25. Jasmine

"Use a wish to unlock it," he said softly. "Cardia knows we're here."

Goosebumps scraped across my skin, and I couldn't stop shaking. "We can't be sure it's her."

"She locked it from the outside. Use a wish. You don't have much time left anyway. Barely enough for us to return to the castle."

"I won't use a wish for something like that. I'm saving them." For what, I wasn't sure, but I wouldn't waste one on something like this.

I whirled around and ran to the boxes of sewing goods, dumping one out and pawing through what was inside. I returned to the door with a thick knitting needle. Sometimes, Cardia asked me to knit muffs and scarves for fine ladies to wear to keep warm while outside in only a cloak and a pretty gown. I inserted the tip of the needle into the lock and wiggled it around.

Nothing happened.

Growling, I returned to sort through the other things on the floor.

"If you use a wish, we can get back to the castle and start reading those books," he said. "We might find a clue there to free me."

"I'm not wasting a wish."

He gave me a sad smile. "It's not a waste. We're stuck here, and I'm useless without my magic. A wish could take us to a safer location."

I rose and hurried over to him. "You're not useless, so don't say that."

His hands splayed wide. "I can't use my magic. I can't do a damn thing to protect you."

"In this, we have to use our brains. I'm not strong. I don't have magic. But I'd find the strength and the will to do something if it meant I could help you."

His face cratered. "You're right. I'm sorry. My magic has been a part of me forever, long before I was trapped inside the lamp. The lamp only enhances my natural ability. Now that it's been stripped from me, I feel like a big part of me is missing."

"Would you give up your magic if it meant you could escape the lamp forever?"

"Yes. Being with you is all that matters."

"Then let's get out of this trap like a person without magic would. We'll return to the castle and use the time we have left to go through the books. If we find something that'll help, wonderful. If not, I've got the seed of an idea I can wish for that might make a difference." I hoped I had a seed. It was more like dandelion fluff than a true seed.

But if the wind caught my idea and lifted it into the sky, it might just work.

"You're right." He lifted me up and kissed me. "No one can stand between us. I need to remember that."

"No one," I echoed as he put me back down.

We went through the sewing things, and I found a metal awl. "What about this?"

With a grin, he waved to the door. "Show me your magic, love."

I couldn't help smiling back. Despite our dire situation, we were still together. Surely something good had to come from that.

I inserted the tip of the awl into the lock and played with it, slowly shifting it back and forth and twisting.

A subtle hum rang out, and the door opened.