Charmed: A Haven Realm Novel

by Young, Mila

  “This might leave a scar,” Scarlet warned Kaza.

  I didn’t mind if his skin was marked by the tiger’s claws. It gave him character. Like the scar I’d received on my arm from the ruthless orphanage operator who’d flung me into a wall when I had refused to be his slave.

  “I’d get injured a thousand times for my master.” Kaza threw in a wink.

  I wouldn’t let anyone go through this again. Not for me. I wasn’t worth it.

  But secretly, a part of my heart soared at Kaza’s words. Thanks to our imprint connection, I knew he was being serious and speaking the truth.

  Scarlet gave us both an inquisitive look.

  I returned it with an I’ll tell you later glance and took another gulp of my disgusting tea.

  When my friend finished administering the ferret’s leaf mixture, she looked to me and then back to Kaza. “Something’s wrong. The moth’s eye and owl’s claw should have reduced the inflammation and swelling. The tiger lily should have sealed up the wound by now.”

  I jumped to my feet. My mouth turned to sand. Why wasn’t it working? What was wrong? Was he going to die? At that thought, my knees almost collapsed on me. I leaned against the counter behind me.

  Golden sparks flew off Kaza’s wounds.

  Oh crap.

  Scarlet stepped back all of a sudden. The tub of ointment crashed to the floor, some spilling on the leg of her onesie. “Magic,” she sputtered.

  Kaza twisted around and pressed his finger to her lips. “Shhhh.”

  My heart exploded. Now we were in deep crap.

  Scarlet turned to me. She seized my forearms and squeezed hard. “Tell me what’s really going on, Azar, or I can’t help you.”

  I pulled Scarlet into my arms to comfort her. Everything poured out of me—the entire story. From Ali’s illness, to the sultan’s cave, to the genie lamp, being imprisoned by the vizier, and how the genies had rescued me from the tiger pit.

  “Heavens.” Scarlet paced along her floor. Her fingers trembled as she rubbed her forehead. “Give me a minute.” She took a few deep breaths.

  When she returned, I ran a hand along her back.

  “Surely, there is an answer in one of your books,” suggested Dahvi.

  “Books.” Scarlet jabbed a finger at the ceiling. “Yes.”

  She scurried over to her herb book and flicked through it. “Heavens no. That won’t do. Hmmm. No.” She turned a few more pages, her eyes scanning the text.

  My stomach tumbled like a rock rolling down a hill. I glanced at my genies.

  Dahvi bit his lip.

  Sweat dripped off Kaza. Despite all the kisses and bravado, he was not doing do well.

  “This might work,” said Scarlet. “The magical sands of Katar was reported to have once healed an injured unicorn.”

  “Where do I find the sands?” I asked.

  Scarlet rubbed the back of her neck. “The Collector trades magical items. She might have some.”

  The Collector? That bitch didn’t exactly have the best reputation. She probably knew of a way to steal my genies, and while my body rotted in some shallow grave, she’d sell them to the highest bidder. My chest threatened to burst at that idea. I couldn’t lose the chance to save my brother. Lose the chance for a better a life. Lose the chance to be with them all.

  Bitter tears stung my eyes. “No,” I said. “No way.”

  “Red is the only one who can help,” Scarlet urged. “She’s helped me out a few times.”

  So The collector went by the name Red huh?

  “Master,” said Dahvi, his voice insistent and firm. “We must do this.”

  Kaza’s muscles quivered from pain, and he bit his lip. How much longer did he have before his conditioned worsened like Ali’s had?

  I’d do everything in my power to help save Kaza, as I intended to save my brother. “Looks like we are paying The Collector a visit.”

  Chapter 9

  “You’re not leaving now, are you?” Scarlet asked, grabbing my elbow.

  “I’m so sorry. I can’t waste a minute. I need to help my brother.” Plus, every second counted as Kaza got sicker, too. “I promise my next visit will be for a week.” I didn’t have the time to spare right now.

  Scarlet rubbed her arms. “You don’t want to be traveling through the Darkwoods at this time of night. It’s home to the tiger shifters. And The Collector has lots of other animals patrolling her borders.”

  An iciness trickled down my neck. Hmm. Now that Scarlet mentioned those dangers, I was suddenly overcome with extreme exhaustion and needed rest. I’d had enough tigers to last me a lifetime, thank you very much.

  “That won’t be a problem,” said Dahvi, placing his fingers to his lips to whistle.

  “Yeah, we have flying carpets,” added Kaza.

  I squeezed my bag to my stomach, and the lamp inside it jabbed me.

  Scarlet looked at me with wide eyes crammed with curiosity. “A magic carpet exists? And you went for a ride?”

  Ugh. Guess I had to confess or tell her something. I sighed and said, “It’s amazing soaring over the lands. Oh, the view!”

  She squeezed my hands and bounced on her feet. I gave a half smile, not sure what else to say. Sometimes, the truth was the easiest solution. Even if it was more complicated.

  “Are you up for a moonlight spin?” asked Kaza with a waggle of his eyebrows.

  “No,” we both barked.

  “Evil priestess in Terra,” I said to jog his memory. “No magic, remember? No putting my friend in danger.”

  “That’s right.” Kaza took a jar of licorice from a shelf and helped himself to a piece. “This land must be so boring.”

  Scarlet’s hands flew to her hips. “That’ll be one silver markos, thank you.”

  Kaza kept chewing. “Don’t suppose you’ll accept a magical spell I.O.U.?”

  I snorted. Over the years, I’d probably accumulated dozens of I.O.U.s to Scarlet. I was glad she was so generous.

  Kaza wrapped a clammy arm around me. “You’re very, very sexy when you snort, Master.” His hands ran along my curves and even cupped my ass.

  Flames claimed my cheeks, and I pulled away. Why did he keep teasing me about that? I swatted his hands away. “Not now!”

  Scarlet ignored the genie and squeezed my hands again. “Stay the night and leave at first light. You can have Grandma’s old room.”

  Thank the gods! I could do with a proper mattress and pillows. My ankle needed a rest after all the action of today. So did my body and mind. I was confident Zand would keep my brother safe for one night. Worry gnawed at me that they might worry if I was gone for too long.

  “Thank you,” I said, hugging my friend, adoring how she smelled of citrus.

  “Excuse me a moment,” said Scarlet. “I’ll get you clean bed sheets.”

  When Scarlet was out of earshot, Kaza nudged Dahvi in the ribs. “Kinky, Brother. We can lay with the master. Though I’m not sure I’d call having sex with her in a grandmother’s old, mothball sheets a turn on.”

  “Hey, keep your voice down,” I said. “No one is having sex tonight.” Gods. My whole body burned. I wanted him to get in the lamp and stop embarrassing me.

  Kaza rolled his eyes.

  “Scarlet’s grandmother passed away not long ago,” I whispered.

  Dahvi shoved Kaza in the chest for me. “Brother, show some respect!”

  Kaza grabbed my hand and placed kisses along it and up my arm. “Please, accept my humblest apology.”

  My inner arousal stirred. Gods, he left me burning up!

  He nuzzled my neck. “Master, I was only joking. I’m a Shaitan djinn. Fun is in my nature.” He squeezed my bottom again, soft then harder.

  “Don’t worry, Master,” said Dahvi, pulling away his brother. “I will not try anything inappropriate with you.”

  What? No! Secretly, I wanted Dahvi to try everything inappropriate with me, but not tonight. Every part of me ached for his hands to explore my body. Having the two
of them explore me made me want to explode with excitement. But I wasn’t about to admit that now, was I? The moment wasn’t appropriate.

  I rubbed my temples. What were these genies doing to me? Turning me into a wild, horny beast? I swore they’d leave me starved for sex when they left.

  “Brother, don’t play all innocent,” said Kaza. “I’ve seen the way you swoon over the master.”

  Dahvi tucked his hands under his armpits, highlighting the lines of his biceps. “And I don’t deny it.”

  “I’ll just make myself scarce and return to the lamp then, hey, Brother?” Kaza got to his feet, straightened his vest, and patted Dahvi’s chest. “Let you two get acquainted.”

  What was he doing?

  Yellow smoke swirled around him. He blew me a cheeky kiss before dissolving into it, the vapor streaming into my bag.

  Dahvi and I just stood there like two shy teens set up on a date.

  Crap. Well this was awkward.

  “Brothers.” Dahvi shrugged.

  The creak of the wooden floor told me Scarlet was on her way back, so I smiled when she appeared armed with a set of sheets and pillowcases.

  “Where’s the flirt?” she asked, handing the items to Dahvi.

  I stroked my bag. “Back in the lamp. Staying out of trouble.”

  Part of me wanted to strangle Kaza for being so forward with Dahvi and me. Maybe it was a brotherly thing. You know, looking out for his brother, putting in a good word with me. But if Kaza’s heart had bonded with mine, why do such a thing? Was sharing women something genies did in their culture?

  I hated to admit it, but some part of me kinda liked his brand of trouble. Made me feel alive. Kept me on my toes because I never knew what to expect. Maybe I should take more of a page out of Kaza’s book and not be so serious or end up grouchy like Zand.

  “Thank you again, my friend.” I smiled at Scarlet and followed her down the hall and into a large bedroom with Dahvi.

  “Good night,” Scarlet said. “The bathroom is just across the hall, and the kitchen is stocked with food if you get hungry.” She winked and vanished into the dark corridor.

  “Thank you.”

  The genie shut the door behind us.

  Queasiness filled my belly. Was it true that Dahvi had a crush on me? Or had Kaza been joking around again? Gods, I hoped not. An excited tremble coursed through me at the prospect of lying in Dahvi’s arms. I felt giddy, like it was my first love all over again. But if the blue genie was shy, would anything happen between us?

  Damn. How could I be thinking this when I’d just said no one was having sex? What was happening to me? Instead of thinking about getting to know him, I jumped straight to the dirty stuff. I was so destined for the pits of hell.

  Was it so wrong of me to have a strong attraction for the three genies? The people of Utaara would expel me from society for my behavior. But I didn’t care when I couldn’t control my attraction, my emotions. There was something between the genies and me. A connection. An unexplainable lure. We’d all felt the pull on our hearts the moment they’d smoked out of their lamp. Whatever that represented, I craved more and to explore what it meant.

  Dahvi examined Scarlet’s grandmother’s old room, prodding a crocheted blanket across the bedside chair.

  An old quilt with patches of pink was folded on the end of the bed. Various quilted pillows rested against the headboard. Kaza hadn’t been kidding when he’d joked about the mothball smell. Floral-patterned wallpaper was marked with the stains of age. Eyes on a creepy painting of some religious woman, whom I assumed was the priestess, watched my every move. I pulled it off the wall and turned it over.

  The genie and I got busy making the bed. I showed Dahvi how to put on the sheets. His side ended up with heaps of creases, but it wasn’t a bad effort for his first time.

  Dahvi turned to me and brushed a thumb under my eye. “Master, you look so tense. It hurts my back, looking at you. Come. Sit.”

  He led me to the bed, and I sat on the edge.

  Resting on his knees, he took my foot, inspecting my ankle. His fingers worked their magic on the sole of my foot, easing tensions I hadn’t known I had.

  “Do you ever want to start life again?” I asked.

  “I wish for freedom every day.” A rueful edge clung to his words as his thumbs pressed deeper into the pads of my feet.

  I could relate. We were both victims of circumstance. Him, trapped by a spell that had bound him to a lamp and countless masters until he was freed. Me, a product of my environment and the family into which I was born.

  “Do you believe I am the master who will grant your freedom?” I said, drowning in calm.

  “Yes,” he said as he worked his way up to my ankle and heel.

  Gods. No pressure, or anything. The poor genies had been used and abused as slaves. I was not going to be the next asshole. Now, I had to live up to my own promise to free them. As long as they helped my brother…

  Curiosity burned inside me, and I couldn’t stop the flood of questions. “What will you do when you are free? Visit the universe? Climb the highest mountain? Explore Haven?” Of course the last question was an intentional fishing expedition.

  He inched over my pants to my calves, relaxing a really tight muscle. “If I am feed I will lose my powers. I guess I will wander and explore these lands.”

  My heart broke for him. I could barely breathe over the ache in my chest. The genies’ situation made me wonder what I would do if I were in the same position. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like, stuck in a strange land without all the glorious power I used to possess. But it would give me the chance to start a new life in a different land. If Ali and I got a fortune from the genies, I planned to settle by the sea. Maybe Dahvi and his brothers could tag along if they needed a place to stay. Who was I kidding? I’d love to have them. Taking them in seemed fair in exchange for their gift of wishes to me. Especially if they were unable to create a home of their own.

  Dahvi’s brown eyes, lined with a ring of aqua flecks on the outside, locked on to me. “Unless I meet someone I want to share my life with.”

  Heat flushed across my face. Did he mean it? Sure, there was an attraction between us, but we hardly knew each other. Maybe he just wanted to get to know me and explore the possibilities. Gods. I admitted I was eager to investigate them, too. But my heart contracted, reminding me of the pain I’d suffered over those I’d loved. My deadbeat dad had left my mother to raise me. Ali’s father never even knew my brother was born. Raising two children alone had been too much for my mother, and she had left us. The one time I opened myself up to love with a man, he had cheated on me, and broke my heart. I didn’t want to get hurt anymore.

  I tried to pull my leg free, but Dahvi’s grip was firm, so I stayed where I was.

  “That’s amazing,” I moaned.

  He pressed his thumbs deeper into my calf. “You’re welcome,” he replied with a smile more delicious than baklava.

  His gaze skimmed over me as if he memorized every inch of me.

  An immense, warm wave washed over me. I’d never had anyone care for me the way Dahvi did. From his massages, to checking on my ankle, protecting me from the guard, and even to caring for my brother. Then there was the way he tended to Kaza and had a natural connection with Ali.

  This was the kind of guy…genie…I could fall for if I wasn’t careful.

  “Mmmmm…do you do this to all your masters?”

  “No.” Dahvi laughed, deep and honeyed, stoking embers burning within me. He dug into the edges around my knee.

  “Don’t stop,” I moaned as my tension spilled free.

  “I’m not.”

  The kiss he left on the top of my foot set me alight. His grin promised me heaven, and I drifted toward it with abandon.

  “Gods,” I said on a sigh.

  I bit my lip as Dahvi broke up the knots surrounding my knee, giving me both pleasure and pain, both of which I enjoyed.

  I really needed this. More
than anything. I wasn’t lucky enough to get a daily massage from my servants like all the fat cats in Utaara, so this was a rare and blissful gift. One I accepted with open arms and heart. And having a gorgeous genie for my masseuse only added to my enjoyment.

  “You carry a lot of tension, Master.” Dahvi’s vigorous fingertips dissolved a nodule on the top of my thigh, and my muscles tensed from the pain.

  Hell, yeah, I did. He would, too, if he had the stress I had on my shoulders.

  “I’ll get rid of it all for you,” he promised, running his thumbs up and down the outside of my thigh, easing the burn scaling through me.

  Gods. I wasn’t going to say no. Right then, I’d let him do anything to me. Anything! His touch had my center blazing, and I groaned. Need shuddered through me. The apex between my legs grew wetter with desire. I wondered how much better the massage might feel with him touching my bare skin.

  He rose off the floor onto his knees, exposing the bulge in his pants. He wanted me, too. His breathing quickened. A deep groan rumbled in his throat. The way he drank me in made me even hotter with anticipation. He hooked his hands onto the back of my knees, dragging me closer so my butt rested on the edge of the bed.

  I sat up to stroke his penis. “I want you.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  My heart raced as his hands slid over my his and belly. His eyes drilled into mine as he lifted my kaftan and eased off my underwear. I could barely breath as he tossed them aside, and a chill captured my bare legs.

  My doubts kicked in. Was it wrong of me to want this stranger? After I’d had his brother? Did he think any less of me because of what I’d done with Kaza? At that moment, my lust kicked my doubts aside and took control. She wasn’t up for questions or second-guessing my actions.

  My core tightened in excitement. I ached for him to kiss me.

  From his position on the floor, he parted my legs and lifted them over his shoulders. I gasped as he buried his face between my thighs. My nails scraped along the quilt as his tongue flicked my folds. Quivers rocked me as he lapped at my slickness. He gave me an approving moan as if he liked what he was doing.