by Ashley Ladd
Mark took his seat next to his attorney, a florid man with a double chin. Gaudy diamond cocktail rings adorned each of his pudgy fingers. Just how many of those rings had Mark funded with his never-ending appeals?
She scowled. Far too many.
Anna’s smile grew wide and she waved to Mark.
Savi’s fingers itched to strangle the other woman. She couldn’t take her eyes off Anna and Mark, wondering if he’d wave back.
Fortunately, for her piece of mind, he didn’t seem to notice Anna and he didn’t respond. Unfortunately, Mark didn’t seem to notice her either.
Next to her, her genie had changed into a contemporary business suit. Her glorious hair twisted into a becoming French knot, and diamond studs twinkled from her tiny lobes.
“Everyone please be seated and resume order in the courtroom.”
Savi sat and motioned to her genie to follow the rules.
Once she was seated, the genie whispered into Savi’s ear, “I can set him free if you like. State your desire in wish form and it will be done, Mistress.”
Savi’s pulse leapt and tingles shot down her spine. Alarmed at the public use of her title, Savi looked about her nervously and shushed the genie with a hushed whisper, “Don’t call me that. My name is Savi.”
She longed for Mark’s freedom with all her heart—but only if he was innocent. Ashamed to admit that she wasn’t one hundred percent certain, that she feared he was guilty as accused, she veiled her eyes with her lashes, unable to return Mark’s avid gaze. Even if he came out the victor in this appeal, she’d never truly know if he was innocent. There was no way she could entrust her life to a man who’d committed such an atrocious act—even one who owned her heart.
A brilliant thought stole Savi’s breath and she turned hopeful eyes on the woman beside her. Clutching the genie’s wrist with shaking hands, she asked in a hoarse whisper, “Can you make people tell the truth?”
The Arabian nodded soberly, the incandescent lights twinkling off her diamond ear studs. “Call me Adara, Mistress. I can bring the truth to light, if that is your most fervent desire.” Adara sat at unblinking attention, and crossed her arms over her chest, awaiting direction.
The truth was what Savi needed, heart and soul. But that wasn’t all she needed. If Mark was innocent, he needed freedom—and absolution. She pondered the true desires of her heart for several moments before voicing her wish. “I wish for Mark to be set free permanently—today—but only if he is truly, completely innocent.”
Sucking in her breath, she stared at Adara, fervently hoping for Mark to be proven completely guiltless. She imagined her wish would come instantly true, that they would be transported far away from the vile courtroom, their memories of the painful past two years erased. But she sat in the same place and Mark still sat a miserable five yards away from the yawning judge.
Leaning close to the genie so she couldn’t be overheard, she whispered, “Can you do that?”
Adara nodded, her midnight black eyes twinkling. “Yes, Mistress. Adara’s most powerful genie. Watch and listen closely for the answers you seek.”
The victim fidgeted in her seat, wringing her hands in her lap and biting her lower lip, an angry crimson stain rising in the apple of her cheeks. Her pale hands shook as she was sworn in and the District Attorney asked her to tell the court what had transpired that fateful night more than two years before.
“Let me turn up the volume so you can hear. This is good.” Adara smiled mischievously and blinked her eyes again.
Leaping to her feet, her eyes wild, the victim blurted out, “I lied. Mark Campbell didn’t assault me. H-he rejected my advances. Prison isn’t good enough for that menace. He deserves the electric chair for humiliating me!”
A collective gasp rang out in the courtroom, Savi’s gasp loudest of all. Several moments of stunned silence followed as joy flooded her heart.
Glee danced across Mark’s face, erasing ten years from his countenance so that he resembled the man with whom Savi had fallen, deeply, madly in love.
Stunned, Savi sank slowly to the hard bench to digest the surprising events. Looking up at Adara with wide eyes, she asked, “All you did was make them tell the truth? You didn’t make them say anything false?”
Ebullient light shining in her eyes, the genie crossed her heart. “Promise, Mistress. I only brought out the truth per your wish.”
Savi gazed at Mark and her heart sang like a symphony now that she knew without a doubt he was innocent. It also bereaved her that she’d ever doubted the man she loved and had known so well.
Yet seeing him shackled in the pitiful handcuffs diluted her newfound happiness. “But he isn’t free.”
“Patience, Mistress. Freedom will soon come. Watch and listen. Unless you want to waste another wish.” Adara folded herself onto the bench gracefully and linked her hands primly.
Savi didn’t want to do that in case this was real, so she tried to contain herself even though her insides were jumping unbearably.
“Will the defendant please approach the bench?” The judge smiled benignly upon Mark, waiting for him to step forward. “On behalf of the great state of Florida, I apologise for all hardship you’ve endured, and I hereby rescind your sentence. You have the right to sue for false imprisonment, son.” He struck his podium with his gavel and turned to the bailiff. “Release this man.”
Deliriously happy, joy glowing in her heart, Savi fiercely hugged her genie. “I can’t thank you enough.”
Adara clasped her wrist and pulled her aside into an out of the way nook. “Honourable Mistress, you can thank me by remembering your oath to set me free after you have your second wish. Make it now, then remember your promise to set me free with your third.”
Savi thought hard about what the second wish should be. She doubted what she wanted was possible but she looked at Adara and asked, “Can you make all this go away? Erase all this and take us back in time so that none of this ever happened?”
Adara pursed her lips and shook her head. “That I cannot do much as I wish it possible. Please make your second wish. Then you can wish me free with your last. All you have to say is, Abracadabra. Genie, I grant you your freedom. And poof! I will be free. Say the words, Mistress. I implore it of you. Forgive me my eagerness but seven thousand long years being stuck in this bottle has made me very claustrophobic. I granted many wishes, made many people happy. Now it is my turn to live happily ever after. Please say you will grant me my most fervent desire.”
What could it hurt to free the genie? She wouldn’t get to wish herself rich or famous, but she made a decent living. She couldn’t wish for world peace, but she doubted even the combined power of ten genies could accomplish such a miracle. And she owed the genie a huge debt of gratitude for not only freeing Mark but exonerating him. That was worth far more than all the treasure in the universe. She firmly believed in returning favours and cashing in on blessings for doing good deeds. Good deeds begat good karma.
Savi thought hard about her second wish. She gazed from Mark to the genie, pondering what it was she wanted most. “Please restore Mark’s life to normal. Clear his record so he can get a decent job and live in any community he chooses without reprisal.”
Adara’s forehead puckered and she tilted her head and regarded her as if looking at a mythical creature. “Such a selfless wish. Are you sure you don’t want a treasure chest full of precious gems or great wealth? With great wealth, you won’t have to care about your man’s community standing.”
Savi thought about all the horrendous newspaper rants about supposed sex offenders, even after they’d been officially cleared of wrong doing. What was wealth without happiness and true freedom? The genie should be the first person to understand. “I’m positive.”
Adara folded her arms and blinked. “Your wish has been granted.”
Now for the million dollar question. “How can I be sure it is done?”
Adara blinked them to Mark’s old job where ‘Welcome home’ b
anners flapped in the slight breeze and a homecoming party raged. Tables laden with chips and dips, sodas and beer and several homemade potluck dishes covered folding tables. Multi-coloured balloons flew high and merrily bounced against one another.
The genie nudged her arm. “Go. Talk to his boss and his co-workers. Satisfy yourself.”
Swallowing hard and squaring her shoulders, Savi tried to push her apprehensions aside. She cleared her throat and cornered Mark’s boss alone.
“Savannah! How good to see you.” Mark’s boss smiled from ear to ear and pumped her hand. “Where’s our Mark? We’ve really missed him around here.”
Sunshine snuck into Savi’s soul and a tremulous smile touched her lips. “Truly?”
The man’s smile softened and he patted Savi’s hand. “Really. We’re behind Mark one hundred and ten percent. He’s a good guy. We know he could never do what he was accused of. I trust the guy with my life.”
Savi was so happy she was about to cry. But she choked back her tears of happiness and fiercely hugged Mark’s boss. “You’re the greatest. You don’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
The man’s gaze seemed to seek something behind her. “Where’s Mark?”
“He should be here soon,” Adara whispered next to Savi’s ear. “Very soon.”
“Thank you.” Savi wanted to hug the entire world she was consumed with such bliss.
Adara tugged at her arm and pulled her a few steps away from the merrymakers. “Are you convinced?”
“Oh, yes. Please take me back to Mark now.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Adara folded her arms across her chest and blinked.
Savi didn’t realise she’d been holding her breath until it whooshed out with a rush back in the justice chambers. Her gaze met Mark’s hopeful one and shivers raced down her spine as the bailiff inserted the key into the handcuffs and they slid off with a clank.
More joyous than the last time she’d made love to Mark, Savi hugged her new friend and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. Thank you.”
The genie pulled back as if embarrassed. “Honestly, you can thank me best by granting my freedom.”
Savi melted when Mark winked at her.
“I’m over here,” Adara said in a peevish voice.
Chagrined, Savi cast a small, secret smile to Mark then turned back to the genie. “Oh, of course.” Savi lowered her voice so as not to be overheard by anyone exiting the courtroom. “Genie, I hereby grant you your freedom.”
Chapter Three
Poof! Savi found herself wearing a scanty harem costume, trapped inside the genie’s bottle.
Oh, no! Savi’s heart pounded riotously.
“What happened?” she yelled, craning her neck to peer at the top of the bottle. Her echoing voice nearly deafened her and she turned around in circles seeking a way out, spying no escape hatch save the corked top. She jumped and kicked. She performed every karate trick against the bottle she’d ever learned, but nothing worked. Her new residence rocked precariously and she was tossed from side to side. She could make out a pair of huge, midnight black eyes staring at her unseeingly.
Wicked feminine laughter greeted her. “You are now the genie. You wished me free.”
Staggered, Savi swore under her breath. “That wasn’t part of the bargain. I set you free in goodwill. I never said I’d exchange places. You tricked me!”
“You should’ve read the small warning print on the bottle. This place is full of lawyers. Ask them to explain contracts to you.” Adara laughed at her, not the sweet woman she’d at first appeared to be.
“You can’t just leave me in here! What’ll I do? How do I get out?” Savi rubbed her throbbing temples, cursing her stupidity. Why had she trusted the powerful genie?
“You get out when your master summons you. Read the genie bible on the nightstand. It explains everything you need to know. I hope the evil one doesn’t find you. Adios, amiga.”
“Wait!”
Adara’s evil laughter faded away, and Savi lunged and kicked the bottle again to no avail. Now she really didn’t have a prayer of getting back together with Mark. The irony of it struck her hard. She was all powerful, yet so weak.
Savi’s bottle started floating and she felt green, bile rise in her throat. A new master had already claimed her. Instinctively, she squared her shoulders, crossed her hands over her chest and blinked. Her body evaporated into smoke and she slid out of the bottle and rematerialized in front of Mark.
Her eyes widened painfully in her face as her heart swelled to thrice its original size. Elated to see the man she loved standing less than a foot in front of her, yearning to feel his warmth, she flung herself into his arms. Squeezing him tightly, burrowing against his chest, she blinked back tears of joy. “It’s really you. You’re really free.”
Mark swung her around in his arms, squeezing her so tightly she couldn’t breathe. “God, I’ve missed you. Oh, Savi…”
He froze, then pushed her to arms length. His frowning gaze raked over her. “What in the world are you wearing?”
Bitter cold seeped into her bones. She inhaled deeply then looked into his eyes and voiced the words she was compelled to say. “I’m a genie. You’re my new master. Your wish is my command.”
Humiliated, she wanted to cringe, but she stood tall.
Mark scrubbed his hand across his jaw. Finally he said, “This isn’t helping. I don’t appreciate the joke.”
Joke! She wished.
If she could give herself a wish it would be to get back at Adara then wish herself free of her imprisonment.
The irony struck her and a wry chuckle escaped her lips. When Mark looked at her as if she’d lost her mind, she shook her head. He wouldn’t believe words.
But he would have to believe his eyes. She envisioned the flea market and blinked them to the stall where the vendor had sold her the bottle. But the market was closing for the night and most of the tents had been cleared so the land could double as a drive-in theatre.
Mark jumped and cursed. “Where are we? How’d we get here?”
Savi held out her hands. “I told you. I have magical powers.”
“How’d this happen? Have you always had them?” His eyes grew small in his face. “You kept this from me all this time? You lied?”
Her heart contracted and she shook her head. “No! I didn’t lie. I was tricked by a genie in a bottle today. First, she gave me my wish, for you to go free. Then stupidly, I wished her free…”
Savi looked down at her hated outfit and spread her hands wide. “Now, I’m the genie.”
Mark circled her and his brows tented. “You have to give me three wishes? And call me Master?”
She nodded while trying to keep from freaking out. “Yes, Master.”
A devilish grin curled Mark’s lips. “You’ll do anything I wish for?”
So far he reminded her of the man she’d known but that didn’t mean there weren’t any changes so she kept up her guard. Prison made people bitter. It turned good people into bad. It killed their hopes, dreams and souls. Would she discover he was just a shell of the man she’d known?
“Yes, Master. You want me to whisk us away somewhere no one will ever bother you again?”
Mark stared at her as if he saw demons. “I don’t know. My head’s still spinning.”
“Mine, too. I keep hoping I’ll wake up and find out all this is a bad nightmare, that it will go away.”
“A lot’s happened today, darlin’. One thing I do know is that you look ravishing in that outfit.” His steamy gaze devoured her, his eyes appreciative on the deep cleft of her breast outlined by her humiliating outfit.
He held his arms wide and walked around. He inhaled deeply. “Freedom smells awesome.”
She wished for freedom. As much as she had tried to empathise with him, she hadn’t understood the suffocation of imprisonment…until now. She reached for his hand and squeezed it. When a frisson of awareness crept up her arm she shivered. “I’m sure it does. I’m ha
ppy you’re free.”
Something dark and inscrutable flickered across his eyes. “How about we go home? Or would that waste one of my wishes?”
Since he hadn’t stated it in wish form, she fudged and blinked them to her apartment. Mark’s house had been put up on the auction block long ago. She hoped the woman who had falsely accused him would be liable for replacing all he’d lost, if only that was possible. Could she facilitate that, even if Mark didn’t wish for it? She didn’t know. All this was still so new.
She breathed a sigh of relief when they popped into her apartment. She thought they’d gotten away clean without anyone, especially Anna, seeing them.
Then she caught sight of her reflection and grimaced. How was she going to get out of her dilemma without tricking someone else? She couldn’t do that. There had to be a way.
Mark stared at her DVD player in awe, turned her MP3 player over in his hands, and ogled everything that was new. “I have a lot to get used to. I feel like I was in hibernation for the last four years.”
Her heart went out to him and she wished she had the power to reclaim the lost years, to wipe away all his pain and suffering. Hoping she did, she focused on her wish and blinked. Nothing happened.
A small silence spun out as she thought of all the things he’d missed. She ached on his behalf.
“So it seems. What are your wishes, Master?” Trying to dispel their heavy moods she quipped, “Would you like your own space station? Just say the words.”
Regarding her curiously, Mark hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. Then he rocked back on his heels. “You want rid of me already, darlin’? Don’t you love me anymore?”
His direct question stole her breath. Of course she loved him! Didn’t she?
Yes! But she’d heard several friends in her prisoners’ loved ones support group complain that the ex-prisoners often came home with chips on their shoulders, angry at the world. That their attitudes sucked and interfered with remixing with society. Would Mark follow the pattern?