. My maker died that night when his spell went awry, while I’d been condemned to a life of servitude. And a lonely life it has been. Melancholy, despair. All things I felt until Raj came along.
