14. Jasmine

My heart flipped over at his words, but my hands trembled because I needed to know exactly what he meant. "Are you saying you were waiting for me to rub your lantern and ask you for three wishes?"

"I'm more than just the lamp. I'm me. And I've been waiting for you, Jasmine. You. It has nothing to do with wishes."

I wanted to cling to him. "You'll disappear once you've fulfilled my last wish. I won't see you again." The thought of that ripped through me like a blade.

"I've upset you." He glided his fingertips down my cheek. His smile rose, but it felt forced. "For that, I'm truly sorry." He nodded to the path we'd traveled. "Let's leave the maze and go to the next event. We have today and tomorrow to spend together, right?"

We'd have all the time in the world if I could find a way to avoid using my wishes, but wouldn't that be manipulating him like everyone else who'd rubbed the lamp?

Solemn and with each of us lost in our thoughts, we walked through the maze, exiting out onto the lawn to find many of the others making their way back toward the castle. Tents in bright colors with streamers and flags on the top had been set up to the right of the main structure, and music played.

But it was the creatures standing on the lawn a bit apart from everything else that made me stop in my tracks and gasp.

"Dragons," I breathed. "They're not real." I sought Boshun's gaze. "They can't be real dragons. They don't actually exist, do they?" These had to be statues—magically enhanced figurines that moved about but weren't alive.

"They're true dragons." He shot me a grin. "They've always been around us, but they remain hidden most of the time. It appears King Tricar has talked them into appearing for his guests."

I gaped at the creatures that stood preening, their scales gleaming burgundy, teal, and gold in the sunshine. One spread its wings, flapping them, and a gust of wind swirled our way. Another tipped its head back and lazily shot fire into the air.

A woman near me sucked in a breath and before anyone could reach her, she collapsed on the ground in a faint. Three attendants rushed over and helped her sit up.

"They're . . . They're . . ." She pointed, and they helped her to her feet, though she backed away and sat in one of the many plush chairs set up beneath a tent.

"The dragons are for display?" I asked as we walked closer to them along with most of the guests.

Women fluttered around me dressed in their gorgeous day gowns with lords in attendance.

The king strode toward us from the back of the castle. "I see all of you have found treasure," he announced with a grand smile, indicating our baskets. "If you'll give your trinkets to your assigned servants, they'll happily take them to your rooms."

Viscar strode over to stand in front of us, giving us both a bow. He held out his hand, and I gave him the basket. "I will, of course, ensure this makes its way safely to your room, Miss Bains."

"Thank you."

After giving me a brief smile, he pivoted on his heel and strode toward the castle.

"I can't believe we get to keep them." I'd have to find a way to trade them for food, fuel, and money I could use to help others. "This feels like a fairy tale. I'm a simple village woman. While I was invited to this event, when the weekend's over, I go back to being plain old me. The pretty gowns and baubles may go home with me, but after that, I'll only have memories as I return to my everyday work and caring for my sister." I wasn't truly hurt by the idea. How could I be when I had this chance to be with Boshun?

His gaze locked on mine, and he lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles. "You're anything but simple."

"Am I?" I plucked at my silk skirt. "This is just pretend." I swept out my arm. "All of it. Once I leave, this fairy tale world will continue without me. None will remember me, and no one will think of those less fortunate living beyond the castle walls."

"You're amazing to me."

His heartfelt words made my anger fade, replacing it with sadness. Three wishes weren't enough to change the world for the better. There weren't enough wishes for that.

"I know many of you haven't had the chance to interact with dragons," the king said, pulling my attention his way. His low chuckle rang out. "And I also know that many of you may not wish to interact with the dragons. But today is your chance. I've negotiated with the queen of the dragons, and she agreed to bring a few of her loyal subjects here today to give us a taste of what it's like to fly."

Gasps rang out around us.

The king's smile widened. "Who would like a ride first?"

No one stepped forward. Well, no one but me.

"Ah, one brave soul," the king said, dipping his head toward me slightly. "Welcome, my dear. What's your name?"

"Jasmine Bains." I lifted my chin, though I didn't hear any snickers—yet. "I live in the village. I'm one of those who received an invitation."

"And very lovely you are, Lady Bains. Now, you'll be the first to ride a dragon." He stepped forward, his hands lifting. "Since you've also proven you're brave, you win a prize."

With wide eyes, I held still while he placed a golden chain strung with a gold star the size of my thumb around my neck. I bit my tongue before asking if it was real gold, but Boshun's slight nod told me it must be.

"And how are you today, Prince Boshun?" the king asked while I admired the pendant.

"Well, Your Highness," he said. "Very well, in fact."

"Good, good. Will you ride as well?"

"I thought I could ride with Lady Bains if the dragon will permit such a thing."

"I'm sure it will." The king held up his hand, and one of the many staff standing near the dragons hurried over. "Prince Boshun and Lady Bains will ride my steed."

Our king had his very own dragon?

Whispers rang out behind us, telling me this was a great honor.

Boshun bowed toward the king. "Thank you, Your Highness. That's quite kind of you." He held his arm out to me, and I laid my hand on it.

We followed the attendant over to the ruby red dragon that watched us with intent golden eyes. When the staff person got close, it gently nudged the woman's belly, huffing a bit of smoke from its nostrils.

"Farisa is quite gentle," the woman said, stroking the beast's light red cheeks. "She loves to give rides, which is a bonus as well, don't you think?"

"She's beautiful," I said in awe. I looked up at the enormous beast who could crush me with one stomp of her front foot or rip through my chest with a swipe of her forearm-long claws. Her gaze caught mine, and I swore she winked, though she couldn't understand what I said, could she?

"You'll ride on her back," the attendant said. She kissed Farisa's forehead and lowered her voice. "Will you give these lovely people a gentle ride, my fair one?"

Farisa huffed again, this time shifting over to nudge my belly. I held still, though strangely enough, I wasn't scared. I should be, but I'd long since learned there were worse things to fear in life than a quick death from a dragon.

Farisa dropped down onto her belly and extended her left forearm.

"You can climb up her leg," the attendant said.

"Or I can boost you," Boshun whispered by my ear, the low thrum of his voice trickling across my bones.

At my nod, he held my waist and leaped, landing lightly on Farisa's back with me in his arms. He settled me in front of him, wrapping his arm around my waist while I grabbed onto one of the dragon's neck spikes that was stiff but also surprisingly flexible.

"Hold tight," the attendant said from where she stood next to Farisa's left shoulder. "She'll take you over the forest. We don't travel near the village for obvious reasons."

"You don't want the villagers aware that dragons exist," I said.

"Oh, it's not that." The woman's smile grew sly. "Some time ago, our dragons weren't quite as friendly. They were known to raze a house or two with their flames."