33. Jasmine

"When did you learn a spell like that?" Viscar asked me.

We sat in one of the first-floor parlors, me and Boshun on the sofa, holding hands, and Viscar in a chair opposite us.

As for the lamp, it disappeared not long after Cardia was trapped within it, and we assumed it had found its way back to the treasure room. If we were lucky, it was buried under a pile of jewels or silk and would never be found again.

"I wished for a witch's power with my second wish."

His eyes widened, and he stuttered. "But . . . That would've been yesterday."

I grinned and leaned into Boshun's side, my hand lying on his thigh. I was going to maintain contact with him for the rest of my life. Then, if someone tried to steal him, I'd go with him. "I learn quickly."

Actually, it was all I could do to gather the power for the spell. But knowing that failure meant Boshun's death gave me the strength I needed to grab onto every wisp of magic around me.

"You need to explain who you are and why you appeared at just the right time," Boshun said, voicing my very thought.

"Ah, well." Color rose into Viscar's face. "I'm not a regular butler."

I lifted one eyebrow. "I began to suspect that."

"I was on a mission for the king."

I hadn't expected that.

Boshun and I leaned forward, eager to hear more.

"He knew about the lamp, naturally. It's his treasure room." Viscar brushed a bit of lint off his black sleeve. "I work quite close to him, and he tasked me with watching over the lamp. He didn't want it falling into the wrong hands." His gaze landed on me. "You, I allowed. I watched, and you didn't touch anything else. The lamp accepted you because you're an amazing person. It's rare to find anyone who's truly pure of heart."

Boshun wrapped his arms around me and tugged me up onto his lap, propping his chin on the top of my head. "She is amazing. You won't find anyone else like Jasmine."

I leaned back in his arms, savoring his warmth and touch.

"I notified the king immediately that you had the lamp," Viscar told me. "He asked me to watch and see what you did with it. I'm a powerful wizard, and if you used your wishes in a way that the king wouldn't approve of, I would've negated them."

"Why didn't you do something about Cardia?" Boshun asked. "The king must've known about her."

"Oh, he did." He frowned at his fingernails, then buffed them on his pants. "As for doing something, I did, correct? I made sure Jasmine's spell was successful." He rose. "I'm afraid I must leave you both. I need to report this final chapter of the story to the king. He'll be quite pleased that Cardia's permanently taken care of."

"You'll make sure no one finds the lamp?" Should I feel bad that she was trapped forever inside the gilded cage she'd created for Boshun?

Nah.

"Of course." With a bow, Viscar left the parlor.

I turned around to face Boshun. "It's over. My sister will get better, and you're free." My smile fell fast, however. "I'm sorry about your magic. Is there any way we can restore it?"

He grinned. "What makes you think I didn't reclaim my wizard's magic the moment Cardia was sucked into the lamp?"

"Because you haven't used it."

A blink of his eyes, and we left the parlor.

I found myself lying beneath him on a very soft bed.

"Your magic's back!" I cried, wrapping my arms around him.

"I wouldn't care if it hadn't been restored," he said in all seriousness.

"You wouldn't?" I'd only used my power once, and already I had big plans for the good things I'd do with it. I'd hate to have my plans stolen away.

"True magic exists inside the heart." Boshun gave me a quick kiss. "I love you, Jasmine, and that's all the magic I'll ever need."