Page 38 of Releasing the Djinn
"Of course, where did you think I was?"
"I thought," Nadira paused, licking her suddenly dry lips as she thought of all the places she assumed he was visiting. "I thought you were popping all around the world doing whatever it is you do. You know, something mischievous."
Idrak laughed. "I'm very curious to know what "something mischievous" entails in your mind, my lovely wife, but let me assure you I have been here with you the whole time."
"But why have you been hiding? Why make me think you just…"
"I just what?" he urged, leaning closer to her.
"That all you want from me is the use of my body and then to take your leave," she finished in a small voice. She felt a little dumb but raw at the same time. Why didn't he just tell her he was there the whole time?
Very serious now, Idrak looked at her with a considering expression. "Because that was what you wanted," Seeing the argument spark to life in her eyes, he continued. "Back at your parents' house, did you not want days of peace and quiet, time where you could just relax without fear of interruption from your disgusting parents?"
Nadira bristled a little at the remark about her parents. They had their flaws, but she couldn’t help but want to defend them. Looking away from him, she focused on her covered feet, poking up beneath the blankets as she thought of his words. He was right, she thought, that was exactly what she had wanted, so why did it feel like such abandonment.
Seeing that she was at a loss for words, Idrak pressed on, his face slowly turning from solemn to a wry, wicked smile. "Would you like to see the world, my love?"
Something about the djinn's roguish expression dispelled some of the fatigue from her body, and she sat up straighter against the headboard in anticipation.
She nodded in answer and she watched his lips purse in dissatisfaction at that.
"No, I think I want to hear you say it," he said thoughtfully. "I want to hear you say very sweetly, "Idrak, please take me to see the world" just like that."
Every ounce of her pride reacted at once, and Nadira whipped her head away and crossed her arms in complete defiance. "Think again," she said tartly.
Idrak's deep chuckle shook the air around them and from the corner of her eye, she could see wispy swirls of black smoke curl in the air.
"Come now," he spoke again, this time, his voice taking on a resonating demonic quality as it filled the high ceiling room. "Give me this and I will give you everything," he coaxed his words, settling over her like warm silk.
Turning to him, she was proud of herself for not gasping. Consumed by his own excitement, Idrak's features were sharper than normal. His nose nearly coming to a point, his white eyes slanted and glowing bright while his mouth reminded Nadira of a sharply carved jack-o-lantern with its wide slashing grin that seemed to reach ear to ear in deadly rows of razor-sharp teeth. Tendrils of black wisps curled at the edges of his skin as he stared at her with unholy eagerness.
Oddly unafraid, something she would definitely need to review later, Nadira gave him a defeated sigh and began to repeat the words he wanted. "Idrak-"
"Darling husband of mine," he added, smiling even larger somehow.
Pressing her lips together, she gave the excited demon an evil look. She should just turn over in bed and go to sleep, that would get him. But she knew it wouldn't. The djinn was too eager, too hyped, he was practically buzzing with wanting to fulfill her needs, and she knew him well enough to know he would simply just rip the sheet from her body and take his enjoyment in a different fashion.
Through gritted teeth, she gave him what he wanted. "Idrak, darling husband of mine, please take me to see the world."
Satisfaction rolled through his body with shuddering force. Leaning forward, he covered her lips with his and gave her a hard searching kiss that left her breathless when he pulled away. Pulling her closer to him, Idrak tucked her into the warmth of his shoulder and looked down at her.
"What is that ridiculous image humans have of djinn?" he asked, tilting his head to the side before his eyes went wide in sudden clarity. "Ah, yes."
Snapping his fingers, the room around them disappeared and gusts of wind met her face and tangled through her hair. Frightened, Nadira's arms went around Idrak's hot bare waist and held on for dear life as she realized they were high in the sky. Flying steadily as if still sitting on the ground, their large bed flew through the night sky above the city lights. Slowly the bed around her began to unravel and weave again until it shifted into a large Persian rug beneath them.
Realizing what they must have looked like, Nadira felt a bubble of laughter escape her lips. With the largest smile, she looked up at Idrak and laughed freely, letting the wind steal the sound. Clawed hands combed through her long black hair, gently guiding her to lay flat against the plush rug.
Bracing himself above her, Idrak settled between her legs and carefully pulled away the billowing white sheet. "Now, let me show you the world."
