Page 109 of Bewitched By the Djinn
My brain short-circuits for a second. “You’re what, like my great-great-grand-djinn?”
He winks. “Oh, please, I’m far too young-looking for that.”
The light bulb goes off in Bennet’s head—which means it’s lighting up in mine too. “That’s why you said you’re welcome, before,” he says. “When we first met.”
And that’s also why he kept stealing my hairbrush when he stayed with us. He was using my hair in the hex bags for his... love spell?
“If you ever need a place to stay in Aetheria, our door is always open,” Bennet adds. “And I would be honored to have you in my wedding party.”
Richard tsks. “You kids. You’re going to make me feel things.” He reaches into his coat pocket. “Speaking of sentimentality.” He pulls out a delicate gold ring, dangling from a familiar chain.
Bennet freezes. His gaze drops to the ring, and for a moment, he doesn’t move.
“I believe this belongs to you. Even the swamp witches know when it’s time to return what matters.”
Bennet takes it, fingers curling around the chain like it might disappear. “Thank you.”
Richard waves a hand in front of his face. “Don’t make me cry. It’ll ruin my eyeliner.” His sigh is cinema-worthy. “Well. I’m off, children.” He sashays to the front door.
As soon as Richard disappears, Bennet grabs my hand and pulls me into him.
His mouth captures mine in a kiss that’s become familiar, but never ordinary. It burns through me like wildfire, deeper than our first kiss, richer than all the ones that followed. Like he’s trying to memorize the shape of this moment, and I am too.
When we finally break apart, breathless and buzzing, he catches my left hand and lifts it between us, inspecting it like it’s an interesting puzzle.
“What are you doing?”
“Measuring your ring finger, to see if I’ll need to have my mother’s ring resized.”
My breath catches. My chest aches with joy, and grief. I found my parents, but his are still gone.
He brushes a kiss over my ring finger. “She left it for me. With the hope that I’d find something real. A love as true as her and my father’s. I would say I succeeded.”
I press my forehead to his. “You’re going to make me cry before we even wish everyone farewell.”
“Then let’s say goodbye fast,” he whispers against my lips.
“Mom?” I call out. “Everyone—we’re leaving.”
They emerge from the kitchen. Jackie’s wearing one of my old sweatshirts. Kevin trails her, hands shoved in his pockets. Mimi’s behind them, eyes already glassy. Mom has her arm looped through Dad’s.
“So,” I blink back the emotions threatening to leak out of my eyes, “this is it.”
Jackie sighs. “It’s so cray you’re about to step into a magical portal and leave reality behind for like, ever.”
Bennet raises an eyebrow. “We’re coming back. And you can come visit us too.”
“I know. But who’s going to grill me with fifty questions about my daily caloric intake and chores and homework and sleep patterns?”
I smile and pull Jackie into a hug, then Kevin joins, awkward and tangled. “You’ve got each other. And Mom and Dad. You don’t need me hovering anymore.”
Jackie’s voice is muffled in my shoulder. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want you hovering.”
I give them both a squeeze before I pull away and turn to Mimi.
She opens her arms. “Look at you. Wandering off with a djinn prince. I always knew you’d be the exciting one despite the past few years ignoring my advice.”
I laugh.
