21. Boshun

Itold her about my conversation with Cardia.

"There has to be a way to break her spell and get you out of the lamp permanently," Jasmine said.

We sat naked on the bed together eating snacks I magicked from the air based on her every whim. She'd sampled fruit from all over the world, cheeses from lands where cattle roamed freely, eating only sweet grass and flowers. And I'd brought her the ripest olives and the best breads in the world.

We washed all of it down with wine made by pixies living in the fae court.

"Does the lamp allow the genie to permanently leave without someone else replacing them?" she asked, feeding me an olive.

I chewed, thinking. "I don't know."

"Is it sentient?"

"I haven't sensed it has a life of its own."

"Yet there are rules."

I grunted. "They apply to the genie, not the lamp."

"Who made the rules?"

"I wish I knew. When I've been granted a moment outside the lamp, I've never found any written history about it. And I wasn't in college long enough to learn, assuming any of the professors included magical lamps in their lessons."

"Is there any way to find out?"

I shrugged. "We could visit the college's library. There may be a book there."

"Hold on." She frowned. "I just remembered something."

I waited patiently while she thought.

"Yes." The smile she gave me made my pulse surge up into my throat. "When I was in her office, I saw a book about genies." Jasmine tipped her head back to look up at me. "If we can break into the building, we could steal the book and see if it has any suggestions."

"You're brilliant." I shifted her hair to the side and kissed the nape of her neck. "After you've spoken to the healer, I'll magic us there."

"You've done a lot of magic for me without me making a wish."

And I might end up paying a price. One obscure rule mentioned something about penalties for giving away more than samples of magic, but I wasn't going to worry about that right now.

For the first time, I had hope that I might find a way to be free from the lamp forever.

Then I could spend the rest of a normal life with Jasmine.

We bathed, and I crafted another gorgeous dress for my love, then we popped into her room, where we found Viscar going through Jasmine's things, his back to us.

A flick of my hand quietly opened the door, so he'd think we'd entered that way.

"Find anything?" she asked, striding toward him with complete confidence. The soft spoken, sad woman I'd met when she rubbed my lamp had been replaced with one who'd found joy in her life and who had a solid belief that she could build a better future.

"I was . . . just making sure you didn't need anything pressed or hung in the closet," he said, backing away from her with his hands lifted. "I'm terribly sorry, my lady. It meant nothing."

"I . . . it's all right." She nudged her head toward the door. "I won't need you this evening. You can leave."

He bowed; his posture contrite. His eyes landed on the lamp partly hidden under her blankets. They widened, and he swallowed hard. I could tell he itched to dart over to the bed and grab it.

"As you wish, Miss Bains," he said. "Shall I wake you in the morning?" His fingers twitched at his sides, and I didn't have to speculate about what he'd do if I wasn't here with her. He'd bolt toward the lamp.

"I'm sure I can find my way to the dining room, but thank you for your offer," she said.

He darted from the room, closing the door behind him, and while Jasmine went to her bag and sorted through her belongings, probably to make sure nothing had been damaged or taken, I collected the lamp.

Another twist of my magic and it looked like a book to everyone but us. I placed it on the bedside table. It would hold up under general scrutiny, and only someone with powerful magic would be able to tell it was masked and only if they touched it. I doubted anyone would bother to touch A Village Woman's Guide to Etiquette. Most would believe it had been left here to give Jasmine instruction on proper behavior.

"He was looking for the lamp," I said softly while she marveled at the "book."

She nodded. "Do you think he's working with Cardia?"

"Perhaps, or maybe he knew about the lamp already but suspected he'd never be able to claim it."

"Should we hide it where he'll never find it?"

"Until your last wish is granted, it must either be with you or with your belongings at all times."

The light in her eyes faded. "I'll need to make my second wish soon."

"Before midnight."

"Then I'll only have one left." She shook her head. "I don't want to make a third wish."

We knew she'd have to.

"What happens if I don't do it?" she asked.

"You'll miss out on a wish, and I'll still return to the lamp, which will no longer be in your possession."

"I'll think of something that will help you."

I pulled her into my arms. "Make a wish that will ensure you never have to struggle to survive."

"It won't matter if you're not with me."

"Then think of your sister." I hated twisting this. Twisting her. But knowing she could have a chance at a better life might make leaving her easier. "Do something that'll benefit her if you can't do it for yourself."

She pinched her eyes shut, and tears shimmered there when she opened them. "I can do that. I'll think about what's best."

I kissed her, wishing with everything in my heart that we had forever.