“What did you call me?”
Imari snorted. “It just means foreigner.”
“Well. I am that.” Then he thought about what Imari had said. A bigger carpet? For what? And as for Khalid not wanting to share… Lucien kept all emotion from his face and held his tongue, even though his immediate response was to smirk and say, “Too late.”
Imari ignored them both and headed for the rugs surrounding the pool. In a couple spots, there were piles of rugs still rolled up. She grabbed one of those, hoisted it over her shoulder, and brought it back.
“I could have helped you with that,” Lucien said.
She shrugged as she dropped the rug to the ground. “I’m stronger than I look.”
“I have no doubt of that.”
Khalid had also picked out a carpet.
Imari unrolled the one she’d chosen, then stepped on and took a seat cross-legged before patting the spot next to her.
Lucien sat, sudden realization lighting upon him. “Is this what I think it is?”
She smiled. “Depends. What do you think it is?”
He wasn’t sure he wanted to say. Sure, he was a grim reaper, and he’d seen more types of supernaturals come through Insomnia than he could count, but this was something different. This wasn’t the kind of magic he’d come across before. “It’s…a magic carpet?”
“Winner, winner, chicken tagine dinner.” She laughed. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”
He snorted. “No. Many types of reapers, War Angels included, actually do ride horses, and just so you know, those horses fly.”
Her eyes widened a little. “Now that would be a fun ride.”
“It was.” He turned to look out toward the horizon. “But Phantom was reassigned when I retired.”
“Sorry about that.” She touched his arm. “I didn’t mean to bring up a bad memory.”
He smiled at her. “You didn’t. I miss him a little, but I have a garage full of horsepower now.”
She laughed. “That you do.”
“Speaking of, show me what this thing can do.”
“You got it.” She gave a command in jinn, and the carpet went taut, then lifted into the air and off they went.
The ride was far smoother than Lucien had expected. It was a little like sitting on a firm water bed, fluid in that kind of way, but he felt secure.
The ground beneath them fell away, and he could see the extent of the oasis they’d been in. “Where are we exactly?”
“The Chaos Realm. It’s the world of the jinn.”
He peered over the side. “Doesn’t look very chaotic.”
“It’s well controlled.”
“It must be.”
“It has to be. Or things would go bad very quickly.”
They followed a swath of palms to the east. A road had been carved through the center. It all seemed very well planned. The palms were all perfectly aligned, the road was surfaced with shell-shaped pavers, and tall brass lighting fixtures curled up from the ground at regular intervals. Well controlled was beginning to make a lot of sense.
If he’d leaned over and trailed his hand below the carpet, he swore he could have touched the palms. Every now and then, a bird darted past and into the foliage.
The palms below fanned out on the other side of the road, then smaller roads forked off the main one, all at even intervals. At the end of each road were more beautiful homes. Not the size and grandeur of the palace he’d seen, but stunning nonetheless. And they seemed to get larger the deeper in they flew. Again, all in a very symmetrical, planned way.
He glanced over his shoulder. Khalid wasn’t far behind on his own carpet. And he was glaring daggers at Lucien.
Lucien rolled his eyes and went back to sightseeing. Khalid was entitled to his feelings, but this wasn’t a place anyone outside of the jinn could access, so Lucien might as well take it in. He would be dealing with Khalid, and Imari’s parents, soon enough.
Imari gave another command, and the carpet descended and veered right to follow one of the side roads.
The home at the end of that road was a sprawling fortress of blue-tile-capped turrets, polished sandstone, and undulating curves.
The carpet slowed, and they sailed past intricate gardens laden with fruit trees and more types of palms than he’d known existed.
Guards patrolled the grounds, and it suddenly occurred to Lucien that if Khalid was a prince, he wouldn’t be betrothed to just any woman.
Who was Imari, exactly? Or perhaps the question was, who were her parents?
The carpet came to rest in the courtyard outside the main doors, which were a pair of intricately carved, arched wood panels at least ten feet tall and just as wide.
He got to his feet, offering Imari a hand, as the doors opened.
An older man in a long embroidered robe came out to greet them. “Welcome home, Imari.”
She gave him a little bow of her head in greeting. “Thank you, Ravi.” She glanced at Lucien. “Ravi manages my parents’ home.”
A butler of sorts, then. Lucien nodded at the man.
Khalid had landed behind them. He now strode forward. Ravi bowed deeply. “Prince Khalid.”
“Ravi. We need an audience with Imari’s parents immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Right this way.”
Khalid followed, forcing Imari and Lucien to fall in step behind him.
“How chivalrous,” Lucien said.
“Chivalry is not a jinn concept,” Imari answered.
“I see that.”
Ravi led them through another, more ornate courtyard, this one with large cushioned seating pallets, brass stands holding brightly colored birds, and a beautiful tiered fountain. More palms and some stretches of fabric like he’d seen before offered shade.
Suddenly, he realized he and Imari were no longer holding hands, but he could still see color. How odd that the Chaos Realm had that effect. But then, Imari was born here. So it made sense in some way he hadn’t yet fully figured out.
Once inside the house, it was much like he’d imagined. Gleaming tile everywhere in intricate patterns and colors, sumptuous rugs underfoot, delicate filigree lanterns covered in cut crystal that sent sparks of brilliance over everything. Polished wood shutters kept out the strongest of the sun’s rays while still allowing light through. The house was cool and calm, with the faint burble of water from the fountain drifting in and the occasional tinkling of chimes.
Every inch of the residence spoke of restrained wealth. And sometimes, like in the case of the mother-of-pearl mosaic stairway that led to an upper level, not so restrained. But it was always precisely laid out and balanced. Symmetry reigned. Elaborate, expensive symmetry.
He leaned over to whisper to Imari. “Who are your parents exactly?”
She whispered back, “My father is the Vice-Minister of Oasis Management, a position held by the men in his family for the last twelve hundred years. And my mother is the king’s Vizara of Strategy.”
“What is that?”
“She is basically his Secretary of Defense.”
“I see.” And he did, very clearly. Imari’s family was interlaced in the politics of the Chaos Realm as thoroughly as if they were royalty themselves.
This was not going to be a fun conversation.
Ravi stopped at a new set of doors. “If you will wait here, I will bring your parents.”
“Thank you, Ravi.”
He opened the doors, bowed, then left them.
Khalid didn’t wait for Imari and Lucien, just went in and stood by one of the windows.
Lucien held his hand out. “After you.”
Imari’s smile was tight. No doubt her nerves were as well.
They went in. The room was as beautiful as the rest of the home, with tall ceilings and tall windows that overlooked another spacious garden space, but the main feature of this colorful garden was a cobalt blue pool.
Lucien walked to a window to see it better. It was the size of a small
lake and built to look natural among the palms and flowers. Waterfalls cascaded down an outcropping of stone on either side. There appeared to be a grotto underneath each one.
“Beautiful,” Lucien said. “Like everything else.”
Imari stood at his side looking out the window. “It is.”
“You grew up here?”
“I did.”
“Happy memories?”
She hesitated, and he wondered if he’d asked something he shouldn’t have, but then she answered. “Yes. Mostly. It’s just odd to be here after so many years and see that nothing has changed. But that’s how the jinn keep a handle on things. No change means no chaos. And so the old rules are the same rules we follow. No deviations, no adjustments, no questions. Order keeps order.”
It made sense to him. If something was working, and holding the chaos at bay, why on earth would anyone want to tempt fate and do something different? But in Imari’s case, upholding tradition would mean losing herself.
Even in the face of chaos, he couldn’t justify that.
“Imari, you’re home.”
They turned to see two people walking in who must be Imari’s parents. It was no surprise to Lucien that her mother was beautiful or her father handsome. There seemed to be no one on this realm who wasn’t perfect. How much of that was controlled by magic, he wasn’t sure.
They were dressed much like Ravi had been, in embroidered robes. More elaborate, but very similar styles. Imari’s mother complemented her outfit with gem-studded gold jewelry, and her father wore a gem-studded sash around his robe. Their slippers were also decorated with gems.
He felt the sudden urge to bow, but restrained himself.
“Mama, Papa.” She bent her head as she dipped into a slight curtsey. When she rose, she put her hand on Lucien’s arm. “Lucien, these are my parents, Zakir and Farozza Zephara. Mama and Papa, this is my—”
“Husband,” Khalid spat.
Lucien sighed. So much for easing into things.
Imari watched the joy drain from her parents’ faces. Their reaction caused a tremor of fear to zip through her, but it was exactly what she’d been expecting from them.
“What is the meaning of this?” But her father wasn’t looking at her. “Prince Khalid, it is a great honor to have you in our home, but I do not understand.”
Khalid answered him. “Vice-Minister Zephara, what is there to understand?” He jabbed a finger at Lucien. “That is her husband. She has married another in an attempt to break our vow. And with a jinabi, nonetheless. What else do you need to know?”
Imari’s mother clenched her hands tightly at her sides and looked at her daughter. There was steel in her gaze and a warning in her voice. “Is this true?”
“Yes, Mama, but—”
“Why would you do this?” Angry lines bracketed her father’s eyes. “Why would you bring such shame upon us?”
With a sharp, quick movement, Lucien stepped forward. “Is there shame in protecting one’s self? Imari had no choice. A wish merchant tried to kidnap her.”
Her father came a few steps toward them, the smallest hint of compassion in his eyes. “A wish merchant? Why didn’t you just come home?”
Lucien tipped his head to look at her, and Imari understood.
This was her question to answer. Her chance to tell her parents the truth. She had to do it. She took a breath. “Why do you think it’s been so long since I’ve been home?”
Her mother, Farozza, shook her head. “You have been busy. Genies cannot always just leave unless the owner of their bottle grants them such liberty. We understand that.”
Imari rubbed a spot on her temple that was beginning to ache. “No one has owned my bottle in years, Mama. I didn’t come home because…” She glanced at Khalid. “I knew I’d be forced to uphold the marriage contract you bound me to. And I didn’t want to marry Khalid. I didn’t want to marry anyone.”
Although she felt differently about that now. With a man like Lucien, who treated her as an equal, that kind of marriage held promise. It was one she could consider. A partnership. Not a dictatorship.
Her father snorted. The compassion in his eyes was gone. “And yet, you married this, this…whatever this man is.” He threw his hands up. “You make no sense, Imari. Have you forgotten all the values you were raised with? Have you forgotten the importance of tradition? Or honor?”
Beside her, Lucien went stiff with anger. She could tell he was nearing a point of no return. She put her hand on his arm before addressing her parents. “As Lucien said, I had no choice. The wish merchant had made several attempts to capture me and my bottle, and he’d succeeded in stealing the stopper. If he’d gotten the bottle, I would have been his.”
“Only until you ran out of wishes,” her mother said. “Then you would have been able to return here.”
Imari rolled her eyes. It was like her parents heard only what they wanted to. “Yes, to be married off to Khalid and enter a different kind of servitude. And even if I hadn’t been betrothed, my other option would have been to bathe in the Well of Wishes and then return to my captor. There was no good choice. So I married Lucien to protect myself. It was my choice.”
“I don’t care what my daughter says.” Her father thrust his finger at Lucien again, coming closer. Almost like he wanted to poke him in the chest. “You will also be held accountable in this.”
“If saving her life makes me guilty, then so be it. I will accept that.” The hollows of Lucien’s cheeks sank in, and the shadows on his face shifted, revealing hints of his reaper form. “But I would advise you not to touch me. My powers have a mind of their own. I would hate to add to my guilt.”
Her father jerked back. “Are you threatening me? Who do you think you are to come into my house and speak such words to me?”
“Papa,” Imari cried out in frustration. This was all going exactly as she’d feared. Horribly. “Lucien isn’t threatening you. He cannot control his gifts. He’s simply telling you the truth. And as to who he is, he’s a good man. A man willing to sacrifice a great deal for me. But you don’t seem to want to hear that.”
Khalid tossed his head with great impatience. “This conversation grows wearisome. Banish her. Agree that she has shamed your family and mine and let us be done.”
Fear filled Farozza’s eyes. “We would lose our jobs. Our positions. And we would be opening the door to chaos. Prince Khalid, I beg you, please reconsider. This man is not jinn. The marriage means nothing. You can still marry her.”
Skepticism bent Khalid’s mouth. “The prince’s bride must be untouched by any other man.”
Farozza sighed in defeat. “I understand. Perhaps you find it within yourself to just…move on? Surely her father and I are not to blame for her decisions.”
His hand tightened on his staff. “And invite chaos into my own life? How do you suggest I just move on? You know I cannot. You know honor demands that I continue upholding our betrothal, regardless of your daughter’s infidelity.”
Lucien growled softly. “She has not been unfaithful.”
Khalid sneered. “You’re telling me you haven’t touched her?”
Imari rolled her eyes hard. “I can technically get married in white, yes. But I still wish you would let this go.”
He snorted. “So I should remain unmarried and heirless and spend the rest of my life awaiting the return of a bride who has no intention of ever honoring our marriage contract?” He jabbed a finger at her parents. “You cannot put this on me. She is your daughter. You must be the ones to bear the burden of her transgression.”
Zakir stared at Lucien for a long moment, then looked at Khalid again. “You could challenge him. It’s been done before. Tradition allows it. And when you win, the only one who will bear the shame of this betrayal will be Imari.”
Imari snorted. “I’m the one doing the betraying, am I?”
Khalid shifted his gaze to her, raking her up and down like he was appraising her worth, but when he spoke, it was to her p
arents. Like Imari wasn’t even there. “You would still have to pay me the bride price owed.”
“Of course,” her mother said, nodding. “We would double it for your inconvenience.”
Lucien let out a soft growl, but Imari put her feelings into words. “Is that what I am to you? An inconvenience?”
Her father snapped his fingers. “Quiet, girl. There is far more at stake here than your delicate feelings.”
The understanding of how little her parents cared for her ripped through Imari like a hot blade. “Is that what matters most to you? Your jobs? Your titles? Your place in this stunted society? I am your flesh and blood. Your only daughter.”
“Your brothers would not dishonor us this way.” Her father’s eyes flashed with an anger she couldn’t understand. She couldn’t imagine treating a child of her own with such rage. “You made your choice when you broke your vows.”
She swallowed to keep from crying as she looked at Lucien. “You see? I told you this would happen.”
He shook his head. “You did, and I still can’t believe it.” He cupped her cheek. “I am so sorry.”
She put her hand over his, her voice ragged with emotion. “I’ll be okay.” She didn’t know how, but time would heal. Especially time with the man in front of her.
“I know you will be.” There was kindness in his eyes and such tenderness in his voice that she wanted to fall into his arms and let him hold her until all of this was over. “You’re incredibly strong and brave, and you deserve better.”
She laughed through the tears fighting to break loose. That this man still wanted to be her champion after seeing how little her family cared just floored her. The pain in her heart wasn’t nearly as bad as it had just been. She could survive anything with a man like this at her side. “You’re something else, you know that, reaper?”
“Enough,” Khalid bellowed at Lucien. “I challenge you, destroyer of vows, violator of the innocent, breaker of oaths, to fight me for the hand of Imari. Death will decide which one of us gets her.”
“My innocence has not been violated,” Imari snapped back.
Lucien started to turn, but Imari pressed her hand harder over his, keeping his eyes on her. “You can’t fight Khalid. He will win.”
The Reaper Rescues The Genie Page 17