8. Jasmine

"You still haven't told me your name." I decided to focus on that and not my grief. I was here in the palace, which meant I had hope of finding the healer. There was still a chance my sister could be cured despite being unable to use a wish to help her.

"Boshun." His gaze didn't meet mine. "I've never told anyone else my name."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't believe they'd care."

Strangely enough, I did. "I'm honored."

Something he'd just said made me start thinking. And when I was deep in thought, I paced. The distraction of my body's movement was just enough to clear my mind and allow my brain to come up with solutions I wouldn't otherwise think of. "You suggested I was giving up."

"I did." He watched me intently, his full lips twitching. I'd enjoyed his kiss, but it was time to focus on what I needed to do, not my unexpected attraction to him.

"I've begun to believe you're an actor, pretending to be a genie."

"You know that's not true."

I cocked my head. "Are the wishes for real?"

"I'll tell you what. I'll give you one wish for free, something I'd never bestowed upon another."

"Truly?" I breathed.

"Truly."

I swallowed and thought about it before speaking, needing to make sure it came out right.

"Can I ask you to gain me an introduction to the palace healer, Geradine?"

He grinned, and it made his eyes sparkle for the first time, telling me it was a real smile, not something drummed up to please the person who'd summoned him from the lamp.

It crushed me to think that this man had so little joy in his life. Like Lana deserved the chance to live, so did he.

"Is that what you'd like?" he asked gravely.

"Yes. I want you to gain me an introduction to the palace healer, Geradine, and make sure that my introduction comes with enough time to explain my sister's situation."

"Very clever." His face went solemn, and he bowed. "As you wish, Jasmine. So it shall be."

I expected him to magically pop me from this room to wherever I might find the healer, but we remained in my room.

"Do you happen to know when this will happen?" I asked, pausing on the polished wooden floor.

"Geradine is not inside the palace," he said. "But she'll be back tomorrow night, before the evening's festivities, and she plans to attend. She'll dine and dance, but you won't find her receptive to your request before or during that time. After nine, she'll sit alone, reading in the blue room. She'll gladly listen then, and I believe, though I cannot see that far, she'll seriously consider your request."

"This doesn't prove you can grant wishes. It's not something I can tangibly see."

He huffed. "Then ask for something else."

"All I want is an introduction."

"You have it."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I have nothing."

"So ask for something simple that I can grant here and now."

I held up my finger. "Hold on." Rushing to the door, I opened it, finding a guard passing by outside. "Excuse me."

Pausing, he bowed. "Do you need something?" His gaze faltered as it slid down my frame, reminding me I still wore my now-wrinkled gown from last night.

"Is the palace healer, Geradine, here?"

"Are you unwell?"

"No, I feel fine. I was just . . . curious."

He frowned. "I see. No, she isn't, though we expect her back in time for the festivities tomorrow night."

Boshun had seen that. Did that mean I could trust him with the rest?

"Thank you." With that, I shut the door and turned back to the genie. "I believe you," I told him. It was all I could do not to squeal with joy. My sister's cure was closer than ever before. I rushed over and hugged him. "Thank you. Thank you!"

His arms twitched at his sides before they went around me. I'd never experienced anything as wonderful as this man holding me.

If I wasn't careful, I was going to start falling in love.

That thought sobered me. I stepped out of his embrace, focusing on the floor so he wouldn't read the longing in my eyes. "Perfect. I believe you're a true genie. You don't need to do anything else for me. I can wait until nine tomorrow evening to speak with Geradine."

"Very well." He bowed again. "I'll return to the lamp and await your first wish. When you need me, just call my name and rub the side of the lamp."

"Wait." I latched onto his forearm before he could turn to steam. Fog. Whatever form he took so he could squish back into the lamp. "You don't have to leave, do you?"

He frowned at my hand, a tic blooming in his left temple. "What would you have me do instead?"

"What would you like to do?"

He sucked in a breath and released it, shaking his head. "My wishes are not important here."

"What would you like to do instead of returning to your lamp?" I asked again.

"Is it your wish to know the answer to your question?"

"If I must use a wish to please you, then yes."

He held up his finger, and it glowed like last night. "Don't form it into a wish." His voice lowered to a whisper. "Do you know what I'd like to do?"

I couldn't imagine. I knew what I'd like, but his thoughts were equally important. "Tell me."

His gaze met mine. "I'd like to spend time with you."