I nodded earnestly. “I don’t want anyone else to take it.” Someone else might make me stay in the lamp but my master was letting me be free. That was all I really wanted after such a long time in confinement.
“So how could we hide it, do you think?” Master prompted, looking deep into my eyes.
He’s definitely flirting with you.
I frowned, refusing to listen to myself and the ridiculous thoughts I was having as he drew a little closer to me, pinning me down with his dark eyes.
“Maybe, I could make the lamp smaller? And place it on an unbreakable chain which you could wear around your neck?” I suggested, wondering if that was a terrible idea. Maybe I didn’t have any good ideas left in my brain since it had been bottled up for hundreds of years. Or maybe the only ideas left were the good ones.
“Would you do that for me?” Master breathed, shifting a little closer to me so that I could smell the scent of him. It was like smoke and sand and something entirely masculine. Why had I thought he was a girl?
Because you’re a damn idiot who lost your mind a thousand years ago.
“Wish it,” I whispered in return.
“I wish for you to make sure you stay mine,” he said, lowering his voice in a way that made a shiver race down my spine. It made me feel like we were sharing some secret beyond the bond of genie and master and I smiled at him as I turned my magic to his desires.
The lamp flew from his pocket, hanging in the space between us and shrinking until it was no bigger than my thumbnail. Silver light appeared next, condensing into a chain which slid through the lamp’s handle before forming an unbreakable circle. I cloaked its appearance too, so that it looked like a golden amulet instead of a lamp. The necklace dropped over his head and the last echoes of my magic flared in his eyes as it fell against his skin.
“You really are something special, you know that?” he murmured as he twisted the tiny lamp between his fingers.
“Special isn’t always a good thing,” I replied quietly. I would have given anything to just be normal and to have never set foot in that lamp.
“Says the special one,” he teased, leaning back on his elbows so that he could look up at the stars.
I couldn’t help but stare at him as he laid there before me. He was so real. His hair was as black as midnight and his skin the richest bronze as if the sun kissed each inch of it every single day. His mouth hooked up naturally like he was happiness given flesh. And his dark eyes held more secrets than I could ever hope to untangle. It was a shame he was ugly but then I’d take a hundred ugly faces over another moment of solitude. A smile pulled at his lips as he noticed my attention on him but I didn’t look away.
He thinks you’re staring because you like him.
I frowned. I did like him so why did it matter if he knew it?
Not like him the way you’re thinking. He thinks you want to see him naked.
“I don’t want to see him naked,” I muttered beneath my breath. “That would be gross.”
Master’s eyes swivelled to me and he frowned.
“I wasn’t talking to you,” I said quickly and he nodded though he didn’t seem very happy anymore.
Just about you.
I wrung my hands together, looking away from him awkwardly.
“I was wondering about what you said before, about how you used to be human,” he said eventually and I looked back to him with a surge of relief that he wasn’t still mad at me.
“Yes?” I asked, as my purple hair swept forward around me, reaching down to my toes.
“It’s just that you said that you were going to be able to disguise yourself so that you don’t have to go back in the lamp but from what I’ve seen you’re not very... normal.” He waved a hand at me and I frowned.
“I don’t understand,” I admitted, trying to ignore the fear I felt at the idea of going back into the lamp.
Master pushed his hair back from his eyes and the muscles on his arm bulged as he did so. Somehow it seemed intentional but I wasn’t sure why.
“Humans don’t tend to have multi-coloured skin and hair,” he explained and a rainbow of colour skittered across my hands as he drew attention to it.
I’ve told you that a thousand times.
“Oh.”
“So can you turn that shit off? Maybe make yourself look like you did before you were a genie?” he asked. “Otherwise I think there won’t be any other choice but to go back in the lamp.”
I recoiled, my eyes widening in alarm as panic loomed like a kraken before me.
“No, please,” I whispered and for a moment I thought I could see pity in my master’s eyes.
No man has ever had mercy on you before so don’t go kidding yourself that this one is any different.
“You don’t have to, so long as you can look human,” he said, his voice a little softer than before.
I nodded keenly. “I’ll figure it out. I think my magic just bled into every piece of me while I was trapped in there but I can contain it again. I can remember what I was like... before.”
Liar. You can’t even remember your sister’s name, let alone the colour of your own skin. We’ll be back in that lamp the second we get close to civilisation and he won’t bother with you again until he wants more wishes.
Tears welled in my eyes and I looked away from my master quickly, not wanting him to think he’d upset me.
“It’s hard to imagine what you truly look like when your features keep changing,” he said with a smirk. “Perhaps you’re as attractive as me?”
“But you’re not...” I chewed my lip again as irritation flickered in his eyes.
“Are you trying to bait me or is that really what you think?” he asked. “I have never met a woman who didn’t like my face before.”
“You seem to care about your looks a lot,” I murmured in response, not really wanting to answer.
“Pfft. If ninety nine women fall at my feet and one turns up her nose at me what difference does that make to me anyway?” he asked but I wasn’t sure if the question was really for me or just for the stars.
You could try lying.
“I’m not sure I remember how to lie,” I hissed. “I only seem to be able to tell the truth.”
“And the truth is you find me ugly?” he asked as if I’d been talking to him.
I scrunched up my nose as I tried my hardest to do what I’d suggested and lie to him. “I don’t find you ugly,” I said slowly and his eyes glimmered as if he’d expected me to admit that. “I find you... not... attractive.”
“Not attractive?” he deadpanned and I could tell I’d pissed him off.
“Umm...”
“I think it’s time I got some sleep.” Master got up and walked away from me and I bit my lip, wondering if I should tell him that he would probably look fine if I just switched his mouth and eyebrows about a bit.
Probably best to just shut up at this point.
I nodded sadly. I might have been right for once.
Once I was alone, I focused on drawing my magic away from my skin, my hair, my features. I needed to look human again if I wanted to remain free of the lamp and it was truly the only thing I desired anymore.
It took me hours, during which time my other self constantly insulted me and made me doubt myself. The sun had risen over the desert by the time I was done, but I was sure that my body had returned to its human form. Whatever that looked like.
The sound of voices drew me back to the fire where Cassian and Aladdin had woken from their night’s sleep and were discussing the best way for them to approach the palace.
I cleared my throat as they failed to notice me and Cassian leapt to his feet, drawing his sword as he pointed it at me.
“Calm down, mate,” Master said quickly. “Let the girl explain what she’s doing here. Maybe she needs warming up.” He gave me the kind of smile that made heat race to my cheeks and I bit my lip as I realised neither of them recognised me.
“It’s me,” I breathed. “I pulled the mag
ic out of my skin and...” I shrugged, not really sure what else needed to be said.
“Holy shit.” Master’s gaze swept over me slowly, making me feel naked before him and my blush deepened as I forced my eyes to Cassian’s instead.
He slowly lowered his sword, taking in the changes in me.
The way they were both staring was creeping me out a bit and I chewed my lip as I waited for them to stop.
“Your eyes are still the same,” Master said eventually. “But the rest of you is...”
He can’t take his eyes off of you.
“I’m okay then?” I asked, ignoring myself. “I don’t have to go back in the lamp?”
“Yeah you’re okay,” Cassian said as he started kicking dirt over the last embers of the fire.
Master cleared his throat and got to his feet, turning away from me as he moved to help Cassian.
A smile pulled at my lips as I realised I’d done enough to maintain my freedom and I waited for them to finish up.
No matter what else happened now, at least I knew I wouldn’t have to see the inside of that lamp again any time soon.
My head hurt. The soles of my feet hurt. Shit, my whole body hurt.
I rode a camel at Aladdin's side, heading back toward the city. Kyra sat on her own camel, staring around at the desert in wonder. We'd long since left the oasis behind and now the dunes swept away ahead of us like a rolling sea frozen in time.
I clutched the burn on my side which was the keenest pain of all. The blood that had leaked from it last night had plastered my shirt to my stomach and the ache was growing to a searing throb.
“I need to...” I couldn't get the words out. My mouth was overly dry.
I knew that torturer would give me an infection.
The world seemed to shift and suddenly I landed in a soft, fluffy bed. No...it must have been sand. The camel trod on my leg and I groaned further as another injury was added to my collection.
The sky swum in a murky blue pool above me. Close then far away.
I hate dirt. And now it's killed me.
I was on the verge of losing consciousness when someone struck me hard across the face. “Say the words! Say yes!” Aladdin's voice sailed to me.
“Huh?” I managed to force out. Why was my tongue so heavy?
“Do you wish for me to save you, Cassian?” Kyra's voice. Her dark hair came into view and suddenly it was her I was looking at, not Aladdin. She was very pretty. Did she know she was pretty? Better tell her.
“You're pretty,” I breathed and her eyes widened.
“Say yes, asshole. I need you,” Aladdin insisted, slapping me again.
This guy...
“Yes,” I sighed on what felt like my final breath as the baking sun and sizzling in my wounds made me want to fall into the comforting embrace of darkness.
Slowly, it ebbed away. All of it. The pain, the blistering heat, the blinding ache in my side. The air glittered above me, over me. My skin was alight with it. A trickle of magic was fluttering across my flesh, wiping away the wounds it found, digging deep to cut the infection out of my body.
When Kyra sat back, I bolted upright, gazing down at my stomach as I pulled my shirt up to stare at my unmarred flesh.
Bronze, smooth, totally healed. I was starting to like this genie. Even if this was unnatural. She'd just dragged me back from death's door. Maybe magic was acceptable in the right hands...
You’re only thinking that because it saved you, idiot. Don’t forget what Gothel could do with a genie’s power.
Kyra leant down to inspect me, her hair creating a curtain of darkness between us and Aladdin. She smelled like saltwater and fire smoke.
“Thank you,” I sighed.
She stood up, a wide grin lighting her face as Aladdin glanced between us with narrowed eyes.
“Right on to the city then,” he said, holding out a hand for me.
I took it, gaining my feet and relishing the renewed flush of life in my body.
I climbed onto my camel while Aladdin and Kyra returned to theirs. My heart sang as I stretched out my limbs and drank in the feeling of not being battered to shit anymore. That's a real nice feeling. And it means I can get back to my morning workouts.
I’d always loved rising early, falling into the routine of pushing my muscles to their limits. There was nothing like the trickle of sweat down my back at the crack of dawn, knowing I’d already out-worked ninety nine percent of Osaria before they’d even woken up.
It wasn't too long before we made it back to the edge of the city.
“I need to look like a Count, Kyra,” Aladdin said before we got too close to anyone, gesturing to his sandy clothes and wind-beaten hair. “I like the sound of Count Aladdin...Count Aladdin Nazari,” he said dreamily. “And make him look like a guard. And not one that will be recognised at the palace.” He nodded to me and I agreed before Kyra weaved her magic.
My bloodied shirt was replaced with fine navy robes with a trim of gold around the lapels. The Forken scimitar was strapped around it and Kyra changed the tanned red sheath to match the colour of my robes. Another curved dagger appeared at my waist tethered there by a deep crimson sash. A short beard grew on my chin and I frowned, reaching up to feel it. I’d never been allowed to grow any sort of facial hair as a guard and it felt kind of good.
Aladdin was given robes of jade green and beige. His hair smoothed out, the sand falling from it and floating away on the breeze. The stubble on his jaw became neater and as he lifted a hand to touch it, he eyed his palm in confusion. “My hands are baby soft,” he said, frowning deeply.
I barked a laugh. “Counts don't have calluses.”
Aladdin scowled but his irritation was forgotten as he met my eye. “You don’t look any different. That beard isn’t enough-”
“We can still see him as he is,” Kyra cut across him. “But the rest of the world will see a different man.” Her gaze travelled over me. “I might forget what you look like otherwise. Faces are easy to forget...”
Aladdin nodded and kicked his camel into a trot as we closed the gap across the sand to the city. I kept pace with Kyra, sensing a sadness falling over her.
“Are you alright?” I called.
She nodded, then shook her head, then nodded again. She kicked her camel to put some distance between us and I suspected she didn’t want to talk about it. What did a genie have to worry about..?
We slowed as we reached the first streets and eyes turned toward us from every direction.
“Chin high,” I muttered to Aladdin and he obeyed, gazing down his nose at the civilians as it if was as easy as breathing.
“Where to?” he asked.
“Next left,” I directed as he took the lead. I had something I needed to do before we headed to the palace. And I wasn't going to debate about it with Aladdin. It was happening whether he approved or not.
I kicked the camel faster to overtake him, leading him down another few streets as we moved into the first Quarter; the noblemen's section of the city.
We finally arrived at our destination and I dropped from the camel, tying it off on a tree outside a large white house with a small garden at the front.
“Where are we?” Aladdin asked.
Kyra jumped down from her camel and Aladdin reluctantly descended too.
“This is my family's home,” I told Aladdin. “I can't risk Egos finding them. I figured you could ask Kyra to protect them.” And if you say no, I’ll gut you.
Aladdin chewed on the inside of his cheek then nodded once. “Okay then. I'll make the wish for you.”
My brows raised at how little he fought this and I gave him a warm smile. “Thank you.”
I led the way inside and wondered how my mother was going to react. She must have heard I'd escaped from prison by now. And I'd no doubt given her several anxious nights of unrest since.
“Ma-mar?” I called and Aladdin chortled. I shot him a glare, moving along the expansive white hallway.
Peach tea
called to me from the kitchen, the scent so familiar it sent a wave of longing through me. “Ma-mar?” I called again as I stepped into the room.
I spotted her at the table, her eyes puffy, her fingers knotted around a handkerchief. Her usually perfect make-up wasn't present and four of my seven sisters were crowded around her. Marla, Lyla, Fatima and Imani. Ma-mar looked up; her eyes were as dark as mine, but everything else about me was my father's. A fierce protectiveness crashed against my heart as I gazed at them all.
“Who are you?” she gasped, springing to her feet.
“Shit the disguise,” Aladdin hissed at Kyra. “Lift it.”
She nodded and I felt a strange tug in my chest before my mother's face shifted into shellshock. “Cassian?” she whispered.
“It's him!” Marla cried, the first to break from the group as she flung herself at me. I caught her with a laugh, crushing her to my chest. Lyla and Imani followed next but Fatima held back, her sharp features pinched with anger - what a surprise.
“You're a fugitive,” she bit at me. “How could you bring such shame on our family? On Ma-mar?” She was one year my junior, the eldest of my sisters and the bossiest. If anyone was going to hold me accountable for going AWOL, it was her.
“Come now, Fatima, give your brother a hug,” Ma-mar pleaded, rising from her seat and pushing Fatima toward me.
My sister shook her head, folding her arms as she glared at me.
Dammit, Fatima.
“How are you here? And who are these fine people?” Ma-mar's gaze trailed over Kyra and Aladdin.
“I know this seems strange,” I said gently. I didn't want to lie to my family. But I needed to protect them. I didn't want them fearing what I'd landed myself in. “This is Count Aladdin Nazari from the faraway kingdom of Carubai and this is his maid Kyra,” I said. “He bought me as his guard, paid off the hangman.” I knew it was tenuous but my mother wanted to believe so much that it was true that I could see her buying it.
I’m a piece of shit.
“And why would you do that, Count Aladdin?” Fatima asked suspiciously. “Don't you have your own guards?”
“Of course,” Aladdin said, puffing out his chest. “But I needed a man who knew the city and the royal family well. I deemed this man fit when I heard of his crime.”
Forbidden Fairytales- The Complete Series Page 15