by Elise Faber
The wedding party was so small in comparison to the impressive size of the building interior. Michele dragged me in to sit at the back pews and silently we watched the bride and the groom as they took their vows.
I wasn’t a religious man even back when I used to be a normal human being. I can’t even say I believed in God or a god for that matter. And over the years, being trapped behind glass as a Jinn, religion had been the last thing on my mind.
But I believed there was somebody out there more powerful than me or Floriza. For where would people like us come from if not from something else much, much more?
Now I wondered what was going through the mind of the girl/woman sitting beside me. She had changed into a dress on top of yet another black, long-sleeved shirt and black tights. A different hat covered her head, matching the off-white dress that stopped just above her knees. It reminded me of a school girl uniform, complete with those preppy shoes she had on. Her big brown eyes were glittering in the dimmed light as she watched the event taking place in front of us.
Was she crying?
A silent sniff confirmed my suspicion making me smile. The girl cried at the drop of a hat! Letting it pass without comment, I followed her gaze and focused on the couple getting married.
How would it feel to tie your life to another for a lifetime? Would I have done it if I wasn’t cursed in this life? Technically, I’d be dead by now. Would I have found a woman in that previous life? Would I have loved her, or more importantly, would she have loved me for who I was? Would we have had a happy life? Children? Grandchildren or even great-grandchildren?
Helplessly, my gaze moved back down to the girl beside me.
Would she have looked like Michele? Would her lips have been as soft as hers? Her skin as translucent? Would she have been as nice and forgiving? Would her eyes have been like pools of chocolate you just want to drown in?
“Why are you looking at me like that?” a soft whisper broke into my thoughts.
Feigning innocence I gave her a frown, “Looking at you like what?”
Having her question thrown back at her seemed to have flustered her, making her cheeks flush pink. I bit back a smile. “Well, um, like you’re angry or… hungry or something. Anyway, are you hungry? I’m starving!”
She stood up only to discover that she couldn’t get out of the pew unless she moved around me and almost fell on my lap in her haste to escape. For a brief moment, I held her soft warm body before she jumped away and ran to the doors. Rubbing my hands over my face, I laughed silently to myself.
“Ambroise, what do you think you’re doing?”
Well, it was quite understandable. I hadn’t been with a woman for a long time. It’s not surprising to fancy the first girl who showed interest in me. But that wasn’t entirely true since there had been a lot of women visitors over the years who had tried to catch my eyes. Some of them even offered their bodies. Something a man forced into celibacy surely could not pass on, just so the well didn’t dry up.
But there was just something different with this girl.
With another laugh and a shake of my head in self-derision, I stood up and followed her. The front of the cathedral was like a burst of activity. There were vendors and tourists everywhere. Music was playing somewhere. Somebody calling out to check their wares. And colors. So many colors.
I found her in front of a woman wearing a veil and weighed down with so many layers of brightly colored beads, it was surprising she could still stand up. The woman was holding on to Michele’s hand and gesturing avidly over it.
Fortune teller, I decided.
I kept my distance, not wanting the woman to feel my presence. I already have one witch in my life, didn’t really need another one. To amuse myself, I watched a young musician strumming his battered guitar and belting out a tune. The tone of his voice was quite good, and he managed to attract several passers-by to stop and listen to him.
I fancied myself as a musician back in the day and had thought about following that dream, but my father forbade me to do it as he believed it was a profession for the peasants. Entertainers. People of wealth were the ones entertained, not the ones to do so. Cursing, I tried to push the thought away surprising a passing human with my outburst and making him move away from me, giving me a wide berth.
It took me a minute to figure out that the passerby could actually see me. Something I was still trying to get used to since we left the hotel. Being Michele’s companion meant I could be seen walking with her, which made sense in a way, since people might think she was crazy if she was talking to herself all the time.
Honestly, I was relishing it. It’s good to belong once more even if it was just to belong to a crowd of people. Another thing Michele gave me.
She was rubbing her hands together when she walked towards me, making me frown at her clothes. Was she warm enough? It was a warm night. Typical New Orleans temperature at this time of year but maybe she needed a jacket. Her cheeks were pink again I noticed when she approached, but she was studiously avoiding my eyes.
“Everything OK?” I asked curiously.
The flush exploded to a full-blown blush. She was definitely avoiding my eyes. “Uh, yes. I’m fine.”
Looking over her head, I glanced over to the fortune teller only to find the woman staring back at me. My smile slipped. Her gaze was measuring in their intensity probing my essence in the air. Trying to act normal, I threw my arm across Michele’s shoulders and steered her away.
“There’s a café near here that I’ve heard about. Let’s go there, shall we? You said you were starving.”
The witch’s eyes were like hot coals burning on my back as we walked away.
“I love this time of the year.”
Dragging my eyes away from yet another musician playing on his guitar, I focused my attention back to Michele who had a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. “Hmm?”
“Christmas. It’s just a week away now.” She informed me before sipping her drink.
Christmas? As if I had just woken up from sleep-walking, I looked around me again and sure enough Christmas ornaments and decorations were everywhere. That was why everything was so colorful. Try as I might, I cannot remember the last time I took notice of human holidays, days had rolled into one, and years had just blurred past. Even the guy on the guitar had been singing something about Christmas.
It had been Christmas day when I left. My father was shouting at me for not coming home the night before. I’d spent the night drinking and gambling with several friends whose faces I can’t recall now.
But I remembered the look of disappointment on my father’s face when I walked out of the door.
Hands so tiny and pale compared to mine pried my fingers away from the cup I was subconsciously gripping to death. Bringing myself back to the present, I focused on the delicate fingers in my hand with nails that looked like they had been bitten off to the quick. One forefinger looked a bit sore so I caressed it with mine, urging the skin to heal with my powers.
Choosing to ignore the soft gasp I heard, I worked on the rest of her fingers, healing them one by one all the while wishing my troubles could be healed as quickly as that. Within minutes, ten beautiful and healthy finger nails glistened in my hands.
“Thanks… can you do my toenails as well?”
Looking up to her pretty face, my heart melted when her dimples flashed at me. From my line of vision there was a lamp behind her, making her head appear like there was a halo circling it. She looked like an impish, little angel.
Years from now, I knew I would never forget the way she looked right this moment. Forever imprinted in my mind, to be called back in my memories whenever I needed them. Two days and this girl had given me so much more than anyone had even done before.
“I left my home on Christmas day. My father and I had an argument about something insignificant. In my young, proud, and irresponsible mind, I felt then that I had every right to lead my own life without being told what to do by anybod
y.”
Through the years I’ve met numerous people so I wasn’t exactly devoid of human contact. But I’ve never met anyone who I felt brave enough to talk about my life to the way I was with Michele. Now, as I held her unwavering gaze, dread was like a second skin clawing at me as I waited to see accusation or censure in those eyes. Foolishly, I was testing myself on how I would feel if she did.
Sadness was the only thing I saw. Maybe we shared the same experience with our families. Was her life as troubled as mine had been? Maybe if I told her more about myself she would open up to me… or so I convinced myself.
“I packed my bags. Stormed out of the house. Grabbed a lift from a friend and ended up checking into the hotel and getting the room you’re in now. The rest is history.”
“So, wow, you’re actually human! Somehow I had it in my head that you weren’t. Sort of like a god cursed by some evil witch. When did all this happen? Would you like me to contact your family? Maybe we could find a way together to set you free so you can be with them again.”
Three words in her sentence brought an ache to my heart, but I chose to cover it up with a laugh. “That would be a bit difficult to do, ma cherie. One, I have no idea how to contact them, and two, my parents would probably have died more than fifty years ago if either of them reached their eighties.”
Confusion then surprise then outright shock raced through her youthful face. “You’re… you mean… you’re actually…”
“An old man?” I finished for her, enjoying her reaction.
“But you look so… modern.” She replied gesturing to my clothes in a way that made me think it wasn’t the exact word she was thinking of. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a grin from breaking through.
“I’ve kept up with modern times over the years,” I explained. “I’m probably considered more American now than French. I haven’t spoken my native language for ages!”
“How did all this happen?” she asked in a mock whisper, leaning forward in her seat.
“How I ended up being a Jinn?” Glancing around, I saw the guitarist had taken a break and somebody else had started playing a soulful tune on a saxophone. There were only a handful of people were left in the café as the night life in New Orleans had moved to more adventurous locations. I wondered if it was still safe for Michele to be out this late?
“One of my friends introduced me to somebody who practiced voodoo. Back then, people believed in those things. But it was taboo to talk about them so it was only whispered in the underground. I was young, only twenty and I wanted to be powerful. But I wanted the easy way to get there.” I gave a bitter laugh.
“That was probably why I had been chosen to be the next one to find the Jinn. The magic finds you.” I told her meaningfully. “Long story short, I met the Jinn. Struck a deal with him. Made my wishes. Was amazed that it was real and not a hoax by one of my so-called friends. Then I got greedy and changed my third wish.”
“Oh, no…”
“Yup, ‘oh no’ indeed. The Jinn got angry with me. Things turned from bad to ugly, and in the end, I replaced the Jinn as punishment. Been stuck as the resident Jinn ever since.” I finished in a flourish.
“Like forever? Can you be set free?” She wanted to know.
That thing called hope niggled at me, but I replied as if it wasn’t that big a deal to me. “Hmmm… yeah, but my visitor has to set me free using one of the wishes.”
Michele sat up straight smiling at me, “I can do that! I can set you free! I’ve seen Aladdin, you know.”
Hope and alarm bells rang inside of me, battling against one another. A part of me wanted to jump at her and thank her for even suggesting it. Yet another part of me said this was beginning to sound like the deal I made a long time ago.
“No idea who or what Aladdin is.” I replied making light of the conversation.
“He’s a character in a Disney animation who met a genie – never mind!” She laughed at the face I gave her. “The point is, I have two more wishes. I can use my last wish to set you free! Won’t that be super?”
The small smile I gave her contrasted against the thundering of my heart. Reaching over to her empty cup, I brought it up to my nose and sniffed. “Is there alcohol in your coffee?”
That made her laugh even more, bringing a pink flush to her cheeks. “I’m serious! I’ll do that. I prom– “
“Don’t.” I placed my fingers on her lips cutting her off quickly. “Don’t even say those words to a Jinn. I may be powerful, but the power that held me is even more. I would rather not tempt it if you change your mind.”
She shook her head caressing the tips of my fingers with her lips, causing me to stifle a groan. Before I could think about it and stop myself, I pushed myself to my feet, took a step around the table, and pulled her in my arms.
Her cute little yelp of surprise died into a moan in my mouth as I feasted on her soft, giving lips. She tasted of coffee and a hint of sinful sweetness. Feeling almost savage, I pulled her against me. Opening my mouth, I sent my tongue to seek out the sweetness and find its source. To my delight, she opened like a flower and allowed me access, making little sounds that were like fuel to my flame.
It had been a long time since I’ve been with a woman, and my body was surging to fill that void. My hands wandered to find those gentle slopes on her body… to hold her closer into my hardening frame.
If it weren’t for the cat calls and the clapping around us, I would have taken her there and then. But I would have had to use an obscene amount of power to protect Michele’s dignity and provide some form of privacy from all the people around us, who were now avidly watching our heated embrace.
Regretfully, I lifted my mouth from hers, dipping down helplessly once or twice to savor her taste. Moisture glistened on her lips, making me want to lick it off. If it wasn’t for somebody yelling something rude behind me, I would have done so. Whipping my head around, I gave the rude offender a death stare to shut him up. The man’s face paled and quickly averted my gaze. The room quieted down, and everybody went back to minding their own business.
Michele, on the other hand, was none the wiser of what I’d just done. She had one hand supporting her adorable hat, keeping it from falling off her head. The other one was still holding on to me for dear life. If I thought she was merely cute before, she had turned into downright gorgeous with those big brown eyes of hers now fluttering up to me, looking dreamy and intoxicated, like I was the most desirable man in the world. No amount of make-up could mimic the flush on her lovely cheeks or recreate the fullness of her pink lips, which were begging for more kisses.
A man was simply not strong enough to resist.
The sound of her giggle was the only thing that managed to stop me from turning the second kiss into another carnal event.
“Ambroise,” she whispered against my lips, making my body harden even more, hearing my name in that breathless manner. “We’re creating a scene!”
Too late, honey. We’re way past that. Coming to my senses, I discreetly waved money on the table, tucked her securely under my arm, away from prying eyes, and ushered her out of the café.
Welcoming the cold blast of air on my heated face, I slowed us to a stroll, willing my body to relax. The warm bundle giggling next to me certainly helped. Indulgently, I looked at her and couldn’t help but smile at the merriment on her face.
“I can’t believe we just did that! Right in the middle of Café Du Monde!” She grinned up to me. “It’s straight out of a movie!”
The girl sure watched a lot of movies. Sparing a quick glance around us to make sure she was safe, I grabbed her up in my arms and hungrily claimed her laughing mouth in mine once more. This time I kept the kiss short but nonetheless proved one thing: this woman was mine. If anybody had challenged that right this moment, they would have died a swift, silent death.
“Oh, my…” was the only thing Michele managed afterwards.
“There’s another movie moment,” I said, sl
iding her deliciously down my body, deliberately torturing myself when she snagged a few times on the way to the ground. “You have too many clothes on.” I complained making her blush.
“Ahh –” She seemed at a loss for words.
Cool it, Ambroise, I scolded myself. What would she say if I flew us back to her room right now? Walking back would take such a long time, and she looked tired. Surely, she wouldn’t be able to walk that far?
“Slow down, please.” she said softly gazing up to me. “I’m not used to this.”
That was like a bucket of ice down my heated and well-aroused body. Innocence reflected behind those chocolate brown eyes. Aroused, yes. Ready for the taking, yes. So, so ripe for me, oh yes. But underneath all that, I couldn’t deny the innocence staring back up at me.
A virgin.
My God, I thought to myself. How did such a thing happen? Or not happen for that matter? Surely men would be panting after this woman, beating down her door for her affections. After just a few kisses, I was more than ready to kill someone and lay my claim on her. Even now, staring back into those eyes, I found myself drowning in my senses, heat surging through my body, and waiting desperately to be appeased.
“Are you a witch?” I asked her softly, unable to stop myself from caressing her lips with a finger. “You’ve placed such a spell on me.”
Much to my confusion, she started giggling. “You’re funny, Ambroise.” she informed me. “Nobody talks like that.”
For a minute I thought about becoming annoyed, then her arms circled my waist, and she settled against my body in an embrace.
Hmm… this was nice.
We stayed like that for several minutes, standing in each other’s arms and ignoring the busy world around us. Her colorful hat felt warm and soft against my cheek. She was just the perfect height for this type of cuddle. A man could get used to this, I thought to myself, willing my body to cool down.
Amazingly, I found myself calming down and just enjoying the feel of having Michele warm in my arms. The perplexing woman/child cuddled against me reminded me of a satisfied cat, who I was certain would have meowed right this moment if she could. Wonder what she’d be like after we made love if a simple kiss affected her like this?