30. Boshun

After making sure Lana had everything she might need, we returned to the palace.

Jasmine sobbed in the carriage on the way there. "I'm so grateful. I can never repay Geradine."

"She seemed happy just to help your sister, but we'll offer her payment when we see her."

"Once I've learned how to use my power, I'm going to only do kind things with it. Like enchanting medicine that will cure diseases. Repair wounds and injuries."

"You want to be a medical healer, then."

"That, plus I want to help others any way I can. I want to lift them up, not only myself and my sister. There's plenty of magic out there, and I'm going to claim it and use it to do good."

She was a rare person. Most would see this as a chance to build wealth and power. They were greedy—like all those who'd rubbed the lamp in the past. Perhaps that was why it had hidden itself in the treasure room where only someone pure of heart could claim it.

The carriage left us at the entrance to the castle, and we went inside and up to her room, not stopping even when someone called out my name—the prince's name, that is.

I was a simple wizard enchanted to act as the genie, not a true prince. And if I was lucky, and the fates were kind, I'd end this caged existence and spend the rest of my simple days with Jasmine.

"We have today to break your spell." Jasmine paced the room, her steps making almost no sound on the floor. "Have you tested your magic to see if it's returned?"

Over and over. "It hasn't."

She sighed. "And you're sure I can't use my new power to do something about this?"

"It's too dangerous."

She took the book about genies and sat in a chair, opening it up to read. "I'm going to see if there's anything here I missed."

I grabbed Advanced Spellcasting and sat by her feet, determined to do the same. We had so few tools available to us, it was silly to think two books could make a difference.

"What about this?" Jasmine asked. I looked up at her, and she read from the page. "It's related to genies who want to retire from the role."

I perked up and turned to face her. "There's actually a section discussing that?"

"It states the genie can talk someone else into taking the job and that will free them."

"Who would want it?"

She shrugged. "Someone who wants to live forever? A person eager to grant wishes? Until you used your magic to help me, you were incredibly powerful. Someone might want that power for themselves."

"Who?"

"We could ask around and see if anyone's interested."

Even if I wandered through the castle begging someone to take over my genie role, I doubted anyone would do it. "This job's a tough sell."

"Yeah."

My shoulders slumped. "Does the book mention any other way?"

"It says if the genie was coerced into taking the role or enchanted, they have options."

I perked up again. "Like what?"

"If someone's trapped in the lamp against their will, they could perform a reversal spell."

Reversal spell . . . Ah.

"Now this might work." I rose to my feet and stomped back and forth.

She watched me. "Tell me more."

"It's a complex spell." My growl ripped out. "Even I would find it a challenge, and I have no magic."

"Could I perform the spell?"

"An enchantment of this level?" I shook my head. "One misstep, and it could backfire onto you. We can't take the risk."

She set the genie book aside and stood. "Tell me more about what the spell does."

"In essence, we could use it to reverse the spell she cast on me."

"In other words, trap her inside the lamp instead of you."

"Yes, but it's too dangerous."

She lifted her chin. "We could practice for the rest of the day. You said I'm doing well with my new abilities already."

I gripped her arms, holding her steady. "I love you. I don't want you in danger."

"I have some say in this too."

"You're right." I stared down at her, seeing the strength in her eyes. This woman had an inner core of steel, and she'd use it until her dying day to protect those she loved.

"Teach me the spell, and I'll practice. And while I'm learning, we can try to come up with other ways of ending this before I have to make my final wish."