I lay my head on his chest, letting the tears spill down the side of my face. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to move on without him.
Chapter Twenty-One
A hand strokes my hair. “Lily,” Sebastian whispers.
I shoot to a sitting position and stare at him. His eyes flutter. Soon they’re open and he looks up at me. “Sebastian!” I kiss him, hard and deeply, putting everything I have into this kiss. “You’re alive.” I kiss him again, and again, as though he’s the air I desperately need.
He gently pushes me back and slowly gets to his feet. Swinging his arms, he spins around. “Your wish is my command.”
A gust of wind attacks my face, just as it did the last time I wished. Peering into the kitchen, I see that the faucet is no longer dripping.
Sebastian is standing a few feet away from me, his eyes on the floor like he’s deep in thought.
I now know two things. One, Sebastian is my genie and I am his master. Two, I used up a wish. Two more and the love of my life will leave me forever. I’m going to forget him, but he’ll remember me for the rest of his life. Absolving him of his crime didn’t seem to do anything. He’s no longer a free man.
We just stand there, each caught up in our own thoughts. Again, I feel like I’ve been transported back to a few weeks ago, to when I cried at the prospect of never seeing my Sebastian again. Never had I thought I’d be going through it again.
Sebastian heads toward me, pulling me into his arms. He doesn’t say a word, just rests his chin on the top of my head. I press myself closer to him, wanting to become one with him.
He moves his hand to the back of my neck and brings his mouth to my lips, kissing them gently. “Thanks for saving my life,” he says.
I nod, unable to talk. My throat burns as I try to hold my tears in. I don’t want to cry, don’t want to see the pain on Sebastian’s face. He’d blame himself for causing me to feel this way. It’s not his fault. It’s the universe, or the genie rules, or Ortarus. I don’t know.
“That’s one wish,” he says, so low I barely hear him. He must be thinking the same thing I did a few minutes ago: two more wishes and he’s out of here.
He shoves his hand through his hair. “I don’t understand why you’re my master again. I’ve never repeated masters.”
I don’t want to talk about this. I don’t want to deal with this. I want this nightmare to end.
“Lily?” His eyes search mine. I pull mine away, keeping my tears at bay. It feels like a building collapsed on me. This isn’t fair. I know there are worse things in the world, but is it too much to ask for some happiness?
Would I have rather not met Sebastian and saved myself this heartache? I’m not sure. I can’t imagine never knowing him, but I guess that doesn’t really matter, since I’m going to forget him when he leaves.
My phone rings. “It’s Macy.” Glancing at the time I see that it’s nearly ten. She must be wondering why I haven’t shown up to work.
“Hey, Mace.”
“Chef Charleston told me you’re not coming in today.”
“Yeah, I called in sick.”
She’s quiet for a few seconds. “What’s going on, Lil? It’s not like you to miss work unless something serious happened. Are you okay?”
Physically, yes. Mentally and emotionally? Hell no. “I’m fine,” I lie.
She’s quiet again. Then, “You’re lying. What’s wrong?”
I look at Sebastian and find his gaze pasted on mine. I can’t tell my best friend that he’s a genie again. I can’t utter those words. Because once I do, they will become real. I’m not ready to deal with that.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
“Hmm.” I can picture her narrowing her eyes. “What happened to telling each other everything? Why are you shutting me out?”
“Macy, some things are meant to be private.”
She groans. “I know that, but I can tell this is something big. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“I am.”
“I’m coming over after work.” She’s not asking, she’s telling, and I have no strength to argue with her. Macy does whatever she wants, especially when it comes to me. Ever since Daisy died, she’s been protective of me. I appreciate it, but I’d like my privacy, too.
“If you must,” I say. There’s no point in hiding the fact that Sebastian is a genie again. She’ll have to find out. And Mom. Oh, god. How am I going to tell her? I suppose I’ll have to lie and say that we broke up. What’s the use in her knowing about him when he’s going to leave? My stomach twists. I don’t want to think about it. I wish we could fly somewhere where we can be alone together. To stop time and spend every second of every day loving each other, never letting go.
“Hello? Lil?” Macy’s voice snaps me back to the present.
“Huh?”
“I asked if everything is okay with Sebastian? You guys didn’t get into an argument, did you?”
I peer over at him and find him sitting on the floor with his legs pushed to his chest and his arms wrapped around them. He’s staring out my bedroom window.
“No,” I tell Macy. What we’ve been through is much worse. When couples fight, they have a chance to make up, to maybe grow even closer to one another. With Sebastian’s new genie status, we don’t have a shot at anything. Just heartbreak.
“Well, something’s going on.”
I sigh. “I’m sure you’ll get all your questions answered when you come over today.”
“You bet, but the curiosity is killing me. And the worry. You really have me worried, Lily.”
“You shouldn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Are you and Andy doing okay?” I ask, to change the subject.
“I should get back to work.” She’s avoiding the question, which must mean things aren’t okay between them. “I’ll see you.” She hangs up.
Sebastian is still staring out the window. I join him and lay my head on his shoulder. “Macy’s coming over after work. She’s like a raging bull, unable to be stopped.”
I expect him to chuckle, but he doesn’t. His eyes are still glued to the window as if he’s watching a meteor crash into the Earth’s surface.
“Sebastian? Are you okay?” Stupid question. Of course he’s not okay. Neither of us is.
He brings his hand to the back of my head and smiles sadly. “I guess we have to make the most of whatever time we have left.”
I can’t hold them any longer. The tears break free from the dam I built around my eyes and pour down my cheeks. Sebastian presses his cheek to mine, not caring that he’s getting covered in my tears. “I’ll always love you,” he whispers, his voice warm. “Forever.” He gazes into my eyes. “I may live for eternity, but my heart will belong to you. Always.”
His sweet words cause another bucket full of tears to rush down my cheeks. I don’t want to hear him say that. He shouldn’t have to. He deserves to be human, like he was before. He’s such a kind and caring person. Why should he be doomed to live as a genie forever? It isn’t fair. I wish I could take the genie rules by the throat and demand they give my Sebastian a shot at a normal life.
“You’re going to move on with your life,” Sebastian continues, his voice soft. “You’re going to get into culinary school, be a famous chef and have your own TV show.” He swallows, averting his gaze to the floor. “You’re going to meet a man who will make you happy. You’ll live a happy life.”
I thrash against his chest. “No, don’t talk like that. You’re the only one I want.”
He shakes his head. “I’m feeling weaker and weaker by the minute. It won’t be long before I leave—”
“No!”
“You’re going to forget me.”
“No!”
“You’ll find someone.”
“No!”
“Because you’re such an amazing person, Lily.” He cups his hands around my face. “And you’re going to find someone who will make you happy.” He rests his forehead against mine, breathing heavil
y. “I can find the perfect guy for you, if you want.”
“No. I want you.”
Pain flashes across his face. “I don’t want to cause you any pain. You need to…” He shuts his eyes. “You need to forget about me.”
I grab him but the front of his shirt, but since he doesn’t have a shirt, all I manage to do is run my hand across his chest. “I’m going to find a way to turn you human.”
“It’s not possible.”
“You don’t know that!”
He shrinks back, like I slapped him across the face. I didn’t mean to yell, I just feel so lost and helpless. There has to be a way to save him.
“I’m sorry, Sebastian,” I say.
He envelops me in his arms. “It’s okay. I know that all of this is causing you pain, and I’m terribly sorry.”
“Causing me pain? You’re going to remember me for the rest of your life. You’re going to watch me move on. Get married, have kids.” I stroke the side of his head. “I can’t bear how much that will hurt you.”
He doesn’t say anything, his eyes on the window.
“Maybe one day down the line you’ll meet someone else. Maybe she’ll help you get rid of your genie curse.”
His gaze moves to mine. “I’m never going to meet another girl. I love you. I always will.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do.”
Tears fill my eyes again. It’s not fair. Why should he be the only one to remember? I don’t want to move on with another guy. Have a future with someone else. I want a life with Sebastian.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I’m sitting on the couch with my laptop on my knees. I’ve been searching for hours, but haven’t found anything. There are many sites dedicated to discussing genies, but nothing is useful. They don’t know of Ortarus’s existence, and there’s no mention of genies turning human, then genie again. Other than fiction, that is. Basically, my research is a dead end.
Sebastian hasn’t moved from his spot on the floor, where he sits cross-legged, staring out the window. In the few hours I’ve been Googling, he hasn’t said a word and hardly looked my way. His eyes are filled with pain, and I notice him clenching and unclenching his fists every now and then. I’ve never seen this side of him. This anger and frustration. I can’t understand exactly what he’s going through, but I don’t want his pain to consume him. If he’s going to leave me soon, I want our last few days, weeks, whatever, to be good, filled with happiness and love. I don’t want his last memories of me to be filled with pain.
I tear my eyes away from him. I hate that I keep thinking about this, but it’s inevitable, I suppose. The entire time he’s with me, I won’t forget that he’s not here to stay. That we’ll be done. I bury my face in my hands. I can’t believe this is happening. I keep waiting to wake up from this nightmare.
“Lily.”
I look at him. His eyes are locked on mine. “It’s been hours since you’ve eaten.”
“Not hungry.” The only thing that will satisfy me is the knowledge of how to change him back into a human. Food? That’s not important to me at the moment.
Sebastian leans his head on the wall behind him. “I’m starting to forget what it’s like to eat.” He turns to me. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?”
“Very sure.”
He stares at me with an expression I can’t read. Slowly, he gets to his feet and lowers himself next to me. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
He tucks some hair behind my ear. “You’re…different.”
“Different?”
He swallows. “You seem to be pulling away from me.” He nods toward the computer. “You’ve been on that thing for hours and you haven’t said a word to me.”
“You haven’t said a word to me, either.”
He frowns. “I didn’t realize. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been thinking.”
I nod. We both have been doing a lot of that these past few hours.
“It might be a good idea for us to break up,” he continues. “Everything’s changed now. I don’t…I don’t want to hurt you.”
I take his hands. “I’m not going to be the one who gets hurt. You will be.”
“If I stay here for months, you’re always going to be living in fear that I will leave you. I don’t want that to happen.”
“Seb—”
“If we break up now, then you will forget about me and you can move on. All I did was hold you back, and I’m sorry.” His gaze drops to the floor.
I take his chin and lift his head so his eyes meet mine. “You didn’t hold me back. You taught me so many things about myself. You’ve done so much for me. I’d rather live weeks loving you than not having you in my life.” He’s about to say something, but I put my finger on his lips. “I don’t care what the genie rules say. I’m not going to forget you. How can I forget the wonderful guy who changed my life? You don’t see how much of an impact you’ve had on me.” I rest my head on his chest. “No one is going to take you away from me.” My voice cracks. “I won’t let them.”
He’s quiet, his chest expanding and contracting quickly. When I look up at him, I realize he’s crying, too. I kiss the tears away. “We’re going to be together, just like we were before. We’re going to show the world that we belong together. That nothing—no stupid genie rules—will tear us apart.”
He wipes his arm across his eyes. “What about…we can’t…” His cheeks redden—well the gold gets a little discolored, and I assume it’s a blush. “I don’t have parts. I mean, I have parts, but I don’t think they work the way they did before.”
“Oh, I hadn’t really considered that.”
He nods sadly.
“So we’ll be together in other ways. We don’t have to do that stuff in order to be a couple. There’s a lot we can do.”
He fingers my chin, gazing at my mouth for a second before bringing his eyes to mine. “For the short amount of time I’m with you, I want to love you properly. I want to be a good boyfriend to you. But how can I when we can’t do anything in public? No shopping, no clubs, no dancing. Nothing. All we can do is remain here and watch movies.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
He sighs, shaking his head. I place my hand on his chest. “This is what I want. Is it what you want?”
“I’d share every last second I have with you.”
“I feel the same.” Until I find a way to change Sebastian into a human, I’m going to live in the moment, just as I did the last time he was a genie. He’s my world, my everything.
I give him the sweetest smile I’ve ever given him and kiss him hard and strong, showing him how much he means to me and that I will do everything in my power to cause him to stay. My Sebastian isn’t going anywhere. I’m not giving him up without a fight.
His hand moves to my neck as he deepens the kiss, swallowing my lips like he can’t get enough of me. There are many things that don’t make sense. Like why he can feel things if he’s a genie. How he’s able to kiss me senseless and cause me to melt. But I’m not going to question anything. For however long he stays with me, I’ll show him just how much he means to me.
With my arms around his neck, I turn us around and lower us down on the couch, with me on top of him. My lips trail from his mouth down to his chest, where I take my time kissing each one of his designs. I love the way my genie trembles beneath my touch, that our love for one another is as strong as it has always been. Yes everything’s changed now, but that doesn’t mean we have to be. I want us to be just as close as we were before. I don’t want this genie thing to tear us apart. All that matters is that Sebastian is still here. Whatever happens will happen. But right now, I want to show him how much I love him.
As I pop kisses all over his chest, Sebastian’s hands tangle in my hair. Soft moans leave his mouth and his breathing gets heavier. His eyes flutter as pure happiness and delight shines all over his face. I bring my lips back to his, caressing his cheek
as I shower him with kisses. I don’t think I can ever run out.
The doorbell rings. Sebastian shoots to a sitting position, causing me to roll off him and crash to the floor. His eyes widen in alarm as he helps me to my feet. “I’m so sorry, Lily.” His breathing is still heavy and his lips are swollen from our passionate kisses.
“Guess who?” Macy calls from outside.
I peer at the clock. It’s past five already?
“Lily, I know you’re in there,” she continues. “Please open up. You haven’t returned my calls or texts all day. I’m really worried.”
Sebastian and I exchange a glance. “Are you going to tell her?” he asks.
“I think I need to.”
He nods.
I open the door. “Finally.” She walks in and looks around. After inspecting the living room with her eyes, she rubs her chin. “Something seems off.”
I stand near the closed door. Sebastian looks at me and I look at him. Then he looks at Macy. She doesn’t see him. I don’t know why I was hoping she would. It’s obvious Sebastian is a genie. Why can’t I accept it?
Because my heart refuses to.
Macy heads for the couch and is about to sit on Sebastian. “Stop!” I rush to her side and push her away. She gives me a look like I fell from Mars. “Sorry. I just…um…” I play with my hair.
She stares at the couch, not realizing that it’s Sebastian she’s looking at. She rubs her chin again as she looks around. “Someone’s missing.”
I don’t say anything. She gives me a curious look before heading to my room. She checks all over. “Hmm.”
“What?” I ask.
“He’s a genie, isn’t he?”
“What?”
She tilts her head toward the couch. “And he’s sitting right there.”
Again, I don’t say anything. I don’t want to confirm it. I don’t want it to be real, which is very stupid.
Loving the Genie (Genie's Love, Book 2) Page 12