13. Boshun

Jasmine was the first woman I'd kissed outside a wish since becoming a genie. I'd experienced desire with others to varying degrees, but I'd never longed for someone like I did her.

I made sure she found enough treasures to fill her basket. Did she realize I was giving her what others would have to use a wish to obtain? She didn't seem to. She kept leaping toward whatever gleamed inside the hedge or what lay partly hidden by a leaf on the ground, exclaiming about the item's beauty as she lifted it and carefully put it inside her basket.

Since excited calls from the others told me they'd already reached the center of the maze and the prize the king had promised, I kept our pace leisurely. Now was for getting to know Jasmine better, not for competition with others.

When we came across a long stone bench, we sat.

Jasmine leaned against the back and tipped her face up, her eyes closing as she basked in the sunlight. "It's beautiful here. Like a whole new world."

"Your village and home are humble."

"That's an understatement. Life is rough for those living beyond the castle walls. I work hard to keep my sister and I in our small, rented home. I'm a seamstress, and until you gave me this dress," she plucked at it with her fingertips, "I thought what I made was the best, but my work will never compare."

"This dress was created with magic; it's not like any other." Nor were those waiting for her in the wardrobe back in her room. "But something made with your hands is infinitely more precious."

Her head tilted, and she smiled. "You're right. I do excellent work, and I'm proud of it. Women come to the dressmaker's shop and specifically ask for me to make their gowns."

"You have true talent."

"I believe I do." She placed the basket on her lap and sorted through the items. "So pretty. I assume I'll give them back to the king when we leave the maze."

"They're yours."

Her gasp rang out. "Then they can't be real. They're fake baubles. No one would give away true jewels."

"The king does and on a regular basis. These are party favors for those who attend the weekend of events. Most will toss them aside to seek whatever bauble comes next."

"But there's more wealth here than I'll see in a lifetime." Tear sparkled on her lashes. "If he has all this to just give away, why doesn't he use some of it to help the people living in the village? So many don't have homes. They can't find jobs, and there are no services to help them. People starve. They die daily while he's giving away trinkets like this to guests who you say don't even need them. These are playthings they'll toss aside."

"I'm sorry. You're right."

"How can I craft my next wish in a way that'll help others in an ongoing way? Wishing for enough food for everyone to eat will only give them a few meals. Wishing for them to have shelter only benefits them until it burns, starts falling apart, or someone steals it from them."

"I can't tell you how to phrase your wishes, though I wish I could."

"It seems you're as trapped by all this as me."

"I'm a man penned inside a gilded cage. I have been for ages."

"You must hate it."

I shrugged because she was right, though I wouldn't tell her that. "I wait."

Her gaze sought mine. "For what?"

Turning her to face me, I gently wiped away her tears. "I was waiting for you."